From April 9-21, a group of Canadian Armenians from Toronto and Montreal of the Canadian Diocese made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Led by Diocesan Primate Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, the group traced the footsteps of Jesus Christ through Jaffa, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Galilee, Jerusalem and Egypt.
Pilgrims experienced the great sites of Biblical History, learned about the Armenian presence in the Holy Land and explored ways to strengthen their faith.
The group of faithful arrived on the Good Week when all Orthodox Christians were preparing for glorious Easter. They had the chance to participate inspirational ceremonies at the Holy Sepulcher and Sts. James Armenian Cathedral of Jerusalem. On the Good Saturday pilgrims with all other Armenian pilgrims around the world walked to Holy Sepulcher to take part the Holy Fire Ceremony. The spiritual excitement and feeling of victory inspired pilgrims as they saw the Fire coming out of the Tomb of our Lord.
On the Easter Sunday Primate Bishop Bagrat celebrated festal Divine Liturgy at the Holy Sepulcher on the Tomb of Jesus Christ. In his homily His Eminence announced the good news of Resurrection ¨Christos haryav I mereloc ¨ and talked about the significance of Armenian Jerusalem, our sacred heritage and continuous presence in the Holy Land. He also encouraged pilgrims saying ¨Now you have witnessed the Victorious Resurrection of Christ and next time you should bring ten more pilgrims with you¨.
After the Divine Liturgy our faithful were invited to Eastern Lunch by local HEM club members.
Accompanying the pilgrims were Rev. Father Zareh Zargarian, Pastor of the Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Toronto, Rev. Father Vazgen Boyajian, pastor of the St. Greagory the Illuminator Armenian Church of Montreal, and Deacon Ivan.
Rev. Fathers with His Eminence had the chance to visit Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem and pray for his health.
As on his every visit Bishop Bagrat visited Armenian Seminarians of the Theological Seminary. He spoke to them about the importance of their service to all Armenians and to Humanity in general. He encouraged young students to never get tired from this life-giving service and continue to fill their days with prayer.
Pilgrimage concluded by visiting St. Catharine’s Monastery in Egypt and wonderful sightseeing at Eilat.
Deacon Ivan Gyadayan
Director of Christian Education and Youth Ministry
