PRESS OFFICE
Department of Communications
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. 160; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: jakeg@armeniandiocese.org
Website:
February 9, 2007
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YOUNG PEOPLE OF NEW BRITAIN, CT, TURN OUT TO MEET WITH DIOCESAN STAFF
Jennifer Morris, the youth outreach coordinator for the Eastern Diocese,
traveled to the Church of the Holy Resurrection of New Britain, Connecticut,
to help the parish kick off its "Church and Home" activities.
She was there during Armenian Christmas season, on Sunday, January 7th.
At the conclusion of the day’s Divine Liturgy, the parish’s young adult
liaison distributed special items sent by the Diocese to each family. These
resources included a miniature illustrating The Presentation of Christ to
the Temple, a family prayer book and a companion to the family prayer book.
More than 100 members of the New Britain community attended the program,
hosted by the parish’s ACYOA chapter.
Morris spoke during the luncheon, introducing herself to the parish. Though
a first time visitor, she said she felt at home from the moment she walked
in. She spoke about her work with the youth and this year’s Diocesan theme.
"During this ‘Year of Church and Home: One in Spirit,’ it is imperative that
we take time to bring the church into our homes," she said. "As a church
family, we must strive to live by the teachings of the Armenian Church each
and every day, and to better understand what we believe as Armenian
Christians and why we believe it."
"It is my hope that each of us feels at home in the Armenian Church," she
continued. "In order for this to happen we must work together and make a
concerted effort to reach out to everyone in our church communities."
She noted that one simple way for the parishioners to teach their children
about the connection between church and home was to invite the local priest,
Fr. Kapriel Mouradjian, to conduct a Home Blessing service. This year, as
part of its "Church and Home" initiative, the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern) encourages every Armenian family to conduct this unique
service.
More information about the Armenian Home Blessing Service can be found on
the Diocesan website:
— 3/9/07
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Jennifer Morris, coordinator of youth outreach for the
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), and Fr. Kapriel
Mouradjian, pastor of the Church of the Holy Resurrection of New Britain,
Connecticut, gather with the children of the parish during Armenian
Christmas celebrations.