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 28, 2004
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ARMENIAN CHURCH SENDS REPRESENTATIVES TO HISTORIC CONFERENCE

On Saturday, September 18, 2004, about 35 young adults from the five
Oriental Orthodox sister churches gathered for a day-long conference at
the Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church in Teaneck, NJ.

It was the first time the American branches of these churches have
organized such a gathering of young faithful. Members of the Central
Council of the Armenian Church Youth Organization of America (ACYOA) and
other young leaders represented the Diocese of the Armenian Church of
America (Eastern) at the conference.

“Our histories are so closely tied, we are truly brothers and sisters in
Christ,” Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese, said of
the gathering. “Anything that brings us closer to our fellow Christians
is a wonderful thing, which we should encourage in the future.”

The program included a keynote address by Dr. Roberta Ervine, associate
professor of Armenian Studies at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, who
spoke on the history of the Oriental Orthodox churches.

“That was the best presentation on church history and the differences
among Christians that I have heard,” said participant Karen
Khatchadourian, a member of the ACYOA Central Council.

Fr. John Meno, dean of St. Mark’s Syrian Orthodox Cathedral, lead the
group in a Bible study titled “The Passion of the Christ.”

One of the most important parts of the day’s activities was a session
during which the young representatives shared and discussed their common
concerns, such as the relationship between faith and culture, how the
youth of the church are organized, and how assimilated into American
culture their communities have become. The day ended with a vespers
service.

But the day’s events were about more than listening to lecturing about
and discussing theology and history.

“The goal was to give participants a better understanding of their
personal faith, more knowledge of the sister churches, and then to take
that knowledge back to their own communities,” said Nancy Basmajian,
executive secretary of the ACYOA. “As these young people got to know
each other, you could see new friendships growing, as they realized they
shared so many hopes and aspirations for their churches.”

The gathering was organized by the Standing Conference of Oriental
Orthodox Youth of America (SCOOYA), of which ACYOA is a vital part.
SCOOYA is made up of two young parishioners and a clergyman from each of
the participating churches.

Participating in the conference were: the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), the Archdiocese of the Coptic Orthodox Church, the
Archdiocese of the Ethiopian Church, the Malankara Archdiocese of the
Syrian Orthodox Church, and the Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox
Church.

“It was great to interface, listen, and share openly with other young
people,” said Mora Sorial, a representative of the Coptic Church. “It
would be great to follow up with an action plan.”

The participants brainstormed ideas for future programs, retreats, and
educational programming. The SCOOYA board will meet to discuss
implementing those ideas.

The Armenian Church was represented by a variety of young people, youth
workers, and clergy: Fr. Tateos Abdalian, pastor of the Holy Trinity
Church of Cheltenham, PA; Fr. Shnork Souin, pastor of the St. Mary
Church of Livingston, NJ; Dn. Ara Kadehjian, interim coordinator of the
Diocesan Mission Parish Project; Justin Ajamian, parishioner at the St.
Leon Church of Fair Lawn, NJ; ACYOA Executive Secretary Nancy Basmajian;
Daron Bolat, a seminarian at St. Nersess and former ACYOA Central
Council member; Diocesan College Ministry Facilitator Jason Demerjian;
Dr. Roberta Ervine, professor at St. Nersess Seminary; Julie
Hoplamazian, youth director at the St. Mary Church of Livingston, NJ;
and Karen Khatchadourian, ACYOA Central Council member and parishioner
at the St. Thomas Church of Tenafly, NJ.

“It was such a blessing to feel drawn back through time by the
inspiration of the Holy Spirit to a common experience and to feel the
sense of a historical unity that is finally emerging in this time and
generation,” Fr. Shnork Souin said.

— 9/28/04

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): Dozens of faithful from the five Oriental Orthodox
churches gather for a unique day of discussion, prayer, and fellowship
on September 18, 2004.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): Young Oriental Orthodox faithful join in a prayer
service at the St. Mark’s Syrian Orthodox Church in Teaneck, NJ.

PHOTO CAPTION (3): Members of the SCYOOA, which organized the historic
gathering of Oriental Orthodox youth on September 18, 2004.

PHOTO CAPTION (4): Dr. Roberta Ervine, from the St. Nersess Armenian
Seminary, talks with a group of young Oriental Orthodox faithful during
a historic gathering of youth from the sister churches.

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