Ontario Community Hosts Anniversary Celebrations

The 50^th anniversary of the Armenian Prelacy in North America and the 40^th anniversary of the ordination as a celibate priest of His Eminence, Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Prelate, were marked by the communities of Toronto, St. Catharines and Cambridge on the weekend of October 18-19, 2008 at St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church in Toronto.

50^th Anniversary Celebration

Under the Auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Hagopian, a special evening in honour of the golden anniversary of the Armenian Prelacy in North America was held with the attendance of more than 350 parishioners, community leaders and representatives.

The evening featured, to the delight of the audience, a diverse spiritual program of young and talented performers and was organized by the St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church of Toronto, St. Nishan Armenian Apostolic Church of Cambridge and St. Paul Armenian Apostolic Church of St. Catharines.

The event was hosted by Mr. Haroutioun Chitilian, a ‘Cilician Knight,’ and former Prelacy Executive Council member, whereas Mr. Vazken 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.

During this special ceremony, Archbishop Hagopian presented Mrs. Dikranouhi Kendirjian with the Prelacy's ‘Anania Shiragatsi’ award and Mr. Jean Momjian with a ‘Hovhan Mantagouni’ award. Fifteen Deacons also received special recognition for their long term dedication to St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church.

Prelate Hagopian closed the evening with words of gratitude and support, emphasizing the importance of the Armenian Catholicosate and its Prelacies, particularly their mission to meet the needs of the Armenian people across the world.

40^th Anniversary Divine Liturgy & Banquet

The celebrations continued the following day and began with His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Hagopian presiding over Divine Liturgy at St. Mary’s Church on October 19, 2008.

During Divine Liturgy, Mr. Vahakn Karakachian, Horizon Weekly’s editor-in-chief, delivered as the keynote speaker, a special tribute to His Eminence, presenting the Prelate’s devotion to His church and people, His life as a dedicated spiritual leader, “the man of God, the human and the idealistic Armenian.”

This heartfelt tribute launched the celebratory banquet organized in honour of the 40^th anniversary of the ordination as a celibate priest of Archbishop Hagopian, where more than 400 people attended this celebration.

Special congratulatory messages were received from Archbishop Thomas C. Collins of the Office of the Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto, the Rt. Rev. Colin R. Johnson, the Bishop of Toronto from Diocese of Toronto, Moscow Patriarchate Iov, Bishop of Kashira, Very Rev. Fr. Yeghia Kiredjian, Pastor of the Armenian Catholic Church of Toronto, Very Rev. Fr. Estephanos Issa of the St. Barsaumo Syriac Orthodox Church, Fr. George Farah and Fr. Michel Challoub, Pastor and Vicar of  Jesus the King Melkite Catholic Church in Toronto, Rev. Samuel Albarian, Pastor of the Armenian Evangelical Church of Toronto, and Rev. Canon H.J. Nahabedian, Rector of the Church of St. Mary Magdalene of the Anglican Church of Canada.

A special cultural program was organized for the banquet, which featured music and poetry.  Mrs. Osig Mksyartinian delivered the Executive Council’s congratulatory message, and was followed by St. Nishan Church Pastor Rev. Fr. Gomidas Panossian, St. Paul Pastor Very Rev. Fr. Sipan Ketchedjian and Very Rev. Father Meghrig Parikian, Rector of Toronto and Pastor of St. Mary Church, who took turns conveying their personal message to His Eminence Hagopian.

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