PRESS OFFICE
Department of Communications
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Media Relations Specialist
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 160; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
June 6, 2007
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DISCUSSION TURNS TO VARIOUS TOPICS AMONG CLERGY
The clergy of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
gathered for the annual clergy conference form April 30 to May 2, 2007,
which was hosted by the Sts. Vartanantz Church of Chelmsford, Massachusetts.
Two guest clergy from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin were among those
who spoke to the clergy.
Fr. Khoren Kirakosyan spoke about the Armenian Parliament’s recent
constitutional changes which clarify and strengthen the relationship between
the Armenian nation and the Armenian Church.
Fr. Adam Markaryan spoke of the social and ecumenical activities taking
place in Armenia, and detailed the developments in Armenian parishes and
churches.
Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Diocesan legate, spoke to the clergy about the
His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II Building Project, an effort by Habitat
for Humanity to build new homes for needy families in Armenia. He
encouraged parishes to organize trips to Armenia to participate in Habitat
projects to make life better for those living in Armenia.
Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian, director of vocation at St. Nersess Armenian
Seminary, spoke about the need to recruit clergy and seminarians wanting to
serve as lay ministers. He told them that while he is focused on
recruitment, it is not a job for one man but requires the attention of all
clergy and parish leaders to identify and encourage young people to accept
God’s calling.
Michael O’Hurley-Pitts, Ph.D., the Diocesan director of Development &
Stewardship, spoke to the clergy about the importance of assuring that
choosing a life of stewardship begins in the home.
Fr. Mardiros Chevian and Dr. Tom Samuelian, who are both working with the
Diocesan Department of Youth and Education, spoke with the clergy about
programs and initiatives being undertaking as part of the Diocese’s focus of
"Church and Home: One in Spirit." Through the initiative, the Diocese is
working to strengthen the understanding of the basics of the Armenian Church
and provide parents with the tools they need to educate their families. The
two sought input from the clergy, asking them to share what has worked in
their own parishes and what ideas they have for future programming.
Clergy also received a short class on how to be more effective speakers from
performer Nora Armani, reviewed ways to save for retirement in a workshop
led by Tom Garabedian, and got an update on a booklet on Church rituals from
Fr. Untzag Nalbandian.
"The conference was a great opportunity for our clergy to gather in
fellowship, share ideas, and gain valuable resources for the issues facing
them in their parishes," Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate said. "These
sessions are extremely valuable, as they strengthen our pastors who then
return to their parishes energized."
Fr. Vahan Hovhanessian, pastor of the Church of the Holy Martyrs in Bayside,
New York, served as chairman of the Clergy Conference.
— 6/6/07
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate, speaks to the
clergy during the 2007 Clergy Conference.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Dr. Tom Samuelian addresses the Clergy Conference about
ways to instill a stronger understanding of the basics of the Armenian
Church to parishioners.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Clergy from the Diocese of the Armenian Church of
America (Eastern) gather for the 2007 Clergy Conference.