The literary committee of "Sanahin" Chapter of Hamazkayin Montreal organized the presentation of Dr. Garbis Harboian’s two volumes - "Crucifixion Path" and "From Crucifixion to Resurrection" on Tuesday June 30, 2015, at 8:00 pm, at "Avedis Aharonyan" Hall of the Armenian Center in Montreal. The sponsor of the event was Diocese of Canada, His Grace, Bishop Meghrig Parikian. The event was attended by representatives of national political institutions, clerics, Hamazkayin members and Armenian book-lovers.
The representative of the literary committee of the Executive Board Anahid Balian made the opening speech and welcomed the guests. She spoke about the Turkish policy and the bloodthirsty Turks, which even 100 years after the Armenian Genocide, continue their malicious policy and harm the interest of the Armenian people everywhere.
Anahid Balian also emphasized that the persistent Armenian people, through years of hard working, have turned into an organized and creative nation defending their rights. She also added that besides the political, propagandistic and various public collective activities, the Armenian book publishing is also active, and the publication of books "Crucifixion Path" and "From Crucifixion to Resurrection" evidently speaks about it.
The speaker briefly presented the materials included in the volumes. Despite the fact that the author of the books is a well- known person, she presented his rich biography to the audience. Then, some pictures illustrated in the books were shown on the screen, and the audience enjoyed the song "Saints’ Eyes".
Anahid Balian presented also the biography of lively Pastor Rev. Garnik Goyunian of St. Jacob Diocesan Headquarters Church and invited him to the stage to present Volume A, after which the pictures illustrated in "From Crucifixion to Resurrection" were displayed. The audience also enjoyed the speech of the late Catholicos Karekin II made on the 10th anniversary of his election as Catholicos in 1986. The song "Cilicia" followed his speech.
The famous song written by Nahapet Rusinian had special significance. It is the symbol of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia and Dr. K. Harboian described the history of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia in Volume B. Moreover, Zareh Bishop Aznavouryan arranged this version of "Cilicia", Shakke Btghuni-Kazanjyan accompanied on the piano and artist sisters Sona Bdghuni-Kurunian and Elo Bdghuni-Harboian and Georg Pepechian performed it.
Then, Rev. Garnig Senior Pastor Goyunian presented Volume B. He thoroughly told the history of resettlement of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia from Sis to Antelias, presenting the biographies of all Catholicoi and their missions to our days.
Then, the author of the books Dr. Harboian was invited to the stage. He expressed his gratitude and made a heartfelt speech, saying that the books written on the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide are dedicated to one and a half millions of Armenian martyrs, and the proceeds will be donated to the construction of St. Kevork Church.
Then A. Balian invited His Grace, Bishop Meghrig Parikian. He pronounced his blessing, highly appreciated Dr. Garbis Harboian’s research, Garnik Senior Pastor Goyunian’s presentation and the Hamazkayin "Sanahin" Chapter ‘s mission and its great contribution to preserving our identity and promoting the Armenian culture and literature . Father Meghrig closed his speech with prayer for protection.
Anahid Balian ended the literary evening with congratulations and gratitude to the guests. She highly appreciated those who always attend the events organized by the Hamazkayin Society and encouraged the Armenian literature and values. At the end of the evening, the guests enjoyed the gentle music of Gomidas, and the author signed the books.
Anahid Balian