PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
HIS HOLINESS CONDUCTS HOLY MASS IN TORONTO,
VISITS THE ARMENIAN COMMUNITY OF CAMBRIDGE
His Holiness Aram I conducted a Holy Mass in the St. Asdvadzadzine Church in
Toronto on October 2. Prelate of Canada, Archbishop Khajag Hagopian and
Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of United States, Archbishop Oshagan
Choloyan, conducted the Holy Mass with His Holiness.
The church was full with believers who had come to attend the mass. Special
screens were placed outside the church so people could follow the mass.
His Holiness delivered a sermon during which he elaborated on Jesus Christ’s
‘ message “your faith shall rescue you.” He called upon Armenians to
strengthen their Christian faith.
“During the bloody stages of our history, Christ became our savior. We
enriched our lives with Christ’s faith. That faith will rescue us, cure our
diseases, show the right path to those who are lost; it will grant our
nation spiritual, intellectual and physical well-being. A faithful nation is
not afraid of life’s evils. This has been our nation’s source of everlasting
resurrection,” said His Holiness.
After the Holy Mass His Holiness visited Cambridge, where he was welcomed by
Rev Gomidas Panossian of the St. Neshan Church, representatives of the
National Assembly, members of the board of trustees and a crowd of faithful.
After the blessing of salt and bread, His Holiness placed a wrath on the
Martyr’s Monument.
Prelate Khajag Hagopian welcomed His Holiness in Cambridge, pointing out
that despite the region’s distance, the Pontiff had insisted on including
Cambridge in his Pontifical visit to Canada. His Holiness highly praised the
organized work carried out by the small community.
The Armenian community of Cambridge organized an official dinner party in
honor of His Holiness the same night. 300 people attended the event.
Mr. Boghos Fernezlian, chairman of the church’s board of trustees, welcomed
His Holiness and expressed gratitude to him. Rev Gomidas spoke about the
example of service that can be seen in the 10th anniversary of His Holiness’
enthronement.
He also spoke about the mission of the Antelias Seminary, announcing that
the small Armenian community in Cambridge will contribute with an amount of
12,000 dollars in the donation made by the Prelacy of Canada to the
Seminary.
Greg Bezbezian presented His Holiness with a rare copy of the currency used
by King Hetoum and Queen Zabel.
His Holiness Aram I stressed that even far away communities have an
important role to play in the Armenian nation’s and church’s collective
lives.
“You are not on the margins of our life; you are on its main page. A
community is not measured by its size, but by its activeness. And you are
that active community which built this center years ago, constructed this
church, brought up a community and today lives its Armenian identity through
its national and ecclesiastical values,” said His Holiness.
Praising the respect and faith shown in the Antelias Seminary, His Holiness
reminded that success in life is not only dependant on material riches, but
on sacrifice and dedication.
Mrs. Garine Yakoubian performed songs from Gomidas on the violin. The
evening was concluded with “Cilicia” and “I Veh Partsants.” The attendants
kissed His Holiness’ right hand and received his blessings.
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View pictures here:
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The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the dioceses of
the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.