ACYO GENERAL ASSEMBLY VOTES TO SUPPORT YOUTH IN ENGLAND, AND CONDEMN GENOCIDE
IN SUDAN
BURBANK, CALIFORNIA, December 1 (Noyan Tapan). The 56th annual General
Assembly of the Armenian Church Youth Organization (ACYO) held on
Thanksgiving weekend was a smashing success, the Press Office of the
Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of North America
reported. His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the
Western Diocese, presided over the gathering of more than 90 delegates
from parishes throughout California and Arizona.
The ACYO Central Council lead the General Assembly through topics
ranging from reports of last year’s activities to the formation of the
first ACYO chapter in Europe and the current Genocide being committed
in the Darfur Region of the Sudan. Uniquely inspiring was the
unanimous vote to accept a resolution condemning the aforementioned
Genocide and calling on the nations of the world to do the same.
His Eminence made time to meet individually with each delegation of
the 20 chapters, to give them the opportunity to discuss their
feelings regarding the Church.
“The presence of the youth in the life of the church reflects the
continuity and the stronger presence of Christ’s Church. I was
overjoyed to see the youth engaged and committed to the mission of the
Church. Their fervor during the 56th General Assembly was inspiring,
and a true expression of the power our youth can have when they are
united in Christ’s name”, exclaimed Archbishop Hovnan Derderian.
Saturday was the election of a new Central council. This council
pledged to continue the previous Council’s initiatives, which include
the strengthening the existing ACYO chapters, establishing new
chapters in the growing Mission parishes throughout the Western
Diocese, and working to make the ACYO a relevant and effective
organization in the life of Armenian Youth. In addition, they will
continue to promote the missions of the ACYO: the Christian Youth
Mission to Armenia, the Brighter Future for Armenia scholarship
program, and the Armenian Alliance for Aid.
A festive banquet took place Saturday night with the attendance of
over 300 youth.