ARMENIAN WOMEN’S DAY

Organized by Women’s Guild Central Council

Hosted by St. Mary Armenian Church Women’s Guild, Hamilton, Saturday March 28, 2009

Mona Selyan

Early Saturday morning, Rev. Archpriest Zareh Zargarian blessed our journey to St. Mary’s, reading from (Luke 5:17-26), the miracle of Jesus healing The Paralytic.  We departed Holy Trinity Armenian church, and after an enjoyable bus trip to Hamilton, we entered St. Mary Armenian Church for the Arevakal service.  What a treat to witness this beautiful Lenten service sung by four members of our Clergy: His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, Very Rev. Father Hayrik Hovhanissyan, our own Rev. Archpriest Zareh Zargarian, and Deacon Narek Garabedian, assistant to the Director of Christian Education and Youth Ministry Department. 

After the service, all gathered in front of the church for a group photo in the bright sunshine.  What a beautiful day!  After the photo shoot, all present proceeded downstairs into the parish hall for a fabulous luncheon prepared by the host Ladies Guild, completely comprising of traditional delicious Armenian Lenten dishes.

Our M.C. of the day was Mrs. Arshalouys Kandaharian, who introduced each segment of the afternoon’s program.  Opening prayers were led by Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, and a gracious welcome from St. Mary’s Women’s Guild by Mrs. Leda Alexanian.

The cultural portion of the day began with a video presentation introduced and played by Mrs. Apet Alpay, “Built by Women”, which had been prepared by Grigor Shahmuradyan and narrated by Gayane Minasyan.  This presentation highlighted great monuments to our Armenian Christian faith, all built by Armenian women, and which are regarded as testaments to the profound and sacred faith of those pious women.  Featured in the PowerPoint presentation were:

·                 Cathedral of Ani;

·                 Monatery of Haghpat;

·                 Dadivank;

·                 Sevanavank;

·                 Gdnevank;

·                 Saghmosavank;

·                 Kobayravank;

·                 St. Sofia Church at Varagavank;

·                 Tegheri Monastery;

·                 Church of the Holy Cross on Aghtamar Island;

·                 Vorotnavank; and

·                 Church of the Holy Virgin in White.

After the video presentation, all present were treated to the poem “Hay Yegeghetzin” by Jack Hagopian, recited by Miss Marie Artinian, and warm greetings and remarks from Louisa Kerim, Honorary Chairman of the Women’s Guild Central Council.  A special treat was two duduk numbers played for us by Deacon Narek Garabedian.

Finally, closing remarks and the benediction were given by His Eminence Bagrat Galstanian, Primate of Canada.  In closing, the Primate thanked all present and reminded us that today was the feast of St. Gregory the illuminator’s ENTRANCE into khor virab.  His Eminence further commended on the relatively low number of Armenian women saints, but reminded us that we are all charged with performing saintly actions.

It was with joyful hearts and peaceful spirits that all the participants climbed aboard the motor coach for the return trip to Toronto and Holy Trinity church.