NEWS AND NOTES

DADOURIAN RECEIVED ELLIS ISLAND MEDAL

Haig Dadourian, chairman of the Diocesan Council, was honored with the Ellis Island Medal of Honor during a ceremony on Ellis Island, on May 15. The medal, presented by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations, is presented to Americans of diverse origins for their contributions to their own ethnic groups and to American society. About 3,500 people are nominated for the medal each year.

CHURCH GROUP MEETS WITH U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan (center) met with 11 leaders from the National Council of Churches (NCC) on May 24, including Bishop Vicken Aykazian (second from right) Diocesan legate and ecumenical officer.

ACYOA GENERAL ASSEMBLY 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, Texas, May 27-31.

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, Texas.

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.

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, Texas.

The Gregory Ajemian 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, D.C.

The group’s newest honor, the Rev. Fr. Haroutiun Dagley Award, 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,

YOUNG LEADERS DESCEND ON TEXAS FOR BUSINESS, FELLOWSHIP, AND WORSHIP

The St. Sarkis Church of Dallas, Texas, chapter of the Armenian Church Youth Organization of America (ACYOA) played host to hundreds of ACYOA members during the group’s energetic and successful General Assembly and Sports Weekend. The Assembly, from May 27 to 28, brought together 40 representatives from 17 parishes. It was the first time the Dallas chapter hosted the events.

The Assembly was a chance not only for the delegates to get business done, but to get to know the Primate better and get to know each other as well. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian told the young faithful that it is never too early for them to step forward and take roles of responsibility in the church community. The Primate also delivered a message from His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and led the young delegates in a bible study dealing with the idea of stewardship. The delegates then joined the Primate for a luncheon, during which he answered questions on a variety of issues.

PRIMATE VISITS WITH YOUNG LEADERS

Young people from Massachusetts to Michigan to Texas—as well as from California, Canada, Armenia, England, France, Brazil, and Switzerland—who spent the summer interning in New York City as part of a program organized by the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) visited St. Vartan Cathedral and met with Archbishop Khajag Barsamian July 15.

The 34 interns work at a variety of locations, from the United Nations and the office of NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, to Revlon and Bloomingdale’s corporate offices. During their visit to the Diocesan Center, they toured the St. Vartan Cathedral with Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of the cathedral, before sitting down to dinner with Archbishop Khajag Barsamian.

NEW CURRICULUM UNVEILED BY DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH AND EDUCATION

Breathed by God: The Bible and You, a recently released high school course on the Bible, comprises a comprehensive survey of Scripture from Genesis to Revelations. The 16 sessions each feature a mini-quiz and fascinating sidebars in the “Dummies Guide” format. These include ‘The Armenian Angle”—points of Armenian interest, ‘Did You Know”—fascinating information just beyond the scope of the text, “Word Watch”—the meaning and history of important vocabulary, and “Looking In”— an invitation to reflect more deeply on the text.

Written by Valerie Goekjian Zahirsky, a former director of the Diocesan Department of Religious Education, in cooperation with Elise Antreassian and Nancy Basmajian of the Diocesan Department of Youth and Education, Breathed by God promises to be a valuable addition to the teen curriculum resources now available through the DYE.

TEACHER’S COLLEGE FOCUSES ON METHODS OF EDUCATING

A dozen educators from parishes throughout the Diocese participated the week of July 11 in the Arthur and Tacouhie Ayvazian Armenian Teacher’s College, which gives parish Armenian School teachers, teachers to be, and administrators a hands-on lesson on teaching methods. The weeklong session, which can be taken for college credit through St. Peter’s College, featured 20 experts lecturing on education topics such as teaching second language learners, working with learning disabled students, presentation skills and lesson plans.

The participants in the Teacher’s College, organized by Sylva der Stepanian, Diocese coordinator of Armenian Studies, also take part in Armenian-specific sessions, such as workshops focusing on Armenian music, dance, and drama; overviews of Armenian history by scholars; prayer services and faith discussions with clergy; and demonstrations of class projects designed for local Armenian Schools. Endowment funds cover the cost of lodging and transportation for participants.

WEEK-LONG SESSION TEACHES ARMENIAN HISTORY, FAITH AND CULTURE

The participants in the Diocesan-run Sewny Armenian Studies seminar, titled “Light of Light: The Armenian and His Faith”, in New York City from July 25 to August 1, discussed topics such as the Armenian language, the badarak, the architecture of Armenian churches, and the history of the sees and hierarchy of the church.

“We want to show people of all ages the important aspects of the Armenian faith and also give them tools to teach others in their parishes,” Archbishop Khajag Barsamian said.

Twenty-one lecturers at the session included several leading clergymen and renowned history, sociology, and linguistics scholars. Participants were eligible to earn college credit through St. Peter’s College.

SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS LEARN NEW SKILLS AT MARDIGIAN INSTITUTE

The Helen and Edward Mardigian Institute, held August 17 to 22 at the Diocesan Center in New York City and at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, covered everything from classroom management and using the Internet for educating, to the use of theater skills in education and a discussion of the holy vessels found on the altar.

Organized by the staff of the Diocese’s Department of Youth and Education, the Mardigian Institute has trained more than 350 Sunday School educators since its founding 26 years ago. This year’s group of 10, like those before them, were strengthened by the week of hands-on demonstrations, lectures, and discussions of Christian faith.

APPEAL OF CONSCIENCE FOUNDATION AWARDS

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian delivered the benediction to the gathered world leaders during the Appeal of Conscience Foundation’s 2004 awards dinner September 20.

NORTH AMERICAN PRIMATES WORK ON COOPERATION

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), joined the Primates of the two other North American dioceses for the third meeting of the three Diocesan leaders. They met at the Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Toronto, Canada, on September 30. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian (left), Bishop Bagrat Galstanian (center), and Archbishop Khajag Barsamian (right) discussed various issues concerning the role and the mission of the Armenian Church in North America and agreed to further organize and cooperate in making the mission of the Armenian Church more vibrant. Discussions focused on Christian education, outreach to our youth, the upcoming 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, next year’s 1,600th anniversary of the creation of the Armenian Alphabet, pilgrimages to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, and trips between the three North American dioceses.

CHOIR ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE AT ARARAT CENTER TRAINS NEW GENERATION OF CHOIR MEMBERS

After a year of planning, the Association of Armenian Church Choirs of America (AACCA) held its first junior choir leadership development seminar: a week-long session for the next generation of choir members.

Held at the Diocese’s new Ararat Center in Greenville, N.Y, from August 3 to 8, the seminar brought together 12 young musicians—ranging in age from 14 to 19—from 10 parishes throughout the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern). The program’s purpose was to train qualified leaders for future service as choir directors. The participants were members of their parish choirs, serving as singers, organists, and altar servers; each came recommended by his or her parish priest.

ARMENIAN CHURCH SENDS REPRESENTATIVES TO HISTORIC CONFERENCE

About 35 young adults from the five Oriental Orthodox sister churches gathered September 18 for a day-long conference at the Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church in Teaneck, N.J. It was the first time the American branches of these churches have organized such a gathering of young faithful. Members of the Central Council of the Armenian Church Youth Organization of America (ACYOA) and other young leaders represented the Eastern Diocese at the conference.

“Our histories are so closely tied, we are truly brothers and sisters in Christ,” Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, said of the gathering. “Anything that brings us closer to our fellow Christians is a wonderful thing, which we should encourage in the future.”

An important focus was a session during which representatives shared their common concerns, such as the relationship between faith and culture, how the youth of the church are organized, and how assimilated into American culture their communities have become.