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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
May 21, 2012
_______________________________________________
Clergy Gather for Annual Conference
In the days prior to the 110th Diocesan Assembly, clergy gathered at the
Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center in West Hartford, Conn., for the
annual Clergy Conference, held from April 30 to May 3. During the four-day
meeting, clergy prayed together, shared advice, and discussed important
issues related to the mission of the Armenian Church.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), presided over the meeting, which was attended by 44
clergy. Through daily prayer and fellowship they strengthened their
brotherly love toward each other and gained fresh perspectives on their
ministry.
The conference was co-chaired by the Very Rev. Fr. Vazken Karayan and the
Rev. Fr. Aved Terzian.
Fr. Terzian introduced the Rev. Fr. Sahag Kaishian, interim pastor of St.
Mark Church of Springfield, Mass., which hosted this year's Diocesan
Assembly. Also welcoming the clergy was Edward Garabedian of St. Mark
Church, who oversaw the arrangements for the Clergy Conference.
Clergy welcomed a guest from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Rev.
Fr. Markos Mangasaryan, who made a presentation on two programs developed by
the Mother See for the faithful in Armenia. The first program, titled "One
Day in a Diocese," brings together clergy in Armenia for a series of home
blessings in local communities. The second program, titled "Manna," offers
young people ages 18 to 35 sessions on the faith and practices of the
Armenian Church. An engaged discussion followed the presentation.
The second day of the conference opened with the reading of the message of
His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, by Fr. Mangasaryan. "Remain tireless in your dedication to your
ministry and become stronger with new accomplishments in your parishes," His
Holiness wrote. "You have to be the spiritual father, the educator, and the
source of comfort to our people. May our Lord keep you steadfast in your
calling."
Clergy took part in small-group Bible study on a passage from John 15:12-16,
in which Christ calls upon his disciples to love one another and to serve
each other selflessly. Clergy reflected on their fraternal bond and how it
nourishes their ministry. Later, again working in small groups, clergy
shared the successes and challenges of their pastoral ministry.
In his message to the clergy, Archbishop Barsamian expressed his
appreciation for their dedication. He reflected on their intergenerational
cooperation, highlighting the ways in which young clergy are learning from
their senior brothers, and more experienced clergy are guiding and
supporting the newly ordained.
The Primate spoke on two issues related to ensuring the success of the
mission of the Armenian Church in the Eastern Diocese: the proper
celebration of the Divine Liturgy and the importance of educating
parishioners on the teachings of the Armenian Church.
Archbishop Barsamian stressed that the badarak unites all who take part in
its celebration, and brings them closer to Christ. He said that all parts of
the service-from the hymns and prayers to the readings and litanies-are
essential in creating a connection among the faithful, and between the
faithful and God. To that end, he encouraged clergy to pay special attention
to the Sunday service and to take advantage of Diocesan staff to help train
altar servers and choir members.
Turning to education, Archbishop Barsamian outlined the many programs
offered by the Diocese, including summer camps, Armenian and Sunday School
resources, ACYOA retreats and initiatives, St. Nersess conferences and
lectures, and other activities. He urged clergy to promote these programs in
their parishes and to recommend parishioners who might benefit from
enrolling. The Primate also underlined the availability of Diocesan staff to
lead workshops and training sessions at the parish level, and to train
teachers of Armenian and Sunday Schools.
The floor was opened to suggestions about ways clergy could achieve these
goals and encourage greater involvement and participation in church life.
The Primate asked clergy to continue praying for Archbishop Torkom
Manoogian, the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Archbishop Mesrob
Mutafyan, the Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople.
Later in the afternoon, Dr. John Madonna and Dr. Carl Fulwiler spoke about
the priest's role in counseling, and outlined resources available to clergy
in addressing youth, marital, and bereavement issues.
On Wednesday, May 2, Diocesan Vicar the Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian
spoke about discipline in the church and the importance of maintaining
church traditions with deep reverence. He also spoke about several ancient
ceremonies observed by the Armenian Church, such as the blessing of madagh
and the Oil Bearing Service.
Talar Ishkhanian, a New York-based lawyer, gave an overview of immigration
law and answered questions on the topic. Ms. Ishkhanian has worked with the
Eastern Diocese to serve the immigration needs of clergy arriving in the
United States from Armenia.
The Rev. Fr. Hratch Sargsyan made an appeal to the clergy on behalf of the
children of the late Rev. Fr. Haroutiun Dagley and the late Yn. Patricia
Dagley. The clergy collectively pledged $7,500 to assist with the college
tuition fund of Fr. Dagley's children.
Archbishop Barsamian closed the Clergy Conference with a prayer of
thanksgiving. He expressed his gratitude to the clergy for their commitment
and dedication to the Armenian Church.
On Wednesday evening the clergy gathered at St. Mark Church of Springfield,
Mass., for vespers. Diocesan Council members and parishioners of St. Mark
Church also took part in the service. A warm dinner and conversation
followed.
On Thursday, May 3, the Rev. Fr. Tadeos Barseghyan celebrated the Divine
Liturgy. All the clergy at the conference took part in the service-standing
in prayer with each other, singing in one voice, and again strengthening
their fraternal bond.
###
Photos attached.
Photo 1: Clergy take part in Bible study during the Annual Clergy Conference
in West Hartford, Conn.
Photo 2: Participants in the Annual Clergy Conference pose for a group
photo.
Photo 3: Clergy take part in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy during
the Annual Clergy Conference.
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
May 21, 2012
_______________________________________________
Clergy Gather for Annual Conference
In the days prior to the 110th Diocesan Assembly, clergy gathered at the
Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center in West Hartford, Conn., for the
annual Clergy Conference, held from April 30 to May 3. During the four-day
meeting, clergy prayed together, shared advice, and discussed important
issues related to the mission of the Armenian Church.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), presided over the meeting, which was attended by 44
clergy. Through daily prayer and fellowship they strengthened their
brotherly love toward each other and gained fresh perspectives on their
ministry.
The conference was co-chaired by the Very Rev. Fr. Vazken Karayan and the
Rev. Fr. Aved Terzian.
Fr. Terzian introduced the Rev. Fr. Sahag Kaishian, interim pastor of St.
Mark Church of Springfield, Mass., which hosted this year's Diocesan
Assembly. Also welcoming the clergy was Edward Garabedian of St. Mark
Church, who oversaw the arrangements for the Clergy Conference.
Clergy welcomed a guest from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Rev.
Fr. Markos Mangasaryan, who made a presentation on two programs developed by
the Mother See for the faithful in Armenia. The first program, titled "One
Day in a Diocese," brings together clergy in Armenia for a series of home
blessings in local communities. The second program, titled "Manna," offers
young people ages 18 to 35 sessions on the faith and practices of the
Armenian Church. An engaged discussion followed the presentation.
The second day of the conference opened with the reading of the message of
His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, by Fr. Mangasaryan. "Remain tireless in your dedication to your
ministry and become stronger with new accomplishments in your parishes," His
Holiness wrote. "You have to be the spiritual father, the educator, and the
source of comfort to our people. May our Lord keep you steadfast in your
calling."
Clergy took part in small-group Bible study on a passage from John 15:12-16,
in which Christ calls upon his disciples to love one another and to serve
each other selflessly. Clergy reflected on their fraternal bond and how it
nourishes their ministry. Later, again working in small groups, clergy
shared the successes and challenges of their pastoral ministry.
In his message to the clergy, Archbishop Barsamian expressed his
appreciation for their dedication. He reflected on their intergenerational
cooperation, highlighting the ways in which young clergy are learning from
their senior brothers, and more experienced clergy are guiding and
supporting the newly ordained.
The Primate spoke on two issues related to ensuring the success of the
mission of the Armenian Church in the Eastern Diocese: the proper
celebration of the Divine Liturgy and the importance of educating
parishioners on the teachings of the Armenian Church.
Archbishop Barsamian stressed that the badarak unites all who take part in
its celebration, and brings them closer to Christ. He said that all parts of
the service-from the hymns and prayers to the readings and litanies-are
essential in creating a connection among the faithful, and between the
faithful and God. To that end, he encouraged clergy to pay special attention
to the Sunday service and to take advantage of Diocesan staff to help train
altar servers and choir members.
Turning to education, Archbishop Barsamian outlined the many programs
offered by the Diocese, including summer camps, Armenian and Sunday School
resources, ACYOA retreats and initiatives, St. Nersess conferences and
lectures, and other activities. He urged clergy to promote these programs in
their parishes and to recommend parishioners who might benefit from
enrolling. The Primate also underlined the availability of Diocesan staff to
lead workshops and training sessions at the parish level, and to train
teachers of Armenian and Sunday Schools.
The floor was opened to suggestions about ways clergy could achieve these
goals and encourage greater involvement and participation in church life.
The Primate asked clergy to continue praying for Archbishop Torkom
Manoogian, the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Archbishop Mesrob
Mutafyan, the Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople.
Later in the afternoon, Dr. John Madonna and Dr. Carl Fulwiler spoke about
the priest's role in counseling, and outlined resources available to clergy
in addressing youth, marital, and bereavement issues.
On Wednesday, May 2, Diocesan Vicar the Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian
spoke about discipline in the church and the importance of maintaining
church traditions with deep reverence. He also spoke about several ancient
ceremonies observed by the Armenian Church, such as the blessing of madagh
and the Oil Bearing Service.
Talar Ishkhanian, a New York-based lawyer, gave an overview of immigration
law and answered questions on the topic. Ms. Ishkhanian has worked with the
Eastern Diocese to serve the immigration needs of clergy arriving in the
United States from Armenia.
The Rev. Fr. Hratch Sargsyan made an appeal to the clergy on behalf of the
children of the late Rev. Fr. Haroutiun Dagley and the late Yn. Patricia
Dagley. The clergy collectively pledged $7,500 to assist with the college
tuition fund of Fr. Dagley's children.
Archbishop Barsamian closed the Clergy Conference with a prayer of
thanksgiving. He expressed his gratitude to the clergy for their commitment
and dedication to the Armenian Church.
On Wednesday evening the clergy gathered at St. Mark Church of Springfield,
Mass., for vespers. Diocesan Council members and parishioners of St. Mark
Church also took part in the service. A warm dinner and conversation
followed.
On Thursday, May 3, the Rev. Fr. Tadeos Barseghyan celebrated the Divine
Liturgy. All the clergy at the conference took part in the service-standing
in prayer with each other, singing in one voice, and again strengthening
their fraternal bond.
###
Photos attached.
Photo 1: Clergy take part in Bible study during the Annual Clergy Conference
in West Hartford, Conn.
Photo 2: Participants in the Annual Clergy Conference pose for a group
photo.
Photo 3: Clergy take part in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy during
the Annual Clergy Conference.
From: A. Papazian