PRESS RELEASE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-0710
Fax: (212) 779-3558
Web:
Email: [email protected]
** TOP STORY October 24, 2013
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Discovery of the Holy Cross
`The Finding of the True Cross’ by the 14th-century Italian painter
Agnolo Gaddi.
** Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross
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On Sunday, October 27, the Armenian Church will observe the Feast of
the Discovery of the Holy Cross. The feast day marks the
fourth-century =80=9Cdiscovery’ of the actual cross of the Crucifixion
by Queen Helena, mother of the Roman emperor Constantine.
At the advanced age of 80, this pious Christian woman made a
pilgrimage to the Holy Land to identify places where Christ had walked
some 300 years earlier. There, after years of prayer and good works,
Helena was witness to a miracle: at the foot of Golgotha-the hill
where Christ was crucified-workers under her sponsorship unearthed
three wooden crosses.
But which one was the true Cross of Christ? In an ingenious solution,
the workers brought the body of a recently-deceased man to the
site. Placing him on the first two crosses produced no result. But
when he was placed on the third, the body stirred to life. This,
Helena concluded, must be the True Cross-still surging with the
miraculous, life-giving power of Christ’s Resurrection.
The cross is a source of great pride for Armenians as a khachagir-or
“cross-bearing”-nation. Over the centuries, Armenians have borne
Christ’s cross with faith, hope, and love. What was once an instrument
of torture and death would become for Christians the symbol of
salvation, and victory over death.
Click here
()
to read more about the significance of the cross.
Soorp Haroutiun Church, Orlando, FL
** Primate to Visit Orlando Parish
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Soorp Haroutiun Church of Orlando, FL, will mark its third anniversary
on Sunday, October 27. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate,
will visit the parish and celebrate the Divine Liturgy.
The Primate will be assisted by the Very Rev. Fr. Anania Tsaturyan, a
visiting priest from Holy Etchmiadzin. Maestro Khoren Mekanejian, the
Diocese’s Music Ministry coordinator, will direct the choir.
A luncheon will follow services, during which the community will honor
several parishioners. Click here
()
to view a flyer with information about luncheon reservations.
** Scripture of the Week
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Wis 14:1-8
Is 33:22-34:1
1 Cor 1:18-24
Mt 24:27-36
** Prayer of the Week
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By the holy cross let us beseech the Lord, that through it He may
deliver us from our sins and save us by the grace of His
mercy. Almighty Lord, our God, save us and have mercy on us. Amen.
** Upcoming Saints & Feasts
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27 October: Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross
31 October: St. John Chrysostom
** CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
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Youth walk in Armenia
Young people walk from St. Hripsime Church to Holy Etchmiadzin.
** A Walk to Renew Faith in Armenia
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On Sunday, October 20, young people from across Armenia,
Nagorno-Karabagh, and Georgia took part in a walk in Yerevan and
Vagharshapat to renew their faith and to reaffirm their commitment to
preserving the Armenian Christian spirit.
The route took the group from Freedom Square to Republic Square in
central Yerevan. Young people bore crosses, processional banners, and
signs reading, `Whatever you do, do it with love.’ In Republic Square
the participants boarded shuttles to St. Hripsime Church in
Vagharshapat, and from there they continued their walk to Holy
Etchmiadzin.
A prayer service was held at the St. Drtad open-air altar at Holy
Etchmiadzin, with His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, presiding. `Christ is the light, and we
must allow that light to burn within us,’ His Holiness said. =80=9CThe
Armenian Christian faith has nourished the Armenian people for
centuries, and it is through this faith and through our love that we
can strengthen our homeland and overcome the obstacles we face in our
lives.’
Click here
()
to read an article in Armenian.
Armenian Rug
President Coolidge stands on the carpet woven by orphans of the
Armenian Genocide and presented to the United States in 1925.
** Armenian “Orphan Rug” a Forgotten Artifact
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A traditional Armenian rug, woven by orphans in the aftermath of the
Armenian Genocide and presented to President Calvin Coolidge in
appreciation of the United States’ genocide-relief efforts, has
remained in storage at the White House for nearly two decades.
This December, a Smithsonian curator hoped to showcase the rug as part
of an event launching Hagop Martin Deranian’s new book on the subject,
titled President Calvin Coolidge and the Armenian Orphan Rug. But the
White House turned down the Smithsonian’s request to loan the rug, and
the event has been cancelled.
The Washington Post’s art and architecture critic, Philip Kennicott,
covered the controversy surrounding the historic rug in an article
appearing earlier this week. Click here
()
to read Kennicott’s piece.
** DIOCESAN NEWS
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Diocesan Annula Appeal
** Support the Diocese’s 2013 Annual Appeal
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The Eastern Diocese has launched its 2013 Annual Appeal-the only
Diocesan-wide fundraiser conducted each year to help the Diocese
undertake the many ministries, programs, and resources that enrich
life in our parishes.
Your thoughtful gift brings light to our local churches. It supports
Christian education, Armenian language instruction, summer camps,
youth programs, mission parish outreach, and the use of new
communication technologies.
To our past and prospective donors, we are deeply grateful for your
support of the creative, educational, and inspirational programs that
lift up Armenian communities throughout the Eastern Diocese.
Please accept this invitation to strengthen our efforts. Your generous
contribution to the 2013 Annual Appeal will help spread the good work
of the Armenian Church across our local communities-and across the
generations.
Follow this link to donate now
()
to the 2013 Annual Appeal, and see the item below under `Events’ for
an upcoming Annual Appeal reception in New York.
Christian Education
Sunday School children read a Bible passage together.
** Two New Volumes Added to We Believe Textbook Series
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The Diocesan department of Christian Education released two textbooks
in the new
We Believe curriculum series in time for the 2013-14 academic year.
Circles of Faith (Grade Two) comprises 28 full-color individual
newsletter lessons. Through story, song, puzzles, and crafts, second
graders will experience the circles of faith that connect them through
Jesus to a loving God and a nurturing church.
Surprised By Joy: Discovering God (Grade Seven) is designed for middle
schoolers whose faith questions are explored in the context of real
life. Topics include the feelings expressed in the Psalms, connections
between science and belief, understanding spiritual gifts, the life
and teaching of Jesus, and the prayers and sacraments that keep us
connected in a spirit-filled community.
Except for a revised Pre-K program, which is in progress, these are
the final two books in a 10-volume Sunday School curriculum project
that began in 2007. The textbooks present central issues of faith and
Christian living as experienced in the Armenian Church.
Click here
()
to read more about the project and the writers. To order the
textbooks, contact the St. Vartan Bookstore at (212) 686-0710. For
more information, contact Elise Antreassian, the Diocese’s coordinator
of Christian Education, at [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) .
FAR
A mother brings in her son for a medical inspection in Tavush.
** Healthcare Program in Tavush Targets Malnutrition
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Efforts to kick off the healthcare component of FAR’s new project,
`Breaking the Cycle of Poverty,’ began earlier this month with the
start of a clinical investigation at Berd Medical Center in Armenia’s
Tavush region. The program’s healthcare component focuses on
identifying the most common problems linked to poor nutrition in
children ages six months to six years, and exploring ways the
education system can help to better provide children with access to
balanced nutrition.
The lab and pediatric departments of Berd Medical Center have received
the necessary equipment and supplies to carry out the study. FAR’s
Medical Program coordinator Dr. Hambartzum Simonyan visited the center
to observe the launch of the investigation. Click here
()
to visit FAR’s blog and to read more.
`Breaking the Cycle of Poverty’ is a comprehensive program sponsored
by the Mardigian Family Foundation with the goal of lifting the people
of the Tavush region out of poverty by empowering them to be
economically independent and self-sustainable.
Needlework exhibit at the Diocesan Center.
Children examine one of Mrs. Gorginyan’s masterpieces on display at
the Diocesan Center on October 13.
** Needlework Exhibit Held at Diocesan Center
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On Sunday, October 13, St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral in New York
mounted an exhibition of wondrous lace creations of master needlework
artist Lena Gorginyan. Rendered in intricate lace were crosses,
khatchkars, churches, flowers, doves of peace, and other mystical and
poetic designs-all created from Mrs. Gorginyan’s heart and spirit.
Welcoming more than 200 attendees to the exhibition, event organizer
Angela Kazarian thanked the cathedral dean, the Very Rev. Fr. Mamigon
Kiledjian, for supporting and encouraging the exhibition.
Speaking from her perspective as a specialist in the art of
needlework, Ms. Kazarian explained that Armenian needle-lace stands
out as distinct among the many other expressions of the art. Dr. Helen
Evans-curator for Byzantine Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in
New York, and a specialist on Armenian illuminated manuscripts-called
Mrs. Gorginyan’s work `exceptional.’
Click on the following links to read more
()
about the exhibition and to view photos
()
.
** PARISH NEWS
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St. Sahag and Mesrob Church, Wynnewood, PA
Archbishop Barsamian presents parishioner John Eskandarian with the
St. Nersess Shnorhali Medal.
** Celebrating 50 Years in Wynnewood
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In a gala anniversary weekend, the St. Sahag and St. Mesrob parish
celebrated 50 years in its current church building in Wynnewood,
PA. Through half a century of growth and activity, the church has been
the focal point of community life for the West Philadelphia Armenian
community, and a well-known and highly regarded presence in the
surrounding society.
The commemorative events began on Saturday, October 19, when Loutfig
Arabatlian was ordained as an acolyte, and Steven Keytanjian was
ordained as a sub-deacon, by the hand of Diocesan Primate Archbishop
Khajag Barsamian.
The Primate celebrated badarak on Sunday, after which he presided over
an anniversary banquet in the church hall. Also present for the
occasion was Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, the Diocesan Legate.
Parish pastor the Very Rev. Fr. Oshagan Gulgulian presented the 2013
=80=9CStewardship Award’ to three outstanding parishioners who have
been exemplary and inspirational figures throughout these past 50
years: Helen Amirian, Deacon Minas Mihranian, and Laura Zakian.
As a capstone to the banquet, longtime parish leader John Eskandarian
received the `St. Nersess Shnorhali Medal.’ Archbishop Barsamian
presented the award to Mr. Eskandarian on behalf of the Catholicos
Karekin II, and commended the honoree’s devotion to the youth of the
parish.
The weekend also included a reunion dance on Saturday night. Click on
the following links to read more
()
and to view photos
()
.
Heghna Paloian
Mrs. Heghna Paloian at Sunday’s celebration in Chicago.
** At 107, a Survivor in More Ways Than One
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During an observance of its 49th anniversary on Sunday, October 20,
St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Chicago, IL, honored longtime
parishioner Mrs. Heghna Paloian-a survivor of the Armenian Genocide
who turned 107 this year.
Mrs. Paloian and her family took part in the celebration of the Divine
Liturgy on Sunday. In his sermon, the Very Rev. Fr. Aren Jebejian,
parish pastor, spoke about Mrs. Paloian’s unwavering faith in God,
even in the face of hardship and tragedy. He said she serves as an
inspiration to young generations of Armenian Christians.
At a luncheon following services, parish leaders reflected on
Mrs. Paloian’s character and her contributions to the parish. Family
members spoke about the honoree’s warmth and shared personal memories.
Alderman Nicholas Spasto presented Mrs. Paloian with a resolution on
behalf of Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Fr. Jebejian congratulated Mrs. Paloian,
and read a letter from Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan
Primate. He concluded the program with a prayer.
Born in 1906, Mrs. Paloian witnessed the deportations of her neighbors
and relatives, and lived for a time in an orphanage until a family
member helped her relocate to the United States. Earlier this week,
the Chicago Tribune featured an article about Mrs. Paloian’s
life. Click here
()
to read the Tribune article.
Holy Resurrection Church, New Britain, CT
Fr. Mouradjian (left) and Fr. Odabashian with altar servers at Holy
Resurrection Church.
** Vicar Visits New Britain Parish
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On Sunday, October 20, Holy Resurrection Church of New Britain, CT,
celebrated the 72nd anniversary of its establishment in New Britain,
and the 33rd anniversary of the consecration of its present house of
worship.
The Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian, Diocesan Vicar, visited the
parish and celebrated the Divine Liturgy. In his sermon, he spoke
about the importance of faith and community. During a brunch following
services, Fr. Odabashian presented the parish pastor, the
Rev. Fr. Kapriel Mouradjian, with a hand cross to mark his 10 years of
service at Holy Resurrection Church.
Later that afternoon, Fr. Odabashian and Fr. Mouradjian met with
members of the Parish Council as they formulated plans for the
renovation of the church hall.
Deacons Training
A deacons’ training workshop will be held in Elberon, NJ, November
1-3.
** Deacons’ Training in Elberon
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St. Nersess Seminary will lead a deacons’ training “double workshop”
on the weekend of November 1-3 at St. Stepanos Church in Elberon,
NJ. The workshop is intended for deacons and altar servers serving
parishes in the greater New York/New Jersey region.
The workshop will feature two simultaneous programs, for beginner and
advanced altar servers. The first program will teach participants how
to use the poorvar (censer) and the censing patterns for the Divine
Liturgy. The second program will train participants in the rituals,
music, and deacons’ role in the Armenian Church’s Blessing of Water
ceremony.
The workshop will be led by the Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan,
longtime director of the seminary’s Deacons’ Training Program and
current director of the Diocese’s Zohrab Information Center, and the
Rev. Fr. Daniel Karadjian, pastor of St. Stepanos Church.
The program is open to young men ages 14 or older. Click here
()
for information and to download registration forms.
St. James Annual Bazaar
Parishioners prepare kebob in Watertown.
** Watertown Parish Hosts Annual Bazaar
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Hundreds gathered at St. James Church in Watertown, MA, last weekend
to take part in the parish’s 66th annual bazaar. Attendees enjoyed
traditional Armenian food and various activities, including a silent
auction, vendor booths, and raffles. Children took part in carnival
games organized by the ACYOA Juniors, and pumpkin decorating offered
by the parish’s Sunday Sprouts program.
Nancy Kassabian and Sandy Raphalian co-chaired the bazaar committee,
which oversaw a large team of volunteers from all parish
organizations.
Click here
()
to view photos.
Holy Martyrs Church, NY
>From left: Dr. Lynn Cetin, Edward and Mary Ann Kazanjian, and
Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan.
** A Presentation on Historic Armenia at Holy Martyrs
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On Saturday evening, October 19, Holy Martyrs Church of Bayside, NY,
hosted a presentation on historic Armenia by Edward and Mary Ann
Kazanjian of Belmont, MA. The couple’s talk chronicled their trip to
historic Armenian lands in 2009, and included photographs of cities
and villages-many of which still bear traces of the Armenian
civilization that once flourished in the region.
The Rev. Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan, parish pastor, thanked the Kazanjians
for their informative presentation. The more than 70 guests then
enjoyed a fellowship hour, during which they had an opportunity to ask
questions. For more information about the Kazanjians and their
travels, visit
The evening was part of Holy Martyrs’ annual Cultural Night event,
which is sponsored by the Jevarjian Family Trust Fund and the Cetin
Family Trust Fund.
Upcoming Events
** Upcoming Parish Events
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St. John the Baptist Church | Greenfield, WI
The Cultural Committee of St. John the Baptist Church of Greenfield,
WI, will host a concert by the Mazmanian family on Saturday, October
26, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person, and include a
post-concert reception with the artists.
Click here
()
to view a flyer for information. For reservations, e-mail
[email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) .
St. Mary Church | Hollywood, FL
St. Mary Church of Hollywood, FL, will host an Armenian Food and Music
Festival on Saturday, October 26 (11 a.m. to 10 p.m.), and Sunday,
October 27 (12 to 7 p.m.). The festival will feature Armenian food, a
live band, arts and crafts vendors, and activities for children. Click
here
()
to view a flyer for information.
St. Thomas Church | Tenafly, NJ
St. Thomas Church of Tenafly, NJ, will host its Food Festival and
Bazaar on October 26 and 27. Enjoy traditional Armenian food, vendors,
and activities for kids. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.
The Cultural Committee of St. Thomas Church and the Hamazkayin
Armenian Educational and Cultural Society of New Jersey will present
the screening of Nigol Bezjian’s new film, “I Left my Shoes in
Istanbul” on Sunday, November 3, beginning at 1:30 p.m. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information, or call (908) 866-6150 or (201)
567-5446.
Holy Trinity Church | Cheltenham, PA
Holy Trinity Church of Cheltenham, PA, will host a Harvest Bazaar on
Friday, October 25; Saturday, October 26; and Sunday, October 27.
Enjoy Armenian food and music, vendors, activities for children, and
more. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information, or visit the parish website at
()
.
Holy Martyrs Church | Bayside, NY
The ACYOA Seniors of Holy Martyrs Church of Bayside, NY, will host a
Masquerade Ball on Saturday, October 26, beginning at 8 p.m. Click
here
()
to view a flyer for information.
Holy Martyrs Church will hold its Sunday School 58th Anniversary
Reunion on Saturday, November 2, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.
Church of Our Saviour | Worcester, MA
The Church of Our Saviour of Worcester, MA, will host its annual
festival on Friday, November 1 (5 to 9 p.m.), and Sunday, November 3
(12 to 4 p.m.).
Enjoy Armenian food-including shish, chicken, and losh kebab and
kheyma-and a variety of baked goods. The Eddie Melikian Ensemble will
perform on Sunday. A White Elephant Sale will take place both days,
and a Kids’ Fair is scheduled for Sunday, 1 to 3 p.m.
The festival will take place at the church’s Cultural Center, located
at 34 Boynton Street in Worcester. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.
St. Mark Church | Springfield, MA
The ACYOA Seniors chapter of St. Mark Church of Springfield, MA, will
hold its 6th annual autumn dance on Saturday, November 2, at 8 p.m.
For information, and to make reservations, contact Erika Belezarian at
(413) 335-9536 or [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) ; or Talene Jermakian at (413)
374-8556 or [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) . Click
here
()
to view a flyer with ticket information.
Holy Cross Church | Bayside, NY
Holy Cross Church of Union City, NJ, will host its annual Bazaar and
Food Festival on Saturday, November 2, beginning at 5 p.m.
In addition to traditional Armenian food, the evening will feature a
children’s Halloween party, a performance by the Antranig Dance
Ensemble, raffles, and more. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information, or call the church office at (201)
864-2480.
St. Gregory the Enlightener Church | White Plains, NY
The Women’s Guild of St. Gregory the Enlightener Church is taking
advance orders for its one-day-only fall food sale, scheduled for
Sunday, November 17, from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Eat in or take out-but
pre-paid advance orders must be received before November 3. Click here
()
for an order form with complete information.
** EVENTS
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New York City
** Annual Appeal Reception in New York
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On Wednesday, October 30, the Alex and Ani jewelry store in Manhattan
will host a reception to benefit the Diocese’s Annual Appeal. The
event is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.
Richard Hovanissian
Professor Hovannisian will give a talk titled `In Search of Historic
Western Armenia’ at UConn next week.
** Lecture on Historic Armenia at University of Connecticut
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The University of Connecticut’s Norian Armenian Programs will host a
lecture by Professor Richard Hovannisian on Friday, November 1, at 7
p.m. Professor Hovannisian’s talk is titled `In Search of Historic
Western Armenia.’
The lecture will take place at the University of Connecticut School of
Social Work (1798 Asylum Ave. in West Hartford, CT). A reception
scheduled for 6 p.m. will precede the lecture. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.
Holy Land
An aerial view of the Holy City.
** Patriarch of Jerusalem in New York and New England
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St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral in New York City will host a special
event dedicated to the historic Armenian presence in Jerusalem. The
event will take place on Sunday, November 3, and include the
celebration of the Divine Liturgy and a luncheon and program.
Presiding over the badarak and luncheon as a special guest of honor
will be the new Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude
Archbishop Nourhan Manougian. The public is cordially invited to
attend. Click here
()
for a flyer which includes information on tickets for the luncheon.
On the evening of Friday, November 1, the New England regional
churches will welcome Patriarch Manougian with a hrashapar service at
St. James Church in Watertown, MA. A reception will follow. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.
** YOUTH NEWS
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ACYOA
Members of the ACYOA Central Council and the Holy Martyrs Sports
Weekend Committee with Archbishop Barsamian.
** ACYOA Central Council Reviews Upcoming Programs
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Meeting at the Diocesan Center in New York on Saturday, October 19,
members of the ACYOA Central Council discussed upcoming events and
reviewed a report on the New England Regional Retreat, which took
place earlier this month at Holy Trinity Church in Cambridge, MA.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, presided over the
meeting. Also taking part were the Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian,
Diocesan Vicar, and Jennifer Morris, director of the Diocese’s Youth
and Young Adult Ministries department.
The Central Council is looking forward to its annual Leadership
Conference, scheduled for November 8-10 at the Don Bosco Retreat
Center in Stony Point, NY (see story below), and the annual Chapter
Workshop, which will take place January 24-26 in St. Petersburg, FL.
Council members also began making plans for the 2014 Armenia Service
Program and future regional retreats. The ACYOA of Holy Martyrs Church
of Bayside, NY, presented an update on their plans for the 2014 ACYOA
General Assembly and Sports Weekend.
On Sunday, October 20, the Central Council visited Holy Martyrs Church
to take part in the Divine Liturgy.
ACYOA Retreat
** Registration Open for ACYOA Leadership Conference
————————————————————
This year’s ACYOA Leadership Conference will convene from Friday,
November 8, through Sunday, November 10, at the Don Bosco Retreat
Center in Stony Point, NY.
The retreat will focus on the Diocesan theme, `Living the Gospel of
Christ,’ and explore ways in which communication helps enhance
leadership. Young adults 18 and over are invited to attend; conference
costs (with the exception of travel) are covered by the ACYOA Central
Council.
For information, or to register, contact Lorie Odabashian at
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) . The
registration deadline is Wednesday, October 30.
From: Baghdasarian