A commemoration event honoring the late Reverend Dr. Movses Janbazian’s memory, former Executive Director of the Armenian Missionary Association of America (1987-2000), was held at the Armenian Evangelical Church of Toronto on Saturday, October 10, 2015. The event, organized by the Armenian Evangelical Church of Toronto, was held in honor of Rev. Janbazian’s 70th birth and 15th death anniversaries.
Clergy representing the Armenian churches of Toronto, members of Rev. Janbazian’s immediate and extended family, as well as several members of the Toronto-Armenian community, took part in the commemoration event. In his opening remarks, the evening’s Master of Ceremonies Mr. Mihran Jizmejian noted Rev. Janbazian’s countless contributions to Armenian Evangelical Churches worldwide, his work within the Armenian Missionary Associations, and highlighted their close personal relationship and their experiences working together.
Several performances took place during the event, including Lilit Smpadian’s rendition of Aram Khachadourian’s Gayane’s Lullaby on the piano, Araz Tokjian’s rendition of Chopin’s Nocturne n. 20 and Nahabed Rusinian’s Giligia on the violin, as well as soprano Sona Hovsepian’s rendition of “Medz Eh Havdarmutiunt” and Rev. Armenag Missirians “Hayr Mer” (Lord’s Prayer).
A heartfelt video about Rev. Janbazian’s life and work was presented, after which Zela Kakousian (Sarmazian) and Lori Sarkisian (Janbazian) introduced the two keynote speakers, Rev. Hovhannes Sarmazian and Rev. Dr. Rene Levonian respectfully. The two reverends spoke eloquently about Rev. Janbazian’s commitment to the Armenian Church, the Armenian people, Armenia and Artsakh, and to humanity at large.
The Very Reverend Fathers Hayr Yeghia Kirejian, Pastor of the St. Gregory Armenian Catholic Church of Toronto; Der Zareh Zargarian, Pastor of the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church of Toronto; and Hayr Stepanos Pashayan of St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church then delivered their remarks, in which they highlighted Rev. Janbazian’s years of active service and commitment to the importance of interdenominational respect and comradery in the Armenian church.
Remarks on behalf of the family were delivered by Rev. Janbazian’s sister Ani Hasserjian (Janbazian), son Vahak Janbazian, and brother Hagop Janbazian.
The commemoration event concluded with a prayer delivered by seven clergy members of the Armenian churches of Toronto, after which a reception was held in the Rev. Dr. Movses Janbazian fellowship Hall of the Armenian Evangelical Church of Toronto, where guests reminisced and shared memories of the late Reverend.
