PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: info@armenianprelacy.org
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Contact: Iris Papazian

March 13, 2007

CLERGY CONFERENCE OF THREE NORTH AMERICA
PRELACIES TAKES PLACE IN CALIFORNIA

NEW YORK, NY-The annual Sts. Ghevontiantz commemoration, which precedes the
Feast of Vartanantz, has become a time of renewal, edification, and
reflection for the Armenian Clergy. Each year they gather together to learn
and to pray in an atmosphere marked with brotherhood and fellowship.
Continuing a tradition that was inaugurated several years ago, the 2007
clergy conference was a joint gathering of the Eastern and Western Prelacies
of the United States, and the Prelacy of Canada. The three-day conference
was hosted by the Western Prelacy from February 12 to 14, under the auspices
of Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy;
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy; and Archbishop
Khajag Hagopian, Prelate of Canada.
The main topic of discussion was the many challenges facing the Armenian
Church and Clergy in the Western world in the 21st century and the general
theme of "The Zeal of Clergy." The conference convened in Ghazarian Hall,
adjacent to Forty Martyrs Church in Orange County, with the reading of the
letter of blessing from His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House
of Cilicia. Following the welcoming remarks by the host parish priest and
board of trustees’ representative, the three Prelates offered their remarks
and encouragement to the participants.
The meeting began with V. Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian being elected as Chair
and Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian as Secretary. Over the three-day period,
pastoral and spiritual concerns were discussed, as well as issues relating
to Christian education. Among the items on the agenda were discussions of
topics raised at the Youth Gathering with Catholicos Aram which took place
in December. Morning and evening church services were an important part of
the gathering.
On Monday evening, the eve of the Feast of St. Ghevont, Holy Mass was
conducted at Forty Martyrs Church by Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar
General of the Eastern Prelacy. Requiem service was offered for the souls of
the departed clergy who served the three Prelacies. Among those in
attendance were guest clergy members, including Father Johanna Ibrahim of
the Coptic Orthodox Church, and Father John Monestera of the Catholic
Church, and Mrs. Irma Contrera, secretary of the Catholic Church.
On Tuesday morning, students from the Ari Guiragos Minassian School
attended morning church services and later had the opportunity to be
photographed with the clergy members. In the evening, the eve of the
Presentation of the Lord to the Temple, services took place at St. Mary
Church in Glendale, with the three prelates presiding. Archbishop Khajag
Hagopian delivered the sermon. Homenetmen scouts also participated.
Following the service, the Board of Trustees and Ladies Guild hosted a
reception.
On Wednesday morning, the clergymen visited the new Prelacy building
where morning services took place at the Sts. Dertad and Ashkhen Chapel,
followed by a visit to the Vahan and Anoush Chamlian School where the
students presented a special assembly devoted to Vartanantz.
The conference, which offered the participants the chance to renew their
spiritual responsibilities and their will to serve our faithful, concluded
on Wednesday afternoon and the clergy prepared to return to their respective
communities.