PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Karine Abalyan
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
May 7, 2010
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AT ANNUAL CONFERENCE, DIOCESAN CLERGY DISCUSS WAYS TO ADVANCE VOCATIONS IN
THE ARMENIAN CHURCH
At the Eastern Diocese’s annual Clergy Conference, held April 26 to 29, 49
clergy gathered to discuss the Diocese’s theme of vocations and to consider
ways to encourage a new generation of young men to become priests in the
Armenian Church.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), presided over the meeting, which was held at St. Mary
of the Lake retreat center in Mundelein, Ill., in the days prior to the
108th Diocesan Assembly in Chicago, Ill. Chairing the Clergy Conference was
the Very Rev. Fr. Haigazoun Najarian; the Rev. Fr. Diran Bohajian served as
vice chair, with the Rev. Fr. Khachatur Kesablyan, and the Rev. Fr. Hovnan
Demerjian as secretary and assistant secretary, respectively.
Following an opening prayer, the conference began with presentations by
guest clergy representatives from Holy Etchmiadzin: the Rev. Fr. Vart
Gyozalyan and the Rev. Fr. Hovhaness Kesablyan. Fr. Gyozalyan spoke about
youth programs in Armenia and outlined young people’s involvement in the
life of the church. Fr. Kesablyan spoke about ways vocations are nourished
at Holy Etchmiadzin and how young seminarians in Armenia are prepared for
the priesthood.
Clergy also received a spiritual message from His Holiness Karekin II, the
Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, conveying his blessing
and best wishes to each clergyman. "Your enthusiasm, service and dedication
will be a shining example to our people, encouraging them to grow in their
commitment to God, to the Armenian Church, and to the Armenian nation,"
wrote the Catholicos. Quoting St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, he exhorted
the clergy to "love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another
in showing honor" (Rom 12:10 RSV).
In the Primate’s presentation, Archbishop Barsamian spoke about the
Diocese’s theme of "Vocations: The Call to Serve," and how clergy and lay
people needed to work together to encourage the priestly vocations in the
Eastern Diocese. He introduced the four new priests who had entered the
service of the Eastern Diocese within the last year: the Very Rev. Oshagan
Gulgulian, Rev. Fr. Paren Galstyan, Rev. Fr. Hagop Gevorgyan, Rev. Fr.
Martiros Hakobyan, and Rev. Fr. Hratch Sargsyan.
The Primate reminded the clergy that the Diocese had taken up the Vocations
theme last year, and was continuing with it for the next, in order to
address the need to identify candidates for the priesthood from within the
Eastern Diocese’s parishes. He spoke about the traditional practice-still
alive in the Middle East-of pastors being raised from their home
communities. Different circumstances in Europe and America may require a
different approach, he said; and through St. Nersess Seminary the Eastern
Diocese has been able to respond effectively to the need. But not yet at
the level needed for a growing, dynamic church.
"It’s vitally important to gain everyone’s involvement in order to identify,
encourage, support, and guide young men who feel the calling to become
priests," he said.
Emphasizing his commitment to strengthening St. Nersess Seminary, he
solicited vocations-related ideas and suggestions from the clergy, and
directed them to continue to use the Vocations resource book created by the
Diocesan Council last year.
Reflecting on the 21 priests he has ordained to serve in the Eastern
Diocese, as well as the additional 27 he ordained during a single ordination
service in Armenia last summer (most of whom will be serving in Armenia),
the Primate expressed the feeling of inspiration and fulfillment he receives
every time he confers the holy orders.
He urged pastors to continue working in partnership with the Diocesan
Department of Youth and Education, to strengthen programming and ensure that
children learn in their hearts and minds to feel at home within the church.
Relatedly, he spoke about the recent ACYOA Young Adult Leadership
Conference, and said that "the well-educated young leaders who are committed
to serving our church at the parish and Diocesan levels" need the
encouragement and trust of the clergy. He concluded by thanking the clergy
for their "brotherly spirit of love and respect for one another."
* Inspiration, Preparation, and Renewal
In a presentation titled "The Armenian Service of the Sacrament of
Ordinationas a Source of Renewal for Our Priests," the Very Rev. Fr. Nareg
Berberian spoke about ways clergy could renew their callings, with the Rev.
Fr. Mardiros Hakobyan giving his perspective on renewal as a young
clergyman.
Participants also watched a video about vocations, titled "Vocations: The
Call to Serve." The short video and accompanying guidebook were designed
and distributed by the Diocese to help parishes discuss vocations in their
communities. The resources were presented at the Clergy Conference by the
Rev. Fr. Vasken Kouzouian, in a talk titled "How We Can Inspire, Encourage,
and Guide Others to Respond to God’s Call." Pastors had an opportunity to
share how they have used the video and guidebook in their parishes during
the past months.
The Rev. Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian delivered a presentation about St. Nersess
Armenian Seminary, titled "Preparing Candidates to the Priesthood," which
related the past and present history of the seminary.
Four seminarians will graduate this year, while four others will continue
their studies at the seminary. Also this year, St. Nersess Seminary
introduced online classes, made a number of parish visits, and revived its
"mission trips" program, which allows seminarians to minister to the needs
of a given parish. The St. Nersess presentation closed with small group
discussions, where clergy spoke about ways to support the seminary.
Diocesan Council member Paul Mardoian spoke about clergy insurance and
pension plans.
Leslie Movsessian, chair of the Women’s Guild Central Council, spoke about
Women’s Guild programs, and highlighted steps pastors can take to encourage
and support the growth of local chapters.
ACYOA Central Council representatives Daniel DerAssadourian and Danny Mantis
spoke about the success of this year’s Young Adult Leadership Conference,
which was held last March. Clergy then discussed possible projects young
people can take up at the local parishes to further firm up their leadership
skills.
In "Developing New Approaches to Serving our Faithful," Dr. Rachel
Goshgarian, co-director of the Diocesan Department of Youth and Education,
spoke about the ongoing partnership between the clergy and the DYE. She
detailed the steps taken to strengthen programming based on suggestions
presented by clergy at the last annual conference and at regional
conferences. Elise Antreassian, coordinator of Christian Education at the
Diocese, reviewed two new initiatives underway at the parishes: the Teacher
Development Project and the Sunday School Pilot Program-the latter of which
stresses the Diocesan policy of having children take part in the Divine
Liturgy as part of their weekly Sunday School experience.
The Rev. Fr. Shnork Souin and the Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian gave a
presentation on the Ararat Center and encouraged clergy to consider holding
retreats and seminars at the facility in upstate New York.
Archbishop Barsamian thanked the clergy for their continued ministry and
dedication. He also expressed his gratitude to the Very Rev. Fr. Haigazoun
Najarian and the Very Rev. Fr. Vahan Hovhanessian, who this year were
appointed by His Holiness Karekin II to take up new leadership roles in
Central Europe and England, respectively.
On the final evening of the Clergy Conference, the host parish held a dinner
for the visiting clergymen, where a warm atmosphere prevailed.
The conference schedule was framed by daily morning and evening worship. On
Thursday, April 29, clergy gathered at St. James Church of Evanston,
Ill.-the host parish of this year’s Diocesan Assembly-for the celebration of
the Divine Liturgy. The celebrant was the Rev. Fr. Hovhaness Kesablyan.
–5/6/10
* * *
PHOTO CAPTIONS
ClergyConference1
Clergy from throughout the Eastern Diocese gathered for their annual
conference, meeting this year near Chicago. Diocesan Primate Abp. Khajag
Barsamian (third from right) presided over the meeting; Fr. Haigazoun
Najarian (fourth from right) was the chairman.
ClergyConference2
The Rev. Fr. Hovhaness Kesablyan, a guest clergymen from Holy Etchmiadzin,
celebrated the Divine Liturgy that concluded this year’s Diocesan Clergy
Conference.
ClergyConference3
Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of New York’s St. Vartan Cathedral, leads on the
presentations at the 2010 Clergy Conference.
ClergyConference4
A roundtable discussion of Diocesan clergy.
ClergyConference5
More than 40 priests from throughout the Eastern Diocese came together for
the 2010 Clergy Conference.
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