PRESS OFFICE
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. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
September 28, 2004
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DAY OF DISCUSSION AND ACTION FOR THE FUTURE ALSO A TIME TO HONOR
VOLUNTEER TEACHERS
The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) has long been on
the forefront of keeping the Armenian heritage, culture, and tradition
alive in modern America.
The front lines of that effort are the Armenian schools in local
parishes. On Saturday, September 11, 2004, about 100 Armenian language
and culture educators — from as far as Florida and North Carolina —
gathered at the Diocesan Center in New York City for an educational
symposium.
The symposium focused on giving educators the tools to educate the next
generation about their Armenian heritage. A series of expert speakers
addressed educational issues including: new programs and publications
offered by the Diocese, projects for classroom use by Sylva der
Stepanian; ideas for teaching the Armenian alphabet’s importance in both
Armenian religion and politics by Fr. Haigazoon Najarian, pastor of the
Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of Wynnewood, PA; and a lecture on
classroom discipline by Prof. James Jacobson, chairman of the
educational department at St. Peter’s University. The teachers also
learned about an opera written by Dr. Socrates Boyajian, from the
Association of Armenian Church Choirs of America (AACCA), titled “The
First Christian Nation.”
The attendees also discussed the Diocese’s expanded Khrimian Lyceum
program, a rigorous six-year educational course designed to make
Armenian School graduates skilled community leaders. Last year the
Diocese successfully expanded the Khrimian Lyceum program beyond New
York City by opening two branch programs, one in the Boston area and a
second in Chicago.
“More young people than ever are involved in our efforts to teach them
not only their heritage, but how to serve as a leader to keep our
culture active,” said Sylva der Stepanian. “That so many young students
around the Diocese would give up their weekends to attend this
‘ivy-league’ program is a great opportunity for the future.”
THANKING THE TEACHERS
While the symposium’s focus was on giving teachers skills and ideas for
a new Armenian School year, the event also was a chance to thank those
teachers with long histories of service to their local parish Armenian
School programs.
Four educators were honored for 25 years of service by Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese. Receiving the “Long Live”
award were: Alice Igitkurt from the Holy Cross Church of Union City, NJ;
Tamar Kayserian of the Holy Martyrs Church in Bayside, NY; Margrit
Hamparsoumian of the St. Gregory the Enlightener Church of White Plains,
NY; and Seta Yavru-Sakuk of the St. Thomas Church of Tenafly, NJ.
A fifth educator — Noelle Sarkissian from the Armenian School of
Charlotte, NC — was recognized with the “Tigran the Great” award for
giving her time and talent to participate in four summer sessions at the
Diocesan Center.
The four sessions were each eight-day courses, featuring more than 20
expert speakers. Participants in these courses earned college credit.
“The Diocese works to make our Armenian language and culture education
efforts as widely available as possible,” said Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
(Eastern). “And thanks to our dedicated volunteers, we hope to reach
more and more young people with the message that our Armenian heritage
is a noble one worth celebrating even today.”
— 9/28/04
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