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Celebratory Week for Armenian Prelacy
The Armenian Prelacy celebrated its 50 years in North America, His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Prelate of the Armenian Prelacy of Canada, celebrated the 40th anniversary of His ordination as a celibate priest, and both anniversaries coincided with this year’s annual CANAR (Canadian Armenian National Assembly Representatives) meeting. All were marked with special events over a period of four spirited days, beginning on May 8, 2008.
CANAR opening & special presentation
The official opening of the CANAR meeting launched the event-packed weekend and was followed by a special lecture dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Armenian Prelacy in North America by Vazken Terzian of Toronto at the Sourp Hagop Armenian Apostolic Church.
Terzian, who first moved to Canada as a teenager 53 years ago, presented the history of the Armenian Prelacy and the Armenian Church as it developed and progressed for half a century in North America, particularly in Canada.
Art exhibit
Following the lecture, an art exhibit featuring the paintings of Haroutyoun Haroutyounian, an artist from Armenia, as well as the original works of stained glass and vitrailles of Montreal artist Vatche Arakelian, was held at the Montreal Armenian Community Centre’s Aharonian hall and ran until the afternoon of Sunday May 11, 2008.
Liturgical Hymns Dedicated to His Eminence Hagopian
In honour of the 40th anniversary of the ordination as a celibate priest of His Eminence, Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Prelate of the Armenian Prelacy of Canada, a night of liturgical hymns was held at the Sourp Hagop Armenian Apostolic Church on May 9, 2008 at 8pm.
The cultural program featured individual performances by Hasmig Gasparyan, Hasmig Kavassian, Arch Deacon Garo Telfeyan and the “Nor Dzaghig” children’s choir under the baton of Elizabeth Harboyan. Maria Andonian also joined on the piano.
Hagop Jambazian presented the biography of His Eminence and a few narratives from Prelate Hagopian’s life to the delight of the attendants. This special evening was sponsored by the Prelacy’s Executive Council and was organized by Sourp Hagop and Sourp Kevork Armenian Apostolic churches.
50th Anniversary Banquet
This year’s annual CANAR banquet was accentuated with a few extra highlights in honour of this golden anniversary. The opening remarks were delivered by Armenian Prelacy of Canada Executive Council chairperson, Dr. Jean Arakelian, who thanked the attendants for turning out in such great numbers to celebrate this milestone.
During the banquet, His Eminence Archbishop Hagopian presented Dr. Gary Goodyear, MP, who attended with his wife Valerie and their two children, with the “Spirit of Armenia” award. The “Spirit of Armenia” is awarded to dignitaries as a gratitude and appreciation for their genuine friendship, devotion and exceptional service to the Canadian Armenian Community and the Armenian Nation.
Prelate Hagopian also presented Jirayr Shadakhtsian and Ara Palandjian with the official Armenian Prelacy of Canada recognition certificate for their continued dedication and service to the Armenian community and church.
A special recognition, “Partserperti Avedaran,” was given to Mardig and Adrine Jorjezian of Vancouver on behalf of the Prelate and the Prelacy’s Executive Council for their continued support and dedication to the Armenian Church.
The banquet’s cultural programme included performances by Anoushka Manougian, who was accompanied by Houry Bedrossian on piano. A documentary prepared in tribute to the Armenian Prelacy’s 50th anniversary was also screened during the banquet, which was held in the HMEM GAMK gymnasium on the evening of May 10, 2008.
Sunday Liturgy
His Eminence Prelate Hagopian presided over and offered the sacred Divine Liturgy and presented to the members of the community the encyclical sent by His Holiness Aram I Catholicos of the Armenian Catholicosate in honour of the 50th anniversary of the Prelacy.
In His encyclical, His Holiness Aram I Catholicos, congratulated the Prelates, Executive Councils, World Assembly delegates, National Assembly representatives and all sister organizations for their continued devotion and service to the community, noting that “the heart of the Prelacy, the reason for its existence and purpose is its people.”
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