HTAC Press Office
On Sunday, May 1st 2016, the Holy Trinity Armenian parish welcomed His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, Primate of the Armenian Church Diocese of Georgia, who celebrated Divine Liturgy. During his introductory speech, His Grace Bishop Abgar Hovakimian, Primate of the Armenian Church Diocese of Canada, welcomed His Excellency Mr. Armen Yeganian, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Ottawa, and outlined a brief biography of His Grace Bishop Mirzakhanyan.
Prior to his sermon, Primate Mirzakhanyan thanked His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, for blessing him on this trip to Canada, which was at the invitation of Bishop Hovakimian, to be present at his long-time friend and seminary classmate, Fr. Zareh Zargarian’s 50th birthday celebration.
Bishop Mirzakhanyan acknowledged the presence of and thanked Primate Hovakimian, clergy, deacons, acolytes, the Holy Trinity Armenian Church choir, the Parish Council, the Diocesan Delegates, for coming together on a blessed occasion. He also thanked the members of the parish, who make a church what it is by definition: a place of worship.
Bishop Mirzakhanyan spoke of Jesus Christ, the leader who shared passion and love with His people every time He gathered them to speak. He spoke of shepherds who sacrifice themselves to protect their flock and compared the two with Fr. Zargarian’s role as the protector of his parishioners, leading them with unshakable faith, caring for them and keeping them connected to Motherland Armenia and Artsakh. See more photos…