Reverend Father Avetis Hambardzumyan with Deacon Vartan Elmasian paid a pastoral visit to Auckland, New Zealand from 16-17 November to meet with the small Armenian community. On Friday evening, Father Avetis gave a lecture on the Armenian alphabet, the historical role it has played in the preservation of our nation and identity as well as its importance in the propagation of our faith. He congratulated all the volunteer Armenian teachers of Auckland’s Armenian Saturday school who had taught during 1997-2007 for their nationalistic service.
The Armenian Alphabet stone at Meadobank, dedicated to the people of Auckland as a symbol of gratitude for the warm hospitality towards Armenian families over the past 20 years and friendship between the people of New Zealand and Armenia.
In turn, a tribute to the life of Charles Aznavour and his philanthropic work, notably his contribution to Armenia and the Armenian people now chronicled in the pages of history, was presented by Mrs Salpi Tchaghlayan-Yeldizian.
On Saturday, Father Avetis celebrated the Divine Liturgy with the community after which he blessed the graves of Armenians interred in Auckland’s Cemetery. With Deacon Vartan, he had the opportunity to visit the newly installed Armenian Alphabet Stone which was unveiled a month earlier on the Feast of the Holy Translators. The basalt monument is a treasure for the Armenian community of New Zealand by whose efforts has been placed in the Upper Harbour area of Auckland at the Meadowbank Community House. The inscription on the monument is dedicated to the people of Auckland as a symbol of gratitude for the warm hospitality towards Armenian families over the past 20 years and friendship between the people of New Zealand and Armenia.
