PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
November 10, 2004
___________________
THREE NORTH AMERICAN DIOCESES SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO MEETING ORGANIZED
BY ACYOA
They came from every corner of the continent, and it quickly became
apparent that these young Armenians had a lot in common, and together
could take advantage of a number of opportunities.
>>From October 1 to 3, 2004, delegates from each of the three North
American dioceses of the Armenian Church — the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern), the Western Diocese, and the Canadian
Diocese — met at the Eastern Diocese’s Ararat Center to discuss common
concerns and challenges related to youth involvement in the church.
“This meeting was an opportunity to unify the youth organizations of our
dioceses,” said Mathew Ash, the youth director for the Western Diocese.
“For the first time I felt as though we were all striving for the same
goals. I feel as though we have a great deal more to discuss. I pray
that we’ll be able to capitalize on this event.”
SHARED OPPORTUNITIES
Each diocese sent four representatives to the meeting. They explored
the possibility of a joint event that would assemble even more young
people from the three dioceses. They also investigated the feasibility
of sponsoring a joint pilgrimage to Armenia and drafted a document to
present to the respective primates and diocesan councils on ways to
involve youth in the life of the church.
The weekend was organized by the Central Council of the Armenian Church
Youth Organization of America (ACYOA) of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern).
“This meeting was something we have wanted to do for several years. By
creating a network of communication, the ACYOA, ACYO-WD (Armenian Church
Youth Organization — Western Diocese), and ACYOC (Armenian Church Youth
Organization of Canada) will be able to work together to strengthen each
of our organizations and fulfill our common mission, bringing the youth
of the Armenian Church closer to God,” said Eastern Diocese
representative Maria Derderian, a member of the ACYOA Central Council.
The weekend was more than talking; it included matins and vespers
services and a presentation on discipleship by Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian,
pastor of the St. Peter Church of Watervliet, NY. That Sunday, the
young participants traveled to Watervliet to attend a Divine Liturgy and
brunch at St. Peter Church. During brunch, a representative from each
of the three Dioceses spoke with the parish gathering about their
respective service programs in Armenia.
“It’s inspiring to see so many dedicated, young members of the Armenian
Church,” Fr. Doudoukjian said. “I pray they will be disciples of the
Lord and witness their faith to others.”
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
After three days of discussion, brainstorming, and sharing past
experiences and future hopes, the group came up with a few goals for the
combined youth of the three dioceses to focus on.
Delegates plan to organize an annual Pan-North American Youth Retreat
for the next three years during late September or early October. They
hope between 75 and 100 young people can attend the sessions, which will
be hosted by the three dioceses on a rotating schedule.
Another proposal they agreed on is to organize a Pan-Armenian youth
gathering in Armenia for 2008.
The group also agreed to more coordination in regard to their respective
service programs in Armenia. ACYOA organizes the Armenia Service
Program (ASP), through which young people work as camp counselors in
Armenia. The ACYO-WD this year inaugurated its Church Youth Mission to
Armenia, which allows participants to spend a month working as an intern
in Armenia.
The group decided to jointly promote the various opportunities for young
people to serve the Armenian homeland. Also, the various trips will be
scheduled so they overlap, allowing participants from each program to
mingle with those of the others.
“It was a pleasure meeting friends from all across North America and
getting their perspectives on the goings on of their respective
Dioceses. Hopefully we can build a brighter and stronger future for
generations to come,” said Talar Chichmanian, a representative of the
ACYOC, which is just getting established.
Attending the meeting as representatives of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern) were: Maria Derderian, ACYOA Central Council
public relations coordinator and member of the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob
Church, Wynnewood, PA; Dn. Diran Jebejian, ACYOA Central Council vice
chair and member of the St. Leon Church, Fair Lawn, NJ; Saro Kalayjian,
former ACYOA Central Council chair and member of the St. Mary Church,
Washington, D.C.; and Karen Khatchadourian, ACYOA Central Council
programming coordinator and member of the St. Thomas Church, Tenafly,
NJ.
Attending the session as representatives of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of Canada were: Talar Chichmanian, parishioner at the St. Gregory
Cathedral, Montreal, Quebec; Armen DiMaria, ACYOC member from the Holy
Cross Church, Laval, Quebec; David Kaprielian, ACYOC member from the
Holy Cross Church, Laval, Quebec; and Shogher Menengichian, ACYOC member
from the Holy Trinity Church, Toronto, Ontario.
Attending the session as representatives of the Western Diocese of the
Armenian Church of America were: Hovig Artinian, ACYO-WD Central Council
chair and member of St. Paul Church, Fresno, CA; Matthew Ash, Diocesan
youth director and member of the St. James Church, Los Angeles, CA;
Abraham Chilingaryan, ACYO-WD Central Council advisor and member of the
St. John Church, Hollywood, CA; and Ryan Tellalian, ACYO-WD Central
Council secretary and member of the St. Mary Church, Yettem, CA.
Helping organize and leading discussions during the weekend were Fr.
Stepanos Doudoukjian, pastor of the St. Peter Church of Watervliet, NY;
Nancy Basmajian, ACYOA executive secretary; and Jason Demerjian, the
Eastern Diocese’s College Ministry facilitator.
— 11/10/04
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Representatives from the three Armenian Church
dioceses of North America discuss shared opportunities and challenges
during a weekend retreat at the Eastern Diocese’s Ararat Center in
upstate New York on October 1 through 3, 2004.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian, pastor of the St. Peter
Church of Watervliet, NY, leads a discussion on discipleship and
stewardship during a gathering of young Armenian Church leaders from
throughout North America.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Four representatives from each Armenian Church
diocese in North America gather at the St. Peter Church of Watervliet,
NY, on October 3, 2004, after a weekend of discussions and sharing of
ideas at the Ararat Center in upstate New York.
# # #