Primate’s Visit to Holy Trinity Armenian Church

Primate Hovakimian’s Visit to Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Toronto

Press office

During his visit in Toronto, on February 25 & 26 His Grace Bishop Abgar Hovakimian paid his first official visits to Cardinal Thomas Collins, Toronto’s Roman Catholic archbishop, Archbishop Colin Johnson, the Anglican Diocesan Bishop of Toronto and the Rev. Dr. Karen Hamilton, General Secretary, The Canadian Council of Churches.

Fr. Zareh Zargarian Pastor of Holy Trinity Armenian Church & Ecumenical Officer of the Armenian Church Diocese of Canada introduced Primate Hovakimian to clergies. During these meetings the church leaders talked about strengthening the cooperation between sister churches. The conversations weighed on the Armenian Genocide’s upcoming centennial anniversary commemoration on April 19^th, 2015, which will take place in Metropolitan United Church in Toronto. The sister church leaders extended their heartfelt prayers and support on these solemn occasion.

On behalf of Diocesan clergy and faithful, Primate Hovakimian thanked the church officials for their warm reception and cooperation.

On Wednesday evening, Primate Hovakimian led the Peace & Rest Service at Holy Trinity Armenian Church and delivered his message about the importance of fasting during the great lent to the faithful.

The following day, Primate attended the Sunrise Service at Holy Trinity. By the invitation of Fr. Zargarian, the members of Inter-Denominational Committee of Toronto, Very Rev. Fr. Elia Kiredjian, Pastor of St. Gregory Armenian Catholic Church, Very Rev. Fr. Stepanos Pashayan, Pastor of St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church, Rev. Archpriest Fr. Gomidas Panossian, Assistant Pastor at St. Mary’s, Mr. Mihran Jizmedjian from Armenian Evanglican Church and the committee’s chairman, Mr. Hagop Janbazian participated in the service. The members of Bible Study in Armenian committee led by Miss. Serpuhi Evran join in the prayers followed by the studies.

The Inter-denominational meeting was held at Church’s boardroom. The committee members once again extended their heartfelt congratulations to Primate and wished him success in his important mission.
During discussions, they elaborated on upcoming events particularly the centennial commemorations of the Armenian Genocide.

Primate Hovakimian commended the unity and cooperation in between Armenian Churches of Toronto.