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: jakeg@armeniandiocese.org
Website:

August 17, 2007
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ACYOA’S ARMENIA SERVICE PROGRAM SHOWS YOUTH ARMENIA, GIVES THEM A CHANCE TO
HELP

For three weeks, 27 young Armenians not only saw the historic sites of the
homeland, but helped shape its future by serving others on the Armenia
Service Program (ASP) trip organized by the Armenian Church Youth
Organization of America (ACYOA).

The young adults, led by Dn. Artak Khachikyan, deacon-in-charge of the St.
Gregory of Narek Church of Richmond Heights, Ohio, spent their first two
days in Yerevan and attended badarak in Holy Etchmiadzin. They then
traveled to Camp Tzizternak of the Vanadzor Diocese to begin serving the
people of Armenia.

At the camp, participants conducted English lessons and assisted in various
programs and activities. There was plenty of opportunity for quality time,
playing, and dancing with the 175 campers, who ranged in age from 7 to 15.

"ASP is not just about experiencing our homeland, but making a difference in
it," said participant Paul Vartan Sookiasian of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
"By working with the Armenian youth, the inheritors of our homeland, whether
by teaching them English or just serving as a playmate and friend, we were
able to bring a unique experience to children with lives much different than
our privileged American ones."

After nine days at the camp, participants relaxed at Lake Sevan before
traveling to Sisian, the southernmost region of Armenia. During the visit
to Armenia they also toured historical sites, including Geghard, Sardarabad,
and the Genocide Memorial. Before departing, the ASP participants had the
honor of attending an audience with His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme
Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, in the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin.

"All the stories, all the pictures could not compare to what we’ve seen with
our own eyes. Armenia is now like our second home," said participants Karen
Dardarian of the St. John Church of Southfield, Michigan, and Arda Paylan of
the St. James Church of Evanston, Illinois.

"It was fulfilling for me to see these kids appreciate the sites that they
had learned about all their lives," said ACYOA Central Council member, Talin
Hitik, who served as the assistant ASP group leader.

For more on the trip, visit the ACYOA website:

— 8/16/07

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): Syona Marout, a participant on the 2007 Armenia Service
Program (ASP) trip to Armenia, organized by the ACYOA, plays cards with
campers at Camp Tzizternak in Vanadzor.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): Lauren Ashbahian visits with campers at Camp Tzizternak
in Vanadzor, where participants in the ASP trip worked.

PHOTO CAPTION (3): Twenty-seven young people toured Armenia and served as
camp staff for Camp Tzizternak in Vanadzor during the 2007 ASP trip
organized by the ACYOA.