PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: jakeg@armeniandiocese.org
Website:

September 23, 2004
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CAMBRIDGE ACYOA TO HOST ARCHBISHOP’S TOURNAMENT IN OCTOBER

Two years ago it returned. And this fall, it will be bigger and better
than ever.

The Holy Trinity, Cambridge, MA, chapter of the Armenian Church Youth
Organization of America (ACYOA) will host the 2004 Archbishop’s
Tournament on Columbus Day weekend, October 8 to 10, 2004.

The ACYOA reactivated the Archbishop’s Tournament two years ago,
introducing a new generation of young Armenians to the fun and
excitement of the weekend.

“Most of our youth never had the chance to participate in this event,
because it was discontinued,” said ACYOA Central Council Member
Christopher Tashjian, who is also a member of the Holy Trinity chapter.
“But I know that they will not want to miss this experience!”

What began as a men’s basketball tournament in 1971 sponsored by
Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, then-Primate of the Eastern Diocese, has
grown and evolved in its latest incarnation. This year’s weekend also
includes a women’s basketball competition. The tournament — which will
be held in state-of-the-art facilities — is also organized in a unique
format this year. Teams will no longer quit playing after one loss,
giving everyone more time on the court.

The weekend full of games and activities begins on Friday, October 8,
with an evening of fun and fellowship at the restaurant Sonsie, located
on Newbury Street in Boston. Following the games and presentation of
trophies by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the
Armenian Church of America (Eastern), will be a dance on Saturday night,
featuring the popular singer, Puzant of Montreal.

Participants will join together on Sunday for a special Divine Liturgy
at the Holy Trinity Church, which will be followed by a reception
celebrating the 10th anniversary of the priestly ordination of the
parish’s priest and long-time supporter of ACYOA, Fr. Vasken Kouzouian.

Most of the venues for the weekend are located just minutes from
historic central Boston, so along with making new Armenian friends and
hitting the basketball court, even the least athletic participants will
have fun visiting the popular tourist attractions.

Everyone is invited to attend or compete in the Archbishop’s Tournament.
For more information, contact Chris Tashjian, ctashjian@providentcf.com,
or Ani Bagdasarian, ani.bagdasarian@tufts.edu.

— 9/23/04