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;
January 14, 2004
**********************************************

ARMENIAN CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION THROUGHOUT THE CANADIAN ARMENIAN PARISHES

On the morning of January 6, the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church
throughout Canada in all parishes celebrated the Feast of the Holy
Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

In TORONTO’S HOLY TRINITY ARMENIAN CHURCH, morning service started at
9:30 a.m. following which the Divine Liturgy was celebrated by
Rev. Arch. Fr. Zareh Zargarian. The Divine Liturgy concluded with
blessing the water with Holy Myuron.

At the end of his sermon Rev. Arch. Fr. Zareh Zargarian invited all
men named Avedis to the altar, gave them candles that were brought
from the Mother See of Etchmiadzin and blessed them.

In SAINT CATHARINE’S SAINT GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR ARMENIAN CHURCH the
faithful parishioners attended the Armenian Christmas Liturgy. The
Primate’s representative of the Golden Horseshoe area Very Reverend
Father Hayrik Hovhannisyan celebrated the Divine Liturgy, assisted by
Rev. Fr. Datev Melenguitchian, Pastor of St. Gregory Church and Deacon
Vrej Berberian, Assistant to the Pastor of Holy Trinity Armenian
Church. The lights shone brightly throughout the church, as the
congregation greeted one another in the traditional greeting “Christos
Dzenav yev Haydnetzav” and responded “Ornialeh Haydnootoune
Christosi”. The Godfather for the year 2005 is Shahe Melengutichian,
Sunday School student of the Church.

For 75 years, the tradition of celebrating Armenian Christmas in St.
Catharines, has been the preparation and offering of Pagharch
(unleavened bread) to the community. This time-honored tradition
continues today, with the aid and support of our church
community. Under the capable direction of Helen Boyagian, the baking,
the digging out the melted butter and the garlic tahn are followed,
according to customs handed down through the generations. The workers
are the children and grandchildren of those gallant survivors of the
Armenian Genocide, who brought with them memories of their
homeland. Once a year, from near and far, they arrive, with homemade
tourshi (pickles) and a nostalgic appetite for one more Armenian
Christmas of delicious pagharch.

In HAMILTON’S SAINT MARY ARMENIAN CHURCH faithful celebrated the Eve
of Nativity and Theophany on Wednesday January 5th, 2005 with Very
Reverend Father Hayrik Hovannisyan, and The Day of Nativity and
Theophany on Sunday January9th, 2005 with Reverend Father Archpriest
Sarkis Gulian.

Both occasions included beautiful services of the Divine Liturgy and
provided young and old with the opportunity to rejoice in the coming
of Christ and renew their faith for the New Year. On Wednesday January
5th, prophetic scripture readings were read by Sunday School Students
Julia Apgarian, Sarkis and Tikran Mardikian. On Sunday January 9th,
2005 the blessing of the water took place and the children were
brought onto the alter and were blessed along side Sunday School
teachers Mrs. Silva Keleshian and Miss. Alexia Citak. Following the
Sunday service there was a luncheon in the Hall. The children received
gifts from Santa and everyone was joyful. The Feast of the Miraculous
Nativity ofour Savior Jesus Christ was a very cheerful and happy time
at St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church of Hamilton.

In other parishes St Vartan of Mississauga, Holy Cross of Laval and
St. Vartan Armenian Church of Vancouver, Armenian Christmas
Celebrations took place as well as the ceremony of the Blessing of
Water. The St. Mesrob Parish of Ottawa will be celebrating the Divine
Liturgy this Sunday. His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian will
preside over the celebration and deliver his message.

The Primate His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian celebrated Divine
Liturgy at Saint Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Cathedral of
Montreal assisted by Very Reverend Father Ararat Kaltakjian and
Reverend Father Vazgen Boyajyan. Serving the Altar were the deacons
and the acolytes of the Church. The Gomidas Choir of the Church sang
the Divine Liturgy conducted by Varoujan Markarian. Hundreds of
Armenians from Greater Montreal area attended the Christmas
Celebration. Verabadveli Manuel Jinbachian was the special guest
invited bythe Primate.

In his sermon, Bishop Galstanian said, “It is with a glorious economy,
that on the important milestone of the changing of the year, the image
of the Holy Nativity rises up in our minds and thoughts, as on this
significant occasion we meet with Jesusâ=80¦

Particularly, on these days, when we read the story of the Birth of
Jesus, we come across the Magi’s, who having traveled a long way “knew
Him”. His Eminence continued “In today’s culture of independent
individualism, and inthe chaos of multicultural globalization, there
are so many “spiritual orphans”who do not have a sense of identity,
accountability or commitment, yet there appears the same and
unchangeable image of Jesus “and He Himself is the propitiation for
our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole
world”(1 John 2:2). He added, “Today is a feast of Love. It is the
feast of God’s unlimited love with humanity. The Creator bows to His
creatures out of His boundless love and so what remains for us is to
KNOW HIM.” He then concluded, “With these thoughts, I lovingly extend
my congratulations to all Canadian Armenians on the occasion of the
New Year and Holy Nativity. With these thoughts we wish to see our
people live with the highest of values, apart and liberated from all
pettiness and life-consuming issues. The knowledge and insight of
Peaceand Love that must be expressed only by deeds, reaches our souls
and minds, through the voice of the newly born Jesus. “Anyone who does
not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not
love his brother” (1 John 3:10).

In his message, Bishop Galstanian also spoke of the significance of
the new year of 2005, noting that the Armenian people will celebrate
the 1,600th anniversary of the Invention of the Armenian Alphabet and
solemnly commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the Primate officiated over
the Service of the Blessing of the Waters, in commemoration of the
Baptism of Christ in the River Jordan. The Godfather of the Cross
this year was Gregoy Dikranian. Serpazan congratulated the Dikranian
family on this blessed occasion.

Following the Divine Liturgy, a traditional reception was held in the
Marie Manoogian Hall.

* * *

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE AT THE HOLY TRINITY ARMENIAN CHURCH IN TORONTO

On the evening of January 5, the Eve of the Holy Nativity and
Theophany of Jesus Christ, a candlelight Divine Liturgy was celebrated
in the Armenian Church throughout Canada.

With the joyous singing of “Christ is Born and Revealed,” our Church
proclaimed the great tidings of Jesus’ birth to her faithful.
Hundreds of faithful, representatives of sister Churches as well as
Ecumenical guests in the Toronto region gathered in the Churches to
hear the traditional reading from the prophet Daniel, the readings
from the Holy Scriptures on the birth of Christ and to participated in
the liturgy.

On this joyful occasion, the Primate celebrated Divine Liturgy in
Toronto Wednesday, January 5, 2005 during which the Metropolitan
Archbishop Sotirios was the guest speaker.

Evening vesper started at 6:00 pm. Along with prayers and Christmas
hymns Sunday School students of the Church read the passages from
prophetic scriptures. It was rewarding to hear the Jr. Choir of the
church accompanied by the Sr. Choir in singing the Liturgy Hymns and
especially the Christmas songs.

In his sermon, our Primate expressed gratitude to the guest clergies
who had come to share Christmas with our faithful and praised the
dedication of the parish priest Fr. Zareh Zargarian. He then invited
the Primate of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Canada His Eminence
Metropolitan Archbishop Sotiriosto convey his thoughts on the eve of
Christmas.

The Eve of Nativity and Theophany was observed in the entrance of the
church where His Grace offered a Home Blessing service, and prayed for
our Lord to keep and protect the Armenian Church, her hierarchal
centers, her dioceses, clergy and faithful under the protection of His
Holy Cross.

Guest clergies were His Eminence Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios
(Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in Canada), Rev. Fr. Haridimos
Sarris (Greek Orthodox Church), Rev. Fr. Theodore de Oliveira (Greek
Orthodox Church), Costas Ketsetziz (Greek Orthodox Church), Very
Rev. Fr. Yeghia Kirejian (Pastor ofSt. Gregory the Illuminator
Armenian Catholic Church), Rev. Fr. Canon Harold Nahabedian (Rector of
St. Mary Magdalene Anglican Church).

* * *

DIOCESAN FAITHFUL RESPONDE POSITIVELY TO TSUNAMI RELIEF

On January 11, 2005 His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galsanian met with the
representative of the Canadian Red Cross Mrs. Ginette Archambault in
his office. During the meeting Mrs. Archambault talked about the
current relief efforts undertaken by the Canadian Red Cross in Tsunami
struck areas.

On behalf of the Canadian Diocese of the Armenian Church Bishop
Galstanian handed a cheque of 11.000 CAD to the representative of Red
Cross which willbe doubled by the Federal Government. Mrs. Archambault
thanked the Primate andthe Armenian Community for responding very
positively. His Eminence Bishop Galstanian stated that 17 years ago an
earthquake took many Armenian lives in our Motherland and more than
anyone we feel the grief and pain of the people inthe Tsunami
devastated areas. He then added, “Our prayers go with the victims and
the families of this natural disaster, and we wish you courage in your
most rewarding mission.”

* * *

MONTREAL BASED SEATPLY INC. DONATED 5000 CAD

It is with deep appreciation and gratitude we acknowledge that as a
response to the Primate’s appeal towards helping Tsunami victims,
Montreal based SEATPLY INC donated 5000 CAD. On this occasion,
Mr. Levon Afeyan, Presidentstated that “after reading Serpazan’s
appeal I couldn’t sit back and do nothing”. Over 20 employees from Sri
Lanka and other countries around Indian Ocean work for Seatply Inc.

Seatply Inc. offered the employees to donate their time. The outcome
was that a total 190 hours were donated by the employees that amount
to 2500 CAD, the company doubled this amount. On Friday, January 8,
2005 Mr. Afeyan accompanied by Martin Fiset and Murugavel Rajaratnam
handed a cheque of 5000 CAD to the Primate.

We thank the Seatply Inc and its president Mr. Levon Afeyan for the
thoughtful and heartfelt humanitarian act.

* * *

YOUTH RALLY ORGANIZED BY THE PRIMATE

On Thursday, January 13, 2005 the Primate of the Diocese of Canada His
Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian organized a Youth Rally.

The event took place at the Diocesan Hall 615 Stuart Avenue at
7:30pm. During the meeting CYMA’s 2004 Mission to Armenia (Youth
Project), 90th anniversary of the commemoration of the Armenian
Genocide, Diocesan Camp Project, 1600th Anniversary of the Invention
of the Armenian Alphabet and many other issues related to the Youth
and its involvement in the community life were discussed.

>From the very inception of his mission as Primate, Bishop Galstanian
has emphasized the importance of the role of the Youth in the
community’s build-up and prosperity. On many occasion during his
visitations to mission parishes and in relatively greater communities
such as Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, His Eminence has met with the
Youth and listened to the difficulties and challenges they face. He
has shown support and understanding to the Youth and has encouraged
them to actively participate in the mission of the Church.

* * *

THE GOOD SAMARITAN OUTREACH MISSION IN THE HOLY TRINITY SUNDAY SCHOOL

On January 8th and 9th 2005, the Students of Holy Trinity Armenian
Apostolic Church Sunday School graduating class participated in an
extraordinary Outreach Mission called ‘The Good Samaritan’. This was
one of many new traditions initiated this year by Rev. Arch Fr. Zareh
Zargarian. The purpose behind the Mission is to strengthen faith and
to activate Christ’s teachings in the students’ daily lives.

Participation in the Outreach Mission prompted the students to take an
active role in serving the community and spreading the good news of
Nativity and Revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. The children
followed an itinerary and visited families who were in need of support
and encouragement. They also visited families who were long time
supporters of the Church to show appreciation and respect for their
commitment, love and devotion.

The families were very surprised and overjoyed to the point of tears
to see the students with candles in hand, singing Christmas Carols,
the sweet smell of incense at their doors. The student Missionaries
spent time with every family during their visits and expressed
heartfelt best wishes while Rev. Arch Fr. Zareh celebrated the House
Blessing (Doun Orhneq) and prayed for the healing of the sick.

The Good Samaritan Outreach Mission was in fact very inspiring and
heartwarming. Putting into action the lessons learned at the school
encouraged the students to feel the real meaning of their studies in
the Spirit of Service. They could see how important they were as the
future responsible members of our community and had the duty to carry
out the teachings of the Bible by caring for others as in the parable
of the Good Samaritan.

The mission was coordinated under the auspices of Rev. Arch Fr. Zareh
and organized with the help and support of Dn. Vrej Berberian
(Principal), Mrs. Taline Gumushdjian (Chairperson of Board of
Trustees), Mrs. Takouhi Knadjian (Vice Principal), Mrs. Viviane McLean
(Board Member and PTO Chairperson), and Mr. Andranik Mirzoyan (Grade
7 Teacher).

In conclusion we would like to express our gratitude to everyone
involved and especially the parents who understood the true meaning of
the Mission and allowed their children to participate and become
messengers in the Spirit of Service, for the Nativity and Revelation
of our Lord Jesus Christ. It was an emotional day for the families and
most especially, an emotional day for the students. A real Christian
duty was put to practice. May God Bless and protect our student
Missionaries.

The participants were, on Saturday, Nareg Zargarian, Alisha
Shahmirian, Anashe Shahmirian, Maryam Meherian, Mayram Mesrop, and on
Sunday, Nareg Zargarian, Tamar Atik, Talar Thomasian, Allen
Sarkissian, Raffi Garabedian, Sarkis Kaltakjian, Sipan Galstanian.

* * *

BISHOP BAGRAT GALSTANIAN MEETS WITH THE ACYOC AND CHRISTIAN MISSION
COMMITTEE AT THE HOLY TRINITY ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH (BY GREGORY
KALAYDJIAN)

On Tuesday January 4, 2005, His Grace Bishop Bagrat Galstanian got
together with the Toronto Jr.-and-Sr. A.C.Y.O.C. along with the
Christian Mission Committee to discuss the role of the Armenian youth
in the Armenian Orthodox Church. Bishop Galstanian praised everyone
for his or her hard work and dedication to the Church. Various topics
were discussed including the value and meaning of A.C.Y.O.C., the role
of A.C.Y.O.C. in the Armenian Orthodox Church, and different ways we
can attract more youth to become an active and participating member of
the Church community. Bishop Galstanian emphasized the importanceof
educating people about the different facets of the Armenian Orthodox
Church including our holy procession ‘Badarak’. He has even offered to
teach the youth the meaning of ‘Badarak’ on a monthly basis so that
they (the youth) may understand and appreciate the various proceedings
and prayers that constitute this holy procession.

Overall, it was an enlightening experience to have Bishop Galstanian
in our presence discussing these various issues with the youth. The
importance of youth in our Church can never be over-emphasized but
without the proper guidance and leadership they will lack focus and
direction and will quickly lose interest in the Armenian Church
community. A train can have many cars but will go nowhere without its
conductor.

* * *