His Eminence Joins Community for Genocide Commemoration Events


His Eminence, Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Prelate of the Armenian Prelacy of Canada, took part in the different commemorative events organized by the joint committee for the commemoration of the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

Following the reception in Parliament, Archbishop Hagopian attended the local political remembrance evening in Montreal at the Armenian community centre on Sunday April 18, 2010.

The annual event drew the attendance of municipal, provincial and federal politicians, who mingled with organizers at a cocktail prior to the official commencement, which Prelate Hagopian officially opened with a prayer.

Archbishop Hagopian also participated in a special event organized by the United Armenian Youth Committee of Quebec, which featured a cultural homage presented by the youth and a candle light vigil at the Montreal Armenian community centre on the evening of April 20, 2010.

This year, His Eminence Hagopian also took part in the Martyr’s Ecumenical Commemoration Prayer Service, which was held at St. Joseph’s Oratory and organized by the Armenian Apostolic, Catholic and Evangelical Churches of Canada.

This unique inter-denominational service drew the participation of most of the leaders and representatives of sister churches and included a procession of relics of martyrs from the Armenian Genocide.

On Genocide Remembrance Day, Prelate Hagopian joined members of the Canadian Armenian community at the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Ottawa to take part in a flower laying ceremony at the “Armenia Immortal” monument.

Prelate Hagopian then opened with a prayer a special service held at the Centennial Flame on Parliament Hill, where political representatives, representatives of other genocide victim nations, Genocide survivors, and community members placed wreaths around the Flame in memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide.

Following this ceremony, His Eminence proceeded to the Turkish Embassy along with thousands of Canadian Armenians, who were gathered in Ottawa to call on the current Turkish government to recognize the Armenian Genocide.

 RETURN