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:
February 14, 2006
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DIOCESE’S NEW PRAYER BOOK GIVES YOUNG ADULTS MEANINFGUL CONNECTION TO THE
LORD
It’s comforting to know that there’s someone you can call any time —
someone who will never put anyone on hold.
Through prayer we can connect to God in a truly meaningful way.
Now, with its new prayer book aimed at young adults and relevant to people
of many ages, the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) is
working to help every Armenian grow closer to God, through the power of
prayer.
The book, “Here I Am, Lord,” is a collection of prayers and meditations for
young adults drawn from the Bible, traditional Armenian prayers, and
original prayers written specifically for this project.
The book was made possible thanks to a generous donation from the husband of
Rose Mekenian, a former Diocesan Council member who was also a devoted high
school educator and administrator.
Additional support for the project came from Rose’s son, Stephen, and his
family, along with Michael and David Kasparian and their families; the
brothers are the sons of Lillian (Kasparian) Chapian the late Caspar
Kasparian, long-time friends of the Mekenians.
“George Mekenian thought such a book would be an appropriate memorial to his
wife, Rose,” said Elise Antreassian, coordinator of Christian education for
the Diocesan Department of Youth and Education and editor of the book. “He
thought it would be a fitting tribute to her love of young people if this
pocket-sized book was made available to throw into backpacks or briefcases,
or just to have handy. Rose was a devoted and successful teacher, who had a
special affection for this age group.”
The book is an ideal way to get high school seniors and new college students
geared up for the habit of prayer. They are encouraged to start using the
prayers in this book for inspiration in building a life of prayer. Each
page includes not only prayers but reflection questions, allowing them to
dig deeper into their faith.
To facilitate use in everyday life, the book lists prayers in categories
related to daily activities. For example, there are prayers to use when
you’re feeling lousy, before an exam, when making an important decision, and
before a date.
For George Mekenian, the book is just a continuation of his late wife’s
effort to provide guidance and direction to young people.
“Throughout her career she was very intellectually and emotionally involved
with young people. And her connection to the Armenian Church faith was very
strong,” he said of his wife, who along with being a member of the Diocesan
Council also served on ACYOA Central Council, the Diocese’s Religious
Education Committee, and in the choir and women’s guild at St. Thomas Church
in Tenafly, NJ. “She sensed the need, especially in young Armenians, for a
means of identifying and finding something to nurture them in the Armenian
Church family.”
That love for young people comes through in an essay by Rose that is
included in the new book. In it, she addresses recent high school graduates
as they transition into adulthood.
“You perhaps have discovered that life can seem quite meaningless at times
unless you find values onto which you can hold and to which you can relate
your judgments and actions,” she wrote. “Some people term this ‘tuning in
God.’ Having a philosophy of life is vital to each individual.”
“Here I Am, Lord” is the latest of several publications from the Diocese to
focus on bringing young people into the life of the church.
“This year, as the Diocese continues focusing on bringing our unique
Armenian Christian faith into the homes of our young members, I hope every
young Armenian will begin using this book,” said Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese. “Prayer can shape our lives for
the better. I encourage everyone to take the effort to form a life-long
habit of talking with our Lord through prayer.
“Here I Am, Lord” is available for $6; it can be purchased through the St.
Vartan Bookstore by going to or by calling (212)
686-0710 ext. 52.
— 3/14/06
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): The Diocese’s newest prayer book, “Here I Am, Lord,” is
specially designed for young adults but usable by everyone. It is available
for purchase from the St. Vartan Bookstore.
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