On Thursday February 16, 2012 on the feast of St Vartan the Warrior and his companions Holy Divine Liturgy was celebrated at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral of Montreal by Rev. Fr. Vazgen Boyajyan, Pastor. Serving the Holy Altar were the deacons and acolytes of the Church. Komitas Choir of the Church sang the Divine Liturgy directed by maestro deacon Varuzhan Margaryan.
Present at the Liturgy were the scouts of AGBU Montreal. Following the Liturgy His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, Primate conveyed the message of the day talking about the feast of St. Vartan and his companions.
Every year on the Thursday preceding Great Lent, Armenians worldwide commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Avarayr (451 A.D.), in which Christian Armenia, under the leadership of St. Vartan Mamigonian, fought against the Persian Empire, which aimed to convert the country to Zoroastrianism.
On the field of Avarayr, outnumbered Armenian fighters faced a mighty Persian army. St. Vartan and his companions saw a military defeat, but their unyielding commitment to defend their faith ultimately thwarted the Persians, and ensured that Christianity would endure in Armenia.
