Dedicated to Primate Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan – A True Leader

I would like to introduce to you someone who is very dear to me in my heart and in my life, I would like to talk about someone who many of us in the world who love and appreciate him and his name is Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan of whom is our Canada Armenian Church Leader.  Please note when I say Srpazan that’s the Armenian word for Bishop.

Now, this past week, something unfair happened that there were elections of having another leader lead our Armenian Church Diocese Head in Canada, and the location of our head church office is in Montreal, Outremont, Quebec. The election was indeed a setup and a lot of people are against what happened, a petition is going around, and many people are quite upset about what happened and how the way things transpired. Most of the people are calling this a misjudgment and not making a great decision for our Armenian church of Canada with good intentions and I myself and others do not believe this election was done in a fair manner and things we done beforehand to alter the numbers. Something suspicious and fishy is going on and we want to get to the bottom of this and we want answers. Anyway,

in 2003 when I met Srpazan Bagrat Galstanyan, I knew right away I would love him and he became someone who I consider family to me. Srpazan has taught me so many things about life and his words, his speeches, the meetings I was in with him in ACYOC (Armenian Church Youth Organization of Canada), Kingston, Mississauga, traveling to Vancouver for our Sports Weekend in 2005, Going to Montreal/Laval sports weekends, Camping trips, and so many more memories. Srpazan Bagrat Galstanyan is someone who is very special and dear to me and the loss of him being our Srpazan and our leader has hit me so hard and it is hurting me beyond anything else. It is far worse than someone hitting me with a bat, but that does not even compare to the pain this is causing me and this has been on my mind since I heard about this on Monday Morning. I cried so hard, I cried so hard inside too, my tears rolled down my cheeks, and I am so angry!

Srpazan was there for me at my toughest moments when I was bullied, picked on because I was different and I went to events where I felt alone and left out, but Srpazan came to my rescue and he spoke to me, made me feel better about myself, and he gave me advice, he opened his heart to me. I will never forget that for the rest of my life. Srpazan was there for me when nobody else really was, I met many friends in Montreal because of Srpazan, and I was introduced to a whole new world and I was so excited to go to Montreal all the time and to see my friends. Srpazan after knew me by my first name, and he remembered what we discussed, he was always asking me how I am and how I am doing since we talked. THAT THERE TO ME SAID IT ALL! I knew I would love and trust him forever and I always will forever. He gave me the energy, he gave me something in my life that will always remain with me forever. He smiled at me always, and always excited to see me, shaking my hand, blessing my head with his hand. It was a great feeling!

I cannot stomach it To see him being treated unfairly, betrayed by his clergyman who he thought were his friends, who he thought were with him and support him and in a disgusting way his clergyman had to vote against him and on what grounds? This is unbelievable! and having these elections. What is this? A political race? Is this some kind of JOB race? I want Srpazan back, I want this whole bogus election to be void.

The true meaning of being Christian, and being a servant of God is to reach out to people in a personal level, to inspire, to help, to guide, to do great work for the community, to dedicate his/herself without asking for material things. I love Srpazan Bagrat so much! He will always be special to me and I Just want him back! Is that so hard to ask? This is betrayal.

Here is the Facebook page. Help and support us by getting him Back to stay with us, and there are pictures, videos, and links about him if you want to know more about our leader who is selfless, kind, spiritual, dedicated, caring, loving, humorous and so many more great qualities about him.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/STAY-WITH-US-Bishop-Bagrat-Galstanyan/401752986606195

The Petition: — Please sign and share with your friends and family. Thank you!

http://www.change.org/en-CA/petitions/bishop-bagrat-galstanyan-not-to-ratify-the-decision-made-to-replace-bishop-galstanyan?utm_campaign=signature_receipt&utm_medium=email&utm_source=share_petition

Thanks for reading about our lovely leader. Lets keep him here and lets bring him back to lead Canadian Armenians for a brighter future ahead.

Kindness Always Matters In The World

Today, when I was out, I saw a quote that really hit me close to my heart and there are a few things I always believe in and to me they are the most important, but what strikes out is the one about kindness, and today’s quote I saw was “Kindness Matters”. It always does and its something I have always been taught since I was a child to always be kind to others, and always do great things and not expect anything in return. I truly believe that when you do kind things and be kind to others, it is something that God will see and you will be rewarded with great things in life and you will go places. I know sometimes that is hard to believe when you do good things for others, and sometimes they don’t appreciate it and you keep getting used and used like crazy, but always know that whatever you do, its something great that you have accomplished. In this world were only here for a limited time and the time spent on this earth is short lived, so live life wonderfully with being kind and fruitful. It is important to reach out without asking anything in return. All good deeds do not go unnoticed. You may feel it at times, but to be honest, it does not. God sees it, the Angels in heaven see it and you see it.

In the last couple of weeks, Bible Study started again at my Armenian Church and I am ever so grateful it started. It gives me an opportunity to go out and reflect amongst other people who attend the bible studies, and it gives me time to listen and interact with the priest and others about kindness, about the importance of being fruitful, and someone who reaches out to others. Bible studies teaches me a lot of things about life, the spiritual life, and about the modern society we all live in now, the priests tells us so many stories of his life, and what he’s encountered recently and he tells us things that empower me and probably to others as well. Kindness is something that I have always been fond of, and it is something that has embedded into my life and without the proper upbringing of my immediate family and relatives, and the community I live in, I wouldn’t be who I am today. I want to thank so many people in my life for giving me that poise and that life to get out there and do great things, attend bible studies, and attend important events and retreats that are educational to the mind, body, soul, spirit and the heart. It is important to cleanse our souls, to be kind, to be respectful to others.

No matter who anyone is, colour, race, ethnicity, orientation, big, small, tall, short, blonde hair, brown hair, black hair. I doesn’t matter. Were all one body and were all on this earth to serve a purpose in this life. We were all chosen and it doesn’t matter what you do, the ultimate thing that does matter in this world is kindness. Do it and you will be amazed on how it changes your life for the better. When you wake up every morning, Kindness should be on your agenda everyday. Use it and share it around. You will be surprised on how great your day will be. Have a wonderful day.

Kindness Always Matters In This World All The Time

Today, when I was out, I saw a quote that really hit me close to my heart and there are a few things I always believe in and to me they are the most important, but what strikes out is the one about kindness, and today’s quote I saw was “Kindness Matters”. It always does and its something I have always been taught since I was a child to always be kind to others, and always do great things and not expect anything in return. I truly believe that when you do kind things and be kind to others, it is something that God will see and you will be rewarded with great things in life and you will go places. I know sometimes that is hard to believe when you do good things for others, and sometimes they don’t appreciate it and you keep getting used and used like crazy, but always know that whatever you do, its something great that you have accomplished. In this world were only here for a limited time and the time spent on this earth is short-lived, so live life wonderfully with being kind and fruitful. It is important to reach out without asking anything in return. All good deeds do not go unnoticed. You may feel it at times, but to be honest, it does not. God sees it, the Angels in heaven see it and you see it.

In the last couple of weeks, Bible Study started again at my Armenian Church and I am ever so grateful it started. It gives me an opportunity to go out and reflect amongst other people who attend the bible studies, and it gives me time to listen and interact with the priest and others about kindness, about the importance of being fruitful, and someone who reaches out to others. Bible studies teaches me a lot of things about life, the spiritual life, and about the modern society we all live in now, the priests tells us so many stories of his life, and what he’s encountered recently and he tells us things that empower me and probably to others as well. Kindness is something that I have always been fond of, and it is something that has embedded into my life and without the proper upbringing of my immediate family and relatives, and the community I live in, I wouldn’t be who I am today. I want to thank so many people in my life for giving me that poise and that life to get out there and do great things, attend bible studies, and attend important events and retreats that are educational to the mind, body, soul, spirit and the heart. It is important to cleanse our souls, to be kind, to be respectful to others.

No matter who anyone is, colour, race, ethnicity, orientation, big, small, tall, short, blonde hair, brown hair, black hair. I doesn’t matter. Were all one body and were all on this earth to serve a purpose in this life. We were all chosen and it doesn’t matter what you do, the ultimate thing that does matter in this world is kindness. Do it and you will be amazed on how it changes your life for the better. When you wake up every morning, Kindness should be on your agenda everyday. Use it and share it around. You will be surprised on how great your day will be. Have a wonderful day.

Kindness Always Matters In This World

Today, when I was out, I saw a quote that really hit me close to my heart and there are a few things I always believe in and to me they are the most important, but what strikes out is the one about kindness, and today’s quote I saw was “Kindness Matters”. It always does and its something I have always been taught since I was a child to always be kind to others, and always do great things and not expect anything in return. I truly believe that when you do kind things and be kind to others, it is something that God will see and you will be rewarded with great things in life and you will go places. I know sometimes that is hard to believe when you do good things for others, and sometimes they don’t appreciate it and you keep getting used and used like crazy, but always know that whatever you do, its something great that you have accomplished. In this world were only here for a limited time and the time spent on this earth is short lived, so live life wonderfully with being kind and fruitful. It is important to reach out without asking anything in return. All good deeds do not go unnoticed. You may feel it at times, but to be honest, it does not. God sees it, the Angels in heaven see it and you see it.

In the last couple of weeks, Bible Study started again at my Armenian Church and I am ever so grateful it started. It gives me an opportunity to go out and reflect amongst other people who attend the bible studies, and it gives me time to listen and interact with the priest and others about kindness, about the importance of being fruitful, and someone who reaches out to others. Bible studies teaches me a lot of things about life, the spiritual life, and about the modern society we all live in now, the priests tells us so many stories of his life, and what he’s encountered recently and he tells us things that empower me and probably to others as well. Kindness is something that I have always been fond of, and it is something that has embedded into my life and without the proper upbringing of my immediate family and relatives, and the community I live in, I wouldn’t be who I am today. I want to thank so many people in my life for giving me that poise and that life to get out there and do great things, attend bible studies, and attend important events and retreats that are educational to the mind, body, soul, spirit and the heart. It is important to cleanse our souls, to be kind, to be respectful to others.

No matter who anyone is, colour, race, ethnicity, orientation, big, small, tall, short, blonde hair, brown hair, black hair. I doesn’t matter. Were all one body and were all on this earth to serve a purpose in this life. We were all chosen and it doesn’t matter what you do, the ultimate thing that does matter in this world is kindness. Do it and you will be amazed on how it changes your life for the better. When you wake up every morning, Kindness should be on your agenda everyday. Use it and share it around. You will be surprised on how great your day will be. Have a wonderful day.

 

What A Great Bible Study Session Tonight – The Priest Chose Me To Write Next Week’s Prayer

Every Thursday nights at 9pm, I go to a bible study, and it started last week again. My priest is a follower of my blog and he announced to everyone that he really enjoys reading my blogs and he introduced me to others who do not really know of me and he used to do bible studies for quite a while. Just the last 2 years, another priest conducted the bible studies. He announced to everyone that I am a lovely writer and that he chose me to say next weeks closing prayer along with the Our Father in Armenian called Hayr Mer – HAI-R MER — It made my whole week when he said that. He has always grown fond of me and I will never forget a time 4 years ago when we were in Bible study, he said something to everyone about me, and again he put me out there and we had about 45 people attend the bible study that one time. It was such a great thing, and he said to others that I am a great writer again and I used to write so many articles to the Armenian newsletter and newspaper and among articles around the church and when we did retreats outside of town. He introduced me to everyone and some people had no idea who were writing those articles and then when people found out who I was, they all approached me after bible study and they said, we finally meet the mastermind behind all your writings you submit to the church and the community center. I will never forget what they said to me. It was so beautiful. It made me feel very nice.

Again like tonight, My priest found out from my blog from someone in the community and he began to follow it, and so now this is the second week he has mentioned me and put me on the spot with everyone and he outright said to others, she is one of the best writers. Again, I said Father Reverend, thank you so much. Hes a very kind and very nice person who raises everyone’s spirits and hes such a lovely priest and I appreciate him. He said, everyone who writes has different ways of writing and nobody is exactly the same. So I am looking forward for next week. I have to think of a prayer to write until next week, but I think I can write it within the next couple of days when I have my mind set on it. The priest always depends on me and he knows I follow through with it. Thank you very much. I look forward to next week. I am committed to bible study and I will not miss a day.

I wish you all the best.

Bible Studies Have Resumed At My Armenian Church – I Am So Happy About That

I was at An Armenian/English Bible Study this past Thursday evening and Hayr Sourp(The Priest) taught us about the Tree Of Life, and the Tree of Life is Jesus Christ and it is important to gather youth and young adults together to hear Gods word and be together to eat from the Tree Of Life.

Bible studies have resumed for young adults and youth sessions, Every Thursday at 9pm at St Mary’s Armenian Church at 45 Hallcrown Pl. Toronto, Ontario — www.stmarytoronto.com

Verses from The Bible.
John 8:24 I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.”

Revelation 19:17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God,

Revelation 22:14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.

Everyone is welcome to The studies. It is educational, yet wonderful. Come make new friends, and be part of it all. It is interactive, and beautiful.

 

 

The Armenian Youth Getaway in Kingston, Ontario Was A Great Success – June 1-3, 2012

On Friday June 1st, 2012, around 63 or more people From Montreal and Toronto embarked on buses to North of Kingston, at Camp Iawah, in Godfrey Ontario to reunite with friends, to make new friends, to share, to also learn about Armenian Religion and to learn about our faith and community a lot more. Since this year is the 500th anniversary of the printing of Armenian Books and literature, this time we dedicated it all to that. We discussed the importance of Armenian Language, to speak and write Armenian, and why it is important to keep our culture, and heritage alive. On Friday night June 1st, we had arrived at Camp Iawah, and we began with an Orientation, then we all go our room numbers where we are going to sleep, but what sleep? We had little or no sleep at all, all weekend. Who goes to a Youth Getaway and sleeps right? It’s just for a weekend. Then afterwards we all met up in the conference room and we played an ice breaker game called get to know others bingo. So we had to go around the room and find someone similar to what month were born, what type of music we like, where each of us were born, and when it was all done, someone had to call bingo. It was a fun start to the weekend. After that we did our night prayer then we had free time.

On Saturday June 2nd, 2012, we woke up, had our morning prayer, then breakfast. After breakfast we had a few discussions, followed by lunch, after lunch we did a lot of sporting and outdoor activities such as canoeing, soccer, rock climbing, basketball, and among other games. After all that we had dinner and after dinner we had a strong debate on the importance of reading and writing Armenian and it was a heated one to two hours of it, but we sure did learn a lot from it, and how important it is to learn a new language so on and so forth. After that we had some time to spend outdoors again around a bonfire we made and we danced, sang, and just enjoyed each others company with cookies and hot chocolate. After we went back toward the building we were staying in and we had a karaoke night, it was such a great time. After everyone did their own thing and people were awake all hours of the night. including myself. I got like 4 hours sleep all weekend. Now, I am paying for that.

In conclusion, the whole weekend was an incredible experience for me again. This was my 3rd time attending the Youth Weekend getaway and it was nice to see my friends from Montreal. My Montreal circle keeps getting bigger and bigger and Its so awesome to see. Thanks to all the Organizers of this beautiful and great trip we had. It is not an easy task to plan and to organize events. I appreciate all those who worked so hard to make sure that we all are taken care of, we all had a great time and we made memories to last a lifetime. I mean that is what it’s all about right? Making friends, making memories, sharing our lives with others, and just going with the flow in life. All the best and I cannot wait until the next Getaway. It needs to come back fast because I miss everyone already. I am hoping I make a trip to Montreal soon to see my friends and hang out with everyone. All the best to the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC) and thank you again for a beautiful weekend which I will never forget. God bless everyone.

 

Canadian Youth Mission To Armenia – CYMA 2012

Annually in the summertime for a month Armenian youth from all over Canada participate and volunteer their time into going to Armenia to help build churches, schools, and help villages as well as touring Armenia in that period of time, that the youth are there. The Youth stay with their registered families during that time and experience Armenia at its finest with staying in the village, eating together, and the whole ambiance which makes the CYMA Journey a lot more fulfilling and uplifting.This year CYMA 2012 Will take place from July 3 to August 3, 2012 and anyone from across the world can participate in this incredible opportunity to Visit Our Motherland Armenia, give back to the community, make new friends, become part of the CYMA Family, experience something so incredible in life that you will never forget. Last year the Youth worked on to renovate a school in Geghadir (GEH-GHA-DEER) and this year we will continue to renovate the classrooms of the same school.

One of our leaders Bedros Kokorian has always been part of CYMA Since the beginning in 1992. This year as the 20th anniversary, it marks an important milestone of 2 decades of continuous dedication to rebuilding, renovating and making Armenia’s villages beautiful than it already is. Armenia’s true beauty and everything else in between. We strongly encourage the Armenian Youth to join, to participate. You can truly make a difference in Armenia and for the Armenian community of the world. It is not too late to join and book yourself in.

For more details, please contact the Holy Trinity Armenian Church office at 416-431-3001 or Mr. Bedros Kokorian at 416 292 7729, who will be able to provide any information as well as answer any questions that you may have. At Montreal please contact Armenian Holy Apostolic Church Canadian Diocese , Christian Education and Youth Department  Office,  Deacon Ivan Gyadayan at 514-276-9479 / 6 or 514-549-0416.

You can visit CYMA here for more information in regards to flight information, but you can also fly from your local airports and join the CYMA Family in Armenia. Everyone is welcome to Join. You do not need to be Canadian to participate.

http://armenianchurch.ca/mission/cyma/

You can watch a video clip’s of CYMA Below.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ca-D8_MK-ew]

 

 

Thank you very much, and Hope you can participate in CYMA. It will change your life and put a different perspective on life. Its a beautiful mission.

Attending Bible Study At My Armenian Church Is So Important To Me

Since toward the end of 2006, I began on my own personal spiritual reflection and journey to attend bible studies at my Armenian Church. After a year and a half of attending bible studies, I was appointed the communications director for up to 2-3 years to send out e-mails, to create flyers and keep the Armenian Community in the know about upcoming bible studies, upcoming outreach programs, volunteering at children’s aid to wrap Christmas presents, and spending time in senior homes with the elderly with my Armenian Church community, and I also attend another Armenian Bible Study that we take weekend retreats once or twice a year out of town with the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC). It was a truly rewarding experience and I still attend bible studies to this day. I love keeping my bond with the Lord Jesus Christ, and reflecting upon how incredible it feels to hear God’s words and to learn about life and the true meaning of what God and the Bible chapters really mean.

I feel so close with God and I feel refreshed each time I attend church and the studies. Now I am only attending bible studies once a week on Thursday evenings. I have made so many friends from it and we all share a special bond together and we have become like family and we continue our journey together outside of bible studies and we go out, and we enjoy each others company so much. We have grown together and we know each other so well that we know what each other will say, we know the moves and signals we give toward each other, we know each others characters very well, we know the importance of togetherness and enjoying each other that we don’t even feel the time going. Our conversations, our inside jokes, and our gatherings are so special to me. They happen to be some of the most awesome people I have ever met in my life. It is great to attend a church function or a community outreach, retreats, bible studies and knowing the outcome of it will be positive and one that is so fulfilling to its fullest extent. It has become a huge ray of sunlight in my life knowing that I have somewhere I look forward to going all the time. I try my best not to miss any bible study discussions or friend gatherings, but sometimes life and busyness gets in the middle, but I am determined all the time.

It is not about the material, physical being, but it is also about the spiritual and inner personal reflections that makes everything great. I wouldn’t be who I am today if it weren’t for the supportive friends and family who always give the energy to me and tell me to never stop going to bible studies which I enjoy thoroughly. Each person who teaches bible studies have their own personal ways of teaching the bible and I do not like to judge people by that. In the end I like to hear Gods words and get different opinions about it from different teachers/priests/fathers/pastors/ etc… I really like my priest very much. He explains the bible to the level where we could understand, he lets us ask questions, and he is so passionate about it and he answers beautifully to us. I can hardly wait until Thursday again to go back to the bible study and hear and learn some more. The Bible is a never ending learning spiritual journey and there is so much to absorb and so much to read and the bible is also beyond the book itself. The life bible and what we can do in our lives to live with the words from The Bible and learn. Life is a never ending process of learning, absorbing information. Just be thankful everyday and never lose hope on anything because you can turn the impossible to possible because I’M Possible (impossible) . Always remember to every physical, mental and emotional side, there is always a spiritual and reflective side to life. Balance out your life today. make positive changes for a better tomorrow.