CHRISTMAS AND EPIPHANY CELEBRATIONS AT ST. GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR ARMENIAN CHURCH IN VANCOUVER

The Armenian community in Vancouver gathered with joy and reverence at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church to celebrate the Feast of the Nativity and Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

The solemn liturgy was led by V. Rev. Fr. Hagop Yaacoubian, the Coordinator of the Christian Education Department of the Armenian Prelacy of Canada.

The Honourable Terry Beech, M.P., Minister of Citizens’ Services, and his family attended the Holy Mass.

A highlight of the day was the Blessing of the Water ceremony (Churorhnek), which symbolizes Jesus Christ’s baptism in the Jordan River. During this sacred rite, Fr. Hagop poured the Holy Muron into the water as a sign of the Holy Spirit, signifying renewal, purification, and the presence of divine grace.

This year, the honoured Godfather of the Cross was Mr. Alex Khatchik Zarifian.

Fr. Hagop read the Christmas Message from His Eminence Archbishop Papken Tcharian.

The church Deacons distributed the blessed water to the believers. Then, the believers gathered for a luncheon prepared by the board of trustees and the volunteer ladies of the community.