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You can now view some of the videos shown during the Assembly on-line.
Click here for the video message sent by His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.
Click here to watch a video tribute to long-time delegate and Diocesan Council Chairman Haig Dadourian, which was shown during a special memorial service celebrating his life.
The 2007 Assembly is completed. Look through our web archive for details of the activity. Next year's Assembly will be held in Providence, RI.
Following the end of the Assembly, the Primate, several members of the clergy, a number of delegates, and local parishioners came together for the annual banquet, during which three men were honored.
Ambassador John Evans was presented with the “Friend of the Armenians” award. John Amboian was named “Armenian of the Year.” Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian was presented with the “Spiritual Leadership Award.”
“We are expressing our sincere appreciation and honoring them each for service to our community and our church,” said Rosette Jacobson, the parish council chairperson of the host parish, the Sts. Vartanantz Church of Chelmsford, MA.
In his closing remarks, the Primate thanked the three honorees and noted their role as role models.
“We become role models for our youth through our actions. We become the spark that ignites the flame of Christianity in their souls,” he said. “Each of these three men serve as a reminder of the power of our actions. Individuals can make a difference in the world, in society, in the church. Each of us must live as Christ describes and show our youth the power of Christ’s teachings.”
ARMENIAN OF THE YEAR
John Amboian was honored for his years of service to all levels of the Armenian Church, from serving in the parish, as a member of the Diocesan Council, and a leader of the international church.
“If I was to read a list of his accomplishment, such a long list, you would find it impossible to believe it was the dossier of one man,” said Diocesan Council Chairman Oscar Tatosian. “No list would do justice to detailing John’s service. No matter what capacity he has served in, he has brought dignity and honesty.”
In a surprise, Amboian was introduced by his son John Jr.
“This award is an acknowledgement that I know is important to him and equally important to the entire family. Over the years, the church has been a priority for my father,” said Amboian’s son. “He has a very deep commitment and dedication to serving the church. I’ve always seen him work hard his entire life, but never harder than when he is working on behalf of the church. I thank my father for being a fine role model for us all, demonstrating the qualities of dedication and commitment and a life of service.”
In accepting the award, Amboian said he knew his role models were proud.
“I have this feeling my later parents are looking down on this tonight and saying ‘Abrees,’” he said. “And I want to thank my wife Pat for her support, because without her support I couldn’t have been as dedicated.”
He noted that at times, such as when he was going to night school, he was unable to be involved in the life of the church. His non-Armenian wife, however, remained involved at those times he was stuck home doing homework. “Pat deserves a portion of this award as well,” he said.
Fr. Mampre Kouzouian, visiting pastor of the host parish, said he has enjoyed working with John Amboian in Chelmsford.
“John is a loyal member of the Sts. Vartanantz Church. He is a dedicated servant of the Armenian people,” he said. “He is a great leader. He has a unique dignity that you have to respect him.”
FRIEND OF THE ARMENIANS
Ambassador John Evans was America’s ambassador to Armenia when he dared to mention the Armenian Genocide and use the word “Genocide.” He was asked to retire and forced out of his post earlier than scheduled, because the use of “Genocide” went against American foreign policy.
“What you did was remarkable and courageous. And I can think of 1.5 million reasons why your conviction to the truth is important to us,” Tatosian said. “Ambassador Evans, you are not just a friend of the Armenian people, you are a friend of the innocent victims of the past.”
Ambassador Evans spoke about his decision to use the word “Genocide,” knowing full well the consequences.
“No one owes me any thanks for what I have done. You know what I did. It was not a simple blurting out of a word. I felt we needed to recognize the facts. Everybody knows the facts and if we were inhibited by taboo or denial we could never move forward,” he said.
He said when he was being criticized and eventually when he lost his job after 35 years in the Foreign Service he knew the Armenian community was standing with him.
“When we were going through what was a crisis in our lives because of what I had done, we felt your support. So I want to thank you for that,” he said. “And in a larger sense I want to thank you for what you have contributed to the United States. You may not realize what a huge contribution you and your community make and have made. We feel it. We see it. But you may take it for granted.”
“I want to live up to this award. I don’t think I deserve it, but I hope to in the future,” he said.
Fr Mampre Kouzouian, visiting pastor of the host parish, thanked the ambassador.
“One cannot help but love you and respect you as a human being, a diplomat, and a Christian,” he said. “There is a warm place for you in our hearts, homes, and churches.”
Fr. Kouzouian noted the importance of speaking about the Genocide and remembering the importance of faith in past generations.
“You are the sons and daughters of a church, of a nation, that has survived for so many years through the martyrdom of our forefathers,” he said. “And each of us must carry on the torch of the sacred faith of our fathers and mothers. We must be faithful to our Lord, Jesus Christ, no matter what the circumstances.”
SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP AWARD
Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian was born in Damascus, Syria, in 1926 and was ordained into the priesthood in 1947. He served in many parishes and as Primate of England, before retiring and returning to the United States, where he continues to serve in parishes.
“I am merely an instrument in the hand of God,” Archbishop Gizirian said as Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate, presented him with a panage on behalf of His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II. “Since 1935 I dedicated my life to the church as an acolyte in Damascus. Words are not capable of expressing my gratitude to your generous and thoughtful expression with this award.”
Fr. Mampre Kouzouian, the visiting pastor at the host parish and a former student of Archbishop Gizirian, said he was honored to have such a gifted teacher.
“As one of your students that love and admire your ministry to the Armenian Church, we congratulate you,” Fr. Kouzouian said.
Delegates then watched a video on the ACYOA and its history and philosophy. The video was created by delegate Saro Kalayjian of Washington, D.C., who said he would make copies of the DVD available to any parish that wishes to show it.
Delegates then adjourned at 3:45 on Saturday.
“Because of you we are able to continue our mission in the United States,” the Primate said before offering a closing prayer. “I thank you for your being here because it requires commitment to come spend three days here. Your being here is a wonderful sign you are committed.”
Delegates and members of the host community will come together tonight for the banquet.
Before adjourning, delegates heard from the host parish of the 2008 Diocesan Assembly: The Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of Providence, RI. The Assembly will run from May 1 through 4, 2007.
Following new business, the delegates heard from the Courtesies Committee, which details the thanks and prayers of the delegates.
Delegates on Saturday focused on new business, items and proposals which were submitted for discussion or action. To be discussed, 2/3 of the delegates had to approve placing an item on the agenda. They chose to discuss three proposals:
CHOIR ASSESSMENT
The first piece of new business discussed was to discuss and move to assess each church $250 annually for the work of the Choir Association. The goal was to provide direct support to the programs which sponsors said help all parishes.
“This is for the music, for the programs that are working,” said the sponsor of the proposal, Jeanette Der Hagopian of the Holy Trinity Church of Cheltenham, PA. “It’s going to fund regional workshops and advancement of music in the parishes. It is such a small amount of money, a dollar or two out of your pocket a year, please.”
This would be separate from any money sent from other collections. It would be required.
“Sunday after Sunday our sons and daughters come to the church and they serve the church, this is a small way of saying to them we thank you for what you’re doing and here is our way to help you carry on your mission,” said Fr. Mampre Kouzouian.
When asked, Diocesan Council Chairman Oscar Tatosian said special assessments for various groups, all of which are worthy, could get unwieldy.
Delegates approved the new assessment.
ASSEMBLY AGENDA
Direct the Diocesan Council to prepare a proposed agenda for each Assembly that schedules the call for new business during the Saturday morning session. This year new business was requested earlier in the schedule.
“The item call for new business is generally used to address items that arise during the meetings, in order to arise it has to be held after we have met and discussed issues,” said Dean Shahinian of the St. Mary Church of Washington, D.C.
Delegates approved the proposal.
NOT DISCUSSED
Delegates chose not to discuss three other pieces of proposed new business, including:
A proposal that the Nominating Committee request form candidates running for any position up to a two page statement explaining why they wish to run for a particular position.
A proposal to continue operating AACCA through its current by laws and continue hosting AACCA Annual Assemblies.
A request that the Primate and Diocesan Council clarify Diocesan position on parish-sponsored gambling or games of chance as a means of fund-raising or entertainment with a report to be presented at the 2008 Assembly.
Delegates provided their interest in exploring the opportunity of holding the 2010 Assembly in Etchmiadzin. The Diocesan Council will explore the opportunity and present back to the Assembly for approval after the details are worked out.
"The idea is to include seeing Armenia and attending badarak in Holy Etchmiadzin, along with holding our meetings," said Fr. Arakel Aljalian. "There are of course lots of questions still.
The Armenian community in St. Petersburg began 33 years ago. Today, it is nearing completion of its own sanctuary. The delegates on Saturday afternoon received an update from leaders of that parish.
“Today we see the dreams of our members materialize. We see the sanctuary as a guiding beacon which will soon be guiding Armenians through its doors to its altar,” said Parish Council Chairman Arsen Bayandrian, who noted the church will also serve as a way to educate non-Armenians about the community.
Aram Megerian, co-chair of the community’s fund-raising efforts, spoke to the delegates about the growth and the momentum they have seen as the walls have gone up.
“Even some old faces who have been away from the church have reared their heads now that construction has begun,” he said, nothing that attendance at badarak, which is held four times a month, has grown from 30 to 90 people.
The parish has 70 dues-paying members, 400 individuals on the mailing list, and a community of 1,200 Armenians in the region
“I became involved simply because Srpazan asked,” Megerian said. “He asked me because he wanted to infuse the project with youth and energy. I’m working hard with everybody else to bring youth back into this church.”
He noted that the parish has set a goal of conducting 200 home visits to ask for financial help and to ask individuals to commit to coming back to church.
“We need a church and we’re working very hard to make sure we have a church,” Megerian said.
“We are proud of all you are doing. We know it has taken time and that it has not been without financial struggle,” said Fr. Mardiros Chevian, who has been visiting the parish. “I would love to see all of us come to the assistance of our brother and sisters in this community so this church will be not just their church but all of our church as well.”
Delegates, led by Diocesan Council Chairman Oscar Tatosian, then stood to pledge their support.
"Blessed are those who build churches, let us be blessed by God," the Primate said.
Delegates heard a proposal from the Clergy Conference encouraging parishes and individuals to support Habitat for Humanity. In conjunction with the visit of the Catholicos, the proposal from the clergy was to this year support the His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II Build Project, which is building homes in Armenia.
Following lunch, the delegates heard from James Kalustian, who spoke about this fall’s visit by Catholicos Karekin II. The visit, he said, is not only a way for parishioners to get to know their faith better but also to focus attention on the Armenian community as the Catholicos tours the parishes. When he visits, Kalustian said, the non-Armenian community would hear about the visit and learn about the Armenian people. This is especially true in the many smaller, newer parish communities that will be visited by the Catholicos.
A key focus of the tour will be for the Catholicos spend time, both formally and informally, with the youth. “That way they have an opportunity to get to know His Holiness and understand him,” Kalustian said. “This is a wonderful opportunity for the younger generation to meet His Holiness, and vice versa.”
The Catholicos will also perform Home Blessing ceremonies in homes throughout the Diocese. The Diocese is making an effort this year to encourage all Armenian families to take part in this ancient tradition.
He will visit throughout October. His tentative schedule includes stops in New York City, New England, Washington, Charlotte, St. Petersburg, South Florida, Dallas, Houston, Cleveland, Chicago and Wisconsin, Minneapolis, and Detroit.
“You’ll see some of the more established communities but also some newer communities. We want His Holiness to see what the Diocese is like today, how it has evolved,” Kalusian said.
“We’ve had very little difficulty getting people to volunteer. People have done it willingly and enthusiastically,” Kalustian said of the support being gained throughout the Diocese.
Delegates asked that videos, photos, and other resources be made available to the parishes which will not be visited to expand the reach of the visit. Kalustian said the Diocesan website will be used to stream videos and photos to highlight the visit.
“This trip is a perfect opportunities for us to reach out to our brothers and sisters from Armenia who are living in our communities so they can come meet with the Catholicos and be brought in,” said Diocesan Council Chairman Oscar Tatosian.
The Primate encouraged local organizers to arrange meetings between the Catholicos and parish leadership to strengthen the dialogue between the two groups. He also encouraged local communities to hold receptions rather than banquets to allow more direct interaction between the Catholicos and his flock.
“You can meet with him, speak with him, and if there’s any concerns or questions, tell him,” the Primate said. “He is wonderful one-to-one, so I want you to have the opportunity for you to speak one-by-one with him. Meeting with parishioners is the priority.”
Delegates then heard from Dr. Sara Terian, who conducted the 2005 Assembly-requested sociological study of the Diocese.
“There were many things in this study besides the idea of getting back to the basis,” said Diocesan Council member Fr. Yeprem Kelegian. “It discussed the lack of welcome in our churches, the question of language, the Divine Liturgy not being accessible. We know that. We did not deem these things to be unimportant, however we deemed them secondary to getting back to the basics of having our people with deep understanding and relationship of Jesus Christ.”
Initial results were provided to the Council in 2006. They were also presented at the last Assembly. The Council last year then discussed the results further with clergy and parish leaders during regional meetings.
“There is a lack of knowledge in our people on the basics of our faith, the basics of our Bible, an understanding of who Jesus Christ is. It was seen that we are not nurturing our flock,” he said. “We know faith and culture are inseparable, but Dr. Terian found that those interviewed viewed the Armenian Church as a cultural organization in the context of faith, rather than a faith organization in the context of culture. That’s a huge difference. We hope in this coming year each of us present can reverse that.”
Dr. Terian said there has been a serious effort to take action in addressing the findings of the report.
“Members of the Armenian community in America look to the church to be a home; to be a home spiritually, socially, and culturally,” she said.
She noted the immigrant generation, who are used to going to the church in their native countries, do find it a home in all those three aspects.
“The challenge comes with the American-born, subsequent generations, whose culture is not the same anymore, who have become Americanized,” she said. “Yet they too are also looking to worship in the time-honored heritage of their Armenian Church. And they too would like to enhance their identity and cultural heritage their church provides.”
“Switching to English without addressing other issues will not do enough to make people feel at home in the Armenian Church,” she said. “On the other hand, teaching people Armenian without addressing the other issues will not make them feel at home. So I would like to emphasis the importance of looking at the bigger picture.”
“My prayer is the Diocese and local parishes will find ways to make people feel the Armenian Church is truly a home where they can worship God in meaningful ways and in which they find a caring community and a warm welcome,” she concluded.
Delegates said they were concerned that the study, while it is helpful, relied too heavily on interviews of those who are active in the church.
Dr. Terian said the in-person interviews involved a lot of church members because of the logistics of identifying and gaining approval for an interview from individuals.
“There really wasn’t any appreciable difference verses those referred to me and those who came to me through a random sample,” she said. “It is also good to hear from people involved in the church, because that gives us an idea of why they are involved in the church.”
“No social survey is adequate in getting everyone to respond because it is voluntary,” she said.
Some delegates noted that the issue of use of English in the liturgy remains important for parishes who want to try English as a way to make the church service more meaningful to members.
The Primate said they spoke to the Catholicos about the study and that he was pleased that the Diocese undertook such an extensive review of the community in a professional manner.
One delegate noted the sad fact that membership has fallen from 9,290 in 1989 to 8,238 last year. They noted that the nature of the parish communities have changed from neighborhood churches to serving a more regional population which requires the church to make an effort to bring the church to the people by having “satellite” sites for services.
Another delegate asked the Diocesan Council to address and identify progress made on each of the recommendations to strengthen the bond between the church and the parishioners listed in the report.
One delegate asked about a conclusion of the report, that there is a disconnect between what members desire and what the church provides spiritually and socially. “I have seen efforts, especially in terms of education,” she said. “Socially, it is difficult for some to feel that individuals will not feel at home in the Armenian Church. That is something that could be addressed right away by special training that will make the visitors to a parish really feel at home. But it takes time, the Diocese cannot address everything at once.”
She was also asked why interview subjects brought up the issue of the use of English in services. Dr. Terian said she asked interview subjects generally what their concerns for the church were and didn’t make suggestions and just noted that the issue came up often. Delegates wanted to know from the Diocesan Council how this issue would be addressed to make the church more welcoming to those unable to speak or understand Armenian.
One delegate said if someone doesn’t want to go to church, they will find an excuse and reason not to go. He reminded delegates that church life is not only worship, but also include fellowship, which is in English. He questioned how many people turn out for Bible studies and other events which are in English.
The Primate clarified that use of English in services is a decision of the Supreme Religious Council, which is made up of clergy and lay leaders from throughout the world.
“It’s healthy that we are discussing our opinions. But it is very important that we love and respect each other,” the Primate said. “When the English issue was brought up, I was just sad that it created divisions. We are like a family, sometimes there are agreements and sometimes disagreements but we remain a family. But today, I want to thank you that as we discuss this there is respect and love and unity in our family.”
One delegate said it is important to distinguish what is tradition from what is holy tradition.
Another delegate said the study showed that we need to better serve the parishioners and asked how parishes expect to draw new people if they can’t serve the needs of those already involved.
The Diocesan Council will follow up on the recommendations of the report and present those actions at the next Assembly.
Elected to the Diocesan Council was Paul Mardoian.
"This has been a wonderful experiance. This has been very healthy. I appreciate your spirit in this election," the Primate said. "What I heard is that this has been a healthy, healthy atmosphere of people supporting rather than speaking against any candidates."
The Primate thanked the outgoing Diocesan Council members: Fr. Yeprem Kelegian, Lillian Chapian, and Jon Simonian.
There were three proposals received by the Proposals Committee, one of which was a suggested change in the by laws. A by law amendment must be approved by two different Assemblies.
BY LAW AMENDMENT PROPOSAL
The by law change, submitted by the St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Church of Wynnewood, PA, was a proposal to limit delegates to two four-year consecutive terms. The rational behind the proposals was to apply the same rules to delegates as is applied to parish council members. It would also provide new ideas and skills by requiring increased turn-over in the delegates.
The Diocesan Council said it was against the proposal because it could be a burden on smaller parishes. Some delegates disagreed with the rational, saying delegates provide an institutional memory. Others said parish elections serve as a check on delegates overstaying in the Assembly.
An on-going project to revise the by laws includes such a term limit on delegates.
According to the by laws, such by law changes are required to be sent to delegates at least two months before the meeting. This proposal was not, and thus delegates determined the proposal was out of order and thus was not considered.
PROPOSAL: COMMITTEE NAME CHANGE
The Diocesan Council submitted a proposal to change the name of the Clergy Relations Committee to the Clergy Benefits Committee to better reflect the scope of its activities.
Delegates had several suggested amendments, including adding the word “disability” to the list of committee responsibilities and increasing the number of clergy on the committee from two to three, who are joined by three lay members. Some delegates said increasing the number of clergy on the committee would make a committee of six, which could lead to tie votes.
Some delegates also suggested it was important to have a majority of lay members on the committee dealing with clergy benefits because it would remove any possibility of conflict of interest. Others said since the Committee doesn’t actually make changes, but makes recommendation to the Diocesan Council, that any such influence or tie votes would be settled by the Council members.
Delegates passed an amendment to clarify the duties of the committee. Delegates did not pass the amendment to expand membership of the Committee.
The amended proposal was approved.
PROPOSAL: REPORT ON CLERGY SUPPORT
St. Mary Church of Washington, D.C., submitted a proposal requesting the Diocesan Council to prepare a report on clergy compensation. They’re looking for detail on the amount the Diocese will supplement compensation of clergy’s pay from the parish. Also requested is a report on the current pay of clergy and the amount each is paid over or under Diocesan guidelines.
The rational behind the proposal was to provide transparency and clear up misunderstandings. It does not call for disclosure of names or identifying information in the report.
The present practice is a guideline is sent to the parishes and considered to be the minimum, however individual parishes and clergy can come to their own arrangement. Those arrangements are reviewed by the Diocesan Council when the budgets are reported in the parish’s annual report.
The Diocese does not have a policy to assist parishes, but the Primate said when a parish calls for help in raising funds he helps. The Primate said that, for example, the St. Mary Church was looking for a new priest and didn’t think they had the budget to afford their selected candidate. The Primate helped the parish raise funds to cover the gap.
“I am open with any parish that needs my help to raise funds or in any other way,” the Primate said.
The delegates voted against the proposal requesting the report.
No Diocesan Council candidate won the last round of balloting. So the lowest vote getter was dropped, leaving delegates with a choice between two candidates: Mona Karoghlanian and Paul Mardoian.
Ambassador John Evans, former American ambassador to Armenia, who will be honored during the Assembly banquet tonight as the “Friend of the Armenians” spoke to delegates about “the church and diplomacy.”
After speaking openly about the Armenian Genocide, in contrast to official Armenian policy, Ambassador Evans “retired” from the foreign service and left Armenia last September, a year earlier than he was scheduled to leave his post.
He is now working on a book about the Armenian Genocide which traces his intellectual voyage from being someone with no Armenian connection or knowledge to someone who has studied the culture.
“I’m hoping by tracing my own intellectual voyage to bring some other individuals into the circle, people who don’t have Armenian names, to try to bring them along to understanding why this issue is so important,” he said.
In talking about church and diplomacy, he noted that both arenas use some of the same tools. Additionally, in the past national churches worked jointly with state authorities, though with secularization diplomats have lost the connection to priests.
“Today’s diplomats, and I emphatically include American diplomats, have developed a tin ear for religious issues,” he said. “Why is that? It is because here, in our American political life, we draw such a solid line between church and state.”
“As diplomats overseas we should not be blind and deaf to diplomatic developments,” he said. “In my 35 years in the Foreign Service, I found we were blind. We were deaf, too. Not only to Islam, but even Christianity.”
He noted that his first assignment was in Iran, and there the diplomatic community was blind to religion and did not see the changes coming in Islam. Additionally, he said international religious leaders who write to American officials are often unanswered because staff does not understand the importance of religion.
“All of the churches and all of the religions have more influence today than the U.N., OSCE, OPEC, you name it,” he said. “I believe diplomats who are blind and deaf and do not get to know the churchmen, or in some cases women, in the countries of their assignment are hobbling themselves they are crippling their work.”
As an example of diplomats being blind to religion, he noted that in August 2000 there were two major events in Russia. One was the sinking of a submarine, which, because of American technology and focus of its experts American officials knew about it moments after it happened. That same day there was an enormous convocation of Russian Orthodox believers at the Cathedral of the Holy Savior in Moscow.
“Not only U.S. Embassy official knew it was happening. Not one officer was there. No one talked about the reasons for it,” he said. “This was a major milestone in the rebirth of the Russian Orthodox Church after the fall of communism. And we missed it.”
He listed three tools that religious institutions can use to influence diplomacy and public policy: visits by high-ranking church leaders, letters to officials, and offering of prayers.
As an example of visits, he noted the recent visit to Turkey by His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. He also spoke about a letter written in 1965 from Polish Catholic Bishops to their German peers to seek forgiveness and ask for forgiveness.
He also told a personal story about a letter that did not get sent. In 2005, when the avian flu hit Azerbaijan and Eastern Turkey, he had gone to Armenian officials to urge them to offer assistance to the Turkish people. They did not, so Ambassador Evans thought about writing a letter to the Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, to suggest he pray for the dead Turkish children. But the embassy staff did would not allow him to send the letter.
“I do think offering prayers, even for one’s longtime enemies, can be a positive thing,” he said.
He then spoke about the Armenian Genocide and the importance of recognition and apology.
“Contrition on the part of today’s Turks is necessary. Only after contrition can there be forgiveness,” he said.
“I do think at some future date, this progression through recognizing the truth must include an apology or contrition some definite act by Turks,” he continued. “Legally, a son is not guilty of the crimes of his father, or much less his grandfather. But, Turkish government officials, although it is a new state, it’s not the same enterprise but a continuation of the same sovereignty. It does seem to me that it is incumbent upon the Turks in some way, although their state may not be held guilty of genocide, there needs to be an apology.”
The Primate thanked Ambassador Evans for his remarks.
“You are a partner for bringing reconciliation and peace among the people, so we pray that the Lord will grant you many, many years so you can continue your mission to be a wonderful leader of our country,” he said. “This evening it will be our honor to say thank you for your ministry and mission which you have done so well.”
Sandra Leitner was elected to the Diocesan Council. Delegates will now vote to fill the remaining position from the three remaining candidates: Paul Korian, Mona Karoghlanian, and Paul Mardoian.
Following the vote, delegates heard from Lucy Murad, chair of the Women’s Guild Central Council.
She noted that every two years the Women’s Guild collects $30,000 to send school bags of resources to school children in Armenia. This year 45 women attended a Women’s Guild retreat at the Diocesan Center. This September will be the third such session and Murad noted the Women’s Guild hopes to double the number of attendees.
She then spoke about the Children of Armenia Sponsorship Program (CASP), which allows Diasporan donors to directly sponsor orphans in Armenia. Since 1991, the group has raised $4 million. They currently have 900 sponsors. The money – between $200 and $280 per child – which is given to the families represents from 50 to 70 percent of the family’s income.
She noted when sponsors drop out of the program, CASP finds funds to cover continued support of the children until a new sponsor can be found. She said to raise funds the Women’s Guild will host a raffle of a trip to Armenia.
CASP has also hired the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) as its contractor to operate the distribution. This results in a 30 percent reduction in expenses for CASP.
In addition to helping individuals, CASP has raised money to help renovate a computer lab in the Catholicos Vasken I School in Gyumri. CASP will also send 142 Armenian children to camp this summer.
“We are very fortunate to have such a dynamic group of women,” the Primate said.
Saturday’s first round of balloting resulted in a deadlock between the four candidates for the two open Diocesan Council positions. A candidate must receive a majority of votes to be elected.
The Assembly requires two candidates for each position. But balloting between the four candidates did not result in any candidate receiving a majority of the votes. Delegates decided to revote with the four candidates, but the chair urged all delegates to vote for two candidates rather than one. About 30 people voted for one candidate, when they were asked to select two. If they voted for two it is hoped two candidates will emerge with a majority of the vote.
A record number of new parishes were established this year, said Greg Andonian, ACYOA Central Council Chair. In the past few years the organization has doubled the number of chapters.
Cities with new chapters were recently created include: Chicago, Evanston, White Plains, Fair Lawn, Manhattan, and Boca Raton. Just last week a chapter was started in Tenafly, NJ.
“We’re just continuing to grow. The momentum is going and going. It is critical that we continue the mission and finish the job,” Andoian said, noting that at least 20 parishes do not have official ACYOA chapters. “You should all here be committed to making sure none of these parishes are listed again next year as not having ACYOA chapters. It is possible. I’m 100 percent sure we can add every single one of these parishes.”
An official chapter requires putting together an elected body of four officers. The forming of a chapter is easy, Andoian said, and is followed by pouring in love and dedication of the youth and adult leadership.
“Somebody’s dropping the ball here. There’s no way some of those parishes do not have ACYOA chapters. Clergy and parish council chairs, we have to take this to heart, because there’s no way this is acceptable,” Diocesan Council Chairman Oscar Tatosian said of the list of parishes without chapters. “This is child neglect. We’re neglecting them.”
Andoian encouraged parish leaders to contact him or ACYOA Executive Secretary Nancy Basmajian, who can be reached via e-mail, for more information on establishing an official chapter.
He noted that many parishes say they have no youth or cannot attract young people, and he encouraged delegates at such parishes to double their efforts.
“If there is an ounce of skepticism, drop it and instead pick up all the faith, hope, and love you have inside of you and project that outwards,” he said. “Each one of you must become examples to the rest of your community and insure that every one of you are making sure that your youth have an organization through which we can give them opportunities to grow and get involved in programs to bring them closer to church.”
He noted acting today to bring the youth into the church is a way of creating the future. “The youth is the absolute, most important thing for the survival of the church,” he said. “If we do not have youth involved in your church, where are we going to go as a church?”
“If there is no youth in a parish, it means the parish is dying and it is very serious,” the Primate said in echoing Andoian’s remarks. “If you need help from the ACYOA or from the Diocese, call us. The ball is in your court, and this is very serious.”
He told delegates that the ACYOA’s programming was very strong. This year ACYOA has had record attendance at its regional conferences and its National Leadership Conference. It’s Armenia Service Program (ASP) trip to Armenia was filled this year and some applicants had to be sent away. The ACYOA is also organizing a special educational pilgrimage to the Holy Land this summer which looks as though it will take a number of young people.
“You should be proud of your youth. You should be very supportive of them,” he said, adding that the ACYOA was recently bolstered by a $25,000 endowment fund donation from Helen Mardigian.
More information on ACYOA can be found on its website:
Saturday's session began with a worship service, followed by another round of elections as delegates try to fill two remaining possitions on the Diocesan Council.
With the second run off election for the two lay Diocesan Council positions, no candidate received a majority of votes. So candidates will vote again Saturday morning for two seats from the following candidates: Paul Korian, Mona Karoghlanian, Sandra Leitner, and Paul Mardoian.
Saturday’s session begins at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday with a worship service.
James Kalustian, treasurer of the Diocesan Council, joined by fellow member Papken Megerian, discussed the budget.
In 2006, the Diocese ended with a $164 million surplus, which included a $200 million accrual related to an estate. Expenses were consistent with the 2005 actual and 2006 budget. The Archbishop’s Annual Appeal 2006 met its goal, but there were fewer donors giving larger gifts. “That is one concern we will be working on as we go forward,” Kalustian said.
For the 2007 budget, Kalustian said the proposed revised 2007 budget included some adjustments for change for the better. The reason for the revised budget is because the Council decided to delay a few of the proposed hires, making the new budget $1.06 million less than last year’s budget of $5.8 million. There are three areas with most of the reduction: consulting fees, reduction in the number of development staff needed, and scaled back growth in center rental fees. Additionally, rather than hire five regional program coordinators, the Council sees hiring one in 2007 and two in 2008.
Delegates accepted the changes to the 2007 budget.
The proposed 2008 budget sees expenses grow slightly from $4.8 million to $5.1 million, partially because of the hiring of a regional program coordinator and increased costs for items such as heating and insurance. Also built into the budget is the establishment of a defined contribution program for clergy to invest in for retirement, and have funds matched from their parishes. The Diocese will cover the administrative costs of this program.
Delegates asked the Council to look into providing long-term disability plans for the clergy. Also, they asked the Council to explore making matching retirement contributions for staff.
Asked about proposed increase in facilities rental income, Kalustian said that comes from the possible catering use of the St. Vartan Cathedral plaza which would also boost rental of the existing halls.
In its report to the delegates, the Auditing Committee spoke about some of their concerns in reviewing the Diocesan budget.
One note of concern they raised was the $20,000 increase in costs for last year’s Assembly. Part of the reason for the increase was the increase in number of presenters and individuals who led meetings.
“A little more on-going monitoring of special projects would serve us better,” said Committee member Karen Dederyan.
Another item on their report was the level of borrowing from the restricted funds. Their concern was the level of borrowing went up. Some borrowing from the restricted funds is welcomed, as it saves the Diocese from paying interest to outside institutions. “Our concern is that we’re using that a little too freely and too easily,” Dederyan said.
In its presentation, the Armenian Association of Church Choirs of America (AACCA), spoke about its programs, including the junior choir development program. Last summer, several of the young choir members traveled to Armenia for music classes.
This August, nine students will again attend the junior choir leadership development program at the Diocesan Ararat Center. Alumni of the program will be invited back as instructors.
Additionally, AACCA president Arpi Kouzouian spoke about an effort to honor Maestro Khoren Mekanejian, coordinator of music ministry for the Diocese. June 3 will be set aside at the St. Vartan Cathedral for a program honoring him. His version of the badarak will be performed.
“We recognize that our future is our youth,” Kouzouian said. “We all feel the importance of the future. This organization since I was six years old has been the greatest thing for me.”
When asked about the organization’s structure, she said the AACCA is evaluating its mission and reaching out to the parishes. “We need to reevaluate,” she said.
The AACCA and the Diocese has recently come to discuss a new model structure to expand the mission of the Choir Association. “Liturgy is very important, it is the center of our identity as Armenian Christians,” the Primate said. “Our challenge is how to keep these musical treasures and pass that to the next generation.”
Results from the first round of run off balloting:
Lillian Chapian was chosen to the Diocesan Board of Trustees.
Fr. Vasken Kouzouian was elected to the Diocesan Council.
Janet Mardigian was elected to the Diocesan Council.
An additional run off election is needed to elect individuals to fill the two remaining Diocesan Council positions. That vote will be later today.
Delegates heard from the By Laws Committee about efforts to review the organization’s by laws.
Six suggestions were received since the last Assembly. They were discussed by the members of the by laws committee, made up of clergy and lay delegates. The committee’s final suggestions were submitted to the Diocesan Council last fall. But the committee suggested not acting on any changes for the by laws, until an international effort to create guidelines for all Armenian Churches throughout the globe is done.
The Director of Administration and Facilities, Bill Casey, spoke to the delegates about St. Vartan Cathedral. Its website is: www.stvartanbookstore.com. He said in 2007 the bookstore was going to focus on marketing so the general public is more aware of the resources available.
“I hope you’re aware of the opportunity you have in St. Vartan Bookstore to pass your unique heritage and history on to your children,” he said.
Casey also spoke about the rental of the halls at the Diocesan Center and the new efforts to promote the space to meeting managers. Additionally, staff is working on a continual upgrade of the facilities. Rental information can be found on a unique website: www.630second.com.
When asked about the possibility of raising revenue through national exhibit of the Gorky paintings bequeathed to the church. But the Primate and Council members said the works are generally loaned out for free to museums throughout the world and it is not a way to make money.
Following the second round of balloting, the delegates heard from the Diocesan Department of Youth and Education.
Delegates asked about the Sunday School curriculum update project. The 15-volume curriculum was released in 1987. A new kindergarten text was released this year, and a middle school resource on the Divine Liturgy is forthcoming. Also in progress are resources for grades 1, 4, 5, 7, 8. At the end of the year staff will begin work on grades 2, 3, 6. Delegates also asked for increased resources and attention to adult Christian education programs.
Delegates also asked about staffing levels in the Department of Youth and Education. The Primate said two women studying at St. Nersess Seminary (one who will graduate this year and the other next) will join the Department.
Following lunch on Friday, delegates heard from leaders of the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), the Diocesan-affiliated international development organization.
Garnik Nanagoulian, executive director of FAR, told delegates that the organization has been getting more and more support from individuals. Today, FAR receives 46 percent of its support from individual givers, with the rest coming from government contracts, endowment funds, and other areas.
“Our donor base is growing because people trust us. We are becoming the organization of choice for men and women in the Diaspora who wish to help their brothers and sisters in the homeland,” Nanagoulian said.
Annette Choolfaian, vice chair of FAR, spoke about the different ways individuals help FAR provide hope, opportunity, and empowerment to the people of Armenia. She noted that individuals go to Armenia to teach, provide equipment, create long-term giving programs in their wills, and establish endowment funds to benefit FAR.
FAR’s mission is not one of relief but one of giving the Armenian people the tools to strengthen their own civil society.
“FAR will always be there for building and taking care of the basic subsistence of the people of Armenia, but you have to thank past that, think of different ways to help Armenian people help themselves,” said Randy Sapah-Gulian, chairman of FAR.
He said one idea FAR is exploring is developing out-sourcing IT centers to provide jobs in Armenia.
“We’re trying to develop an economic business development model where we would train individuals, having that backed by a commercial venture, and grow the economy that way,” he said.
For more information on FAR, visit its website: www.farusa.org
This afternoon, delegates will vote in run off elections for various positions to join those receiving enough votes during the earlier round of voting.
They will choose another member of the Board of Trustees between Lillian Chapian and Alex Dadourian.
They will select another clergy member of the Diocesan Council from two candidates: Fr. Yeprem Kelegian and Fr. Vasken Kouzouian.
Three lay members of the Diocesan Council remain to be elected from the remaining candidates: Mona Karoghlanian, Paul Korian, Sandra Leitner, Janet Mardigian, Paul Mardoian, and Dr. Dennis Papazian.
In results from the elections earlier in Friday, some winners were named, while a second round of balloting will be needed to fill all positions.
Elected to the Diocesan Board of Trustees was John Amboian. Delegates will be asked to elect a second member from the remaining candidates after removing the bottom three vote getters.
Elected to the Diocesan Council was Fr. Mardiros Chevian. Delegates will elect a second clergy member from remaining candidates after removing the lowest bottom vote getter.
There were no majority winners in the race for three lay members to the Diocesan Council. There will be a run off after removing the bottom three vote getters.
Elected to the Proposals Committee were Ara Jeknavorian, Dn. Thomas Dabakian, Fr. Michael Devejian, and Jacob Pilibosian. The fifth member will be elected in a run off.
Elected to the Auditing Committee was Charles Guleserian.
The run off elections will be later today.
In talking about the Diocesan Department of Stewardship & Development, its director, Michael O’Hurley-Pitts, Ph.D., spoke about the responsibility of being a Christian steward.
“Our stewardship as Christians is not something we do. Stewardship is who we are. It comes from our vocation as Christians,” he said.
He told the delegates being a good steward includes being a good Christian. A steward, he said, is someone who prays. “If you have a stewardship program, I encourage you to begin it with prayer,” he said.
He noted that being a stewardship involves giving of ones time, treasure, and talent.
“How many of us use our talents to the best effect of our church? Is there something you do particularly well that you can use for the glory of God to build up your parish community,” he said. “Time is an exchange that once spent can never be recovered. But what I can get is a transformative experience that strengthens me as a Christian.”
“Weather we have a dollar or a million dollars we have a role in building up the church,” he said. “Stewardship is about bending ourselves to God. When we give we feel good. Not all the money we spend makes us feel good. At the end of the day how we choose to spend our time, talent, and treasure can raise us up in human beings in obedience to God.”
He broke the discussion of stewardship into two areas. Development, he said, was raising the money needed to conduct the ministries of the church. Stewardship was a more personal idea of living as Christ. “Can we get away from fundraising and develop people with an attitude of gratitude that will strengthen your church,” he said.
“Stewardship is not about getting something you want, but rather giving something that God calls us to do. It is an act of appreciation. We give for giving’s sake, for God’s sake, and for the sake of the church Christ has put in our care,” he said.
He also outlined several communication efforts which help educate and promote knowledge of the Armenian Church, including the Diocesan website, e-newsletters, and the Armenian Church magazine.
Delegates on Friday attended “school” led by Dr. Thomas Samuelian, a lawyer who was born in the United States and now lives in Armenia. He also has a doctorate degree in linguistics and translated the prayers of St. Gregory of Narek into English.
Dr. Samuelian is working with the Diocese to strengthen its youth and education programming.
“There’s lots of different ways to learn and teach Armenian and Armenian topics to different groups in different ways,” he said.
He introduced the delegates to some sample resources that can be used to teach the Armenian language, faith, and heritage in an intertwined way.
“If we really take seriously being Christian and we really take seriously the Sunday service, we have to understand the words going by. It’s not enough to stand and hear familiar songs,” he said.
Part of the process he outlined was to tie Armenian words to their roots to see the connections between Armenian and English. In knowing these roots, individuals can better understand the badarak and better be a part of it. The Lord’s Prayer, for example, represents about 60 percent of the language needed to follow the badarak.
“It would be more interactive and it was meant to be interactive. These are simple things we can teach parishioners who are not that comfortable with our service so they will feel comfortable in church,” he said of learning the simple phrases used in the badarak. “Why is it important to look at the language in which we pray? Because we can get more out of it. We can get a great deal more out of our heritage.”
“People should enjoy learning this, because if they’re not enjoying it they’re not going to learn it,” he said, noting that there are many different ways to learn and individuals should find a system that works for them. “I’m not trying to oversimplify learning a language, but one can do it. And one should do it, because there’s plenty of hidden treasures there.”
Most of the resources he used in his discussion came from the Arax-29 Foundation based in Yerevan, Armenia.
The Diocesan Department of Youth and Education than spoke to the delegates about the various programs, efforts, and resources available to make solid the goal of the theme: “Church and Home: One in Spirit.”
We need to get back to the basics. But when you decide to chart a new course, you don’t throw everything out,” said Fr. Mardiros Chevian, who has been working with the Diocesan youth and education staff. “You look to see what it is that is successful, what has worked. And in our Diocese there are a number of programs that have worked.”
Julie Hoplamazian then spoke about the importance of immersion programs, those extended, in-depth programs that are essential to building Christian communities and strengthening individuals’ faith.
“Immersion programs work because they provide intensive study and learning about your faith,” she said. “They provide exposure to language and culture. They allow participants to live and explore as a group. They help develop a sense of longing and connection.”
Some of the immersion programs offered by the Diocese include summer camps, alternative spring break trips for college students, teacher training programs, junior choir programs, Sunday and Armenian School, conferences for young Armenians at St. Nersess Seminary, and service trips to Armenia.
During a video presentation of the various programs, the delegates heard from young people who took part in these programs.
“The alternative spring break trip was a wonderful experience. Not only was I able to make new friends, but I was able to see my faith in action. And we got a chance to spread our Armenian spirit and culture to others in our work group. This is a service in faith as Armenians,” said Deanna Schanz, who joined the Diocese’s college ministry trip to the south to build homes through Habitat for Humanity.
“My experience at camp is something I will never forget,” said long-time St. Vartan Camp participant Haig Hovnanian. “We need to teach our kids and help them grow. Camp has molded me into a better Armenian, a better Christian, and a better person.”
“Our immersion programs have touched the minds and hearts and souls of thousands and thousands of young people and adults,” Fr. Mardiros said. “These are the programs which have penetrated the minds of our people and their homes. These are terrific programs, but we need to take steps to get even deeper into the homes of our members.”
Fr. Mardiros told delegates the Diocese was working on preparing a resource guidebook to give parents the information they need to teach their children.
“Why shouldn’t every Armenian, young or old, be able to say the Hayr Mer? Why shouldn’t every Armenian know a few phrases in Armenian? Why shouldn’t every Armenian know what the sacraments are, what they mean to us, and how we should prepare for them? Why shouldn’t every Armenian know we have traditions unique to ourselves? Building the Armenian Christian home is what we are called to do and it is what we are going to be doing,” he said.
Fr. Mardiros welcomed several parents to talk to the delegates about the tools and resources parents need to pass the flame of Armenian Christianity to the next generation.
First to speak was Bruce Ashbahian, a father of three from the Church of the Holy Martyrs in Bayside, NY, who noted parents are pulled in many directions by their children’s various classes, programs, and appointments.
“When we were younger we could go places on our own. Today, with what’s going on in the world, we do not let our children go anywhere without us. So we have to get more involved with family events,” he said. “We have events where it is not just the mothers going or the fathers going, but they have a set up where children can come too so the whole family can be in church. We need to have the family together.”
He also said it was important for parents to take the time to learn about the Armenian Church.
“We parents need education. My wife is not Armenian, she was brought up in the Catholic Church, and she was intimidated by going to our church because she didn’t understand what was going on,” he said. “But we started a program in our church a few years ago, Badarak 101, and she read some of the materials and realized our church is not that much different then the church she grew up in and she felt comfortable getting involved in teaching our children in the parish. Education is important, we need something to send home with the parents to be able to further what we are able to provide in Sunday School. We just don’t have enough time.”
Dn. Serop Demirjian, of the St. Gregory of Narek Church of Cleveland, OH, and father of three daughters, said it was important for parents to find spouses who share their faith.
“You have to find a mate who not only you will fall in love with but with whom you share your faith and commitment,” he said.
He noted that in America, not only do Armenians have to be Christian in a secular society, but must maintain their culture in a culture that looks for conformity.
“Being in America, your kids are growing up in an area where their peers think being an Armenian is a disease almost. They look different they act different they eat different food,” he said. “Fortunately I know those Armenian treasures, and that’s why we as a parent install in our kids concentrate on the treasures we have and how special they are.”
“If we, as parents, we have done our job with 110 percent and if we, as a church family, have done our job well, our kids will also see the importance,” he added. “And rather than wanting to pull away form the church and their roots, they will want to grow closer.”
Vrej Kolandjian, a father of three and parish council chairman of the St. Kevork Church in Houston, TX, has lived in many communities throughout the world. He said the Armenian Church served as his haven throughout his travels.
“I never had an identity crisis, in spite of several nationalities I have,” he said. “We felt very protected by some kind of shield. This shield was the Armenian Church. Our children are starting to understand the richness of our culture, but most important of all the value of this home away from home. What else can one expect from the Armenian Church. The safe harbor that we are ignoring is unique and priceless. Many other cultures don’t have it.”
He noted that the church is the collection of individual actions.
“I believe very strongly that we are the church. We individually are the church and if something needs to be done we have to do it parish by parish,” he said. “For young Armenians to be raised as Christian Armenians, we need to be role models. But let them sail around, let them go away and discover in their guts, not in their brains, in their guts how it feels coming through storms to discover a safe harbor, which is the Armenian church. Let us work united, together, parish by parish, to keep the harbor safe and welcoming.”
Aram Megerian, a father of two who was raised in the Philadelphia area and now is a leader in the St. Hagop Church of St. Petersburg, FL, knows that he does not have the same resources and community his parents had. He dose not have dozens of other Armenian families in the area and a large communal presence.
He said it is important to give children a foundation, so when they grow up they will have the Armenian Church identity to turn to.
“The church is the parent of each of our children. To me being Armenian is being Christian. One is not separate from the other,” he said. “It is not only the teaching of Christ my children need, the teaching of Christ transcends all people. But it is the teaching of Christ and how it has affected our Armenian people, that makes it great.”
“Give us programs so children who do not have Armenian School can go to camps and get the foundation we had,” he added. “Because with this foundation, when our children will walk away, that’s what they do, eventually they will look for something and they will find the foundation we gave them.”
Raffi Festekjian, a father of three and chairman of the Armenia Fund USA, told delegates that the church must provide more than spiritual guidance.
“There are so many new challenges we have to face that we aren’t experienced in, what we need is seeking guidance in addition to spiritual guidance,” he said. “The church has to come to our homes and understand what the challenges are, the pitfalls of being a teenager.”
“Life is much more complex today, and the last thing we need is just spiritual guidance,” he said. “That is an important cornerstone for our family, but we need more help and the church is an important place to bring this type of advice and guidance to our families. There is a gap in the community to meet those demands, and the church can fill that need.”
In his remarks to the delegates Friday morning, the Primate said he hoped the delegates would be “inspired by the Holy Spirit, and become truly unified in our efforts for this coming year.”
He spoke about the importance of building the future by strengthening the faith of young Armenians. To do so, he said, the Diocese was continuing its focus on building one sense of common spirit between home and church.
“We need to see more young men and women take an active part in the life of our church,” he said. “This is why we are continuing our work this year on the theme ‘Church and Home: One in Spirit,’ going deeper in the issue of home because this is where our children begin to learn and learn most. The home is the extension of the church.”
Speaking about the recent sociological study conducted throughout the Diocese, the Primate remarked that he has been thinking about its findings for the past few months.
“In the report we find that we are not doing a good enough job in preparing our youth to carry the flame of Christianity,” he said. “The report points especially the need to help parents guide parents with their children’s religious development. The report suggests that our members do not understand what the church is. Many have asked for and sought the wrong things from the church. We have failed to guide our members so they might have better expectations for the church. For too many, the church is seen as an institution, a social club, or even a cultural club, not the body of Christ. This is at the heart of the confusion about the church and her role and her mission.”
“We, as a church, need to help young parents to be better teachers of our faith, tradition, and culture,” he said. “We need to return to the basics and help parents raise their families upon the most solid foundation we have, Jesus Christ.”
He noted that there is more to do in helping members and our youth gain an understanding of the basic foundations of the Armenian Christian faith.
“We have not done enough, each one of us as leaders of the Armenian Church. Our church has many, many treasures, but too many remain hidden, unknown from our people and the world,” he said. “If they are hidden or unknown or are inaccessible to the Armenian Christians living in America our mission is very clear. We need to do a better job of sharing them. We are capable. We have the capacity and together we can let this flame shine.”
He noted that it is important to focus the Armenian Church on its Christianity. For example, he noted that most know the cultural aspects of the creation of the Armenian alphabet but do not think about the Christian faith which propelled the creation of the alphabet.
“The Armenian Christian light shines best and brightest when Jesus Christ is known and is placed at the very center of all our lives,” he said. “This has been the tradition of the Armenian people. For many, many centuries, until the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century when secularism from Europe came also to the life of the Armenian leadership, when it came to Russia creating communism. I want each and every one of you to know I see the report as an opportunity. There is nothing in that report that is beyond our capacity to make right.”
He noted that the Diocese has already reorganized its youth and education staff and hired new staff to help provide new tools and resources to parents to teach their children about Christ’s teachings.
“We are committed to new ideas and using the latest in technology and educational tools,” he said. “Together, with you, through our regional meetings and consultations with clergy and educators, we are thinking through what we do in a more deliberate way. We are confident in our agenda. At the heart of the study, however, lies an issue that reorganization, methodology, and technology cannot address. We have drifted away from our fundamentals, the basics of our faith.”
“We, as church leaders, must better equip parents to teach our children their faith, culture, and traditions. This must begin with the basics of faith and values. Parents are the primary teachers of their children,” he added. “This is the flame we must recommit ourselves to again. In making our flame ready for our young we need to be diligent in assuring that our parents know the basics. This must begin with the role Jesus Christ plays in our lives.”
He noted that parents must lead by their deeds, rather than their words.
“Parents need to lead by example, demonstrating the basics as often as possible. When parents pray, their children watch and learn to pray. When parents go to badarak, so does the family. And when parents model the Christian virtues of faith, hope, and charity, their children learn these too. Family is central to our Armenian Christian lives,” he said.
Telling a personal story to the delegates, he said his father prays throughout the day no matter what is going on. If he has guests, he goes to the corner and prays. One day, his four-year-old niece was visiting, and saw the Primate’s father praying and went next to him and began praying as well. The Primate asked his father how he learned to pray, and he spoke about the grandfather of the Primate’s mother, who prayed every day. By seeing that example, the Primate’s father was so impressed he began to pray
“I am sure each of you can recall how someone taught you and how you have carried these lessons throughout your life,” he said. “These lessons go beyond what you do; they form who we are. It’s not really the words we repeat, sometimes even without understanding the meaning. Incorporating our Armenian faith, culture, and tradition is part of who we are, whatever we are, and whatever we do. The question before us is this: What will we, as Armenian Christians living in the United States, do in teaching the basics of our identity as Armenian Christians.”
He noted that the key to teach the basics to the next generation is to give parents the tools to make the church an important part of their lives. It is important to note, he added, that being Armenian does not make one an Armenian Christian.
“We should not take this as a blind expression of the Armenian birthright. Because you are born an Armenian, you are not a member of the Armenian Church. You are a member of the Armenian Church when you pray and practice Christianity every day in your home, in your work, in society.”
He said that if parents go back to the basics, and transmit those essential truths to the youth, the Diocese can achieve its intent of making the Armenian Church significant in the lives of every Armenian family. It is bringing the Christian faith into the daily lives of families that will make that happen, he said.
“To me, of all the years I have served as your primate and of all the Assemblies I have spoken at, no Assembly has been more important than this; because nothing is more important to the Armenian Church and her continuing as a thriving Christian body than her connection to the homes of her members,” he said. “The study is not so much an obstacle as it is an opportunity to reflect on the past and create a vision for future. I believe we can meet the challenges we face and move forward, confident in our faith and confident in our future.”
“As we go forward from this Assembly, as part of returning to the basics, I encourage each and every one of you, without distinction, each and every one of you, including myself, to ask this question: Who is Christ? Look beyond the fundamental truth that he is the Savior of the world. Search your heart and consider this very basic question: Who is Jesus Christ to me? How do I live Christ in my life? How do I model Christ in my personal relationships with family, friends, coworkers, strangers? When we can answer this, then we will know the light and be able to pass the flame to our children,” the Primate added in conclusion.
Following the worship service, delegates heard from His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, who spoke via video.
He spoke of the importance of the Diocese’s theme: Church and Home: One in Spirit.
“This initiative is designed to strengthen the close ties between our Apostolic Holy Church and Armenian families,” he said in an English translation of a Pontifical Blessing distributed to the delegates. “At the same time, it will motivate our clergy to imitate the Chief Pastor, Christ, in turning our church into a vibrant and active presence for Armenian families.”
“At the present time when confronted with the powerful forces of secularism, we must overcome new problems and challenges in our national life,” he said. “”Our efforts – aimed at infusing the Armenian family with deep faith and maintaining a lasting solidarity of the family and the church – are of paramount importance.”
Friday will also include elections for a number of Diocesan leadership positions.
Delegates will elect two new members to the Board of Trustees, which oversees Diocesan property. Candidates are: John Amboian, Lillian Chapian, Zaven Dadekian, Alex Dadourian, Sarkis Kechejian, and Edward Korkoian.
They will elect two clergy members of the Diocesan Council. The candidates are: Fr. Mardiros Chevian, Fr. Yeprem Kelegian, Fr. Vasken Kouzouian, and Fr. Shnork Souin.
They will elect three lay members of the Diocesan Council, with the candidates being: Tom Garabedian, Mona Karoghlanian, Paul Korian, Sandra Leitner, Janet Mardigian, Paul Mardoian, Dr. Dennis Papazian, Zaven Tachdjian, and Dr. Teranig Terjanian.
They will elect one member of the Auditing Committee from the candidates: Edward Bilzerian, Charles Guleserian, and Russell Kashian.
There will also be elections for the Nominating and Proposals Committee.
First round results should be available around lunch time.
Friday began with worship, as the Primate led a memorial service remembering Haig Dadourian, a long-time delegate and Diocesan Council Chairman who passed away last fall.
“He was a true Armenian Christian. A man who gratefully walked in the footsteps of Christ. He lived as a Christian in every aspect of his day, in his office, in home, with friends, with strangers. He was strengthened by his faith and was not shy in sharing God’s love with others,” the Primate said.
“I am profoundly blessed to have had the opportunity to get to know him as a dear friend, a dear brother in Christ,” he continued. “Those who met this warm hearted man could easily see he was a man of profoundly deep faith. His Christianity was the foundation of everything he accomplished in life.”
The Assembly completed its Thursday session at 8:45 p.m.
It will begin again Friday at 8 a.m. with a worship service.
Tomorrow afternoon will be include a budget discussion. Questions will also be taken unofficially by the Diocesan Council treasurer during the lunch break.
Thursday evening delegates heard from Oscar Tatosian, chairman of the Diocesan Council, who spoke about the events and successes of the Diocesan ministries and programs.
Delegates asked the Diocesan Council about preliminary investigation into the use of the air rights of the Diocesan Center. Tatosian said there was no decision, but a general introductory study into the possible use of the air rights based on Council’s fiduciary responsibility. Jim Kalustian, Diocesan Council treasurer, noted that air rights do not necessarily have to be build on a site but can be used in construction in neighboring plots.
Tatosian was also asked about a lawsuit involving an estate which was successfully challenged by the heirs of the deceased. The woman planned to leave her property in Orange County, NY, for use as a camp for Armenian children, however she died before the final papers could be drawn up. The heirs successfully contested the will.
Delegates also asked about a fund established for a lecture series in memory of Dr. Hagop Nerssoyan. They money is used to provide lectures at St. Nersess Seminary in New Rochelle, NY.
Delegates asked the Council about last year’s budget plan which included five youth leaders which were to be based in the regions of the Diocese. Kalustian said one youth leader has been hired, and the question would be discussed later when the 2008 budget is introduced.
When asked about the status of the Diocesan collection of Gorky paintings, Diocesan Council Secretary Lillian Chapian said there has been no new actions taken other than the restoration of 11 works, which was funded by the Gulbankian Foundation. The report from the firm hired to restore the works outlined the need to assure a temperature controlled facility for the homes to be exhibited in Holy Etchmiadzin. The paintings continue to be loaned to museums, most recently in Fresno, the Whitney in New York City, and in Texas.
When asked if the Council was looking to hire a new Executive Director, the Council said it was but thought the hiring of a new financial director and stewardship director has given the organization help. “It seems as if with the addition of these two qualified executives and the Diocesan Vicar there is a sense of momentum at the Diocesan Center,” Tatosian said.
Delegates asked about Diocesan efforts to minister to soldiers and veterans. Fr. Yeprem Kelegian, Diocesan Council member, said a letter was sent out to all parishes asking for military address of all soldiers in harms way and their families information.
“As we know families are suffering too, with their loved ones off,” he said, noting that he was waiting for substantial response. “We’re also preparing outreach material for pastors, because we have soldiers coming back with things like post-traumatic stress. Providing resources for our pastors to know where to go. This is something that is heavy on my heart.”
In looking at the proposed budget, delegates asked for details on how the Diocese was funding ecumenical efforts. The budget for the Legate is found in a line item under the office of the Primate; it is about $100,000 a year.
Delegates also asked the Council about a new effort to utilize St. Vartan Cathedral plaza. The Diocese has been in negotiations with a catering company which has run cafes in churches. As of now, there is nothing operating on the plaza.
“We’re taking a look at establishing something that would give Armenians who travel into the city for worship to stay and have fellowship,” said Michael O’Hurley-Pitts, director of Stewardship and Development. “We want to provide a revenue stream and provide an outreach effort to raise awareness of the Armenian community. If we do something our primary concern is first and foremost we are a place of worship and food will not be served on Sunday or during any other service. This would be at the service of the Diocese if it is something we can bring to fruition.”
Following dinner on Friday, the delegates heard from Yn. Paulette Doudoukjian from the Ararat Center board.
“The board is making sure this investment, you’re investment, thrives,” she said as she spoke about the construction of a multipurpose pavilion, which will be called Sepastia. With ground breaking last fall, the pavilion should be complete by the start of the summer camp season.
She also noted that Ararat has thrived thanks to many financial supporters and in-kind services from professionals such as architects. Additionally, more than 3,000 volunteer hours have been logged by parishioners throughout the Diocese in fixing up the Center.
“Without volunteers, we would not be able to provide such a facility for our youth and others,” she said.
Since its inception, fund-raising has covered almost the entire purchase price and the pavilion construction with only $300,000 in debt remaining
“This has already proven itself to be an asset to the Diocese, the youth, and the Armenian people,” said Stephen Hovnanian, chair of the Ararat Center board.
He told delegates that the Board is planning to match any donation $1 for every $2 raised, up to $100,000. That means if the delegates and parishioners can raise $200,000 the Ararat Center Board will match to cover the remaining $100,000.
The Ararat Center Festival will be held from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 21. The public is invited to travel to the center in upstate New York’s Catskill Mountains for the festival.
More information on the Center can be found at its website www.araratcenter.org.
Clergy then heard from Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Diocesan legate, and Michael Haratounian, vice chairman of the Legate Committee.
They spoke about some of the Legate’s work around the world. One area Archbishop Aykazian has been active in is the international Habitat for Humanity movement. He was elected last year to the Habitat for Humanity International board. He has been active in the organization for the past five years, since taking the leadership of Habitat to Armenia to see the need there first hand.
Within the last five years 350 houses have been built through Habitat’s coordination with the Armenian Church. Archbishop Aykazian said he hopes to work with Habitat to build hundreds more homes in Armenia.
“We need your help, we need your encouragement, and more than everything we need you to encourage your children and yourself to go to Armenia and see Armenia and work a few days on one of those houses,” he said. “Whoever goes once, as soon as they come back they try to arrange another one for next year.”
“It’s the mission of the church to help homeless people, to be a part of social difficulties our people have. Therefore it’s the mission of every priest,” he said, as he encouraged delegates to also financially help Habitat for Humanity. “There isn’t a better moment of happiness when you build a house for homeless people and bless the house and give them the key; you see such happiness in their eyes. And becomes of them you become the happiest person.”
In November, Archbishop Aykazian will be installed as the president of the National Council of Churches during a ceremony to take place in St. Vartan Cathedral in New York City.
"Despite being one of the smallest churches in the United States, we are one of the most important churches in the ecumenical movement. We are the leaders," he said. "That is because of you."
Fr. Daniel Findikyan spoke to the delegates about St. Nersess Seminary and its recruitment efforts. The Seminary trains men who are candidates for the priesthood, as well as men and women who are preparing to serve the church as lay ministers.
“The harvest is plentiful but the labors are few,” Fr. Findikyan said quoting the Bible in describing the Seminary’s efforts. “We’ve had seasons where we’ve been blessed with many students. I must confess with pain in my heart we will have many students this fall, but no new students. We had several who were interested, but due to family reasons will not be joining us this fall.”
The Primate seconded that aspect.
"I want to see each one of you get involved," he said.
He said he often wonders if the founders of St. Nersess knew what they were creating.
“In the United States to establish and operate a private school is an operation of frightening proportions. How much more so when that private school is a seminary belonging to a tiny ethnic minority,” he said. “We should never expect in this increasingly secular society, a society that has proven itself extremely effective in dividing individuals from their ethnicity. But we accept that challenge.”
Fr. Findikyan also spoke about the step taken by the Board of the Seminary in hiring a clergyman, Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian, to work full-time with youth to cultivate future seminarians.
“But the goal of attracting students to the seminary cannot be the work of one man. It must be the work of all of us together; beginning with our Diocesan Council, moving to our clergy, you delegates, deacons, choir members, Sunday School and Armenian School teachers, camp counselors, all of us. If we are going to succeed in this effort, we will succeed together,” he said.
In his remarks to the delegates, Fr. Doudoukjian said to recruit students is an on-going process that nurtures an individual and encourages him or her to attend the seminary.
“You are just as important in cultivating and nurturing young men to come forward and be a priest,” he told the delegates.
Delegates were asked to take time to think about the priesthood and identify rewards they see in being a priest.
“Obviously the vocation to the priesthood is a unique one. The question arises then in developing a recruitment strategy, who are we looking for? What are the qualities in a future priest we need to have? Those are questions we have to address,” Fr. Findikyan said, as he encouraged delegates to identify such qualities.
Delegates identified qualities such as articulate, passion for Christ, humility, availability to people, understanding the needs of the flock, teacher, listeners, sincerity, integrity, and motivator.
“We are looking for individuals with a massive skill set. We are looking for not just common folk that have a willingness. These qualities represent remarkable individuals in our community we need to find,” he said. “And I don’t know how many of them are out there. And I doubt even current priests have half those qualities. But we’re looking for a really wide skill set.”
Fr. Findikyan then asked delegates how individuals can best identify young people with those qualities and who show the ability to acquire those qualities they currently lack. For example, he said when you see a teenage boy who is interested in church he might have the passion to serve further, weather he knows he has that passion or not.
“We’d like to know in what ways you can nurture and support a young man in his calling to the priesthood. And once we’ve identified these students in what way can St. Nersess help all of you, how can we help cultivate and support prospective seminarians in your parish,” Fr. Doudoukjian said, as he told delegates they would be contacted in the coming months by seminary staff and board members.
Outlining the need for priests in several parishes, Fr. Haigazoun Najarian told delegates it was up to them to create new priests.
"Where are our priests coming from? Where are they coming from if not from your families? You have to give the first example. You have to direct your own children to church. You have to look up to your clergy so your children will one day think about being clergy," he said.
St. Nersess welcomes students after they have completed a four-year degree in any field. The course of studies at St. Nersess is a four-year master of divinity program, with expanded offerings for language, music, and other requirements unique to the Armenian Church. This is normally followed by a period of study in one of the Armenian Church hierarchical centers abroad, most normally the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. That is followed by a mentorship under a priest working in the Diocese, allowing them to master some of the skills that cannot be taught in a classroom.
“We’ve had successful people in other walks of life come up to me and say ‘If only someone had come up to give me a little bit of a push, I would have been a priest today.’ But it may be too late for them to begin that path now,” Fr. Findikyan said. “This is the most painful and perhaps the most easily solvable impediment. Your actions as lay leaders in the church are being watched closely by young people and they are assessing their vocation based on your actions.”
The newly-elected officers for the 2007 Assembly are:
Richard Norsigian, Chair
Michael Yapchyian, Vice Chair
Lisa Manoogian, English Secretary
Dn. Levon Kirakosyan, Armenian Secretary
Delegates heard from Mark Gabrellian, who described the theory behind the Armenian Church Endowment Fund.
"The theory is to create a certain degree of certainty, so you know what you will receive from year to year," he said.
This year the market value of ACEF grew $9.2 million with increase in new endowments and reinvested interest earnings, $3.1 million in income was distributed to beneficiaries, which include the Diocese, parishes, St. Nersess Seminary, and the Fund for Armenian Relief.
Individuals or parishes can establish an endowment fund to benefit any Armenian Church related charity. The principal invested can never be touch, rather beneficiaries receive 4.5 percent of the principal as an annual payment. Any interest earned over the 4.5 percent is reinvested in the fund, growing the principal. That enables ASEF to distribute money even if the market goes down in a given year.
"The idea of an endowment fund is to have a pool of money available for you, the beneficiary, that is going to last in perpetuity. The principal is not to be touched, so you get the benefit of an income stream that will last from year 1 to 2 to 10 to 20," he said. "ACEF is a long-term proposition. You have the responsibility of ensuring the long-term financial health of your parish and organization."
42 percent of ACEF endowments benefit the Diocese, 29 percent benefit individual parishes. Since 2003, ACEF distribution to beneficiaries has grown from $2.47 million to $3.49 million. Part of that growth is new endowment funds being created, the other is the increased return achieved by ACEF investments.
“We are constantly looking at the portfolio and trying to see if we are achieving the benchmarks we want to achieve. We’re conservative because we’re dealing with other people’s money. Our approach is going to be a conservative one whose purpose is slow, steady growth year by year,” he said.
Parishes and individuals that establish funds with ACEF benefit, he said, because of the size of ACEF gives it access to successful funds small investors cannot get into.
Delegates asked Gabrellian about ACEF’s policy to distribute 4.5 percent of the principal, seeing as current market performance has been so successful. Gabrellian said the policy has been reviewed, but was rejected because there are always variations in the market and that there will be years when the market is down and years it is up. Before the 4.5 percent policy, ACEF distributed based on annual market performance and ran into trouble to guarantee an annual income flow.
“Part of what we’re doing is to force a certain amount of discipline. It’s very easy to change the amount distributed, but we have to say no. It’s important for us to say no and to have a set policy,” he said. “This distribution policy is a concept that has been used successfully by funds throughout the country.”
More information on ACEF can be found on its website, www.armenianchurchendowmentfund.org.
While the ballots for Assembly officers were being tallied, the delegates heard from Dn. Artak Khachikyan, deacon-in-charge of the St. Gregory of Narek Church of Cleveland, OH, who acted as secretary of the clergy conference.
The clergy met over the past few days and discussed a variety of issues, including the recent changes in the state of church and state in Armenia, the Diocesan programs built around the theme: "Chruch and Home: One in Spirit." Clergy also attended a presentation on public speaking and a session on saving for retirement.
Prayers were also said for recently deceased clergy and yeretzgins.
During a welcome from the host parish, the Sts. Vartanantz Church of Chelmsford, MA, and the organizing committee chair John Amboian, he noted that this is the third time in the past couple decades the parish has hosted the Assembly. Following his remarks, delegates approved last year's minutes with a few clarifications.
They then discussed this year's agenda. They moved the report of the Fund for Armenian Relief from Saturday to Friday after lunch. Also moved to Friday was a discussion on by-laws. A proposal to discuss the recent sociological study on Friday instead of Saturday, because the expert who conducted the survey will only be available on Saturday.
Delegates discussed the election process for Saturday morning during which they will elect members to the Diocesan Council. The elections will take place Saturday before lunch.
They then cast their ballots for Assembly officers.
Following the invocation by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, and with a quarum of 67 delegates, the Assembly began with confirmation of the new delegates (25 new delegates and 44 chairs, who are elected annually).
Please note the agenda listed earlier on the blog is a proposed agenda and has yet to be approved by the delegates. They may choose to reorganize the agenda at the begining of the Assembly.
On Thursday morning, parish council chairs gathered for a meeting with members of the Diocesan Council. On the agenda was a discussion of ways the parishes could work together and how the Diocese could help strengthen their ministry.
The chairs talked about the opportunities that are available for the Armenian Church and the challenges facing the Church. Michael O'Hurley-Pitts, Diocesan Director of Stewardship and Development, spoke to the delegates about the need to live Christian lives to instill a sense of stewardship in parishioners.
"A parish cannot expand or survive if it has at it corp a crisis of conviction," he told the chairs.
He urged them to strengthen their base by reaching out to those members who have drifted away from the Church. He said he would work with parishes when asked to provide resources and guidance from the Diocesan Center.
Additionally, he outlined communications efforts made by the Diocese. These include the newly redesigned Armenian Church Magazine and several e-newsletters (one general e-newsletter sent Thursday afternoons, a bi-monthly e-newsletter for parish leadership, a bi-monthly e-newsletter for Sunday and Armenian School teachers, and monthly e-newsletters for ACYOA Jrs. and college students). Chairs were urged to provide the Diocese with e-mail addresses of anyone who should receive any of the e-newsletters. Contact information can be sent to info@armeniandiocese.org.
The chairs also discussed parish dues assessments and clergy stipends.
Thursday will begin with a breakfast for Parish Council Chairmen. The meeting will give them a chance a variety of issues.
The first act of the Assembly once the delegates gather will be to elect officers for the meeting. Candidates include:
Assembly Chair
Richard Norsigian of the St. John Church of Southfield, MI
Antranig Garibian of the Holy Trinity Church of Cheltenham, PA
English Secretary
Barbara Sarkisian-Arthur of the Armenian Church of Hye Pointe, MA
Lisa Manookian of the St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Church of Wynnewood, PA
Armenian Secretary
Dn. Artak Khachikyan of the St. Gregory of Narek Church of Richmond Heights, OH
105th Diocesan Assembly
Hosted by
Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church
Chelmsford, MA
May 3-5, 2007
AGENDA
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Registration of Delegates 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
I. First General Session 2:00 – 6:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
General Session
1. Invocation: His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian
2. Confirmation of Quorum
3. Confirmation of Newly Elected Delegates
4. Election of Assembly Officers
5. Greetings of Host Parish
6. Approval of Minutes of the 104th Diocesan Assembly
7. Request Names of Deceased Delegates – in advance (to be remembered during Sunday’s Divine Liturgy)
8. Results of Election of Assembly Officers
9. Adoption of Agenda
10. Call for New Business Items – in advance
11. Appointment of Courtesies Committee and Parliamentarians
12. Review Rules of Procedure
13. Report of Nominating Committee
a. Presentation of Slate of Candidates
b. Acceptance of Nominations from the Floor
c. Review of Election Procedures for:
• Diocesan Council
• Diocesan Board of Trustees
• Auditing Committee
• Nominating Committee
• Proposals Committee
14. Report of Clergy Conference
Break 3:30 – 3:45p.m.
3:45 – 6:00 p.m.
General Session (Cont’d.)
15. Report of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary
16. Report of the Legate’s Committee
17. Report of the Ararat Center
18. Report of ACEF
6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Dinner (at the Hotel)
7:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Diocesan Council Report
Friday, May 4, 2007
II. Second General Session 8:00a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
7:00 – 8:00 a.m.
Balloting
8:00 – 8:30 a.m.
Worship / Memorial Service for Haig Dadourian
8:30 – 8:45 a.m.
Message of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians
8:45 – 9:15 a.m.
Message of His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate – “Church and Home: One in Spirit”
9:15 – 11:00 a.m.
Church and Home: One in Spirit - Presentation
11:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Break
11:30 -12:30 p.m.
Church and Home: One in Spirit – Presentation (Cont’d.)
12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch
1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Report of the Diocesan Council (Cont’d.)
a) Department of Youth and Education:
Christian Education, Armenian Studies, College Ministry, Youth Ministry
b) Administration:
Bookstore, Facilities
c) Stewardship and Development:
Communication, Zohrab Information Center, Archbishop’s Annual Appeal
d) Diocesan Organizations:
AACCA, Music Ministry, WGCC, ACYOA
e) Mission Programs
3:30 – 3:45 p.m.
Break
3:45 – 5:30 p.m.
Diocesan Council Report (Cont’d.):
a) Auditing Committee Report
b) Diocesan Council Financial Report 2006
c) 2007 Budget (Revised) and 2008 Budget
6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Dinner (at the Church)
Saturday, May 5, 2007
III. Third General Session 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
7:30 – 8:00 a.m.
Balloting
8:30 – 10:30
General Session
1) Worship Service
2) Results of Elections
3) Elections (if necessary)
4) Report of Proposals Committee
5) Report of FAR
10:30 – 11:00
Ambassador John Evans’ Speech
11:00 – 12:30
6) Diocesan Council Report (Cont’d.):
i. Sociological Study
ii. Pontifical Visit
iii. Bylaw Committee Report
iv. St. Hagop Church, St. Petersburg, FL
12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch
1:45 – 4:00 p.m.
General Session (Cont’d.)
7) New Business Items
8) Results of Elections (if necessary)
9) Report of Courtesies Committee
10) Announcement of 106th Diocesan Assembly
11) Benedictions and Adjournment
A 15 minute break will be called at the appropriate time.
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