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:
May 11, 2006
___________________
DELEGATES LOOK TO BRING CHURCH TO HOME
By Jake Goshert
During the Diocesan Assembly, delegates were introduced to the Diocesan
theme for the year: “Church and Home: Building One Spirit.”
The year’s theme stems from the Diocesan Council’s “statement of intent”
created five years ago, which states: “The Armenian Church is significant in
the life of every Armenian in the Eastern Diocese, and his or her family.”
“That statement has guided our actions, with each of our assemblies, with a
particular emphasis on one specific ‘focus area,'” said Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Primate, as he outlined the work done in the past five years in
the focus areas of leadership, worship, communication, stewardship, and
youth. “By focusing on these areas, we have made a positive impact on our
Diocese. And my impression is that many of you have been able to make a
tangible difference in your home-parish life.”
Last year, the Diocese focused on youth, working to encourage and promote
the next generation to take a leadership role in the life of the church.
“That effort — indeed, all our efforts over the past five years — proved
to be a great success,” the Primate said. “This year, I want to bring all
of these successes to each and every one of you — throughout the church,
throughout the community, and to every family and home. That is the meaning
of our theme for this year.”
CONNECTING CHURCH AND HOME
Diocesan Council Vice Chairman Oscar Tatosian spoke to the delegates about
the importance of connecting church and home to build strong morals and
values. He spoke about a recent family gathering where he saw his young
family members and thought about their future.
“Are they going to get the same Armenian spirit that I got growing up in my
home? Do we, as adults, do our part? Was I being a good uncle? Do they know
their Armenian nation? Do they know their history,” he asked. “Are their
hearts inspired in hearing the legends of St. Gregory or Gomidas or Gorky?
And who among them will recognize the virtues of this heritage and determine
that they want to wear the robes of the Armenian faith and hold that
Armenian flame with pride.”
He stressed the importance of the values taught at home, especially in
today’s secularized world.
“We go into the world prepared by what we have learned in our homes,” he
said. “Home is where I was tutored in my identity, and home was where my
faith was instilled in me, and home is where I became who I am.”
The Primate echoed those ideas in his remarks, describing the Armenian
people as an action-oriented people who expressed their courage and
determination in securing Armenia as the first Christian nation.
“Who we are is a gift from God. And God wants us to share them with others
— especially with our own,” the Primate said. “During this ‘Year of Church
and Home,’ we want to bring all of our riches into our parishes and
households.”
YOUNG SPEAKERS
The Primate invited several young speakers to talk to the delegates about
how their faith and Armenian identity had shaped their lives.
“These are the next generation of Armenian leaders,” said Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Primate. “It is important to understand how they are connected
to the Armenian Church.”
First to speak was Antranig Garibian, 28, a member of the Holy Trinity
Church of Cheltenham, PA. A sub-deacon, member of parish council, and now a
delegate, he said being ordained has changed how he feels about the Armenian
Church.
“It made me realize that it wasn’t enough anymore just to participate in our
worship, but now I was expected to lead and to teach,” he said. “With every
worship service, I made new friends and became closer to the Armenian
Church. I hope that others see what a gift it is to worship in the Armenian
Church.”
The next speaker was Taleen Terjanian, 17, a choir member from the St.
Stepanos Church of Elberon, NJ, and a recent graduate of the leadership
development program operated by the Association of Armenian Church Choirs of
America (AACCA).
“I remember the sensation that came over me when I first put my love into
prayers and song. It was a completely different connection between me and
God,” she said.
She will join other young choir members later this year in a special trip to
Armenia. “Thanks to programs like these, Armenian-American youth are
remaining active in our culture and faith,” she said. “And we will be able
to pass on our experiences to keep our heritage and culture alive.”
Speaking about his leadership experiences, Gregory Andonian, 26, a choir
member and ACYOA leader at the St. Gregory of Narek Church in Cleveland, OH,
spoke about his experience leading the planning of a recent ACYOA General
Assembly and Sports Weekend.
“I needed to motivate and delegate to a wide variety of Armenian youth,” he
said. “Our community supported us because they saw we were accomplishing,
we were working hard, coming together, and we were not succumbing to
barriers; we were growing stronger. As a leader you can use the strength of
the church and do you part to protect our Armenian church.”
He said now as an ACYOA Central Council member, he enjoys working to assure
our churches have productive chapters and an opportunity for Armenian youth
to be involved in their church.
“Activities of the youth are so important because they bring energy and
community and strength, and they strengthen us the protectors of the
Armenian Church,” he said.
The youngest speaker, 16-year-old Bethanie Mangigian, a member of the St.
John’s Church of Southfield, MI, spoke about her experiences with Diocesan
staff and other church leaders.
She spoke about interactions with the Diocese’s coordinator of youth
outreach, Jennifer Morris, as well as various clergymen who have welcomed
her into the church.
“These amazing adults understand the importance of developing personal
relationships with young adults: never patronizing us, and always balancing
education with fun in our discussions,” she added.
By being welcomed into the life of the church, she said she has been able to
be a stronger person.
“In today’s atmosphere the church offers a rare place of peace for me. In
church itself I communicate personally with God every week. I receive a
loud communication from God through Holy Communion, where God tells us he
not only forgives our sins but welcomes us,” she said. “This is a powerful
message. As a youth in the Armenian Church, I use this message to combat the
influences of the outside world.”
The last speaker, Karinne Hovnanian, 19, also of Cheltenham, PA, spoke about
the need to give of one’s self through service.
“Sharing our love as God intended us to, with all those around us, sharing
our skills and sharing our energy to bring God’s love to those who need it
most, this is service,” said Hovnanian, who is a choir member, active in St.
Vartan Camp and the Armenian Service Program, and the Diocese’s “Alternative
Spring Break” Habitat for Humanity program. “It is through stewardship and
sharing with others that I have become who I am today. It is now my time to
take that flame of love and pass it on to someone else.”
The delegates erupted in a standing ovation following the presentations.
“These young people have eloquently detailed the success of our goals,” the
Primate said. “It is my commitment to engage more and more young people on
an ongoing basis — in our assemblies, at Diocesan meetings, and in other
occasions.”
“With such youth among us, we have nothing to fear about the future and
everything to hope for,” the Primate added. “They are a living testament to
a bright future. It is my sincere belief that our efforts over the past five
years, your efforts as leaders of the Armenian Church, are beginning to bear
fruit. I want to thank you all for everything you have done.”
WORKSHOP BRAINSTORMING
Delegates broke into small workshop groups, led by trained young people, to
discuss the issues surrounding how to build a strong connection between home
and church. Delegates were asked to find ways to increase the church and
community bonds among members of all ages.
They looked at all ages, from infants to senior citizens, and came up with
ideas ranging from educating new parents about the importance of early
exposure to the Divine Liturgy to building inter-generational bonds by
having children visit home-bound seniors.
Initial ideas were later presented to the delegates. Diocesan staff will
further examine and expand upon the ideas and create resource booklet for
parishes.
— 5/11/06
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Bethanie Mangigian, from the St. John Church of
Southfield, MI, speaks to delegates at the Diocesan Assembly about the
importance of building personal connections to the next generation of
Armenian faithful.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): ACYOA Central Council Vice Chair Karen Khatchadourian
leads one of the break-out groups during the Diocesan Assembly.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Young people join the delegates at the 2006 Diocesan
Assembly in a morning prayer service.
PHOTO CAPTION (4): Alex Topakbashian, a young parishioner from the Holy
Trinity Church in Cheltenham, PA, leads delegates in a brainstorming session
on ways to connect church and home.