PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) 630 Second
Avenue, New York, NY 10016Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of
Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: jakeg@armeniandiocese.org
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October 6, 2005
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,
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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.
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