PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: info@armenianprelacy.org
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

May 7, 2004

Eastern Prelacy’s National Representative Assembly
Will Convene in Philadelphia, May 19-21

NEW YORK, NY-The National Representative Assembly (NRA) of the Armenian
Apostolic Church of America (Eastern United States), will convene in
Philadelphia, May 19 through 21, during which time the clergy and lay
delegates will deliberate on current issues as well as long-range planning
for the future. The host church is St. Gregory the Illuminator, one of the
Eastern Prelacy’s largest and most vibrant parishes.

The NRA is the highest authority of the Armenian Apostolic Church of
America, and is charged with the task of supervising the ecclesiastical and
administrative bodies of the Eastern Prelacy. The Assembly is composed of
one-seventh clergy and six-sevenths lay delegates. The clergy delegates are
elected by the clergy conference, and the lay delegates by their respective
parishes. Although the membership changes, the NRA is a permanent body.

The first session will begin Wednesday afternoon, May 19, with the official
“Call to Order,” and opening prayer, followed by welcoming addresses by the
host parish, report of the credential committee, and the election of the NRA
chairmen and secretaries. All of the meetings will take place at the church,
which is located at 8701 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19128.

The Prelate, His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, will deliver his
message during the second session on Thursday, May 20, at approximately 10
a.m. This will be followed by the Keynote address by Professor Vigen
Guroian, who will speak about “The Armenian Christian Family Under Fire.”
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, proclaimed
2004 as “The Year of the Family,” and the Eastern Prelacy has been focusing
on this theme throughout the year. Dr. Guroian is professor of theology and
ethics at Loyola College in Baltimore, Maryland. He is the first Armenian
theologian ever elected to the American Theological Society and the Orthodox
Theological Society of America. His published works include nearly 150
articles, and six books with three more scheduled to be published later this
year.

Also featured during the sessions will be a study conducted by the St.
Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, as “one example of how a
parish is meeting the needs of its parishioners.”

The various workshops will focus on the responsibilities of boards of
trustees, delegates, and the Prelacy, and steps that can be taken at a
parish and regional level to build on various educational programs.

Awards
Mrs. Alice Sachaklian, of Virginia, will be honored as the “Woman of the
Year.” Mrs. Sachaklian and her late husband Col. Harry Sachaklian have been
active members of the Armenian Church for decades as well as generous
benefactors, especially for clergy training. Mrs. Sachaklian recently
established a fund with the Prelacy Endowment Fund, “The Col. Harry A. and
Alice K. Sachaklian Antelias Seminary Fund.” Col. Sachaklian served as a
delegate to the NRA for many years and was elected to serve as co-chairman
of the NRA on several occasions.

Mr. Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of
America in Washington, D.C., will be honored with the “Spirit of Armenia”
award in recognition of his years of outstanding service as an advocate for
Armenian issues.

The prestigious “Eagle of the Prelacy” will be conferred on local
parishioner, Mr. K. Yervant Terzian, who has been an active member of the
Philadelphia Armenian community for decades and benefactor to many Armenian
organizations, including the Eastern Prelacy.

On Thursday, May 20, the Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on the occasion
of Ascension Day at St. Gregory Church, 7:30 p.m.

The Prelacy Bookstore is organizing a mini book fair, which will be open for
the duration of the Assembly for the benefit of the delegates and the
Philadelphia community. The latest books, CDs, and gifts will be available.

The closing banquet, during which several local parishioners will be honored
with Certificates of Merit, will take place at Doubletree Guest Suites in
Plymouth Meeting. For details visit the Prelacy web site,

From: Baghdasarian