On February 10, 2015, Primate of the Armenian Apostolic Church Canadian Diocese, His Grace Bishop Abgar Hovakimian, along with the diocesan clergymen, Rev. Fr. Vazgen Boyajian, Pastor of St. Gregory Armenian Cathedral of Montreal, Rev. Archpriest Fr. Zareh Zargarian, Pastor of Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Toronto, and Rev. Fr. Komitas Mirzakhanian, Pastor of Holy Cross Armenian Church of Laval, on the occasion of the feast of St. Ghevondians, participated in the united clergy meeting of Western Diocese, Eastern Diocese and the Canadian Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church. It was the first joint meeting of the clergymen of three dioceses.
The Feast of St. Ghevond the Priest and His Companions is dedicated to the blessed memory of the Armenian priests who fought alongside St. Vartan and the entire Armenian Nation for their Christian faith in 451 A.D. in the Battle of Avarayr. After the Battle of Avarayr the Persian King Hazkert took revenge on Armenians and ordered to kill the brave priests. According to the tradition, the day of the Feast of St. Ghevond the Priest and His Companions is the day of the clergy.
On February 10, clergymen conducted the morning service in the St. Leon Armenian Cathedral followed by the meeting with participation of more than 30 clergymen. The clergy meeting was presided by Primate of the Western Diocese, His Grace Archbishop Hovnan Derderian. During the meeting, Primates of the Western and Canadian dioceses presented detailed reports concerning the respective dioceses. Following the meeting, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated on the occasion of St. Ghevondians feast. The celebrant was His Grace Bishop Abgar Hovakimian, Primate of the Canadian Diocese. During the Liturgy, Primate of the Western Diocese officially welcomed the guests and invited Bishop Abgar to deliver the sermon of the day followed by the Prayers of Pontifical Service (Hairabedagan Maghtank). Following the Divine Liturgy consecration of Cross Stones dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide took place.
On February 9, Monday, Primate of the Canadian Diocese, along with the diocesan clergymen accompanied His Grace Archbishop Hovnan Derderian and the diocesan clergymen, in a visit to Ararat Home of Los Angeles.
