On November 27, Hamazkayin Theater in Toronto hosted an appreciation event devoted to the Year of Service. The event was sponsored by Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Canada, Fr. Archbishop Babken Charian, reported the official Facebook page of the Armenian Diocese of Canada.

By a condac, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia has declared the year 2016 as the Year of Service.

The Catholicos’s message reads as follows: “Each person living in the world has his identity. Identity implies belonging, belonging implies loyalty, and loyalty requires service.”

During the event, several individuals with over 20 years of volunteer service were praised. They are members of the Armenian Relief Society (ARS), Homenetmen, as well as Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society. The faithful serving for the St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church were also appreciated.

In his closing speech, Archbishop Babken Charian stated that one needs to serve generously, unconditionally, as well as with dedication and as a brother.

“That is when we will grow and raise the church and all our organizations. Love is a necessity in service, and service requires awareness, dedication, as well as faith in and love for the nation and the homeland,” the archbishop concluded.