Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Annual Clergy Conference

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Annual Clergy Conference

    News from the Western Diocese

    Annual Clergy Conference

    May 3, 2006

    St. Mary Armenian Church, Costa Mesa, California

    The Annual Clergy Conference of the Western Diocese took place on
    May 3, 2006 at St. Mary Armenian Church in Costa Mesa, presided
    by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate. Also present
    were His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian and His Grace Bishop
    Sebouh Chouldjian, Primate of the Diocese of Gougark, Armenia,
    who is currently visiting the Western Diocese. Rev. Fr. Asoghig
    Garabedian and Rev. Fr. Trdat Bozigian represented the Mother See of
    Holy Etchmiadzin. Over 35 clergy from the Western Diocese participated
    in the conference.

    A morning service took place at 9:30 a.m. in St. Mary Armenian Church,
    following which a special requiem service was conducted for the souls
    of the victims of the recent plane crash in Sochi, as well as for
    the souls of departed clergy.

    Session A

    Session A began at 10:00 a.m. with the Primate's prayer. Archpriest
    Fr. Moushegh Tashjian, Pastor of St. Mary Armenian Church, welcomed
    the attendees and thanked the Primate for offering the parish of
    Costa Mesa this opportunity to host the 79th Annual Diocesan and
    Ladies' Assemblies.

    The Primate introduced Rev. Fr. Asoghig Garabedian and Rev. Fr. Trdat
    Bozigian representing the Mother See, who during their month-long
    stay in the Western Diocese will visit several parishes. The two
    clergy conveyed to the participants the blessings and greetings of
    the Catholicos of All Armenians. Rev. Fr. Asoghig Garabedian read
    the Spiritual Message of the Catholicos issued especially for this
    occasion.

    Bishop Sebouh Chouldjian informed the attendees of the mission and
    future projects of the Diocese of Gougark, and thanked the Primate
    for the assistance which the Diocese of Gougark receives from the
    Western Diocese, her "Sister Diocese".

    Rev. Fr. Asoghig Garabedian and Rev. Fr. Trdat Bozigian spoke about
    the Kevorkian Seminary, emphasizing the success as well as the
    mission of the Seminary in teaching Christianity, Armenian history,
    etc, and in preparing clergy, lecturers and teachers. They urged the
    clergy of the Diocese to visit Armenia and provide their assistance
    to this spiritual mission. Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian also provided
    his remarks, following which a question and answer session took
    place.

    Session B

    Session B began at 1:30 p.m. The Primate presented his report, mainly
    emphasizing the following points.

    PROJECTS IN ARMENIA - Sister Churches, Etchmiadzin Children's Fund,
    Brighter Future for Armenia, Our Home, construction of homes for
    needy families.

    ACYO - Annual Sports Weekend, Retreat, Annual Conference in
    November, Summer camp, March for Humanity (March from LA to
    Washington, D.C.)

    CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COUNCIL - Sunday school textbooks, Sanahin
    Institute

    CANDIDATES FOR THE PRIESTHOOD - Candidates from the Western Diocese,
    clergy arriving from Armenia and the Diaspora

    The Primate also referred to the following topics: day-long lecture
    series in October, list of future publications, Mother Cathedral
    construction project, 2007 calendar, Summer Camp, 80th anniversary
    celebration of the Western Diocese, collective Divine Liturgy between
    Eastern Orthodox Churches and ecumenical relations, Clergy Retreat,
    St. Nersess Seminary, and other issues relating to the Western
    Diocese and her parishes. His Eminence also took questions from the
    participating clergy.

    Zarouhi Der-Mugrdechian, Director of the Christian Education Council
    provided information on Sunday school textbooks and future projects.

    A main project of the present is preparing workshops for Sunday
    school teachers.

    It was decided that a Clergy Retreat will be held on August 15 and
    16. A committee comprised of three clergy was formed to organize the
    event.

    In his closing spiritual message the Primate emphasized the spirit of
    serving with dedication and love. He thanked Archpriest Fr. Moushegh
    Tashjian, Pastor of St. Mary Armenian Church, as well as the Ladies'
    Society the organizing committee of the 79th Annual Diocesan Assembly
    who had organized the Assembly exceptionally well.

    A reception and dinner took place for the clergy at the residence of
    Fr. Moushegh Tatiana.

    OFFICE OF THE WESTERN DIOCESE

    May 4, 2006

    Burbank, California

    The Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America,
    providing spiritual guidance and leadership to the Armenian Apostolic
    community, is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization
    comprised of 47 churches in 16 western states. The Western Diocese
    was established in 1898 as the Diocese of the Armenian Church
    encompassing the entire United States and Canada. In 1927 the Western
    Diocese was formed to better serve the growing Armenian population of
    the western United States.

    "TO VIEW PREVIOUS COMMUNIQUES LOCATED IN OUR ARCHIVES PLEASE CLICK
    HERE"

    ACWD PRESS OFFICE
    3325 North Glenoaks Blvd. Burbank, CA 91504
    Tel: (818) 558-7474 Fax: (818) 558-6333
    E-mail: [email protected]
    Website: www.armenianchurchwd.com
Working...
X