PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
October 23, 2009
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ACYOA JUNIORS GATHER FOR "HYE TIDE AT THE JERSEY SHORE"
A record 199 participants from 17 Diocesan parishes gathered for the ACYOA
Juniors Fall Sports Weekend over this year’s Columbus Day holiday. Hosted by
the St. Leon Armenian Church of Fair lawn, NJ, the weekend was filled with
opportunities for the participants to gather for worship, sports, and
dances.
On the morning of Saturday, October 10, all of the teens gathered in the
sanctuary for Morning Service followed by an Insights message delivered by
Jennifer Morris, Youth Outreach coordinator at the Diocese. The day was then
filled with friendly sports competitions and the evening was filled with fun
and excitement at the dance. On Sunday morning, 100 percent of the
registered participants attended the Divine Liturgy, which is a testament to
the central purpose of the weekend: connecting our youth to the Armenian
Church.
Participants had the privilege of enjoying the recently built gymnasium and
youth center on the St. Leon Church grounds. Back to back competitions in
volleyball and basketball were held in the gym, while the new ACYOA room
provided plenty of space for individual games, including tavloo, chess,
Connect Four, and ping pong matches.
Participants from the Philadelphia area created a combined team from Holy
Trinity Church (Cheltenham) and the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church (Wynnewood)
to take home the overall sports trophy after taking first place in boys
basketball, girls basketball, and co-ed volleyball. Sarah Derderian and
Michael Ballard of the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob parish were awarded the
Outstanding Sportsmanship Trophy.
"Hye Tide at the Jersey Shore" was the theme of the Saturday and Sunday
evening dances at this year’s Sports Weekend. At the banquet on Sunday
evening, the Rev. Fr. Diran Bohajian, the Rev. Fr. Shnork Souin, the Rev.
Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian, and the Rev. Fr. Bedros Kadehjian showed their
support. St. Nersess seminarians Vahagn Azizyan and Stan Sheridan spoke to
the teens about their call to serve and desire to be ordained priests in the
Armenian Church.
A special thank you is extended to the entire St. Leon community, especially
the ACYOA Juniors Sports Weekend Committee, host families, and all of the
parishioners who worked hard to provide a memorable weekend. Heartfelt
appreciation is extended to the Fair Lawn ACYOA Youth Advisors Linda
Keshishian and Christina Tashjian, and the pastor, the Rev. Fr. Diran
Bohajian, whose dedicated leadership ensured the success of the weekend’s
events.
The next such gathering will be Hye M’rtsoom, hosted annually by St. James
Armenian Church in Watertown, Mass., over Memorial Day weekend.
For more information about upcoming events for ACYOA Juniors, contact
Jennifer Morris, coordinator of Youth Outreach, at
[email protected]
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Photos attached.
Photo 1: Philadelphia-area ACYOA Juniors took home the Overall Sports Trophy
after taking first place in boys basketball, girls basketball, and co-ed
volleyball.
Photo 2: Rev. Fr. Diran Bohajian, pastor of St. Leon Church, distributes
Holy Communion during the Divine Liturgy.
Photo 3: ACYOA Juniors take a break in the gymnasium between sporting
competitions.
Photo 4: St. Nersess Seminarian Stan Sheridan speaks about his call to serve
with a participant.