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Pastoral Visit To Auckland, New Zealand

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  • Pastoral Visit To Auckland, New Zealand

    PRESS RELEASE
    Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia & New Zealand
    10 Macquarie Street
    Chatswood NSW 2067
    AUSTRALIA

    Contact: Laura Artinian
    Tel: (02) 9419-8056
    Fax: (02) 9904-8446
    Email: [email protected]


    10 June 2006


    PASTORAL VISIT TO AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

    Each year the Armenian community of Auckland, New Zealand eagerly awaits the
    pastoral visit of His Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian, Primate of the
    Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia and New Zealand. It is this
    special occasion that brings together the 100 or so Armenians to rekindle
    fellowship and the Armenian spirit in this remote part of the world.

    The Primate arrived in Auckland on Friday, 2nd June and met with community
    members both young and old at a warm gathering typical of Armenian
    hospitality. On Saturday, the Archbishop was accompanied to the local
    cemetery by community members where he blessed graves and held a requiem
    service for the souls of the dearly departed both interred in Auckland and
    overseas. The same evening an official dinner was held in honour of
    Archbishop Baliozian.

    On Sunday, Holy Mass was celebrated by His Eminence at St Peter's Anglican
    Church in Takapuna. The sermon was devoted to the occasion of Pentecost, 50
    days after the glorious Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. At
    Pentecost, what seemed like tongues of fire came to rest on the faithful
    congregated in the upper room. All were filled with the Holy Spirit and were
    comforted. And so it was with the close-knit Armenian congregation of
    Auckland this Sunday, who received spiritual comfort and nourishment by
    partaking in the Divine Liturgy of their mother language and the day's
    sermon.

    Following the church service, as is customary, the congregation gathered
    together for supper. The Archbishop took the opportunity to speak to the
    youth of which there were about 20 aged 10 to 25 years.

    Throughout the course of his four days in Auckland, Archbishop Baliozian
    visited the sick and elderly as well as other members of the Armenian
    community. Monday evening saw the conclusion of the pastoral visit with a
    farewell party before his safe passage home to Sydney early Tuesday morning.

    For information on the Armenian Community of Auckland email Mr Ara
    Ovanessoff Chairman of the Armenian Society of New Zealand at
    [email protected] or the Diocesan Office at [email protected] .
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