On July 15, 2018, faithful of the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church from Montreal, Laval, and Ottawa, gathered under the auspices of His Grace Bishop Abgar Hovakimyan, Primate, at the Sanctuaire Notre Dame de Lourdes in Rigaud, Quebec, to celebrate the feast of Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
This pilgrimage was jointly organized by St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Cathedral of Montreal, Holy Cross Armenian Church of Laval, and St. Mesrob Armenian Church of Ottawa.
On this occasion, Rev. Fr. Hrant Manukyan, newly appointed Parish Priest of St. Mary Armenian Church of Hamilton and of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church of St. Catharines, celebrated Divine Liturgy.
Rev. Fr. David Margaryan, Parish Priest of the Diocesan Cathedral, and Rev. Fr. Komitas Mirzakhanyan, Parish Priest of Laval Armenian Apostolic faithful, as well as deacons and acolytes serving the three parishes, assisted the celebrant.
Bishop Abgar delivered a sermon about the meaning and importance of the Transfiguration of Our Lord on Mount Tabor.
After the Liturgy, the Parish Councils of the three parishes offered delicious food to the pilgrims, followed by traditional water festival (Vardavar), where kids and adults alike enjoyed spilling water on each other under the rhythms of Armenian popular music.
