On Saturday, March 17, 2012, St. Vartan Armenian Church of Mississauga hosted the Annual Ontario Armenian Women’s Day, organized by the Women’s Guild Central Council board of the Diocese, honoring St. Ashkhen Queen of Armenia. The event started with the Sunrise service at St. Cuthbert’s Anglican Church in Oakville, with the participation of the parish priest of Holy Trinity Armenian Church Rev. Archpriest Zareh Zargarian and Parish Priest of St. Mary Armenian Church of Hamilton and St. Gregory Armenian Church of St. Catherines Rev. Fr. Serop Azarian, and around 100 faithful from Ontario Armenian parishes. After the service, parish priest of St. Vartan Armenian Church of Mississauga Rev. Fr. Myron Sarkissian gave a special lecture explaining the meaning of the Holy Week days under the title of “Holy Week: the war of the soul and body, the war of the good and evil”.

Following the Liturgy a light Luncheon and a cultural event was organized by the Women’s Guild Central Council and “Helping Hands” committee of St. Vartan Parish.

Mr. Vasken Altounian, Chairperson of St. Vartan Parish welcomed all and thanked them for organizing the beautiful and spiritual event. The MC of the day was the chairperson of “Helping Hands” committee Mrs. Ani Kerametlian. Everyone was delighted and pleasantly surprised by the performance of newly formed Mississauga NOOR Armenian Children Choir, led by Petizian Brothers. The chairperson of the Diocesan Women’s Guild Central council Mrs. Silva Mermer thanked the hosting parish and expressed the importance of the Women’s Day during of the Lent season. A member of “Helping Hands” committee Mrs. Lucy Hamboyan presented the life of, St. Ashkhen Queen of Armenia. Mrs. Sirarpi Ajemian a member of the Children Choir Tamar Oshagan delivered poems by Hovhannes Shiraz,

On behalf of our Primate Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, Rev. Fr. Zareh thanked the organizers and the host parish council and parishioners. The event was concluded with a prayer by Rev. Fr. Myron Sarkissian.
Please enjoy NOOR Children Choir performance and the slide show of the event.