Ministries

Youth Ministry Religious Education Music Ministry Mission Parishes Clergy Training Armenian Language Instruction Communications Development

Diocesan Ministries and Offices

Through its ministries and offices, the Diocese supports and enhances the spiritual growth and clutural learning present in every parish. The clergy and lay people who serve the Church through these functions offer the members of the Diocese a rich wealth of experience and a true commitment to make the Church significant in the life of every Armenian.

Department of Youth and Education

The Department of Youth and Education oversees activities such as Sunday Schools, Armenian Schools, summer camps, college ministry, adult education, and ACYOA.  Its goal is to provide comprehensive Armenian and Christian educational opportunities for young and old alike.

The Armenian Language Program goes beyond just teaching the Armenian language; it also works to educate people about the history, traditions, and culture of Armenia.  It works to preserve, promote, and enrich our Armenian culture.  The staff spreads awareness of the Armenian heritage through workshops, classes, publications, and a variety of other materials.  Gilda Buchakjian-Kupelian is coordinator of Armenian language education, and can be reached via e-mail by clicking here.

Working with parish Sunday School teachers, the Christian education program's goal is to help foster an understanding of the Armenian Christian faith.  The program creates the curriculum used in Sunday Schools throughout the Diocese and publishes books and materials that target specific teaching needs.  It also runs a variety of workshop and seminars.  Elise Antreassian is the coordinator of Christian education and can be reached via e-mail by clicking here.

The Diocese's youth ministry program works to build links with the youngest members of the Church, through camps, leadership retreats, publications, and other events. The program also serves as a source of information on church beliefs and practices designed specifically for
young people. Jennifer Morris is the coordinator of youth outreach and can be reached via e-mail by clicking here.

The Diocese's college ministry program, facilitated by Julie Hoplamazian, click here to e-mail helps commect college students to the church. The Armenian Church Youth Organization of America, assisted by executive secretary Nancy Basmajian, click here to e-mail works to bring the church into the lives of young adults.

The entire Department of Youth and Education is assisted by Ruzanna Hovsepyan, who can be reached by clicking here.

Departments of Stewardship & Development

Dr. Michael O'Hurley, Ph.D., oversees this department, charged with communicating with the Diocese and the community as a whole, while building a solid base of support among the stewards of the church. He can be reached via e-mail: Michael O'Hurley, or by calling (212) 686-0710, ext. 154.

Angela Kazarian maintains the Diocese's mailing list, and can be reached via e-mail by clicking here, she is aided by Nona Baghdasaryan.

Department of Communications

Dr. O'Hurley also oversees the Diocese's communications efforts. The staff of the department works on communicating news of Diocesan events or programs through press releases, our website, The Armenian Church magazine, and other publications.  The department also works to personally communicate with possible supporters as to how they can most effectively help support the work done by the Diocese.  Jake Goshert serves as coordinator of information services and can be reached via e-mail by clicking here.

Department of Worship

The Department of Worship works to improve the celebrations of the Divine Liturgy through two programs: the music ministry program and the mission parish program.

Through direct education, recordings used for tutoring, and printed material, the Music Ministry program works with choirs and junior choirs in local parishes, choir directors, deacons, and priests to ensure the music heard throughout the Diocese on Sunday is the best, most compelling possible.  The program works to not only educate people about the meaning and importance of the music, but also helps teach singers proper technique.  It also helps coordinate various special projects, such as concerts and recordings.  Khoren Mekanejian is the music ministry coordinator, and can be reached via e-mail by clicking here.

Throughout the Diocese are "hidden" pockets of Armenians.  Some are recent immigrants and others are just in small towns not traditionally known as having Armenian communities.  The Mission Parish Project works with these small Armenian communities helps them come into the Church and, where warranted, establishes full-fledged parishes of their own.  The program uses visits by clergy, training sessions on Church practices, and publications to reach the far-flung communities.  The department also focuses on the needs of Russian-speaking Armenians, usually recent immigrants from the former Soviet Union.  This effort is led by Fr. Untzag Nalbandian, click here to contact him via e-mail.

St. Vartan Cathedral

A spirital center for Armenians throughout the Diocese and a parish for Armenians living in the New York City area, as well as visitors, the Cathedral serves as the main Armenian Christian presence in the capital of the world.

Fr. Mardiros Chevian is the dean of the Cathedral, over seeing its programs, ministires, and activities. He can be reached via e-mail by clicking here. He is assisted by his pastoral assistant, Dn. Sebuh Oscherician.

Department of Leadership

The Department of Leadership is charged with improving leadership skills throughout the Diocese.  Currently, the major thrust of the department is the Pastoral Support Program.

A priest cannot guide his flock if there is a rift between him and his parish or if he is in need of resources to strengthen his pastoral abilities. The Pastoral Support Program works with priests to strengthen their skills and talents, helping them become better servants to their parishes. The department also steps in to facilitate successful outcomes when a parish and its priest are at odds. Fr. Karekin Kasparian is the coordinator of pastoral support. For more information, contact him via e-mail by clicking here

Dr. Sam Mikaelinan, Ph.D., also serves as coordinator of special projects for the Priamte, working on a variety of projects that strengthen the local leadership of the Diocese. He can be reached via e-mail by clicking here.

Department of Finance and Facilities

The Department of Finance and Facilities handles the behind the scenes work necessary to make the Diocese run.  From paying our bills to arranging health insurance for our employees to keeping tabs on our office supplies, the office handles various accounting needs of the Diocese.  Bill Casey is the director of the department; he can be reached via e-mail by clicking here. He is assisted in the accounting department by Gregg Bornfeld, Alex Cedeno, and administrative assistant Ani Sahagian.

Richard Domino oversees the physical facilities at the Diocesan Center with a small staff of maintence workers.

Other administrative assistants serving in the Diocese include Mary Berberian, who is the Primate's assistant; Nubar Kupelian, the Primate's Armenian-language secretary; Maral Serce, the Diocese's main receptionist; Joyce Sulahian, who works in the Diocesan archives; and Maria Barsoumanian, a floating assistant. Jacqueline Dechkounian serves as the Primate's housekeeper.

St. Vartan Book and Gift Shop

Nestled in a corner of the Diocesan Center in the heart of New York City, St. Vartan Book and Gift Shop sells thousands of items, from CDs and books to dolls and art.  The bookstore is open to the public and reaches a worldwide customer base with its catalogue.  Nazareth Salbashian is the manager of the store.  For more information, e-mail him by clicking here.

630 Second

The Diocesan Center is rented by Armenian and non-Armenian organizations and individuals for parties, receptions, meetings, and other occasions. For more information, visit the website: www.630second.com. Sonny Nwaubani coordinats facility rentals and can be contacted via e-mail by clicking here.

Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center

With thousands of books, videos, maps, pictures, and other resources, the Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center, founded in 1987, helps researchers, academics, teachers, and the community-at-large learn about the Armenian community and its rich and noble history. 

The holdings of the center include extensive information on the history and customs of the Armenian Church and the American Dioceses, the Armenian Genocide, and the current Armenian political culture.  The Center is open weekly, for more information e-mail Rchel Goshgarian, Ph.D. by clicking here.