Citizenship and Immigration Minister of Canada issues statement

States News Service
January 6, 2010 Wednesday

MINISTER KENNEY ISSUES STATEMENT RECOGNIZING CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS
BY ARMENIAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS

OTTAWA, Canada

The following information was released by Citizenship and Immigration
Canada (CIC):

The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and
Multiculturalism, issued the following statement on the celebration of
Christmas by Armenian Orthodox Christians:

I am pleased to extend my warmest wishes to Armenian Orthodox
Christians as they celebrate Christmas today.

For more than 1,700 years, Armenian Orthodox Christians have
celebrated Christmas on January 6, a day that coinciding with the
Epiphany commemorates both the birth and baptism of Christ.

Christmas is a time of profound importance and a time when rich
cultural and religious traditions are observed. Armenian Orthodox
Christians mark the holiday by attending church services in their
communities, visiting family, and gathering for festive meals on
Christmas Day.

During this season of hope and joy, I reflect on our great fortune in
living in a country that embraces diversity and finds strength,
stability, and unity in the coming together of the many cultures and
faiths of the world.

As Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, I offer
my best wishes to Armenian Orthodox Christians during their Christmas
celebration, and throughout this new year.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS