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: [email protected]
Website:
August 16, 2005
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PRIMATE VISITS WITH YOUNG CAMPERS
In the summer, many kids go to camp for arts and crafts, fun and games,
and lessons and learning.
So do archbishops.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern), has been busy this summer traveling to
Armenian summer camps in upstate New York, in Illinois, and at the St.
Nersess Seminary in New Rochelle, NY.
The Primate has also visited all three filled-to-capacity sessions of
the Diocese’s St. Vartan Camp. Held at the Diocese’s Ararat Center, ,
in Greenville, NY, the Armenian Christian camp this year expanded to
three sessions, each with almost 100 campers.
Along with celebrating the Divine Liturgy, he has joined in meals and
fun and games with the campers, who come from communities across the
Diocese.
On August 4, the Primate headed to Illinois, to spend a couple days at
the Diocese’s Midwest Hye Camp. Its unique setup brings whole
communities together, as parents and parishioners turn out to volunteer
for the one-week program.
“It’s always wonderful to see so many young Armenians celebrating their
faith and heritage,” the Primate said. “And it’s important to show our
young people that being an Armenian is a positive thing. Our summer
camps are obviously a good way to accomplish that, and encourage a
feeling of pride.”
Numerous clergy and community leaders have also attended sessions at
both St. Vartan and Hye Camp. The expanded St. Vartan Camp had 230
campers, while Hye Camp hosted 135 campers.
“At each camp we did a discussion with campers about the Diocesan ‘Year
of the Youth’ and carrying the flame. The kids really were excited to
be at a camp that was an Armenian Christian camp,” said Jennifer Morris,
the Diocese’s coordinator of youth outreach who spent time at each camp.
“Through our camps we hope to strengthen their faith in our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ, and help them understand the history of our
people.”
On July 30 and 31, 2005, the Primate traveled to the town of Andes, in
upstate New York to visit with the campers at Camp Nubar, sponsored by
the Armenian General Benevolent Union. The Primate arrived on Saturday
afternoon in time to celebrate “Christmas in July” with the campers,
before celebrating the Divine Liturgy on Sunday.
Along with his stops at summer camps, the Primate has also made several
visits to the St. Nersess Seminary Summer Sessions. The seminary has
been bustling with activities as it hosts young people — from junior
high school students to college graduates — for intense and exciting
programs that bring them closer to their Armenian heritage and Christian
faith.
One special feature this summer at the seminary was a deacon’s training
program, that gave young altar servers a hands-on study of the role of
deacons in the Armenian Church.
“All these young people are extremely committed to serving their
communities and their church. By attending these summer sessions at St.
Nersess, they are taking advantage of one of the most spiritually
enriching activities we offer,” the Primate said. “They are taking the
first steps to becoming future leaders of our churches and communities.
I encourage every parish to invest in the next generation of leaders by
sending their young people to the seminary’s summer sessions and our
summer camps.”
— 8/16/05
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate, celebrates the
badarak with campers at the Diocese’s St. Vartan Camp program.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Campers at the Diocese’s Midwest Hye Camp visit with
the Primate during his stop at the camp in Illinois.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Archbishop Barsamian delivers communion during his
stop at the AGBU Camp Nubar.
PHOTO CAPTION (4): The Primate takes time to visit with participants in
one of the summer sessions at the St. Nersess Seminary in New Rochelle,
NY.
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