On September 22, 2019, His Grace Bishop Abgar Hovakimyan, Primate, presided over the Flag Raising Ceremony at the new Armenian Church and Community Centre of St. Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church of Ottawa.
Her Excellency Anahit Harutyunyan, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Canada, Mr. Ara Mkrtchyan, Consul of the Republic of Armenia in Canada, Parish Council members, the principal donors – Mr. and Mrs. Garo and Ani Donoyan, and Mrs. Elizabeth Adjeleian, and numerous representatives of the Ottawa Armenian community gathered to mark this important milestone in the life of the Armenian community of the National Capital.
According to the sacred traditions of the Armenian Church, His Grace blessed the bread, the water and the salt. These three fundamental elements are essential life-giving gifts for human life. The bread, the water and the salt are symbols of God’s infinite goodness and care. With the blessing of these great gifts the household is enriched spiritually and its existence perpetuated for the service of the Creator.
Ambassador Harutyunyan welcomed this important development in the life of the Ottawa Armenians and highlighted the importance of having a place to gather as a community and to develop the Armenian culture, language and identity.
The Canadian and the Armenian flags have been donated to the Centre by the Primate Hovakimyan and the Ambassador Harutyunyan respectively. On behalf of the community, Mr. Hagop Dokmajian, Parish Council Chairperson, received and raised the flags on the flagpoles.
Mr. Jean-Philippe Tachdjian, Parish Treasurer, made a detailed presentation about efforts made throughout the last 40 years by St. Mesrob Armenian Church of Ottawa to have a church property and the community centre of its own, which have been crowned by the purchase of the property located at 5065 Thunder Road in Ottawa.
Kids of the Ararat Armenian School of Ottawa beautifully conducted three pieces from the Armenian musical repertoire followed by a picnic organized by the Parish Council.
In near future, Parish Council is planning to begin renovations of the building to adapt it to the needs of the community.
On June 14, 2019, the offer to purchase a parcel of six acres land and the former Carlsbad Springs Community Centre, located at 5065 Thunder Road, presented by the Parish Council of St. Mesrob Armenian Church of Ottawa through a closed bidding has been accepted by City of Ottawa.
On July 11, 2019, the City of Ottawa approved sale of property.
On August 18, 2019, on the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother-of-God, a resolution on the purchase of the property located at 5065 Thunder Road in Ottawa was overwhelmingly approved by the Special Membership Meeting of St. Mesrob Armenian Church of Ottawa.
On August 29, 2019, St. Mesrob Armenian Church of Ottawa officially purchased the property.
