Two days prior to the Feast of Sts. Vartanantz, the Armenian Church remembers the sacrifice of St. Ghevont the priest and his companions. St. Ghevont is one of the great exemplars of the Armenian priesthood, remembered for his courage and resolute at the Battle of Avarayr.
On Monday evening Feb 4, Clergy of Canadian diocese held religious gathering at Laval hosted by Holy Cross Church. Evening vespers took place at Holy Cross Armenian Church. Presiding was the Primate His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan. His Eminence talked about the feast and explained the importance of this memorable day. He congratulated all priests and people for this special day and encouraged them to lead a sacrificial life like the saints . The Junior ACYOC group of Laval also brought their participation to the eve of the feast.
Next morning Feb 5, started with Morning Service and afterwards first Clergy meeting of the year was held at the Holy Cross Church of Laval.
The agenda included the annual schedule of the year 2013. The anniversary of the Parish Churches, coming clergy meetings, spiritual retreats and other liturgical questions were the discussion topics of the day.
Major importance was given to creating a structure for Youth Department that can help parishes to prosper in their Youth Ministry programs. CYMA project was at the core of discussion. It was restated once more that CYMA mission is a part of ACYOC program and members of ACYOC should be included in preparation work of CYMA 2013.
There were also reports about this years two pilgrimage projects to Jerusalem, one in April and one in June for youth. By suggestion of Rev. Father Zare Zargarian this diocesan year is announced as a year of Divine Liturgy. Which will be new opportunity for parishioners to know more about Mass and to deepen their spiritual life through this holy sacrament.
The meeting was concluded with prayer and blessing of the Primate. Present were Rev. Father Zareh Zargarian, Rev. Father Komitas Mirzakhanyan, Rev. Father Vazgen Boyadjyan, Rev. Father Myuron Sarkissian, Rev. Father Serop Azarian, Deacon Ivan Gyadayan, Deacon Varujan Margaryan
