The 98th Anniversary Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide in Toronto took place on Wednesday, April 24th 2013 at St. Gregory Armenian Catholic Church. The Interdenominational Committee of Toronto organized this event with the participation of St. Gregory Armenian Catholic Church, The Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church, and Armenian Evangelical Church.
The Liturgy started at 7:30PM celebrated by Very Rev. Elia Kiredjian. Verses from the Holy Bible was read by Rev, Samuel Albarian, Pastor of the Armenian Evangelical Church.
Mr. Hagop Janbazian, Chairman of the Interdenominational Committee welcomed the clergy members among them were guest clergies, Rev. Fr. Harold Nahabedian from Anglican Church, Rev. Fr. Datev Menengichian, Rev. Archpriest Gomidas Panosian, Very Rev. Fr. Krikor Mikaelian from Mkhitarian Brotherhood, Italy as well as the members of Armenian Community of Toronto.
Mr. Janbazian invited all to hear the religious songs performed by Mrs. Salbi Keleshian from Los Angeles.
Rev. Archpriest Zareh Zargarian, the pastor of Holy Trinity Armenian Church was the keynote speaker of the evening. Fr. Zargarian was presented and invited to speak by Mr. Janbazian.
In his emotional, direct, and honest speech, Fr. Zargarian spoke of our Motherland Armenia and our nation being chosen by God since the time of Noah and then blessed by the descend of Christ in the sight of Holy Etchmiadzin. Being Chosen comes with a price, which was the prosecutions of Armenians throughout the history for the preservation of our faith and national identity. The greatest tragedy of all was the systematic deportation and genocide of 1.5 million Armenians by the young Turks.
At the end of his speech, Fr. Zargarian made a heartfelt appeal to the people present to continue their support to our free and independent Armenia and Artsakh and to continue the fight in unity for the final recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide by the world. At the end of the evening a requiem service took place at the site of the Genocide Memorial Monument presided by Ver. Rev. Fr. Meghrig Parikian, Pastor of St. Mary’s Armenian Church.
All present were invited to have refreshments at church hall prepared by St. Gregory Armenian Church’s Women’s Guild. May God continue to bless the memory of the Armenian Genocide victims.
Holy Trinity Armenian Church Press Office
