His Holiness Catholicos Aram I arrived in Montreal on Thursday, June 1, as he begins a two-week pontifical visit to Canada. Accompanied by Very Rev. Fr. Barouyr Shernezian, Dean of the Theological Seminary, as staff-bearer, and Mr. Krikor Mahserejian, co-chairman of the Central Executive Council of the Holy See, the Catholicos will visit the Canadian parishes as part of a drive to reenergize the Diaspora communities.
His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan, Prelate, and His Grace Bishop Torkom, Prelate of the Western Prelacy, traveled to Montreal to welcome the Catholicos along with the local host, His Eminence Archbishop Papken, Prelate of Canada, where they will accompany His Holiness in the first leg of his visit. Archbishop Anoushavan will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at St. Hagop Cathedral in Montreal on Saturday, June 3, and attend the banquet in honor of His Holiness on June 4 before returning to New York.
In addition to his Canadian tour, the Catholicos will make a detour on Thursday, June 8, to visit the Armenian community of Niagara Falls in the United States. He wraps up his Canadian tour on June 15.