On Saturday evening, June 3rd, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I presided over the Divine Liturgy celebrated at Bon Pasteur Catholic Church in Laval by H.E. Arch. Anoushavan Tanielian, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of the USA.
H.E. Arch. Papken Tcharian, Prelate of Canada, and V. Rev. Fr. Keghart Kusbekian, chair of the Religious Council of the Prelacy, and Cilician clergy joined the Catholicos in prayer.
Community members from Montreal, Laval, and surrounding areas, as well as clerical representatives from different congregations, were invited to the ceremony, including His Excellency the M. Rev. Ivan Jurkovic—Apostolic Nuncio to Canada, representing His Holiness Pope Francis—His Excellency Christian Lépine—Archbishop of Montréal—H.G. Bp. Ioan Casian of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese of Canada, H.G. Bp. Mary Irwin-Gibson of the Anglican Diocese of Montréal, H.G. Bp. Milad El Jawich of the Greek-Melkite Catholic Eparchy of Canada, H.G. Bp. Paul-Marwan Tabet of the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Canada, Mgr. Pierre Murray—General Secretary of the Assembly of Quebec Catholic Bishops—Rev. Pastor Mardiros Eylenjian of the Armenian Evangelical Church of Laval, Rev. Pastor Avedis Boynarian of the Armenian Evangelical Church of Laval, and Rev. Pastor Georges Dabbo of the First Armenian Evangelical Church of Montréal.
In attendance were also the Armenian Ambassador to Canada Ms. Anahid Haroutyounian, the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Armenia in Quebec Mr. Levon Afeyan, member of the National Assembly of Quebec Ms. Sona Lakhoyan Olivier, municipal councilor of Renaud Ms. Seta Topouzian, Co-Chair of the Central Council of the Catholicosate Mr. Krikor Mahseredjian, member of the Central Council Dr. Jirayr Basmadjian, the ARF Bureau Chair Mr. Hagop Der Khatchadourian, the ARF Central Committee chair Mr. Mher Karakashian, representatives of the Armenian community organizations and faithful.
The welcoming remarks were addressed by V. Rev. Fr. Hagop Yacoubian, who invited the clergy guests to deliver their speeches. Subsequently, H.E. Arch. Tcharian addressed the audience and invited His Holiness for his speech.
In his address, His Holiness Aram I highlighted the importance of the unity of churches and their mission: “The church is a solemn reality. The church cannot remain ignorant and indifferent in the face of the crises facing humanity. The mission of the church is to transform the world through the values of our Gospels and the principles of the Kingdom of God. Being a church in this world is not easy and we are facing a big challenge and our churches must meet this challenge head-on with conviction and courage and by standing together through social engagement and engagement in the name of God. That is the mission of our churches.”
Following the message, the clergy processed to the altar, where Ecumenical Prayers were held headed by Catholicos Aram I.
