On Sunday, January 13, 2013, the faithful gathered into the parish of St. Gregory Church in St. Catharines, where the Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Eminence, Bishop Bagrat Galstanian. He was assisted by the pastor and deacons of the church.
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, Bishop Bagrat honoured two long serving members of the church, Mr. Edward Arzrun Boyajian and Mrs. Dixie Armenouhi Patty, with two encyclicals sent by His Holiness Garegin II, Catholicos of All Armenians. In the encyclicals His Holiness outlined the service performed by each recipient and commended their service of decades. They were both presented with the medal of St. Nerses the Graceful – Sourp Nerses Shnorhali of the See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
Following the Divine Liturgy, the faithful were all invited for the traditional annual “Pagharch” meal, which is the traditional dish of all Keghi and Kharpert Armenians.
The Primate blessed the meal and he and the pastor greeted all the people one by one. The day came to close when all went home with the warmth of Feast of the Naming of the Lord imprinted in the hearts of the faithful lighted and shining.
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On Sunday, January 6, 2013, St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church celebrated the feast of the Nativity and Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ, in St. Catharines, Canada.
The celebration is a day of remembering that the newborn Christ is among us and in our heart to make us reborn into this world with Christian souls and minds. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Serop Azarian the pastor of the church, assisted by Deacon Albert Amato.
The faithful, who were present in the church, received the sermon and the message of the day that was given by Father Serop. They later participated in the celebration of the annual blessing of the water and received the holy water to take it home and to their loved ones.
The celebration of Christmas is always an event to be joyful and happy. May the blessed newborn Christ be with all of us during the entire year.
Krisdos Dznav yev Haydnetsav, Orhnyal e Haydnootyunn Krisdosee, Tsez yev mez medz Avedis. Christ is born and revealed, blessed be the Revelation of Christ, Great jolly news to all!
