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;
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CYMA Participants in the Republic of ARTSAKH
It is with immense spiritual joy that we inform our faithful that CYMA
2005 participants are doing well in Armenia and continuing their
mission, rebuilding a ruined Church in the village of Atarbekian, in
the vicinity of Etchmiadzin. The ruined Saint Asdvadzadzin -Holy
Mother of God- was built in 1876. CYMA 2005 participants organize
daily camp for about 60 children from the village of Aratashen. From
August 29 through September 2, 2005 CYMA participants visited the
Republic of ARTSAKH. On their way to Nakorno-Karabagh they visited
Khor Virap, Jermuk and Noravank.
His Eminence Archbishop Bargev Martirossian, Primate of the Diocese pf
Artsakh greeted and welcomed the youth in karabagh. Our primate, His
Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian thanked Abp Martirossian for
receiving and encouraging the youth. The CYMA participants also had
the chance to visit the parliament building and meet His Excellency
Ashot Ghulyan, the President of the Parliament. In Gantsasar Serpazan
Galstanian officiated over the baptismal service of Raffi Numan, one
of the CYMA 2005 participants from Calgary. The youth also visited
Shoushi, Stepanakert, Askeran, Ghochalou and Akhtam. On their way back
to Armenia the visited the Shake Falls.
Next week, they will pay tribute to the victims of the war od Nakorno
Karabagh 1991-1994 visiting Yerablour. On Monday morning, they will
visit the Madenataran and the Nork Hayortats Doun.
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High-ranking Canadian Clergy Accept Invitation for Talks with
Catholicos of All Armenians in Armenia
For the first time ever, a delegation of four Canadian ecumenical
leaders, led by the Primate of the Canadian Diocese of the Armenian
Apostolic Orthodox Church, will discuss challenges facing Christian
churches in Canada with His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in
Armenia this month.
By invitation of His Holiness Karekin II,
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
Prof. Dr. Richard Schneider,
President of the Canadian Council of Churches
will travel to Armenia Aug. 24 with His Eminence Bishop Bagrat
Galstanian, Primate of the Canadian Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic
Orthodox Church, where for one week, they will discuss future
prospects of the role and mission of Christian churches and
cooperation between the Eastern and Western churches with the Armenian
Catholicos. They will also have the opportunity to visit with
government officials of Armenia. The unprecedented initiative to bring
Canadian church leaders to Armenia was undertaken by His Eminence
Bishop Galstanian and his assistant Deacon Hagop Arslanian.
The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin is the pre-eminent center of
authority in the worldwide Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church.
Located near Yerevan, the capital city of the Republic of Armenia, it
includes The Mother Cathedral of the entire Armenian Church, the
residence of the Catholicos, a monastery, the Gevorgian Theological
Seminary and a museum that houses the religious artifacts and
treasures of the Armenian Church.
The Cathedral dates to the 4th century, and is considered to be the
oldest Christian cathedral in the world. In its capacity as the
residence of the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians,
the Pontiff of the Armenian Church, Holy Etchmiadzin is known as the
“Catholicate of All Armenians.” Holy Etchmiadzin became the seat of
the Catholicate of the entire Armenian nation in the 4th century,
following the conversion of King Tiridates III to Christianity by
St. Gregory the Illuminator in AD 301.
This historic pilgrimage date was chosen to coincide with celebrations
commemorating the 1600th anniversary of the invention of the Armenian
alphabet, which takes place Aug. 24 to Sept. 1, 2005. The trip will
provide an opportunity to the delegation to participate in the
anniversary. The delegation returns to Canada Sept. 1.
In preparation for this noteworthy visit to the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin, Canadian church leaders have been meeting since September
2004.
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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 Counsellor 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 counsellors and
staff are sure to make the children’s experience a safe, fun and
memorable one.
Here are some stats about 2005 Campers & CIT’s as of today. We have 9
CIT’s and 86 campers registered. The following numbers are Campers &
CIT’s combined: from Ontario (excluding Ottawa) – 69, Quebec & Ottawa
– 23, Vancouver, B.C. – 3 (so far) There are 54 boys & 41girls, 8 to
10 yrs old – 36 campers, 11 to 14 yrs olds – 50 campers, 15 to 18 yr
olds – 9 CIT’s
Campers come from the following cities – Ajax, Markham, Mississauga,
Scarborough/Toronto/North York, Ottawa. Laval, Montreal, Pickering,
Richmond Hill, Thornhill, St Catherines, Whitby, Woodbridge,
Vancouver, Oakville.