The faithful of the Ottawa Armenian community participated in a special Church Service on March 10, 2013, with Der Vazken Boyajian, Pastor of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Cathedral of Montreal celebrating the Holy Liturgy. Assisting Der Hayr on the Holy Altar were Deacon Ivan Gyadayan, Deacon in Charge for Ottawa and Acolytes, Hrayr Tanielian and Shant Khacherian. Der Vazken welcomed the congregation with opening remarks of joy and his personal appreciation to once again see the community and serve on the Holy Altar of St. Mesrob, in Ottawa after a long absence.
Assisting with the choir on this occasion was Maestro Varujan Margarian, who once again joined the St. Mesrob choir with his masterful voice and guidance. The soloist for this service was Mr. Vicken Afrikian.
Der Hayr, in his sermon, spoke of the period of the Great Lent for the Christian Church and in particular, the tradition of Parekendan. He walked us through the different Sundays throughout the period of Great Lent, reflecting on the teachings of the individual parables from the Bible for each Sunday, bringing the faithful to the fifth Sunday, the Sunday of the Judge.
Der Hayr with Deacons Ivan and Varujan and the acolytes also performed the specific Morning Arevakal Prayer service dedicated to the Lenten period celebrated in the Armenian Church. Der Vazken included these sharagans, during this service for the enjoyment of those in the Ottawa community, who had grown up with this tradition.
On this auspicious occasion, a commemorative memorial service was held dedicated to the 25th. Anniversary of the Sumgait massacre with the presence of representatives of the Republic of Armenia in Canada, His Excellency Mr. Armen Yeganian, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia and Mr. Aram Hakobyan, attaché for Consular Affairs. This solemn ceremony was offered in memory for the repose of the souls who lost their lives in the pogroms and anti-Armenian violence aimed at killing and driving Armenians away from their homes in the area of Sumgait in Soviet Azerbaijan in February of 1988. The brutal attacks of murder and hideous crimes against our people were carried out by enemies of the peaceful aspirations of the Armenian people of Nagorno Karabakh, who sought their right to self-determination and independence.
The congregation was invited to the Church Hall for hospitality and refreshments provided by the Parish Council and the faithful members of the community. As always, this is a wonderful opportunity to have time to visit with friends.
