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]
14 June 2005
GLORIOUS RESURRECTION OF SYDNEY’S ARMENIAN CHURCH YOUTH
“Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among
the nations, “The LORD reigns!”” – 1Chronicles 16:31
Sydney, Australia – The Almighty up above would have been rejoicing
at the beautiful scene in the Armenian Apostolic Church of Holy
Resurrection on Sunday, 12 June, 2005 when a group of faithful young
adults approached the Holy Altar to partake in the Sacrament of Holy
Communion as the re-formed Armenian Church Youth of Australia (ACYA).
As rays of sunshine poured into the nave through stained-glass windows,
there cast the ray of hope of a propagating future for the Armenian
Church.
A group of 19 young adults ranging in age from 17 to 20 have grouped
together to form the ACYA Team Leadership with the blessing of His
Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian, Primate of the Diocese of the
Armenian Church of Australia and New Zealand. The group is being
guided by faithful mentors who serve the Church in various capacities
under the direction of Archbishop Baliozian.
In his sermon, the Primate reflected on the significance of the
Feast Day that it was, the Discovery of the Relics of St Gregory
the Enlightener, and how St Gregory’s life teaches us to stand
steadfast for God and dedicate our lives to His service. No greater
an example could there be to set the standard of service, other than
our Lord Jesus Christ, than St Gregory who became the first Catholicos
of Armenians. The Primate blessed the journey of service that each
ACYA Leader is embarking on, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit
to lead them in their positions of responsibility.
Following Holy Mass, the ACYA Team Leaders and their mentors met
privately with the Primate in the Diocesan Office. The parents of
the ACYA and Church Councillors later joined the clergy and ACYA for
a joyous luncheon where stronger bonds were forged within a setting
of Christian love and unity.
The first program of the ACYA Team will be a church youth fellowship
group called Y-Connect with the mission of getting Armenian youth
connected with each other, with the Armenian Church and with God.
The program is targeting high-school aged students and is due to
commence on Sunday, 19 June and thereafter every fortnight from
6-8 p.m. Fun, Faith and Friendship are the buzz words for Y-Connect
and by the grace of God, a “Feat” it will be as well.
“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all
the earth.” – Psalm 57:5