Dave Posted March 6, 2007 Report Share Posted March 6, 2007 Armenian Community to build new church and community centre in Laval Construction of $5.5 million project to start in spring of 2007; completion expected for early 2008 Par John Fasciano The weather may have been very frightful on the streets of the Greater Montreal area this past Wednesday but that didn't deter representatives of Holy Cross Armenian Church of Laval from holding a press conference in Montreal to announce the good news that the Armenian community would soon have a new church and community centre of their own on Laval island. Among those present at the announcement was His Eminence, Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, the Primate of the Armenian Church of Canada. "The new church and community centre will be built to better serve the ever-growing needs of the Armenian community in Laval," the bishop stated. Explaining that the Armenian community in Laval has been blessed with substantial growth and expansion during the last decade, the bishop made it known that it was time to build a new spiritual and social centre that could and would more effectively respond to the needs of the community. "The existing facility in Laval can no longer adequately accommodate the spiritual and social needs of our community," Mr. Vicken Darakdjian, member of the Parish Council and chairman of the fund-raising committee told Courrier Laval Weekly News in a telephone interview. Mr. Darakdjian also cited several other reasons for the launching of this $5.5 million project expected for completion in early 2008, with the first shovel hitting the ground this coming spring, at a site on Souvenir Blvd. in Chomedey. "The Armenian Churches in Montreal are too far from Laval. People who may want to attend these churches are dissuaded by the distance, especially in the wintertime. Many of these people told us that because of this, it wasn't very appealing for them to be part of the Armenian Church and to take part in the Community's activities, so for these and many other reasons the Diocesan Council decided that the Armenian community in Laval should have its own separate religious, social, and cultural facilities close to them on Île-Jesus," Mr. Darakdjian elaborated. Only the beginning Mr. Taro Alepian, vice-chairman of the Diocesan Council, pointed out that the church and community centre project is the first step in a long-term plan to expand the services offered the Armenian community in Laval. "It is only phase one of a vision for the future that will see the eventual building of an auditorium, a seniors' residence, a low-income housing project, a Genocide Memorial Museum and a gymnasium," Mr. Alepian specified. But for now, the new church and community centre will be built to provide a new home for the Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Church, presently serving its faithful at 4464, St-Martin Blvd. West, in Chomedey, Laval. "It was a simple decision, really," stated Mr. Darakdjian. "We wanted a new home in which to better serve the religious, social, cultural, and educational needs of the 12,000 Armenian residents of Laval and in the process also enhance the humanitarian services and facilities we presently offer, all of which, we sincerely believe, will improve the quality of life of the members of the Armenian community. The plans Once built, the new church will have place for 250 seated attendees, with standing room for 100 others in the Nakhakavit. The Mezzanine will have place for 50 choir members. The activities and facilities envisaged at the new church include a children's glassed-in playroom adjacent to the Mezzanine, a Memorial Wall in memory of the departed, a Church Choir, Sunday School and Bible Study, a Women's Auxiliary, a Professional Day Care Centre, a Youth Centre (with Internet access, games and TV), a Seniors Activity Hall (exercise programs, bingo, card and Tavli tournaments, TV, Bible reading and outings), a Lecture and Exhibition Room (fully equipped with projection and sound systems, adjacent to small kitchen for catering services), a Library, a reception hall with a capacity for 365 (300 in main hall + 65 with moveable wall and moveable dancing stage, state-of-the-art kitchen and accessories), and furnished conference rooms. The preliminary conceptual design for the new church and community centre, which was was produced by architect Mardiros Baygin, was made public by Mr. Hagop Seradarian, the president of the Holy Cross Parish Council. For more information, feel free to contact Mr. Vicken Darakdjian at (514) 889-8100 or the Church office at (450) 687-5355. Source: http://www.courrierlaval.com/v4/article-76...e-in-Laval.html What do you think? Are they putting their money at the right place? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vava Posted March 6, 2007 Report Share Posted March 6, 2007 Armenian Community to build new church and community centre in Laval .... What do you think? Are they putting their money at the right place? I'm undecided. I'm nowhere close to Laval, but I am aware that there are many Armenians there, and their numbers are growing. I have a question however, for any Montreal based Armenians: Has anyone identified all the various Armenian churches, community centres and schools in Montreal with respect to their affiliations? Eg. Sourp Hagob/ARF... It would be interesting (for those of us without a clue about these things...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted March 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2007 (edited) This one isn't aligned with the ARF or Sourp Hagop's Arachnortaran. In Laval there exists another Armenian church and community center which is affiliated with ARF; they're a building which also has small offices. I don't know much about the political alignment of the other churches (Catholic, Protestant), but it seems to me that Nareg tends towards the AGBU. http://www.armenianchurch.ca/Images/news/FaithLaval1.jpg Edited March 6, 2007 by Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK-47 Posted March 6, 2007 Report Share Posted March 6, 2007 I'm undecided. I'm nowhere close to Laval, but I am aware that there are many Armenians there, and their numbers are growing. I have a question however, for any Montreal based Armenians: Has anyone identified all the various Armenian churches, community centres and schools in Montreal with respect to their affiliations? Eg. Sourp Hagob/ARF... It would be interesting (for those of us without a clue about these things...) Sourp Hagop Church is ARF affiliated... Sourp Hagop school is also ARF affiliated but it's open to any Armenian of course. Alex Manoogian school is obviously affiliated to the AGBU. Sourp Nareg doesn't have much of an affiliation, it's more religion based. It's a catholic school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK-47 Posted March 6, 2007 Report Share Posted March 6, 2007 Also, the new church I heard is based on Echmiadznin and not Giligia contrary the Sourp Hagop. Christian is christian I say but just some additional info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted March 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2007 (edited) I hope that building churches doesn't become like an arms race between the 2 main political parties. Edited March 6, 2007 by Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK-47 Posted March 6, 2007 Report Share Posted March 6, 2007 I hope that building churches doesn't become like an arms race between the 2 main political parties. lmao nice comparison. I doubt it...even if it does turn into an arms race, only Armenians will benefit Btw, I am not 100% sure on the Echmiadzin-Giligia thing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanahye7 Posted March 7, 2007 Report Share Posted March 7, 2007 Beautifulll, we need more churches and communirty involvement like this... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hosank Posted March 7, 2007 Report Share Posted March 7, 2007 obviously, this new church is echmiadzin oriented...not antilias.. i like it, it looks cool, it's nicer then my catholic church, ill probably convert, just so that i would get to go to that church...mind you the catholic church is closer to my house. AGBU is not affiliated to any political party, though many arf members see it as a breeding nest for armenakans... im with the AGBU, and am not affiliated to anything, i am also from the nareg catholic community...so.. hmm, one qualm though: the more churches we build, in several locations, the more we spread out. i mean, the armenians are based around their church...and when there are churches all over, we don't see each other as much...but oh well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK-47 Posted March 7, 2007 Report Share Posted March 7, 2007 obviously, this new church is echmiadzin oriented...not antilias.. i like it, it looks cool, it's nicer then my catholic church, ill probably convert, just so that i would get to go to that church...mind you the catholic church is closer to my house. AGBU is not affiliated to any political party, though many arf members see it as a breeding nest for armenakans... im with the AGBU, and am not affiliated to anything, i am also from the nareg catholic community...so.. hmm, one qualm though: the more churches we build, in several locations, the more we spread out. i mean, the armenians are based around their church...and when there are churches all over, we don't see each other as much...but oh well It's not so obvious here in Montreal if it will be echmiadzin or antilias oritented though. AGBU is not affiliated to any political party in name, we gotta take into consideration that they tend to help the ramgavars a little more than the other groups. Agreed with your thought about our segregation...we need to find something new to be based upon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vava Posted March 7, 2007 Report Share Posted March 7, 2007 We are so few and yet we find ways to divide ourslves ARF/AGBU, Antilias/Etchmiadzin, Eastern/Western etc, etc, etc..... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted March 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2007 We are so few and yet we find ways to divide ourslves ARF/AGBU, Antilias/Etchmiadzin, Eastern/Western etc, etc, etc..... A lot of those things aren't of our own will, besides, some competition is good. The Armenian church moves with the people, not the other way around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arpa Posted March 7, 2007 Report Share Posted March 7, 2007 We are so few and yet we find ways to divide ourslves ARF/AGBU, Antilias/Etchmiadzin, Eastern/Western etc, etc, etc..... Let's revisit this thread ; http://hyeforum.com/index.php?showtopic=34...mp;#entry191704 And pay special attention to what Saroyan and Sevak have said about "when two of us get together" and "we are few, but...". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zartonk Posted March 7, 2007 Report Share Posted March 7, 2007 A lot of those things aren't of our own will, besides, some competition is good. Just curious to know, how so? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted May 14 Report Share Posted May 14 this topic found it's self to Facebook By Amatuni, apparently Srpazan Bartev was in charge of it was something about money happened, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted May 14 Report Share Posted May 14 https://araratnews.am/public/show/112181?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1nER0PFnw7XxkFP7A3mAzHKSrIMrh-WaNLQTZVTM9w3W1LBsRI7Hm2XQo_aem_AcEigr_5ir59pzpcXeJpzWK4OkUnkrsrA8Tcxmu4zv_SEQOpS6cQ56lsvRptR0XmbocLcQ5NrG4vM0ebbz_kR1YH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted May 14 Report Share Posted May 14 don't know haw true this article is.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosJan Posted May 14 Report Share Posted May 14 link to original article " it was revealed that Bagrat Serpazanhad pushed at one point, the financially desperate parish, to accept a $100,000 loan that he personally had arranged at an extravagant interest rate of 36 percent. This is unheard of! A few months later, he told them to not pay that outrageous interest. How about the consequences…? Nothing, as far as he is concerned…! In his judgment such things are “small” matters. Those who find this hard to believe should ask for the details from the Laval Parish authorities.http://chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://mirrorspectator.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/7%EF%80%A220%EF%80%A213-pdf-ms.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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