Harutyun Tersakyan
The 90th anniversary of the establishment of the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church parish was celebrated by religious and social functions.
On Sunday, December 2, Holy Liturgy was celebrated by the Primate, His Grace Bishop Abkar Hovakimyan, assisted by Rev. Archpriest Fr. Zareh Zargarian, Vicar of the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church Diocese of Canada. Serving on the altar were deacons Krikor Tozakian, Garbis Cicekian, Roy Kucukatesh, Nurhan Ipekian and Darius Gumushjian. The choir’s rendition of the Liturgy, under the baton of Shahe Altounian and organ accompaniment of Sona Artinian, was very uplifting.
During Liturgy Rev. Archpriest Fr. Zareh Zargarian ascended the altar to the tune of ‘Be Joyful’, carrying the encyclical issued by His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians and addressed to Mr. Hagop Altounian. He then read the encyclical in which His Holiness said:
“We were informed by the Primate of the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church Canadian Diocese His Grace Bishop Abgar Hovakimyan about the great input you have had in the Armenian community. This had started in your birthplace Beirut, where you worked relentlessly for the well-being and advancement of Sunday schools, the Armenian General Benevolent Union and the Tekeyan Cultural Association. During the catholicosate of His Holiness Vazken I your unconditional love and dedication to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin were materialized by the innumerable initiatives that you undertook and accomplished. You continued to have your input to the betterment of the community and the church in Canada, thus becoming a role model to the young generation.”
His Grace then pinned the “St. Nerses Shnorhali” medal on Mr. Hagop Altounian’s lapel and handed him the encyclical.
