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:

October 6, 2005
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ACYOA HOSTS PAN NORTH AMERICAN RETREAT AT ARARAT CENTER

Even in today’s fast-paced, iPod-Xbox-TiVo culture, the ancient rhythms
of the Armenian Church still have a place and value. “Baptism: Finding
Modern Meaning in Ancient Rites” was the theme of the first Pan North
American Youth Retreat organized by the Armenian Church Youth
Organization of America (ACYOA) on September 23 to 25, 2005.

“This retreat was a very enriching experience that went deep into the
rituals and meaning of baptism and how it is a true blessing,” said
Angelraven Tevan, 20, a parishioner at the St. James Church of
Watertown, MA. “Learning how to appreciate the importance of baptism is
so important.”

The weekend brought together 50 young people from the Eastern, Western,
and Canadian dioceses for lecture presentations, worship, small group
Bible study, creative self-expression, and interactive sessions. The
weekend activities ended appropriately enough with the Divine Liturgy,
celebrated by Fr. Bedros Kadehjian.

“For me, the retreat was the epitome of all that encompasses both the
spiritual and social aspects of the ACYO,” said Gregory Kalayjian, 31, a
participant from the Canadian Diocese. “The only negative comment I
have is that this spiritual journey had to come to an end.”

The ACYOA Central Council hosted the weekend at the Eastern Diocese’s
Ararat Center in upstate New York after leaders met last year at the
request of the three North American primates — Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, and Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan.
The three Diocesan leaders wanted young people to get together in order
to discuss common concerns and challenges related to youth involvement
in the church. Each primate made a financial pledge to make this unique
retreat affordable to the participants.

“While we may have some geographical differences, hearing the same
viewpoints and priorities directly from our brothers and sisters from
the West Coast and Canada only further motivated us, as the Central
Council, to continue in our common mission,” said Maria Derderian, ACYOA
Central Council Chair. “It was an exciting gathering and could have
only taken place with the support — both moral and financial — of our
respective primates. We are very grateful for their leadership.”

Next year’s retreat will be hosted by the ACYO of the Western Diocese at
their campgrounds in California. A joint Habitat for Humanity trip to
Armenia is also being explored by organizers.

“There are many similarities and differences between our three regions,
and we need to bridge the gap to take advantage of what we all have to
offer,” said Johnny El Chemmas, a member of the ACYOA Central Council of
the Eastern Diocese. “We have much to learn and gain from each other,”

Leading presentations and discussions at this year’s inaugural gathering
were clergy and Diocesan staff including: Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian,
pastor of the St. Peter Church of Watervliet, NY, and director of
vocations and youth for St. Nersess Seminary; Fr. Aren Jebejian, pastor
of the St. Gregory Church of Chicago, IL; Fr. Bedros Kadehjian, interim
mission parish coordinator for the Diocese; Nancy Basmajian, ACYOA
executive secretary; Jason Demerjian, college ministry facilitator for
the Eastern Diocese; Jennifer Morris, the Eastern Diocese’s youth
outreach coordinator; and Daron Bolat, an intern with the Eastern
Diocese’s Department of Youth and Education. This was the first such
program involving youth from all three North American cioceses since
1989 when the Western Diocese hosted a joint retreat with the Eastern
Diocese in Las Vegas.

“The ACYO members feel at home in the Armenian Church. Many are driven
by a passionate concern and care to reach out to other young people who
are lost sheep, while many feel a strong desire to serve the church,”
Fr. Doudoukjian said. “I encouraged all those young men and women to
think and pray about a life in the church, either as a priest, deacon,
lay leader, or youth leader, and to consider attending St. Nersess to
study as a seminarian. My prayer is that these same young people will
be our priests and leaders to advance the faithful of our Armenian
Church well into the 21st century.”

For many of the participants, the theological discussions were just a
part of the weekend, which was highlighted by getting to know other
young Armenians from across the continent who share the same commitment
to the Armenian faith.

“It was so wonderful to get connected with our Western and Canadian
counterparts, and to know that we are all together working towards the
same goal to: bring Armenian youth into a stronger relationship with
Christ for a better future for our Armenian Church,” said Talar Topjian,
an ACYOA member form the St. Mary Church of Washington, DC.

— 10/6/05

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

PHOTO CAPTION (1): At the first Pan North American Youth Retreat, 50
young people from the Eastern, Western, and Canadian Dioceses gathered
at the Eastern Diocese’s Ararat Center.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): Young participants in the Pan North American Youth
Retreat discuss the Armenian faith and its connection to modern life at
the Eastern Diocese’s Ararat Center.

PHOTO CAPTION (3): Participants in the Pan North American Youth
Retreat, which ran from September 23 to 25, 2005, took part in a series
of workshops, discussions, and services. Here they are renouncing
Satan, which is done at the beginning of a Baptismal service.

PHOTO CAPTION (4): From left, Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian, Fr. Aren
Jebejian, and Fr. Bedros Kadehjian anoint the foreheads of participants
during a discussion on baptism during the Pan North American Youth
Retreat, organized by the ACYOA, which ran from September 23 to 25,
2005, at the Eastern Diocese’s Ararat Center.