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:
June 9, 2004
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AWARDS PRESENTED TO PEOPLE DEDICATED TO YOUNG FAITHFUL
As part of its General Assembly and Sports Weekend, the Armenian Church
Youth Organization of America (ACYOA) awarded several honors to
dedicated leaders during its weekend of events in Dallas, TX, May 27-31.
The Gregory Arpajian Award, given to an individual who displays
leadership and service to the Armenian Church and community, was
presented to Saro Kalayjian of the St. Mary Church of Washington, DC.
The Sam Nersesian Award, which honors an individual who displays
Christian values, was awarded to Karen Khatchadourian from the St.
Thomas Church in Tenafly, NJ.
The Chapter “A” Award, annually given to an ACYOA senior chapter that
has best fulfilled the requirements as seen by the ACYOA Central
Council, was awarded to the ACYOA chapter at the St. Sarkis Church of
Dallas, TX.
“We will definitely remember the southern hospitality of the Dallas
ACYOA and St. Sarkis parishioners as we return home to our parishes
throughout the Diocese,” newly installed ACYOA Central Council Chair
Morris said. “The countless hours of planning and preparations led to
the success of the weekend and proved that Dallas’ ACYOA Seniors were
truly worthy of receiving the Chapter ‘A’ Award this year.”
The V. Rev. Fr. Haigazoun Melkonian Award, named after the beloved late
pastor and given each year to a priest in recognition of his dedication
to the youth, was given to Fr. Nersess Jebejian, pastor at the St. Hagop
Church in St. Petersburg, FL.
“I knew Fr. Haigazoun for many years and, in fact, was his mentor for a
time, so I’m especially pleased to be awarded this in his name,” Fr.
Jebejian said. “I pray that the ACYOA continues to grow and fulfill its
mission and that it lives up to the vision of its founder, Archbishop
Tiran Nersoyan.”
The group’s newest honor, the Rev. Fr. Haroutiun Dagley Award, also
named after a beloved departed pastor, and presented to a layperson who
has supported the youth of the church, was awarded to Dean Shahinian, a
delegate from the St. Mary Church in Washington, DC.
“We are brothers and sisters in a family that God has created,” said
Shahinian, who on Saturday, May 29, also lead an Insights Session for
the participants, during which they focused on morals. “We are bound
together with love and respect for each other, although we are at
different stages in our lives.”
— 6/9/04
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable on the Eastern
Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Fr. Nersess Jebejian, pastor of the St. Hagop Church
in St. Petersburg, FL, is presented with the V. Rev. Fr. Haigazoun
Melkonian Award during the ACYOA General Assembly and Sports Weekend in
Dallas, TX.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Saro Kalayjian, from the St. Mary Church of
Washington, D.C., is presented with the Gregory Arpajian award during
the ACYOA General Assembly and Sports Weekend, May 27-31, 2004.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Dean Shahinian, from the St. Mary Church in
Washington, D.C., is presented with the ACYOA’s Rev. Fr. Haroutiun
Dagley Award, during the group’s 2004 General Assembly and Sports
Weekend, hosted the St. Sarkis Church of Dallas, TX.
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