PRESS OFFICE
Armenian Holy Apostolic Church Canadian Diocese
Contact; Deacon Hagop Arslanian, Assistant to the Primate
615 Stuart Avenue, Outremont Quebec H2V 3H2
Tel; 514-276-9479, Fax; 514-276-9960
Email; adiocese@aol.com Website;
A HISTORIC DAY AND A NEW MISSION IN THE LIFE OF THE CANADIAN ARMENIAN
DIOCESE
Holy Cross Armenian Church of Toronto is received under the auspices
of the Canadian Diocese of the Armenian Church
June 23, 2004 will remain a historic date in the annals of the Diocese
of the Armenian Church of Canada. Following several months of
consultations between the Diocesan Council and the Board of Directors
of Toronto’s Holy Cross Church, it was agreed that henceforth, Holy
Cross School of Toronto will function under the auspices of the
Diocese. The text of the preliminary agreement is as follows:
“The undersigned, as representatives of the Diocesan Council of the
Armenian Holy Apostolic Church of Canada and Holy Cross Armenian
Church, are both pleased to announce that they have conducted
bilateral discussions and have reached an understanding in principle
to structure the Toronto based Holy Cross Armenian Day School to
operate under the auspices of the Diocese of the Armenian Holy
Apostolic Church of Canada”.
***
The year-end graduation ceremonies and festivities of the Holy Cross
School was held in the Magaros Artinian Hall, which on this happy
occasion was graciously availed by the Holy Trinity Armenian Church.
Over 300 parents and friends of the school attended the “Hantes”,
which was presided by H. E. Bishop Bagrat Gastanian. Present also were
Rev. Fr. Zareh Zargarian, Pastor, representatives of the Parish
Council, directors of the community’s Armenian day and Saturday as
well as Sunday schools, and representatives of community organization.
A cultural program of recitations, songs and dances was staged by the
students of the school, followed by words of congratulations by
Mr. Jirair Tchopouroglu, Chairman of the school’s Board of
Directors. A surprise announcement was made by member of the Diocesan
council Deacon Hrant Chitak, who read the text of the agreement
arrived at between the School and the Diocese, to bring Holy Cross
School under the auspices of the diocese. The news was received with
an enthusiastic applause.
Graduation certificates were then handed to 9 graduates from the 6th
grade and 11 from the kindergarten. Over a dozen of successful
students received special prizes. Rev. Fr. Zargarian congratulated the
graduates and added his good wishes and blessings on the occasion of
the School being received under the auspices of the Diocese.
In his closing remarks His Eminence Bishop Galstanian stressed that
with this new agreement, the Diocese assumes a new mission of
educating the new generations, a role that has been traditional for
the Armenian Church. The Primate mentioned that he had informed about
this development to His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All
Armenians, who has blessed this endeavor and has wished success in
this new mission. His Eminence said, “May this become an example to
other organizations to work together in harmony and to create a
peaceful and productive environment for our new generations.”
The mood of elation and happiness was evident in the audience as the
Primate concluded the gathering by a prayer and blessings.
Divan of the Diocese