St. Mesrob Armenian Church in Ottawa welcomed back Der Myron, to celebrate Holy Liturgy on September 18, 2011, on the occasion of Holy Cross of Varag Feast. Rev. Fr. Myron Sarkissian was assisted by Deacon Ivan Gyadayan, designate as St. Mesrob Parish liaison of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Canada. With the participation of the faithful joining the St. Mesrob choir in the singing of the Holy Badarak, the monthly service was once again a reminder of our strong sense of faith and community coming together. It is indeed a pleasure to see a growing number of the youth of the community joining the choir and the many younger children in attendance at Church.
Der Myron gave an inspirational sermon preceding the uplifting Alleluia Processional on the occasion of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross where Holy Water is used to bless as a sign of the sanctification of the world. Khachverats is one of the five major feasts of the Armenian Church, marked with an antasdan service, blessing of the fields, during which the cross adorned with basil was used to bless the faithful and all the four corners of the church.
To mark the Feast of the Holy Cross, Der Myron’s sermon asked the congregation to look to the cross to find our strength, wisdom and trust and reminded the faithful that the crosses we carry must not be weighted down with worry, trouble and toil. The sermon concluded with an encouragement to lighten our heavy loads so that we can find the true path to truth and love, and serve our Church, community and people.
With these sentiments Rev. Fr. Sarkissian offered respects and commitment to the Republic of Armenia on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary, of the declaration of Independence. In the memorial service prayers for the repose of the dead, Der Myron, remembered the martyrs of Armenia, who sacrificed their lives and the well being of their families to make it possible for the centuries old longing of every Armenian for a free and independent republic to come true. On this historic milestone, Der Myron conveyed the congratulations and strong and deep sentiments of St. Mesrob Church community and the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Canada, to the people of Armenia, the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Ottawa and all Armenians. He concluded with the blessing of the flag of Armenia, which was carried through the Holy Cross processional with the participation of youth and children of the community.
The congregation gathered in the Church Hall for hospitality hour, where the festivities for the Anniversary continued. After a brief message from Mrs. Lusine Movsisyan, First Secretary of the Embassy of Armenia, to commemorate this momentous occasion, candles were lit on the anniversary cake and the community sang a joyous Happy Anniversary to the Republic of Armenia.
