AGBU PRESS OFFICE: Retreat Launches Inspiring Conversation on Armenian Spirituality

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Website: www.agbu.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, February 6, 2018

RETREAT LAUNCHES INSPIRING CONVERSATION ON ARMENIAN SPIRITUALITY

AGBU WELCOMES NEW INITIATIVE INSPIRED BY THE AGBU FOCUS CONFERENCE 2017

Over 30 young professionals from across the United States gathered in New York 
from February 3 to 4 for a thought-provoking retreat on the Armenian faith and 
spirituality.  The topic, along with issues related to human rights and women’s 
empowerment, was raised by participants of the inaugural AGBU FOCUS conference 
last summer as an area of interest. 

“One of the takeaways from this past summer’s international conference was that 
we could leverage the AGBU network to continue thought-provoking conversations. 
This urban retreat aimed to create a safe environment for young professionals 
to learn more about Armenian spirituality through our history, culture music 
and traditions and facilitate our generation's spiritual journey.” said 
mezzo-soprano Solange Merdinian who convened the retreat together with Michelle 
Nahabedian and journalist Lara Setrakian.
 
The retreat explored the Armenian faith from various perspectives, ranging from 
monastic educational traditions and heritage to personal journeys and Christian 
meditation. Moderated by Setrakian, the retreat featured Father Daniel 
Findikyan, director of the Krikor and Clara Zohrab Center; Eric Vozzy, a deacon 
at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral; Dr. Roberta Ervine, professor of Armenian 
Studies at St. Nerses Armenian Seminary, and Father Mersrop Parsamyan, the 
director of ministries at the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of 
America. 

Father Findikyan identified one of the challenges for the continuation of 
Armenian religious education in the diaspora, exploring the decline of Armenian 
monasteries in the Ottoman Empire and how it affected the modern-day Armenian 
theological instruction.  “The Armenian monasteries were the theological 
engines of the Armenian church. They were the intellectual engines of the 
Armenian people,” said Findikyan stressing that monasteries provided a network 
of religious scholars who kept a dialogue with the communities and maintained 
the continuity of traditions. Intrigued by Findikyan’s speech, attendees posed 
important questions on youth involvement, church modernization and creationism. 
  

The retreat also served as an open forum for personal sharing and created an 
opportunity for attendees to explore otherwise new topics. Dr. Roberta Ervine 
notably spoke about six noble women from the historical Armenian Kingdom of 
Syunik who channeled their faith into action and supported the construction of 
several monasteries, some of which became jewels of Armenian architecture. 
Participants were treated to a short meditation session with Fr. Parsamyan, who 
presented the basic techniques of Christian meditation and offered his insight 
on the topic. 

“The forum provided participants an opportunity to share their spiritual 
journeys and make suggestions on ways of bringing the Armenian church closer to 
youth,” said Merdinian. “It is the beginning of continued opportunities for 
such discussion and contemplation.”

Established in 1906, AGBU (www.agbu.org) is the world's largest non-profit 
Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU preserves and 
promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through educational, cultural and 
humanitarian programs, annually touching the lives of some 500,000 Armenians 
around the world.
 
For more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit 
www.agbu.org.

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PHOTO CAPTIONS:

NY-Retreat01.jpg: Over 30 young professionals from across the United States 
gathered in New York from February 3 to 4 for a thought-provoking retreat on 
the Armenian faith and spirituality.  

NY-Retreat02.jpg: Dr. Roberta Ervine, professor of Armenian Studies at St. 
Nerses Armenian Seminary, speaks about six noble women who fostered church 
architecture.



NY-Retreat01.jpg


NY-Retreat02.jpg

NY-Retreat02.jpg


Retreat Launches Inspiring Conversation on Armenian Spirituality.doc

Retreat Launches Inspiring Conversation on Armenian Spirituality.doc