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:
April 10, 2006
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DIOCESE-LED RETREAT FOCUSES ON CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD
How do we know God? How did our faith form into a church? How do we best
treat each other?
These were just a few of the issues raised during a day-long retreat led by
staff from the Eastern Diocese and held at the Holy Ascension Church in
Trumbull, CT, on Saturday, March 25, 2006.
“We must continue to give our people more opportunities to focus on prayer
and learning what it is to be an Armenian Christian,” said participant
Dottie Bengoian.
The lecture was titled, “Where Two or Three are Gathered: The Power of
Praying Together.” It included discussions on the Lord’s Prayer; on the
foundations and feelings created from the Armenian Divine Liturgy; and on
the differences between praying alone and in groups.
“This was a thought-provoking day, which allowed me to personally examine my
beliefs and faith in a quiet setting and also in a group,” said participant
Linda McGann. “I learned a great deal, not only about myself and my fellow
parishioners, but about my Armenian Church.”
Thirty-six people, including parishioners from Trumbull and the nearby St.
Gregory the Enlightener Church of White Plains, NY, attended the session,
led by two members of the Diocese’s Department of Youth and Education: Elise
Antreassian, coordinator of Christian education, and Nancy Basmajian,
executive secretary for the Armenian Church Youth Organization of America
(ACYOA).
Along with parishioners, the attendees included parish council leaders and
Sunday School educators. Also at the session were Fr. Untzag Nalbandian,
pastor of the church in Trumbull; Fr. Karekin Kasparian, pastor of the
church in White Plains; and the visiting Fr. Daniel Karadjian, pastor of the
St. Sarkis Church of Charlotte, NC.
“This retreat created a lot of discussion and provided a deep understanding
of our Christian life,” said participant Hermon Telyan.
The session was part of series of events marking the 75th anniversary of the
Trumbull parish.
“This retreat was one of the most spiritually uplifting events we’ve had as
we continue our celebration,” said Fr. Nalbandian.
Organizers of the event say it was definitely a success because the
participants were obviously moved.
“At one point, after reading the Lord’s Prayer and reflecting on its
meaning, we joined together in a group prayer which was created by the
immediate thoughts of the participants,” Antreassian said. “And in that one
moment, the group connected. Our thoughts blended. As each person spoke
individually to God, our prayers became one call for His guidance and mercy
and love.”
For information on organizing these types of retreats in your parish,
contact Elise Antreassian, coordinator of Christian education, by e-mailing
[email protected].
— 4/10/06
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Parishioners from two parishes gather at the Church of
the Holy Ascension in Trumbull, CT, for a one-day retreat focused on prayer
on March 25, 2006.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): On March 25, 2006, 36 parishioners and priests gathered
to discuss prayer during a one-day session led by members of the Diocesan
staff.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Elise Antreassian, coordinator of Christian education
for the Eastern Diocese, along with ACYOA Executive Secretary Nancy
Basmajian, led the workshop on prayer at the Church of the Holy Ascension in
Trumbull, CT, on Saturday, March 25, 2006.