From April 30 to May 11, 2016, Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, at the invitation of His Grace Bishop Abgar Hovakimian, Primate of the Armenian Church Diocese of Canada, visited the Armenian Church Diocese of Canada.

The Bishop’s visit started with the unveiling of the Armenian Genocide monument in St. Catharines, Ontario.

Following the ceremony, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia and the Primate of the Armenian Church Diocese of Canada visited St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church of St. Catharines, and raised a prayer.

On May 1, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan celebrated Divine Liturgy at the Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Toronto.

During his introductory speech, His Grace Bishop Abgar Hovakimian, Primate of the Armenian Church Diocese of Canada, welcomed His Excellency Mr. Armen Yeganian, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Ottawa, and the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, outlining his brief biography.

Prior to his sermon, Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan thanked His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, for blessing him on this trip to Canada, and expressed gratitude to His Grace Bishop Abgar Hovakimian, Primate of the Armenian Church Diocese of Canada, for the invitation to Canada. Bishop Vazgen conveyed warm greetings from the Armenians of Georgia to the Armenian community in Canada.

The same day His Grace Bishop Vazgen attended a beautiful reception celebrating the 50th birthday of his seminary classmate, Rev. Fr. Zareh Zargarian. The Diocesan Primate on behalf of the clergy and the faithful of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia presented Rev.Fr. Zareh with souvenirs. Fr. Zareh’s initiative deserved special attention, he thanked the community for responding to his request on occasion of his 50th birthday and his 20 years of service as the Parish Priest to make their heartfelt donations in lieu of gifts to the families of the Armenian martyred soldiers, who laid their lives defending our Motherland and Artsakh. The people supported Rev. Father’s patriotic idea, and just in two hours the heartfelt donations had reached C$55,000. The fund raising will continue until October, when Fr. Zargarian will travel to Armenia and take more donations with him to the families of the fallen and wounded soldiers.

In Toronto the Primate met with the local clergy, the representatives of the parish and community-based structures, visited St. Hagop Armenian Apostolic Church, the Armenian Center, A.R.S. Armenian Private School, met with the teaching staff and students.

On May 6, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, together with His Grace Bishop Abgar Hovakimyan, and the clergy, traveled to Montreal and visited the Tekeyan Armenian Cultural Association. A reception was held in honor of His Grace Bishop Vazgen, during which Arto Manoukian, president of the Montreal chapter of the Tekeyan Cultural Association, gave opening remarks, later, Bishop Abgar welcomed Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan and invited the latter to convey his message to the people present and present a report on the activities of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia. His Grace Bishop Vazgen gave a report, and answered all questions fully.

On Sunday, May 8, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan conducted the Holy Mass at Saint Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Cathedral, Montreal.

During the Divine Liturgy, the Bishop offered a homily about the message of day - the second Palm Sunday, and emphasized that our Church, the descent of the Only Begotten, until today has continued to implement its holy mission. Saint Etchmiadzin is a timeless religious institution, where many clergy and lay come, serve and go, whereas the house of worship will stay forever.

The Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia conveyed warm greetings from the Armenians of Georgia.

Following the Holy Mass, the Bishop had a meeting with Rev.Fr. Vazgen Boyajyan, Pastor of Armenians in Montreal, and the parish council members.

On Monday, the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia and the Primate of the Armenian Church Diocese of Canada visited the AGBU Armen-Quebec Alex Manoogian School, where memorial plaque to the benefactors, Mr. and Mrs. Hakob Gljyan, was unveiled. Following the ceremony, a meeting was held with the school administration, the teaching staff, the members of the Board of Trustees and students.

On May 11, at Saint Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Cathedral, Montreal, Bishop Vazgen and Bishop Abgar, together with the clergy raised their prayers to God asking for peace in Artsakh, the safety of our people and Armenian soldiers. His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan thanked and extended his gratitude to the Primate of the Armenian Church Diocese of Canada, and the clergy for the invitation, warm welcome, and provided opportunity to share experiences and learn from each other.

Completing his visit to the Armenian Church Diocese of Canada, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, Primate of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia has returned to his motherland.