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Thursday, Sept. 29, 2005
Early morning rain and wind
gave way to a day of brilliant sunshine to welcome our
beloved Vehapar, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the
Great House of Cilicia to Toronto. A delegation,
consisting of Very Reverend Meghrig Parikian, members of
the Board of Trustees, the Canadian Armenian National
Association, and the World Assembly, greeted his
entourage in Kingston, Ontario. His 6 day visit to
Ontario brings a great deal of pride to the Armenian
communities in Toronto, Cambridge, and St. Catharines.
The Vehapar’s motorcade, which arrived at the church
shortly after 8:00 p.m., was met by Very Rev. Fr.
Meghrig Parikian, Pastor of St. Mary Armenian Church,
the Board of Trustees, members of the religious council,
the HMEM Scouts, and both Senior and Junior Choirs.
Although the weather had become quite cold and windy, it
did not deter the throngs of young and old who gathered
for the traditional salt and bread blessing which took
place at the entrance of the church. Inside, hundreds
more, along with religious representatives of sister
churches, waited for the Vehapar’s appearance. The
processional, accompanied by Archbishop Khajag Hagopian,
Prelate of the Armenian Prelacy of Canada, Very Rev. Fr.
Krikor Chiftjian, Rev. Fr. Houssig Mardirossian, entered
the church with the singing of “Hrashapar.”
Words of welcome by Board of Trustees Chairman Sarkis
Ghazarian and by Archbishop Khajag Hagopian reflected
the enthusiasm and ardour of the people in welcoming
their beloved Vehapar to Toronto.
Vehapar’s message to the community was threefold:
recognizing the importance of our Christian faith living
within us, of strengthening unity, and in keeping our
Christian identity intact. He praised not only the
Toronto community for its hard work and dedication but
also spoke of the enormous contribution that Father
Meghrig Parikian has made and continues to make,
especially in bringing the youth back to the church.
After the singing of Giligia, the congregation was
invited to pay homage to his Holiness and receive his
blessings (“Atcha Hampouryr”).
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The welcome to St. Mary 
