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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: www.armenianchurch.net
May 4, 2010
_________________________________________
A RCHBISHOP KHAJAG BARSAMIAN RE-ELECTED TO A SIXTH TERM AS PRIMATE OF THE
EASTERN DIOCESE AT 108TH DIOCESAN ASSEMBLY IN CHICAGO
On Friday, April 30, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian was re-elected to a sixth
term as Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
at the 108th Diocesan Assembly in Chicago, Ill.
Upon announcement of his re-election, clergy led a procession into the main
meeting room, where parish delegates stood to welcome the Primate, as clergy
approached Archbishop Barsamian one by one to offer their congratulations
and to receive his blessing.
In his remarks to the Assembly delegates, Archbishop Barsamian outlined five
areas where he would continue to concentrate attention as Primate. These
include a more vigorous promotion of clerical vocations in the Diocese; the
preparation and advancement of young adults into leadership positions within
the church; and firmer management and development of the Diocese's finances.
The Primate also reflected on his nearly 40 years of service as a priest in
the Armenian Church, and said he is grateful to God for giving him the
opportunity to serve the church for almost four decades.
Archbishop Barsamian then expressed his gratitude to the delegates, saying,
"Today, once again, I thank you for your trust, and for asking me to
continue my service in this Diocese as your Primate."
This year's election marked the 20th anniversary of Archbishop Barsamian's
original election at the 1990 Diocesan Assembly in Worcester, Mass. Prior to
that, he served the Eastern Diocese as the grand sacristan of New York's St.
Vartan Armenian Cathedral and as Vicar General.
"It's an honor to serve in this Diocese-the Diocese that began more than 110
years ago when our forefathers brought with them to this new world the
ancient apostolic Armenian Christian tradition." Archbishop Barsamian said.
"I renew my commitment to continue, with each one of you clergy and lay
leaders, to make the Armenian Church stronger in America."
Archbishop Barsamian said it is his goal to continue preparing young men to
serve as priests in the Armenian Church to ensure that in the near future
all Diocesan parishes are served by full-time pastors.
Cultivating young lay leaders is likewise important, the Primate said,
encouraging delegates to "continue supporting young adults so that they are
invited to take leadership roles in our parishes and in our Diocese."
Turning to education, Archbishop Barsamian said the Diocese would focus on
developing more programs aimed at helping children and adults learn about
their Christian heritage and the Armenian Church. He stressed the need to
use emerging media tools and modern technologies to bolster outreach
initiatives.
The Primate also said he would continue working with members of the Diocesan
Council to improve the management of the Diocesan Center to better serve the
parishes and faithful of the Eastern Diocese, and to ensure the financial
stability of the Diocese.
Lastly, Archbishop Barsamian spoke about the Armenian Church on a global
level, and mentioned ways the Eastern Diocese might participate in efforts
to strengthen the church. He affirmed his commitment to continue pursuing
the restoration of administrative unity in the Armenian Church in a
brotherly fashion. He added that such unity "is beneficial for the entire
Armenian Church, Armenian people, and the Armenian nation."
Other candidates in this year's election were the Very Rev. Fr. Nareg
Berberian, pastor of St. David Church of Boca Raton, Fla., and the Very Rev.
Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian, pastor of St. Stepanos Church of Elberon, N.J.
###
Photos attached.
Photo 1: Upon announcement of Archbishop Khajag Barsamian's re-election,
clergy led a procession into the main meeting room, where parish delegates
stood to welcome the Primate.
Photo 2: Clergy and lay delegates welcome the Primate after his re-election
at the Diocesan Assembly in Chicago.
Photo 3: In his remarks to the Assembly delegates, Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian outlined five areas where he would continue to concentrate
attention as Primate.
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: www.armenianchurch.net
May 4, 2010
_________________________________________
A RCHBISHOP KHAJAG BARSAMIAN RE-ELECTED TO A SIXTH TERM AS PRIMATE OF THE
EASTERN DIOCESE AT 108TH DIOCESAN ASSEMBLY IN CHICAGO
On Friday, April 30, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian was re-elected to a sixth
term as Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
at the 108th Diocesan Assembly in Chicago, Ill.
Upon announcement of his re-election, clergy led a procession into the main
meeting room, where parish delegates stood to welcome the Primate, as clergy
approached Archbishop Barsamian one by one to offer their congratulations
and to receive his blessing.
In his remarks to the Assembly delegates, Archbishop Barsamian outlined five
areas where he would continue to concentrate attention as Primate. These
include a more vigorous promotion of clerical vocations in the Diocese; the
preparation and advancement of young adults into leadership positions within
the church; and firmer management and development of the Diocese's finances.
The Primate also reflected on his nearly 40 years of service as a priest in
the Armenian Church, and said he is grateful to God for giving him the
opportunity to serve the church for almost four decades.
Archbishop Barsamian then expressed his gratitude to the delegates, saying,
"Today, once again, I thank you for your trust, and for asking me to
continue my service in this Diocese as your Primate."
This year's election marked the 20th anniversary of Archbishop Barsamian's
original election at the 1990 Diocesan Assembly in Worcester, Mass. Prior to
that, he served the Eastern Diocese as the grand sacristan of New York's St.
Vartan Armenian Cathedral and as Vicar General.
"It's an honor to serve in this Diocese-the Diocese that began more than 110
years ago when our forefathers brought with them to this new world the
ancient apostolic Armenian Christian tradition." Archbishop Barsamian said.
"I renew my commitment to continue, with each one of you clergy and lay
leaders, to make the Armenian Church stronger in America."
Archbishop Barsamian said it is his goal to continue preparing young men to
serve as priests in the Armenian Church to ensure that in the near future
all Diocesan parishes are served by full-time pastors.
Cultivating young lay leaders is likewise important, the Primate said,
encouraging delegates to "continue supporting young adults so that they are
invited to take leadership roles in our parishes and in our Diocese."
Turning to education, Archbishop Barsamian said the Diocese would focus on
developing more programs aimed at helping children and adults learn about
their Christian heritage and the Armenian Church. He stressed the need to
use emerging media tools and modern technologies to bolster outreach
initiatives.
The Primate also said he would continue working with members of the Diocesan
Council to improve the management of the Diocesan Center to better serve the
parishes and faithful of the Eastern Diocese, and to ensure the financial
stability of the Diocese.
Lastly, Archbishop Barsamian spoke about the Armenian Church on a global
level, and mentioned ways the Eastern Diocese might participate in efforts
to strengthen the church. He affirmed his commitment to continue pursuing
the restoration of administrative unity in the Armenian Church in a
brotherly fashion. He added that such unity "is beneficial for the entire
Armenian Church, Armenian people, and the Armenian nation."
Other candidates in this year's election were the Very Rev. Fr. Nareg
Berberian, pastor of St. David Church of Boca Raton, Fla., and the Very Rev.
Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian, pastor of St. Stepanos Church of Elberon, N.J.
###
Photos attached.
Photo 1: Upon announcement of Archbishop Khajag Barsamian's re-election,
clergy led a procession into the main meeting room, where parish delegates
stood to welcome the Primate.
Photo 2: Clergy and lay delegates welcome the Primate after his re-election
at the Diocesan Assembly in Chicago.
Photo 3: In his remarks to the Assembly delegates, Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian outlined five areas where he would continue to concentrate
attention as Primate.