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 20, 2006
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SEMINARY GRADUATE HEARS CALL TO SERVE ARMENIAN CHURCH
By Jake Goshert
It’s a new term for college students, and this year they’ll be greeted by a
new face at the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern).
Julie Hoplamazian has joined the Diocesan staff as its college ministry
facilitator, taking over for Jason Demerjian, who established the program
over the past two years and is now furthering his studies at St. Nersess
Seminary.
"Julie brings broad experience in teaching, youth ministry, music, and
religious education to our effort to reach our college students," said
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate. "She has a deep love for the Armenian
Church. That devotion, combined with her God-given talents, will help her
expand and strengthen this vital ministry of the Diocese.
A Philadelphia native, Hoplamazian has a bachelor’s degree in music
education from Gettysburg College and has taught music at various levels.
This past May she received a master’s of divinity degree from Princeton
Theological Seminary.
"Ever since I was little, I always wanted to devote my life to God in some
way," she said. "And after a series of twists and turns, He has led me this
way."
As college ministry facilitator she will work with priests and parish
leaders to reach out to Armenian American college students throughout the
Diocese. She will visit campuses and organize events for students.
Reaching directly to students she will oversee the Diocese’s college
ministry website — — and manage the monthly
e-newsletter, "Eh-mail."
LIFE OF DEVOTION
Even in elementary school, Hoplamazian felt a strong connection to God.
"When I was young, I’d have friends or cousins who would do things I knew
were wrong, and my response always was ‘Jesus wouldn’t want you to do
that,’" she said. "I had no problem reprimanding them. I always thought
Jesus was my special friend."
She said seeing her mother and grandmother devote their time and resources
to the church made her feel strongly connected to God. It is a relationship
that has only grown and deepened as she matured.
"It is still changing. There are times my relationship with Jesus is that
of a friend. Sometimes my relationship with God is that of a child to a
parent," she said. "But overall, it is a deeper sense of identity. As my
relationship with God grows, my identity becomes more and more inseparable
from being a child of God."
While she knows her strong relationship with God might be unique among young
people in today’s more secular society, she believes she can talk to
students about the importance of their faith because it has a universal
appeal. She says people sometimes tell her being religious is a good choice
for her, but not for them. However, her belief in the truth of Christ means
she sees His teachings as universal, not something that only works for some
people.
"We’re encouraged think that God is a novel idea, a relative reality, as
opposed to an absolute truth. It is hard to have a Christian life with
integrity where you can say ‘I believe this is true,’ as opposed to ‘This is
true just for me,’" she said. "But deep down the core of our faith is right
for everybody — your deepest meaning is found in God."
Hoplamazian hopes to bring more programs and activities to the Diocese’s
college ministry program. By encouraging the students to take part in fun
and meaningful activities, she believes they will look for opportunities to
take part in the life of the Armenian Church.
However, she knows she can’t do it on her own. She will be working with
parishes to identify students, invite them to services and events when
they’re away from home, and provide an Armenian Christian "support system"
for them.
"I can’t reach out to every Armenian student. If parishioners know of
students in their area, they should try to be their parents away from home.
Otherwise, their parents away from home will be partying, drinking, other
bad influences," she said. "The college kids I’ve met love their Armenian
heritage and Christian roots and want to be a part of the community. We
just have to make sure to invite and welcome them into our parishes."
If you know an Armenian-American college student, contact Hoplamazian via
e-mail at [email protected] or by calling (212) 686-0710.
— 9/20/06
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Julie Hoplamazian is the new college ministry
facilitator for the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern).
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
