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PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.armenianchurch-ed.net
December 8, 2010
________________________________________________
In Detroit, Primate Leads Community in Pre-Thanksgiving Celebration
The involvement of young people in the life of the Armenian Church was at
the center of weekend-long activities at the St. John Church of Southfield,
Mich., late last month.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), visited the parish, where he celebrated the Divine
Liturgy and blessed six candle-bearers on Sunday, November 21.
The six parishioners-Jacob Bahm, Nareg Bezjian, Nicholas Boyadjian, Andon
Nersess DerGhazarian, Spencer Keoleian, and Danielle Sarafian-have been
working with sub-deacon Ghazaros DerGhazarian and parish pastor, the Rev.
Fr. Garabed Kochakian, to prepare to serve on the altar.
In his sermon, Archbishop Barsamian said that the Lord calls each of us to
serve him, and added that he was happy to see young people stepping forward
to take up this responsibility.
The Primate went on to speak about the Feast of the Presentation of the Holy
Mother-of-God to the Temple, which was observed in the Armenian Church on
November 21. He stressed Mary's ministry and mission, and her readiness to
answer God's call.
Just as Mary's parents, Sts. Joachim and Anna, brought their young daughter
to the Temple in Jerusalem to consecrate her to God, parents today bring
their children to Sunday School and introduce them to the life of the
Church, the Primate said.
Giving thanks and support
At a Thanksgiving dinner following services, the parish Sunday School
students in the High School Division served a meal they had prepared for the
occasion.
The Sunday School students and the newly-blessed candle-bearers thanked the
community for their guidance, and spoke about other blessings they are
grateful for in their lives.
Fr. Kochakian said that in assuming responsibility for the success of the
afternoon event young people learned the importance of service and
leadership.
"It was a very warm and family-focused atmosphere at the banquet," he said.
"The support of the community for the youth of our parish [was felt
throughout]"
Archbishop Barsamian said the message of the Thanksgiving holiday has deep
roots in the Armenian heritage. The idea of giving thanks to God, he said,
is woven into the Divine Liturgy.
"Thanksgiving is one of our points of contact with Jesus Christ himself,"
the Primate added. "It is a spirit that he exemplified, and that he shared
with those around him."
Also speaking at the gathering were the Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, dean
of St. Nersess Seminary, and Stephen Mekenian, treasurer on the seminary's
Board of Directors.
Addressing the Diocese's theme of "Vocations: The Call to Serve," Fr.
Findikyan and Mr. Mekenian outlined seminary programs and how they help
prepare young men for the priesthood in the Armenian Church.
Later on Sunday, the parish helped organize a fundraising event for St.
Nersess Seminary at a local country club. The seminary recently launched its
annual appeal campaign to raise funds for its academic programs, summer and
winter youth conferences, and other outreach projects.
"We have come a long way during the past 50 years and have touched the lives
of many, from young people attending the summer conferences to parishioners
across the country benefitting from our St. Nersess-educated priests," said
Mr. Mekenian in a statement. "I call upon men and women of my generation,
whose lives have been impacted by St. Nersess, to step forward now and
financially support this institution that will serve their children as well
as it has served them."
During his visit, Archbishop Barsamian also met with the Parish Council
members and Diocesan delegates at St. John Church. The Primate heard updates
on parish activities and shared news from his recent trips to Armenia and
Jerusalem, where he took part in meetings of the Supreme Spiritual Council
and the St. James Brotherhood, respectively.
ACYOA YouTube contest
On Saturday, November 20, St. John Church hosted a meeting of the ACYOA
Central Council. Archbishop Barsamian presided over the meeting, which ACYOA
executive secretary Nancy Basmajian and Fr. Kochakian also attended.
Central Council members reviewed the progress of the "Holiday Outreach"-an
initiative to collect art supplies and other items for the Fund for Armenian
Relief's Homeless Children's Center in Yerevan, Armenia.
A total of 27 parishes have already begun to implement the project, which
comprises one phase of a three-pronged plan to build a partnership with
FAR-an idea that was first adopted at the ACYOA's Annual Assembly last
spring.
Also in the works this winter is the ACYOA Chapter Workshop, scheduled for
January 14 to 16 at St. David Church of Boca Raton, Fla. The weekend
sessions will help chapter executives design programs that incorporate the
five ideas embodied in the "circles of the cross:" worship, witness,
service, education, and fellowship.
A YouTube contest, a first for the ACYOA, was finalized and launched at the
November meeting. Parish Junior and Senior ACYOA members are invited to
submit videos on the topic of "What does the ACYOA mean to you?" A $250
scholarship toward any Diocesan youth program will be awarded in both the
Junior and Senior categories.
Other agenda items included the National Lenten Retreat (scheduled for March
25-27), the General Assembly and Sports Weekend (Memorial Day), and the
Armenia Service Program (June 28-July 18).
Central Council members took part in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy
and the Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday. On Friday, they joined some 400
parishioners for a special concert given by the Komitas Choir of St. John
Church.
"It was great to be in Detroit for our Central Council Meeting," said Alex
Ouzounian, who serves as the chapter relations coordinator on the council.
"The weekend was productive, from the meeting itself to the fellowship
gathering with the St. John's community."
Great cultural experience
Young people were also a highlight of Friday's Armenian folk music concert
presented by the church's Komitas Choir.
In addition to vocal and instrumental selections and recitations, the
evening featured dance performances by students participating in the
parish's Arts of Armenia program last summer.
Deacon Rubik Malian, director of the Komitas Choir, arranged the
instrumental accompaniment for the evening's opening piece, "Nanor" by
Parsegh Ganatchian.
"The Komitas Choir Concert was inspiring and uplifting," said ACYOA Central
Council treasurer George Macarian. "It was a great cultural experience."
###
Photos attached:
Photo 1: Six young candle-bearers received a blessing from Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian at St. John Church of Southfield, Mich., on Sunday, November 21.
Photo 2: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian blesses six candle-bearers at St. John
Church of Southfield, Mich. Assisting him is the parish pastor, the Rev. Fr.
Garabed Kochakian.
Photo 3: The parish Sunday School students in the High School Division serve
a meal they had prepared for the church's Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday,
November 21.
From: A. Papazian
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.armenianchurch-ed.net
December 8, 2010
________________________________________________
In Detroit, Primate Leads Community in Pre-Thanksgiving Celebration
The involvement of young people in the life of the Armenian Church was at
the center of weekend-long activities at the St. John Church of Southfield,
Mich., late last month.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), visited the parish, where he celebrated the Divine
Liturgy and blessed six candle-bearers on Sunday, November 21.
The six parishioners-Jacob Bahm, Nareg Bezjian, Nicholas Boyadjian, Andon
Nersess DerGhazarian, Spencer Keoleian, and Danielle Sarafian-have been
working with sub-deacon Ghazaros DerGhazarian and parish pastor, the Rev.
Fr. Garabed Kochakian, to prepare to serve on the altar.
In his sermon, Archbishop Barsamian said that the Lord calls each of us to
serve him, and added that he was happy to see young people stepping forward
to take up this responsibility.
The Primate went on to speak about the Feast of the Presentation of the Holy
Mother-of-God to the Temple, which was observed in the Armenian Church on
November 21. He stressed Mary's ministry and mission, and her readiness to
answer God's call.
Just as Mary's parents, Sts. Joachim and Anna, brought their young daughter
to the Temple in Jerusalem to consecrate her to God, parents today bring
their children to Sunday School and introduce them to the life of the
Church, the Primate said.
Giving thanks and support
At a Thanksgiving dinner following services, the parish Sunday School
students in the High School Division served a meal they had prepared for the
occasion.
The Sunday School students and the newly-blessed candle-bearers thanked the
community for their guidance, and spoke about other blessings they are
grateful for in their lives.
Fr. Kochakian said that in assuming responsibility for the success of the
afternoon event young people learned the importance of service and
leadership.
"It was a very warm and family-focused atmosphere at the banquet," he said.
"The support of the community for the youth of our parish [was felt
throughout]"
Archbishop Barsamian said the message of the Thanksgiving holiday has deep
roots in the Armenian heritage. The idea of giving thanks to God, he said,
is woven into the Divine Liturgy.
"Thanksgiving is one of our points of contact with Jesus Christ himself,"
the Primate added. "It is a spirit that he exemplified, and that he shared
with those around him."
Also speaking at the gathering were the Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, dean
of St. Nersess Seminary, and Stephen Mekenian, treasurer on the seminary's
Board of Directors.
Addressing the Diocese's theme of "Vocations: The Call to Serve," Fr.
Findikyan and Mr. Mekenian outlined seminary programs and how they help
prepare young men for the priesthood in the Armenian Church.
Later on Sunday, the parish helped organize a fundraising event for St.
Nersess Seminary at a local country club. The seminary recently launched its
annual appeal campaign to raise funds for its academic programs, summer and
winter youth conferences, and other outreach projects.
"We have come a long way during the past 50 years and have touched the lives
of many, from young people attending the summer conferences to parishioners
across the country benefitting from our St. Nersess-educated priests," said
Mr. Mekenian in a statement. "I call upon men and women of my generation,
whose lives have been impacted by St. Nersess, to step forward now and
financially support this institution that will serve their children as well
as it has served them."
During his visit, Archbishop Barsamian also met with the Parish Council
members and Diocesan delegates at St. John Church. The Primate heard updates
on parish activities and shared news from his recent trips to Armenia and
Jerusalem, where he took part in meetings of the Supreme Spiritual Council
and the St. James Brotherhood, respectively.
ACYOA YouTube contest
On Saturday, November 20, St. John Church hosted a meeting of the ACYOA
Central Council. Archbishop Barsamian presided over the meeting, which ACYOA
executive secretary Nancy Basmajian and Fr. Kochakian also attended.
Central Council members reviewed the progress of the "Holiday Outreach"-an
initiative to collect art supplies and other items for the Fund for Armenian
Relief's Homeless Children's Center in Yerevan, Armenia.
A total of 27 parishes have already begun to implement the project, which
comprises one phase of a three-pronged plan to build a partnership with
FAR-an idea that was first adopted at the ACYOA's Annual Assembly last
spring.
Also in the works this winter is the ACYOA Chapter Workshop, scheduled for
January 14 to 16 at St. David Church of Boca Raton, Fla. The weekend
sessions will help chapter executives design programs that incorporate the
five ideas embodied in the "circles of the cross:" worship, witness,
service, education, and fellowship.
A YouTube contest, a first for the ACYOA, was finalized and launched at the
November meeting. Parish Junior and Senior ACYOA members are invited to
submit videos on the topic of "What does the ACYOA mean to you?" A $250
scholarship toward any Diocesan youth program will be awarded in both the
Junior and Senior categories.
Other agenda items included the National Lenten Retreat (scheduled for March
25-27), the General Assembly and Sports Weekend (Memorial Day), and the
Armenia Service Program (June 28-July 18).
Central Council members took part in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy
and the Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday. On Friday, they joined some 400
parishioners for a special concert given by the Komitas Choir of St. John
Church.
"It was great to be in Detroit for our Central Council Meeting," said Alex
Ouzounian, who serves as the chapter relations coordinator on the council.
"The weekend was productive, from the meeting itself to the fellowship
gathering with the St. John's community."
Great cultural experience
Young people were also a highlight of Friday's Armenian folk music concert
presented by the church's Komitas Choir.
In addition to vocal and instrumental selections and recitations, the
evening featured dance performances by students participating in the
parish's Arts of Armenia program last summer.
Deacon Rubik Malian, director of the Komitas Choir, arranged the
instrumental accompaniment for the evening's opening piece, "Nanor" by
Parsegh Ganatchian.
"The Komitas Choir Concert was inspiring and uplifting," said ACYOA Central
Council treasurer George Macarian. "It was a great cultural experience."
###
Photos attached:
Photo 1: Six young candle-bearers received a blessing from Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian at St. John Church of Southfield, Mich., on Sunday, November 21.
Photo 2: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian blesses six candle-bearers at St. John
Church of Southfield, Mich. Assisting him is the parish pastor, the Rev. Fr.
Garabed Kochakian.
Photo 3: The parish Sunday School students in the High School Division serve
a meal they had prepared for the church's Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday,
November 21.
From: A. Papazian