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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 7, 2010
___________________
Assembly Showcases an Eastern Diocese committed to local parishes, while
global in outreach
The 108th Diocesan Assembly, hosted in Chicago by the St. James Church of
Evanston, Ill., from April 29 to May 1, continued the Diocese's focus on
vocations and the need to increase the ranks of Armenian priests in America.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), presided over the meeting of 147 clergy and lay
delegates, representing parishes from across the Diocese.
The Assembly opened on Thursday, April 29, with a reading of the message of
His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians.
"You have provided special attention to the fruitful and noble purpose of
enhancing the call for spiritual and dedicated service in the hearts of
young Armenians," the Catholicos wrote. "We send you all our pontifical
appreciation for your praiseworthy work that reflects your love of God, your
dedication to our nation, and you filial love towards our homeland."
Delegates then heard reports from the Diocesan organizations, including the
Fund for Armenian Relief, the Armenian Church Endowment Fund, the Ararat
Center, the Legate's Committee, St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, and the
Diocesan Council.
* Multi-faceted mission
Garnik Nanagoulian, executive director of the Fund for Armenian Relief,
spoke about the organization's accomplishments since its founding 20 years
ago, paying particular attention to FAR's transition from serving the
immediate needs of the Armenian people in the aftermath of the 1988
earthquake to establishing long-term development programs.
In the past two decades, FAR has allocated $280 million in humanitarian
assistance and developed more than 220 programs in Armenia, including
initiatives to bolster education, infrastructure, and medicine.
Bruce Ballard, treasurer of the Armenian Church Endowment Fund, spoke about
ACEF's response to the challenges of the financial difficulties of the past
year. At the end of 2009, ACEF had assets of $71.6 million, with 1,270
endowed funds, he said.
ACEF strives to maintain consistent distribution to its beneficiaries, even
during challenging years; beneficiaries received a total of $3.7 million
form the fund in March 2009, and $3.5 million in March 2010.
Mr. Ballard also stressed that ACEF represents a diverse class of
investments to ensure income, appreciation and safety, and said that since
1999, ACEF's average annualized returns have outperformed the market as well
as the organization's own benchmark. A question session followed Mr.
Ballard's presentation, giving delegates the opportunity to learn more about
ACEF's future plans.
Thomas Ashbahian, chair of the Ararat Center board of directors, spoke about
volunteer efforts which have helped improve facilities at the 65-acre
camping, retreat, and conference center.
He said that some 155 volunteers have helped save more than $250,000 in
recent years, but added that "there is always work to do" and reminded
delegates that building up the center is "a Diocesan-wide effort." Mr.
Ashbahian also encouraged parishes and other Diocesan organizations to make
use of the Ararat Center.
Diocesan Legate Archbishop Vicken Aykazian and Legate's Committee member
Lisa Esayian spoke about efforts to raise awareness about the Armenian
Church among ecumenical groups and to advocate for the Armenian community at
various levels of government.
Last December, Archbishop Aykazian completed his term as president of the
National Council of Churches, though he continues to be closely involved
with the NCC, and plans to work with the Diocese's parishes to help them
build ties with local ecumenical organizations.
Other focus area include the Legate's commitment to supporting the Armenian
Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Armenian community in the Holy Land, as
well as reaching out to Armenian refugees from Iraq and seeking action on
the Armenian situation in Georgia.
Michael Haratunian, a member of the St. Nersess Armenian Seminary board of
directors, highlighted the seminary's achievements since its founding in
1961 by then-Primate Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan. In the past five decades,
the seminary has graduated 39 clergy and welcomed more than 3,000 young
people to take part in its summer conferences. This May, four students will
graduate from the seminary, and prepare to serve as priests in the Eastern
Diocese.
The past year has seen a reduction of costs, as well as the reorganization
and strengthening of the board of directors, Mr. Haratunian said. He
explained that the existing facility needs major renovations, and said that
the board of directors is considering the possibility of selling the current
property in New Rochelle, N.Y., and either sharing facilities with another
seminary, or building a new center on the property of a nearby Diocesan
parish.
Richard Norsigian, chair of the committee appointed to study the "Guidelines
for Diocesan Bylaws of the Armenian Church"-a constitutional framework for
all Armenian Church dioceses, worked out during meetings of diocesan
representatives at Holy Etchmiadzin-presented the committee's report to
delegates.
The committee was appointed by the Diocesan Council and Primate two years
ago at the request of the Diocesan Assembly. In addition to Richard
Norsigian, committee members include the Very Rev. Fr. Krirkor Maksoudian,
the Rev. Fr. Mampre Kouzouian, the Rev. Fr. Garabed Kochakian, and James
Kalustian.
Delegates received the committee's report and accepted its recommendation to
appoint two attorneys to the committee and to empower the committee to
compare the guidelines to the bylaws of the Eastern Diocese, and to present
the review to the Diocesan Assembly at a later date.
* Diocesan programs
Oscar Tatosian, chair of the Diocesan Council, opened the council's
presentation with a video reviewing the programs and activities organized of
the past year. He said that the Diocese has largely focused on initiatives
for young people and that the council has launched a process to reduce
operating expenses while maintaining existing programs.
Rachel Goshgarian, director of the Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information
Center at the Diocese, spoke about the Zohrab Center's progress of
cataloguing its collection, and highlighted the center's internship program
and lecture series. She also presented the goals of the Diocese's
Communications Department, including plans to reduce publication costs.
Christopher Zakian, director of the Communications Department, introduced
the Diocese's new website, scheduled to launch in early summer.
Dr. Goshgarian and the Very Rev. Fr. Haigazoun Najarian, co-directors of the
Diocese's Department of Youth and Education, outlined the programs underway
in the fields of Armenian Studies, Christian Education, and Youth Outreach.
Dn. Rubik Malian, chair of the Sacred Music Council, spoke about the growth
of the training program for young people, which has been renamed the
Boyajian Choir Leadership Development Program in honor of the organization's
late chair Socrates Boyajian. He summarized the Music Council's regional
workshops held last year and its plans for the inaugural National Choir
Workshop, scheduled for August 20-22 at the Ararat Center.
Leslie Movsessian, chair of the Women's Guild Central Council, discussed
activities the organization has planned for the coming year, including a
symposium in the fall, a Holy Land pilgrimage, regional retreats, and a
possible program to support a seminarian studying at St. Nersess Seminary.
The Women's Guild Central Council has also worked to implement
recommendations of a committee of clergy and non-Women's Guild members, and
to reorganize positions within the council to provide better support for
local chapters. There are currently 35 churches with Women's Guild chapters
and close to 1,800 members across the Diocese.
Prior to the official start of the Assembly on Thursday afternoon, parish
council chairs and representatives from more than 30 Diocesan churches held
their annual business meeting. Under the leadership of Diocesan Council
member Paul Mardoian, the two-hour meeting proved to be a dynamic forum
where parish leaders exchanged ideas, concerns, and "best practices" for
operating their respective churches.
Attendees also received information on several Diocesan
initiatives-principally involving the Vocations-related programs which will
be enacted throughout the Diocese during the coming year. Additional topics
covered in the meeting included discussions on attracting new members to the
parishes, ideas and resources to enrich local stewardship efforts, and
clarification on how parishes should approach taxation and employment
matters.
* Austere discipline
At the Second General session on Friday, April 30, delegates heard from
James Kalustian, treasurer of the Diocesan Council, about the Diocese's
financials, and approved revisions to the 2010 budget and a new 2011 budget.
Mr. Kalustian emphasized that the Diocese would need to implement "austere
discipline" in the coming years. In 2009, he said, the Diocese faced a
deficit of $376,000, and saw a decline in overall donations.
He said that the revised 2010 budget and the new 2011 budget were designed
to cut expenses and to reduce Diocesan borrowing by $871,000, and to
eliminate all borrowing within the next five years. He added that the
Diocesan Council expects the Diocese's financial situation to grow stronger
as the economy stabilizes.
Diocesan Council member Sandra Shahinian Leitner spoke about the Diocese's
development goals, and encouraged clergy and delegates to contribute to the
Archbishop's Appeal. She summarized the results of the Matching and
Challenge Initiatives the Diocese held last year, highlighting that
participation rates rose during 2009.
Dr. Sam Mikaelian, coordinator of development at the Diocese, announced that
through the end of May 2010, an anonymous donor has agreed to double
donations made by Diocesan leadership, encouraging clergy and lay delegates
to consider participating in the challenge.
* Promoting new leaders
At the Third General Session on Saturday, May 1, Dr. Garo Garibian, chair of
the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem Committee, presented a photo
slideshow of sites and services in the Holy Land. Delegates passed a
proposal to start raising money to expand clergy quarters for members of the
Brotherhood of Jerusalem. To date, the committee has collected $20,250 of
the $300,000 needed for the project. The Rev. Fr. Arnak Kasparian and two
delegates each pledged $10,000 for the undertaking.
ACYOA Central Council chair Alex Derderian spoke about goals to strengthen
programming and to enhance the organization's communications efforts. He
highlighted the success of this year's Young Adult Leadership Conference,
and delegates viewed a video where young people reflected on leadership
roles they have assumed in their parishes.
Dr. Marvin Zonis, a professor at the University of Chicago's Booth School of
Business who addressed the Leadership Conference participants this spring,
told delegates that he is impressed by the motivation of Armenian youth and
their commitment to the church. He also invited delegates to assign young
people to leadership positions so that they can further build on their
skills. "These young people cannot become the leaders of the future unless
everyone in this room gives them the opportunity to do that now," he said.
The Rev. Fr. Tateos Abdalian, director of the Mission Parish program at the
Diocese, gave an overview of activities in the mission parishes, including
the leadership seminar held for Parish Council members last October, the
establishment of new ACYOA chapters, and a growing interest in summer camp
programs and other opportunities for young people. He also described the
virtual Sunday School program the mission parish of Nashville, Tenn., has
launched to allow Sunday School teachers and students to "meet" and conduct
online classes in the absence of permanent classrooms.
Sandra Shahinian Leitner gave an update on the Diocese's collection of
Arshile Gorky's artwork, highlight the recent loan of several pieces for the
Gorky retrospective exhibition which was on view in Philadelphia last year,
and is now traveling to other museums in the U.S. and abroad. Delegates also
voted to bind all future lenders to note that the artist was an Armenian
Genocide survivor alongside the exhibition of his works.
Other proposals adopted include a policy to regularly schedule bone marrow
drives at the parish level, and a request that the Diocesan Council report
to delegates about the makeup and the organization of the Supreme Spiritual
Council.
Before adjourning, delegates thanked Dn. Levon Kirakosyan, deacon-in-charge
of St. James Church of Evanston, and the host parish's Assembly Committee,
which was chaired by Dr. Larry Farsakian. Delegates also expressed their
gratitude to Assembly chair Antranig Garibian, vice chair Dennis Papazian,
secretary Terry Peterson, and assistant secretary, the Rev. Fr. Hratch
Sargsyan.
The next Diocesan Assembly will be hosted by Holy Trinity Armenian Church of
Greater Boston.
--5/6/10
* * *
SEE SIDEBAR STORY BELOW
2010 DIOCESAN ASSEMBLY ELECTION RESULTS
Below are the names of individuals elected to Diocesan boards and positions
during the 108th Diocesan Assembly.
Diocesan Board of Trustees
Edward Korkoian (10-year term)
Zaven Dadekian (5-year completion of term)
Auditing Committee
Russell Kaishian, Ph.D.
Nominating Committee
Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian (chair pro tem)
Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan (alternate)
Shakeh Derderian
Jacqueline Melkonian El Chemmas
Mona Karoghlanian
Nathalie Yaghoobian
Proposals Committee
Rev. Fr. Hovnan Demerjian
Howard Atesian
Lynn Beylerian
Edward Brewster
Lisa Kouzoujian (chair pro tem)
Dn. Serop Demirjian (alternate)
* * *
PHOTO CAPTIONS
Asmbly General1
Delegates from throughout the Eastern Diocese converged on Chicago for the
108th annual Diocesan Assembly.
Asmbly General2
Antranig Garibian of Philadelphia chaired the Diocesan Assembly.
Asmbly General3
The Diocesan Assembly was the occasion for the yearly meeting of parish
council chairmen. This year some 30 local parishes were represented at the
meeting.
Asmbly General4
Diocesan Council member Paul Mardoian among the delegates at the 2010
Diocesan Assembly.
# # #
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 7, 2010
___________________
Assembly Showcases an Eastern Diocese committed to local parishes, while
global in outreach
The 108th Diocesan Assembly, hosted in Chicago by the St. James Church of
Evanston, Ill., from April 29 to May 1, continued the Diocese's focus on
vocations and the need to increase the ranks of Armenian priests in America.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), presided over the meeting of 147 clergy and lay
delegates, representing parishes from across the Diocese.
The Assembly opened on Thursday, April 29, with a reading of the message of
His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians.
"You have provided special attention to the fruitful and noble purpose of
enhancing the call for spiritual and dedicated service in the hearts of
young Armenians," the Catholicos wrote. "We send you all our pontifical
appreciation for your praiseworthy work that reflects your love of God, your
dedication to our nation, and you filial love towards our homeland."
Delegates then heard reports from the Diocesan organizations, including the
Fund for Armenian Relief, the Armenian Church Endowment Fund, the Ararat
Center, the Legate's Committee, St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, and the
Diocesan Council.
* Multi-faceted mission
Garnik Nanagoulian, executive director of the Fund for Armenian Relief,
spoke about the organization's accomplishments since its founding 20 years
ago, paying particular attention to FAR's transition from serving the
immediate needs of the Armenian people in the aftermath of the 1988
earthquake to establishing long-term development programs.
In the past two decades, FAR has allocated $280 million in humanitarian
assistance and developed more than 220 programs in Armenia, including
initiatives to bolster education, infrastructure, and medicine.
Bruce Ballard, treasurer of the Armenian Church Endowment Fund, spoke about
ACEF's response to the challenges of the financial difficulties of the past
year. At the end of 2009, ACEF had assets of $71.6 million, with 1,270
endowed funds, he said.
ACEF strives to maintain consistent distribution to its beneficiaries, even
during challenging years; beneficiaries received a total of $3.7 million
form the fund in March 2009, and $3.5 million in March 2010.
Mr. Ballard also stressed that ACEF represents a diverse class of
investments to ensure income, appreciation and safety, and said that since
1999, ACEF's average annualized returns have outperformed the market as well
as the organization's own benchmark. A question session followed Mr.
Ballard's presentation, giving delegates the opportunity to learn more about
ACEF's future plans.
Thomas Ashbahian, chair of the Ararat Center board of directors, spoke about
volunteer efforts which have helped improve facilities at the 65-acre
camping, retreat, and conference center.
He said that some 155 volunteers have helped save more than $250,000 in
recent years, but added that "there is always work to do" and reminded
delegates that building up the center is "a Diocesan-wide effort." Mr.
Ashbahian also encouraged parishes and other Diocesan organizations to make
use of the Ararat Center.
Diocesan Legate Archbishop Vicken Aykazian and Legate's Committee member
Lisa Esayian spoke about efforts to raise awareness about the Armenian
Church among ecumenical groups and to advocate for the Armenian community at
various levels of government.
Last December, Archbishop Aykazian completed his term as president of the
National Council of Churches, though he continues to be closely involved
with the NCC, and plans to work with the Diocese's parishes to help them
build ties with local ecumenical organizations.
Other focus area include the Legate's commitment to supporting the Armenian
Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Armenian community in the Holy Land, as
well as reaching out to Armenian refugees from Iraq and seeking action on
the Armenian situation in Georgia.
Michael Haratunian, a member of the St. Nersess Armenian Seminary board of
directors, highlighted the seminary's achievements since its founding in
1961 by then-Primate Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan. In the past five decades,
the seminary has graduated 39 clergy and welcomed more than 3,000 young
people to take part in its summer conferences. This May, four students will
graduate from the seminary, and prepare to serve as priests in the Eastern
Diocese.
The past year has seen a reduction of costs, as well as the reorganization
and strengthening of the board of directors, Mr. Haratunian said. He
explained that the existing facility needs major renovations, and said that
the board of directors is considering the possibility of selling the current
property in New Rochelle, N.Y., and either sharing facilities with another
seminary, or building a new center on the property of a nearby Diocesan
parish.
Richard Norsigian, chair of the committee appointed to study the "Guidelines
for Diocesan Bylaws of the Armenian Church"-a constitutional framework for
all Armenian Church dioceses, worked out during meetings of diocesan
representatives at Holy Etchmiadzin-presented the committee's report to
delegates.
The committee was appointed by the Diocesan Council and Primate two years
ago at the request of the Diocesan Assembly. In addition to Richard
Norsigian, committee members include the Very Rev. Fr. Krirkor Maksoudian,
the Rev. Fr. Mampre Kouzouian, the Rev. Fr. Garabed Kochakian, and James
Kalustian.
Delegates received the committee's report and accepted its recommendation to
appoint two attorneys to the committee and to empower the committee to
compare the guidelines to the bylaws of the Eastern Diocese, and to present
the review to the Diocesan Assembly at a later date.
* Diocesan programs
Oscar Tatosian, chair of the Diocesan Council, opened the council's
presentation with a video reviewing the programs and activities organized of
the past year. He said that the Diocese has largely focused on initiatives
for young people and that the council has launched a process to reduce
operating expenses while maintaining existing programs.
Rachel Goshgarian, director of the Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information
Center at the Diocese, spoke about the Zohrab Center's progress of
cataloguing its collection, and highlighted the center's internship program
and lecture series. She also presented the goals of the Diocese's
Communications Department, including plans to reduce publication costs.
Christopher Zakian, director of the Communications Department, introduced
the Diocese's new website, scheduled to launch in early summer.
Dr. Goshgarian and the Very Rev. Fr. Haigazoun Najarian, co-directors of the
Diocese's Department of Youth and Education, outlined the programs underway
in the fields of Armenian Studies, Christian Education, and Youth Outreach.
Dn. Rubik Malian, chair of the Sacred Music Council, spoke about the growth
of the training program for young people, which has been renamed the
Boyajian Choir Leadership Development Program in honor of the organization's
late chair Socrates Boyajian. He summarized the Music Council's regional
workshops held last year and its plans for the inaugural National Choir
Workshop, scheduled for August 20-22 at the Ararat Center.
Leslie Movsessian, chair of the Women's Guild Central Council, discussed
activities the organization has planned for the coming year, including a
symposium in the fall, a Holy Land pilgrimage, regional retreats, and a
possible program to support a seminarian studying at St. Nersess Seminary.
The Women's Guild Central Council has also worked to implement
recommendations of a committee of clergy and non-Women's Guild members, and
to reorganize positions within the council to provide better support for
local chapters. There are currently 35 churches with Women's Guild chapters
and close to 1,800 members across the Diocese.
Prior to the official start of the Assembly on Thursday afternoon, parish
council chairs and representatives from more than 30 Diocesan churches held
their annual business meeting. Under the leadership of Diocesan Council
member Paul Mardoian, the two-hour meeting proved to be a dynamic forum
where parish leaders exchanged ideas, concerns, and "best practices" for
operating their respective churches.
Attendees also received information on several Diocesan
initiatives-principally involving the Vocations-related programs which will
be enacted throughout the Diocese during the coming year. Additional topics
covered in the meeting included discussions on attracting new members to the
parishes, ideas and resources to enrich local stewardship efforts, and
clarification on how parishes should approach taxation and employment
matters.
* Austere discipline
At the Second General session on Friday, April 30, delegates heard from
James Kalustian, treasurer of the Diocesan Council, about the Diocese's
financials, and approved revisions to the 2010 budget and a new 2011 budget.
Mr. Kalustian emphasized that the Diocese would need to implement "austere
discipline" in the coming years. In 2009, he said, the Diocese faced a
deficit of $376,000, and saw a decline in overall donations.
He said that the revised 2010 budget and the new 2011 budget were designed
to cut expenses and to reduce Diocesan borrowing by $871,000, and to
eliminate all borrowing within the next five years. He added that the
Diocesan Council expects the Diocese's financial situation to grow stronger
as the economy stabilizes.
Diocesan Council member Sandra Shahinian Leitner spoke about the Diocese's
development goals, and encouraged clergy and delegates to contribute to the
Archbishop's Appeal. She summarized the results of the Matching and
Challenge Initiatives the Diocese held last year, highlighting that
participation rates rose during 2009.
Dr. Sam Mikaelian, coordinator of development at the Diocese, announced that
through the end of May 2010, an anonymous donor has agreed to double
donations made by Diocesan leadership, encouraging clergy and lay delegates
to consider participating in the challenge.
* Promoting new leaders
At the Third General Session on Saturday, May 1, Dr. Garo Garibian, chair of
the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem Committee, presented a photo
slideshow of sites and services in the Holy Land. Delegates passed a
proposal to start raising money to expand clergy quarters for members of the
Brotherhood of Jerusalem. To date, the committee has collected $20,250 of
the $300,000 needed for the project. The Rev. Fr. Arnak Kasparian and two
delegates each pledged $10,000 for the undertaking.
ACYOA Central Council chair Alex Derderian spoke about goals to strengthen
programming and to enhance the organization's communications efforts. He
highlighted the success of this year's Young Adult Leadership Conference,
and delegates viewed a video where young people reflected on leadership
roles they have assumed in their parishes.
Dr. Marvin Zonis, a professor at the University of Chicago's Booth School of
Business who addressed the Leadership Conference participants this spring,
told delegates that he is impressed by the motivation of Armenian youth and
their commitment to the church. He also invited delegates to assign young
people to leadership positions so that they can further build on their
skills. "These young people cannot become the leaders of the future unless
everyone in this room gives them the opportunity to do that now," he said.
The Rev. Fr. Tateos Abdalian, director of the Mission Parish program at the
Diocese, gave an overview of activities in the mission parishes, including
the leadership seminar held for Parish Council members last October, the
establishment of new ACYOA chapters, and a growing interest in summer camp
programs and other opportunities for young people. He also described the
virtual Sunday School program the mission parish of Nashville, Tenn., has
launched to allow Sunday School teachers and students to "meet" and conduct
online classes in the absence of permanent classrooms.
Sandra Shahinian Leitner gave an update on the Diocese's collection of
Arshile Gorky's artwork, highlight the recent loan of several pieces for the
Gorky retrospective exhibition which was on view in Philadelphia last year,
and is now traveling to other museums in the U.S. and abroad. Delegates also
voted to bind all future lenders to note that the artist was an Armenian
Genocide survivor alongside the exhibition of his works.
Other proposals adopted include a policy to regularly schedule bone marrow
drives at the parish level, and a request that the Diocesan Council report
to delegates about the makeup and the organization of the Supreme Spiritual
Council.
Before adjourning, delegates thanked Dn. Levon Kirakosyan, deacon-in-charge
of St. James Church of Evanston, and the host parish's Assembly Committee,
which was chaired by Dr. Larry Farsakian. Delegates also expressed their
gratitude to Assembly chair Antranig Garibian, vice chair Dennis Papazian,
secretary Terry Peterson, and assistant secretary, the Rev. Fr. Hratch
Sargsyan.
The next Diocesan Assembly will be hosted by Holy Trinity Armenian Church of
Greater Boston.
--5/6/10
* * *
SEE SIDEBAR STORY BELOW
2010 DIOCESAN ASSEMBLY ELECTION RESULTS
Below are the names of individuals elected to Diocesan boards and positions
during the 108th Diocesan Assembly.
Diocesan Board of Trustees
Edward Korkoian (10-year term)
Zaven Dadekian (5-year completion of term)
Auditing Committee
Russell Kaishian, Ph.D.
Nominating Committee
Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian (chair pro tem)
Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan (alternate)
Shakeh Derderian
Jacqueline Melkonian El Chemmas
Mona Karoghlanian
Nathalie Yaghoobian
Proposals Committee
Rev. Fr. Hovnan Demerjian
Howard Atesian
Lynn Beylerian
Edward Brewster
Lisa Kouzoujian (chair pro tem)
Dn. Serop Demirjian (alternate)
* * *
PHOTO CAPTIONS
Asmbly General1
Delegates from throughout the Eastern Diocese converged on Chicago for the
108th annual Diocesan Assembly.
Asmbly General2
Antranig Garibian of Philadelphia chaired the Diocesan Assembly.
Asmbly General3
The Diocesan Assembly was the occasion for the yearly meeting of parish
council chairmen. This year some 30 local parishes were represented at the
meeting.
Asmbly General4
Diocesan Council member Paul Mardoian among the delegates at the 2010
Diocesan Assembly.
# # #