First order of business

The 2005 Assembly began just after 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 28, 2005, with 78 registered delegates, and others expected shortly.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, offered a prayer with the delegates before welcoming Fr. Aren Jebejian, who was ordained last year and is attending his first assembly as an ordained priest.

Garo Sekdorian, a member of the host parish, the Church of the Holy Martyrs of Bayside, NY, then welcomed the delegates, before the assembly accepted the minutes of the past assembly and collecting names of deceased delegates for remembrance during Sunday's Divine Liturgy.

The first order of business for this year's assembly was the election of assembly officers: chair, English-language secretary, and Armenian-language secretary. The delegates chose Thomas Ashbahian as chairman, Anna Marie Norehad as English-language secretary, and Fr. Simeon Odabashian as the Armenian-language secretary. Michael Yepchaian was named vice chairman.

The nominees for the Diocesan Board of Trustees were detailed; one of the three will be elected for a 10-year term. Two clergymen will be chosen for the Diocesan Council; as will four lay leaders. Added from the floor was the nomination of Dr. Raffi Hovanessian, a board member of St. Nersess Seminary and member of the Palos Heights parish.

The delegates will also vote for members of the proposals committee, auditing committee, and the nominating committee – with Fr. Vasken Kouzouian's nomination added from the floor -- later in the assembly.