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; [email protected]
Website;
June 16, 2005
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HIS HOLINESS PAYS PONTIFICAL VISIT TO SACRAMENTO MEETING WITH
GOVERNOR AND STATE OFFICIAL
His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, accompanied by
His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, His Eminence
Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, and Vicar General Very Rev. Fr. Dajad
Dz. V. Yardemian, paid a visit to the Capital city of Sacramento on
June 15, 2005. Also present was Pastor of St. James Armenian Church
Rev. Fr. Yeghia Hairabedian.
His Holiness arrived at the Governor’s office at 11:00 accompanied by
his entourage. Over the course of one hour the Catholicos met with
several city officials including Senator Chuck Poochigian.
At 12:00 noon a reception took place in the Governor’s State Room in
honor of His Holiness with the presence of state legislators and
congressional officers. Senator Poochigian introduced His Holiness to
the officials, saying that the Pontiff, the 132nd Catholicos of All
Armenians, was visiting from Armenia and the centuries old center of
the Armenian Church, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
Several Senators were present at the reception, including Jackie
Speier, Charles Poochigian, Joe Simitian, Jack Scott, Dave Cox,
Elaine Alquist, Dick Ackerman, Abel Maldonado, Richard Alarcon, Bob
Margett, and Roy Ashburn.
Assembly Members in attendance were Greg Aghazarian, Carol Liu, Dave
Jones, Jackie Goldberg, Cindy Montanez, Audra Strickland, Alan
Nakanishi, Betty Karnet (Chief of Staff Attended), Jerome Horten,
William Emmerson, Bonnie Garcia, Mimi Walters, and Rick Keene.
Representing the Office of the Governor were Lisa Kalustian and John
Kaboteck.
His Holiness meets with Governor: At 4:30 p.m. His Holiness Karekin
II, accompanied by the Primate and members of his entourage had a
private meeting with California State Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The Governor extended a warm welcome to His Holiness on the occasion
of his visit to the Capital city of California and wished him well on
his spiritual mission. The meeting was a historic and memorable one,
with a warm atmosphere.
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MICHIGAN TO WELCOME CATHOLICOS NEXT WEEK
His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, will be welcomed in Detroit next week, following his
month-long visit to the parishes of the Western Diocese. Our
Primate, His Eminence4 Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, will accompany His
Holiness Karekin II Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians.
In Detroit, the Catholicos will lead a hrashapar service at the St.
John Church at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday (6/21), before attending a
reception and dinner with parish council members. On Wednesday (6/22)
the Catholicos; Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern
Diocese; and Detroit community leader Richard Manoogian will meet
with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and work on a home through
the Habitat for Humanity project.
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MR. & MRS. SOUREN AND LILY ADJEMIAN BENEFACTORS OF THE CANARM DIOCESE
It is with great joy and gratitude that we announce to the faithful
of our Church in Canada, that Mr. & Mrs. Souren and Lili Adjemian
from Toronto, longtime benefactors and well-known philanthropists,
have donated generously towards the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church
Canadian Diocese general fund. Last week, the Adjemian family donated
$25,000 to the Diocese.
After the election of Bishop Galstanian as primate of the Diocese Mr.
& Mrs. Adjemian contributed on many levels towards the Mother See of
Holy Etchmiadzin, the Gevorgian and Vazgenian Theological Seminaries
as well as building projects of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of
Canada. The Adjemian family is a great supporter of the Canadian
Diocese and the Holy Trinity Armenian school of Toronto. Since June
2003, the Adjemian family has donated over $75.000.
On behalf of the Primate His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian,
Diocesan Council, the Clergy and faithful we thank the beloved
benefactor of our Church and ask the Almighty God to grant Mr. & Mrs.
Souren and Lily Adjemian good-health and many blessings.
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DIOCESAN COUNCIL TELECONFERENCE
On Thursday, June 23 2005 at 7:30pm the Diocesan Council of the
Armenian Church of Canada will hold its regularly scheduled
teleconference meeting. Diocesan council members from Ontario and
Quebec provinces will participate in the consultations presided by
Bishop Bagrat Galstanian.
The Diocesan Council will review a number of new proposals and
studies pertaining to various parishes as well as the youth of the
Diocese. Special consideration will be given to the future projects
of Holy Cross (Laval) and St Vartan (Mississauga) Churches.
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JUNIOR CHOIR SINGS AT ST. VARTAN, MISSISSAUGA
The angelic voices of St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church Junior
Choir of Toronto sang at the last Badarak before summer break for St.
Vartan Armenian Apostolic Church faithful, Sunday, June 5. The 30
boys and girls traveled by bus with their Choirmaster Lena
Beylerian.
Mrs. Beylerian has been leading the Junior Choir since 1999. Karin
Simonian, daughter of St. Vartan Parish Council Chairman Vartegez
Simonian, is the sole Mississauga member of the choir. The children
sang soprano-alto and included solos.
The church was filled with more than 100 faithful. Following his
sermon, Very Rev. Fr. Hayrik Hovhannisyan blessed the parish’s five
high school graduates and presented them each with a Bible to give
them guidance as they continue their education. Grade 12 graduates
Steven Beler, Danny Hanna, Nairi Kazazian, Lara Sevadjian and Taline
Shalvardjian were wished success in their future.
Members of St. Cuthbert’s Anglican Church, Oakville, had also been
invited to attend this service. St. Vartan rents St. Cuthbert’s
facilities for its Badaraks. Regular Sunday Badaraks will resume in
September for St. Vartan parishioners.
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YEGMALIAN ARMENIAN BADARAK CDs
Zohrab & Yester Sarkissian the brother and sister of late Catholicos
of All Armenians, His Holiness Karekin I, have sponsored the
publication of Yegmalian Armenian Mass. The CD has been published in
memory of Vehamayr Ovsanna Sarkissian.
The Yegmalian Badarak is performed by Holy Etchmiadzin Chorus in
Armenian conducted by Khoren Mekhanejian accompanied on the organ by
Levon Abrahamian. The Soloists are Loussineh Zakarian, Nora
Melkonian, Hovhannes Bastajian, Constantine Simonian and Dickran
Jamgochian.
Upon the wish of Sarkissian family and directive of His Eminence
Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, the pastors of the Armenian Church Canadian
Diocese parishes will give a copy of the CD to a newly baptized
child.
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ST. VARTAN SUMMER DAY CAMP JULY 11-15
For the third summer in a row, St. Vartan Armenian Church is running
a summer day camp for children four to eight years old.
Under the guidance of Mississauga’s Very Rev. Fr. Hayrik
Hovhannisyan, the camp will offer five days of activities with an
Armenian theme at Fogolar’s Country Club in Oakville.
The children will be able to swim every day in the pool, sing songs,
learn prayers, do crafts and play games. Youth, 12 and older and
parents are invited to volunteer at the camp. For more information or
to volunteer, contact Christine Ermarkaryan at 905-825-5299
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JOIN THE DIOCESAN SUMMER CAMP “AN EXPERIENCE TO REMEMBER”
We are pleased to offer this wonderful overnight camp, August 8 – 13,
2005 at Echo Lake, Frontenac County (approximately 50 km NW of
Kingston, Ontario.) This is a Christian-based facility consisting of
several acres of wooded property, together with sandy beach for
relaxing and swimming, a fireside area overlooking the lake and
sports fields.
Come enjoy our overnight summer youth program (open to children 8 to
14 years old), consisting of land and water sports activities, arts
and crafts, music and religious education, and wonderful snacks and
home cooked meals prepared by our In-house Chef. Our new Counselor in
Training (CIT) program provides an opportunity for young adults
(15-17 years old) to develop leadership skills and friendships in the
context of Christian camping. Our capable, trained staff of
counselors and staff are sure to make the children’s experience a
safe, fun and memorable one.
The vision of Camp Ararat is one day to have our own camp facility,
where the children of our Diocese from across Canada can come
together and not only create everlasting friendships with one
another, but also where they can strengthen the bonds with the
Armenian Apostolic Church, which is an integral part of their culture
and heritage. This same facility would serve as a central location to
be used for various other Diocesan projects and activities. Come join
us in realizing our vision and making it a reality. The future of our
people lies in the eyes and hearts of our children. Let’s make it
happen.
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PILGRIMAGES TO THE MOTHER SEE OF HOLY ETCHMIADZIN AND MOTHERLAND
ARMENIA
To commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and
celebrate the 1600th Anniversary of the invention of the Armenian
Alphabet; the Diocese of the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church of
Canada, under the auspices of the Primate His Eminence Bishop Bagrat
Galstanian is organizing Pilgrimages to the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin and Motherland Armenia through the year 2005.
HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, TORONTO: Has planned a unique pilgrimage to
Armenia and Artzakh, to take place from July 3-19.
With deep spiritual joy and gratitude to Almighty God, we inform our
faithful that by the initiative of His Eminence Bishop Bagrat
Galstanian and the blessings of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos
of All Armenians Ordination of 8 young Armenians from the Toronto
Armenian Church Parish will take place in the Cathedral of the Mother
See of Holy Etchmiadin on Sunday, July 17 2005.
Rev. Archpriest Fr Zareh Zargarian, Pastor, will lead the group of
pilgrims. The eight sub deacons are Mher Torossian (18), Van Vanes
(18), Darius Gumushjian (19), Haykaz Mirzoian (21), Arin
Khachadourian (16), Ari Boyaji (19), Saro Sahakian (18), Mardiros
Davitian (18).
For more information on this please contact the Holy Trinity Armenian
Church of Toronto at: 416 – 431-3001.
CYMA, BUILDING OUR FUTURE: The 12th mission of the Canadian Youth
Mission to Armenia is rapidly approaching! Departure date is July 9,
2005 with return date of August 9, 2005.
This year’s mission will be the Renovation of the Christian Education
Center in the Diocese of Armavir. The participation fee ($2,300.00)
includes accommodation (room and board) for the entire duration of
the trip as well as excursions including a 3-day trip to Kharabagh, a
first for CYMA participants!
For more info, please call: V. Rev. Fr. Ararat Kaltakjian, Director
(514) 276-9479 [email protected], [email protected] . Talar
Chichmanian, Chairperson, (514) 745-6456, [email protected] .
ECUMENICAL PILGRIMAGE: By the invitation of His Holiness Karekin II
Catholicos of All Armenians, a high ranking delegation of the Church
Leaders of Canada will participate in an unprecedented Ecumenical
Pilgrimage to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Motherland Armenia
and Nagorno Karabagh.
The ecumenical pilgrimage will take place starting August the 24th
till September the 1st. Members of the high ranking ecclesiastical
delegation include: His Eminence Archbishop Andrew Hutchison
(Primate of the Anglican National Church of Canada), His Eminence
Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios (Greek Orthodox Metropolis of
Canada), His Eminence Archbishop Brendan O’Brien (President of the
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops), Dr. Richard Schneider
(President of the Canadian Council of Churches).
SAINT GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR CATHEDRAL, MONTREAL: Has also planned a
pilgrimage to Motherland Armenia. Reverend Father Vazgen Boyajyan,
will lead the group of pilgrims to the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin. The pilgrims will receive the blessing of His Holiness
Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians. They will be touring the
Churches, Monasteries and historical sights of our Motherland.
The pilgrimage will take place from August 30 to September 15, 2005.
For further information please call the Church Office at
514-276-9479.
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