The Armenian Church
Home Resources Contaact Us Donate
The Diocese News & Events Worship
Our Church Parishes Families Heritage Get Involved
Daily Scripture
Daily Prayer
eCards
Saints/Feast Days
E-Mail Newsletter
Online Store
Music & Video
Connect
2004 Annual Report
Youth Leadership Stewardship Communication Worship Donors
2004 Annual Report Get Involved

2004 Annual Report of the Primate and Diocesan Council

The Primate and Diocesan Council herewith present their annual report for the calendar year 2004 to the 103rd Annual Diocesan Assembly.

Diocese Council Members: The Diocesan Council members in office during 2004 are listed below along with the year their terms expire:

The terms of office for the following Diocesan Council members will expire in May 2005: Fr. Arakel Aljalian, Fr. Krikor Sabounjian, John Amboian, Oscar Tatosian, James Kalustian, and Sarkis Bedevian.

The Budget Committee of the Diocesan Council was comprised of: Oscar Tatosian, John Amboian, and James Kalustian. The Clergy Relations Committee was comprised of: Fr. Aved Terzian, Fr. Untzag Nalbandian, Keith Bilezerian, Thomas Garabedian, and Fr. Mikael Devejian (until Aug. 31).

Appreciation: The Diocesan Council appreciates the courtesies accorded to the Council by His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, to the Executive Director, Sam Mikaelian, Ph.D., and the staff. Despite the Primate’s extremely heavy travel and administrative demands, he has represented our Diocese with honor and dignity. We thank His Eminence for his leadership and guidance.

Parishes and Clergy: As of Dec. 31, 2004, there were 42 duly constituted parishes in our Diocese. In addition, our Diocese had 19 mission parishes, and 5 mission communities.

As of Dec. 31, 2004, the clerical order of our Diocese totaled 53 clergymen, comprised of 4 bishops, 49 priests, and 2 deacons. In addition, 11 priests are engaged in part-time parochial ministry, and 11 are retired. There are 2 priests who serve in our parishes but are non-Diocesan clergy.

102nd Annual Diocesan Assembly

The 102nd Annual Diocesan Assembly convened at the St. Gregory the Enlightener Armenian Church of White Plains, NY (Apr. 29-May 1).

Of the 190 delegates, 138 were present, providing a quorum for the Assembly. Archbishop Barsamian led the assembly in the opening prayer service. The Primate expressed his appreciation to the members of the Diocesan Council and all the delegates representing the Eastern Diocesan.

Adrienne Krikorian, Esq., represented the Western Diocese, and Onnig Marashian represented the Prelacy. There was no representation from the Canadian Diocese.

Actions taken by the 2004 Diocesan Assembly: Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church, Providence, RI will be the site for the 2008 Annual Diocesan Assembly.

Bylaws Amendment: Article 6—submitted by Sts. Vartanantz Church, Chelmsford, MA.

“Every member of the Parish 18 years of age or over, shall pay to his (or her) church an annual due, the amount of which shall be paid in full by December 31 of the current year. The amount of the dues, which can be increased or decreased, will be determined by the Parish Assembly.”

A motion was made, seconded and carried. This is the second time that the Bylaws amendment was approved by the assembly. After the approval by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, Article 6 of the Diocesan Bylaws will be amended according to the above.

Sts. Joachim and Anne Church of Palos Heights, IL submitted two proposals, regarding (1) The Vernacular Badarak Trial Proposal, and (2) Parish Assessments.

Vernacular Badarak Trial Proposal: The Primate informed the assembly that while he was at Holy Etchmiadzin, the issue of vernacular services was discussed at the Supreme Spiritual Council meeting presided over by His Holiness Karekin II. On January 13, 2003, all parishes had been sent a directive on the decision of the Supreme Spiritual Council regarding the language of badarak. The Primate confirmed that all parishes are in compliance with that directive. As to the issue of the language of badarak, it was suggested by the Primate that the Diocesan Council consider the matter and bring up the issue for discussion with His Holiness in Holy Etchmiadzin in November.

Fr. Aved Terzian, chairperson of the Clergy Conference, spoke on behalf of the clergy and endorsed a motion to table the Vernacular Badarak Trial Proposal, and to accept the Diocesan Council recommendation for establishing a committee to conduct a study of the issue.

The Primate asked Mr. Haig Dadourian, chairman of the Diocesan Council, to comment on this issue. Mr. Dadourian indicated that since this was a very sensitive and important issue, the Primate and the Diocesan Council would commission a study that would involve the following:

This study will commence on May 31, 2004, and the results of the survey will be submitted to the Primate and the Diocesan Council by September 15, 2004. The Diocesan Council will evaluate the preliminary results of the study and present them to His Holiness Karekin II, at their meeting in Holy Etchmiadzin in November 2004. Mr. Dadourian then moved to table the Vernacular Badarak Trial Proposal and have the Diocesan Council conduct the study. The chair of the Diocesan Assembly then asked for a vote on the ruling to table the language of the Vernacular Proposal which the Assembly supported. In lieu of that proposal, the recommendation presented by the Diocesan Council was passed.

Parish Assessment Proposal—submitted by Sts. Joachim and Anne Armenian Church, Palos Heights, IL.

We hereby propose that in place of the current system of calculating the annual assessment each Parish is required to pay, a new system be put in place which functions as follows:

The Diocesan Assembly annually determines the income it requires from Parish Dues.

The Diocese then divides this total figure by the average number of “dues Paying members” in the Diocese over the last four years to determine a “Per Member Amount.”

Each Parish is then annually assessed the “Per Member Amount” multiplied by the average number of their membership over the last four years to determine their annual assessment for that year.

This new formula is to begin with the year 2005 Parish Assessment calculations.

This proposal was defeated.

Board of Trustees: The 102nd Diocesan Assembly by majority vote elected Kevork Hovnanian to a 10-year term. The Board of Trustees, along with each member’s term of expiration, stands as follows: Kevork Hovnanian (2013); George Mekenian (2012); Haig Dadourian (2011); Edward Chapian, Esq. (2010); Dr. Raffy Hovanessian (2009); Dennis Papazian, Ph.D. (2008); Dr. Garo Garibian (2007); Harry Terzian (2006); Helen Mardigian (2005); and Daniel Dorian (2004).

Auditing Committee: Charles Guleserian was elected for a 3-year term. The Auditing Committee also includes: Karen Dederyan and Dean Shahinian, Esq.

Nominating Committee: Dr. Gary Zamanigian, Van Krikorian, Esq., Dn. Ara Jeknavorian, Dr. Edward Sarkisian, and Jeanette Der Hagopian were elected by plurality vote for 1-year terms.

Proposals Committee: Bruce Ashbahian, Esq., Fr. Tavit Boyajian, Aram Hintlian, Lisa Kouzoujian, Esq., and Fr. Vasken Kouzouian were elected by plurality vote for 1-year terms.

Annual Clergy Conference: The annual Clergy Conference (Apr. 26-29) convened at the Marion Shrine/Don Bosco Retreat Center in Stony Point, NY, presided over by the Primate, with 40 clergy present. In attendance, were two observers from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin: Fr. Vahram Melikyan, director of communications, and Fr. Asoghig Karapetyan, director of the archives at Holy Etchmiadzin.

Fr. Aved Terzian, chairman, offered a report on the liturgical issues presented by the clergy of the Diocese. The report consisted of questions on the following services: Washing of Feet, lent, cremation, funeral rites, inter-faith marriages, and also issues of the choice of best man, remarriage after divorce, fasting, death of unbaptized children, the terminally ill, and the possibility of introducing other traditional badaraks of the church.

The clergy participated in a bible study session on stewardship, followed by a presentation by Fr. Anthony Scott, president of Stewardship Advocates, on the theme of “Stewardship in the Church,” from the Orthodox church’s perspective.

Fr. Vahram Melikyan offered a presentation on the Armenian Church in the 21st Century, and Fr. Asoghig Karapetyan talked about various projects taking place at the Mother See and Armenia in general.

The Clergy Conference discussed the concept of a sabbatical for clergy, presented by Fr. Aved Terzian. The participants of the Clergy Conference also visited the Ararat Youth and Conference Center.

At the conclusion of the Clergy Conference, elections took place for the 2005 Clergy Conference officers with the following elected: Fr. Papken Anoushian, chairman; Fr. Arakel Aljalian, vice chairman; Fr. Daniel Findikyan, English secretary; and Fr. Gomidas Zohrabian, Armenian secretary.

Assembly Awards: The 2004 “Friend of the Armenians” award was presented to Rabbi Arthur Schneier, President of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation. The 2004 “Armenian of the Year” award was presented to Dr. Vartan Gregorian, President of the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Diocesan Council Actions

The Diocesan Council held 13 scheduled meetings. The Executive Committee of the Council held 13 meetings along with numerous conference calls.

His Holiness Karekin II joined the Diocesan Council members at their meeting on Jan. 21, and gave his blessings and conveyed the good wishes of Holy Etchmiadzin to the Council members. His Holiness also extended an invitation to the Council members to hold a meeting in Holy Etchmiadzin and meet with the members of the Supreme Spiritual Council.

During their Nov. visit to Holy Etchmiadzin, the Diocesan Council will present a gift of $50,000 to His Holiness Karekin II for a project of His choice on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of His enthronement.

The Diocesan Council agreed that a proper legal entity should be created in order to separate the Armenian Church Endowment Fund (ACEF) from the Diocese for the purpose of protecting the assets against liabilities. The Diocesan Council also approved the draft of the proposed bylaws of ACEF.

The Diocesan Council supports the Armenian Caucus in the commemoration of the 90th Anniversary of the Genocide to take place in Washington, DC. The Council also consented to the Primate’s suggestions to jointly commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide with the major Armenian organizations in New York City.

Diocesan Council agreed to increase the liability coverage for the Diocese with St. Paul Insurance Companies, from $6,000,000 to $10,000,000, for an additional premium of $6,200.

The Diocesan Council endorsed the merger of the Lawrence and Haverhill parishes.

The Diocesan Council directed the Executive Director to increase the salaries of all employees by 3.5%, effective January 2005.

Oxford Health Plan for Diocesan Employees: The 11% increase by the Oxford Health Plan took effect as of Mar. 1, 2004. The employee contribution ratio to the Health Plan remains at 30%.

Diocesan Youth and Conference Center: The Diocesan Council proceeded with the purchase of Balsam Shade, in Greenville, NY, consisting of 65 acres on Jan. 9, 2004. A blessing/consecration of the grounds was performed by the Primate; over 800 people were in attendance (Jul. 24). The Ararat Advisory Committee (with their terms of expiration) consists of: Yn. Paulette Doudoukjian, Karen Durgarian, Stephen Hovnanian (2007); Thomas Ashbahian, Randy Gulian, Fr. Shnork Souin (2008); Karnig Durgarian, Rose Najarian-Kedeshian, Michael Zeytoonian, Esq. (2009). The ex-officio and non-voting members will be Diocesan Center staff: Sam Mikaelian, Ph.D., Nancy Basmajian and Frank Stoneson. Fr. Krikor Sabounjian is the Diocesan Council representative on the committee. The Diocesan Council approved the recommendation of the Advisory Committee to rename the newly acquired property in Greenville, NY as the “Ararat Youth and Conference Center.” The Diocesan Council expresses its gratitude to the members of the Advisory Committee.

The Diocesan Council agreed to increase the liability coverage for the Ararat Youth and Conference Center from $2,000,000 to $4,000,000.

The Diocesan Council unanimously approved the incorporation of the Ararat Youth and Conference Center, as a separate entity under the umbrella of the Diocese.

The Ararat Fundraising Committee held receptions on: Sep. 11, hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Hovnanian (NJ); Sep. 18, hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Karnig Durgarian (MA); and Sep. 24, hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ashbahian (NJ).

2004 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal: The Diocesan Council expressed its gratitude to the Diocesan Development Committee, consisting of: Alex Dadourian, Fr. Mampre Kouzouian, Oscar Tatosian, and Barbara Tellalian.

Fundraising receptions were held on: Oct. 15, hosted by Oscar Tatosian (Chicago, IL); Dec. 1, hosted by the Guleserian family (Cambridge, MA); Dec. 10, hosted by Mr. and Mrs. James and Sandra Leitner (Wyckoff, NJ); and Dec. 16, hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Alex Dadourian (Bayside, NY).

Stewardship: In preparation for the Diocesan 2004 theme of “Stewardship,” the Diocesan Council prepared and distributed to the clergy, parish council chairs, parish council members, and Diocesan delegates, the publication A Guidebook on Stewardship. The goal of the guidebook is to help parishes achieve greater success with their stewardship programs. The following 2004 Regional Stewardship meetings were held: Sep. 25 at St. Gregory the Enlightener Church, White Plains, NY; Oct. 2 at Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church, Providence, RI; and Oct. 16 at St. Gregory the Illuminator, Chicago, IL.

Armenian Church Endowment Fund (ACEF): The Diocesan Council approved the election of Greg Parseghian as a member of the ACEF Board of Trustees for a 3-year term. The Diocesan Council also approved the re-election of Kevork Hovnanian, Haig Ariyan, Mark Gabrellian, Barbara Tellalian, and Gregory Zorthian. Their terms of office will end on Dec. 31, 2007.

Fund for Armenian Relief: The Diocesan Council met with the new Executive Director of FAR, Garnig Nanagoulian, former Ambassador of Armenia to Canada, who succeeded Simon Balian, Esq., who retired on Sep. 30, 2004.

Armenian Church Youth Organization of America (ACYOA): The Diocesan Council approved the new members of the ACYOA Central Council.

Women’s Guild Central Council: The Diocesan Council approved the new members of the Central Council for 2004-2005. The Council also approved the minutes of the 18th Annual Women’s Guild Assembly held in White Plains, NY. The Diocesan Council appointed Lillian Chapian and Janet Mardigian as liaisons to the Women’s Guild Central Council.

Parish Dues: The Diocesan Council approved of formally approaching the St. Sarkis Church of Niagara Falls, NY, with a suggestion to change its status to mission parish. This small parish for the past several years has experienced financial difficulties as an established parish.

The following parishes are in arrears with respect to their dues: Holy Trinity, Cheltenham, PA; Sts. Vartanantz, Chelmsford, MA; St. George, Hartford, CT; St. Mark, Springfield, MA; St. Hagop, St. Petersburg, FL; and Holy Virgin Mary and Shoghagat, Belleville, IL.

Diocesan Website: His Holiness Karekin II, in a letter addressed to the Primate, requested that the Diocesan website address www.armenianchurch.org be transferred to Holy Etchmiadzin.

Gorky Artwork: In response to a letter dated Apr. 26, 2004, from His Holiness Karekin II, the Diocesan Council will send a letter to His Holiness Karekin II, informing him of the Council’s decision to relocate the Diocesan collection of Arshile Gorky’s artwork from the Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon, Portugal, to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The Diocesan Council further confirms that it maintains ownership of said artwork, and the relocation be contingent upon the Gorky Museum in Etchmiadzin meeting with international museum standards. The Diocesan Council appointed a committee consisting of Oscar Tatosian, Karekin Arzoomanian, Esq., and Lillian Chapian, to oversee the transfer of the Gorky Artwork from the Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon, Portugal, to Holy Etchmiadzin.

The Diocesan Council agreed to hire the firm Appelbaum and Himmelstein (located at 444 Central Park West, New York, NY 10025) to begin a due diligence process to facilitate the transfer of the Gorky artwork to Holy Etchmiadzin from Lisbon, Portugal.

The due diligence process will include an evaluation of the artwork at the Gulbenkian Museum, and a review of the Gorky Museum in Etchmiadzin.

Vernacular Badarak: At the 102nd Annual Diocesan Assembly in May, the Sts. Joachim and Anne parish petitioned the Diocesan Assembly to conduct a study of the language of the Holy Badarak. The Diocesan Council made a motion to table the subject proposal and adopt the following recommendation:

The Primate and the Diocesan Council recognizes the significance of the issue surrounding the language of the Holy Badarak and are therefore committed to addressing them. Our objective is:

For this purpose, the Primate and the Diocesan Council will commission a study that will include the following (as well as any other they deem appropriate):

In May 2004, the Diocesan Council interviewed sociologists and researchers—Dr. Roben Torosyan, Mr. Noah Blumenthal, and Dr. Matthew Jendian—to study the issue of vernacular language in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. The proposals and price quote by Roben Torosyan and Matthew Jendian, along with the comments of Dr. Ani Bakalian on the proposals, were reviewed by the Diocesan Council. The Diocesan Council selected Matthew Jendian’s proposal, which not only addressed the issue of vernacular language, but also broadened the scope to address many other concerns facing the Armenian Church in America. The Diocesan Council thanks all the candidates for their participation.

Before commissioning the study, the Diocesan Council felt that we should consult with His Holiness and share the contents of the intended study, during their previously scheduled visit to Holy Etchmiadzin in Nov. 2004.

The Primate, with the consent of the Diocesan Council, sent a Pastoral Letter dated Oct. 8, 2004, to the leadership and faithful of the Eastern Diocese. It stated that all official plans to explore the matter of the use of English in the Divine Liturgy in the Eastern Diocese had been tabled. The Primate would privately discuss this matter with His Holiness. He further stated that this decision was in the best interest of the Eastern Diocese and was in keeping with the church’s pastoral orientation towards the welfare of the church.

In addition to the Primate’s meeting with His Holiness, the Diocesan Council, during a dinner hosted by His Holiness, discussed the Diocese’s concerns about the vernacular-language issue. During that discussion, His Holiness confirmed the decision of the Supreme Spiritual Council. His Holiness did not encourage the Diocesan Council to pursue their proposed study, as he did not believe the results would impact the decision of the Supreme Spiritual Council.

As a follow-up to his previous Pastoral Letter, the Primate issued another Pastoral Letter dated Dec. 14, 2004, indicating that His Holiness stood by the decision of the Supreme Spiritual Council of the Armenian Church, which concluded that the Divine Liturgy should be celebrated only in classical Armenian in all parishes across the world.

For some parishes, which may feel a need to employ English in certain parts of the celebration, the Primate referred to his directive of Jan. 13, 2003, which enumerates areas where this is permitted: “namely the Scripture readings, the Creed, Confession, and the Sermon. But otherwise, the classical Armenian original (guhrapar) should prevail.” He also called upon the pastors, teachers and leaders of our community, to advance creative methods of engaging and instructing all our people about the meaning and purpose of the Divine Liturgy.

Joint 90th Anniversary of Genocide: The Joint 90th Anniversary of Genocide Committee consists of representatives from the Diocese, Prelacy, AGBU, Armenian Assembly, Armenian National Committee, Armenian Missionary Association, and various political organizations.

St. Vartan Cathedral: A solemn requiem service took place at St. Vartan Cathedral to note the 10th anniversary of the passing of His Holiness Vasken I, of blessed memory, the late Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. Following church services, a memorial meal was served in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium to approximately 500 people. The main speaker was Ambassador Harry Gilmore, the first United States Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia.

Meeting at Holy Etchmiadzin: Diocesan Council members traveled to Armenia, Nov. 4-11, at their own expenses, at the invitation of His Holiness Karekin II. During a meeting with the Supreme Spiritual Council, each Council member presented a portion of the strategy of the Diocesan Council and what activities and efforts the Eastern Diocese has undertaken during the past five years. There was good dialogue between the Diocesan Council and Supreme Spiritual Council members. Their meeting covered a variety of subjects including: the preparation of clergy and how we can prepare effective pastors to respond to needs of the Armenian faithful today, liturgical issues, the Friends of the Holy See of Etchmiadzin Endowment Fund, and fundraising activities by the Diocese; how to increase cooperation and communication among Armenian dioceses around the world, and the recent official recognition of the Jehovah’s Witnesses by the Armenian government.

The Council visited the youth center in Yerevan with His Holiness; the center is sponsored by the Holy See and the Armenian General Benevolent Union. They also traveled to Shirak, where they met with the primate of the Diocese of Shirak, Bishop Mikayel Ajapahian; visited the newly consecrated church of St. Hagop, built by Mr. Sarkis Acopian; and toured His Holiness Catholicos Vasken I School. The Council attended a concert in Yerevan at the Symphonic Orchestra Hall, commemorating the 130th anniversary of the Kevorkian Seminary of Etchmiadzin. The Council members attended church services on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the enthronement of His Holiness Karekin II; Archbishop Barsamian was the celebrant.

The Council members traveled to the Gegharkouniak Diocese, and visited the newly constructed Vazkenian Seminary in Sevan. They met with Fr. Terenik Davidian, locum tenens of the diocese. The Council members met with Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan and U.S. Ambassador John Evans. They also attended the ceremony of blessing the crosses for the steeples of the newly constructed Holy Trinity Church in Yerevan, and visited the FAR offices, then toured the children’s center in Yerevan constructed and run by FAR. The group also visited the National Academy of Sciences, where the Primate was honored with the Academy’s Gold Medal. They visited the Diocese of Gougark and met with Bishop Sebouh Chuljyan, who showed them the new St. Gregory of Narek Church, built by Diocesan Council member Sarkis and Ruth Bedevian. During the Council members’ trip to Vanadzor, they toured the Anoosh Mathevosian School, which was rebuilt and opened in 2002 by FAR with the financial support of Anoosh Mathevosian. The school was damaged during the 1988 earthquake.

Annual Assemblies: John Amboian represented the Primate and Diocesan Council at the Canadian Diocesan Assembly in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (May 28-30). Berjoohy Haigazian represented the Primate and Diocesan Council at the Prelacy’s National Representative Assembly in Philadelphia, PA (May 19-21).

Scholarships: The Diocese awarded scholarships to 20 ACYOA young adults to attend the Armenia Service Program; to the participants of the Junior Choir Leadership Development program; and to qualified students to assist them with their tuitions.

Publications: As a result of the 2003 Parish Council Chairs Conference, held at the Diocesan Center, a Parish Council Handbook was prepared and distributed to clergy, parish council chairs and members, and Diocesan delegates.

Wills and Bequests: The Diocese received the following bequests:

Real Estate Properties: The Diocesan Council approved and authorized the following: Holy Martyrs Church, Bayside, NY, to purchase the adjacent property for $650,000, and approved the mortgage for financing this purchase; Sts. Vartanantz Church of Chelmsford, MA to sell approximately 7 acres of land for $1.5 million; Armenian Church of Cape Cod, to purchase property contingent on receiving a signed copy of the letter by both the chairman and the secretary of the parish council, and also to clarify the restriction stated in their letter, and the approval of the Diocesan Board of Trustees.

Pastoral Assignments: The Primate with the consent of the Diocesan Council approved the following pastoral assignments: Dn. Ara Kadehjian as Deacon-in-Charge at St. Stepanos Church of Elberon, NJ for a period of 6 months (as of Mar. 17). Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian, as pastor of St. David Church of Boca Raton, FL (as of May 15); the Council subsequently gave its consent to the Primate to allow St. David Church to withdraw its request to assign Fr. Mamigon as its pastor. Fr. Mikael Devejian, as pastor of St. Sarkis Church of Dallas, TX (as of Sep. 1). Fr. Nareg Berberian, as visiting pastor of St. David Church of Boca Raton, FL (Jul.). Dn. Ara Kadehjian, as interim director of Mission Parish programs at the Diocese (as of Aug. 17). Fr. Nareg Berberian was reinstated into the Eastern Diocese and assigned as pastor of St. David Church of Boca Raton, FL (as of Aug. 20).

The Diocesan Council gave its consent to the Primate to ordain Dn. Tigran Karapetyan (renamed Fr. Hovsep) at St. James Church of Richmond, VA (Feb. 21-22), and to ordain Deacon Aren Jebejian (named Very Rev. Fr. Aren Jebejian) at St. Vartan Cathedral, New York, NY (Apr. 24-25), and thereafter accept them into the Diocese as clergymen.

The Diocesan Council added the sum of $20,000 to the budget for assistance to the needy clergy.

The Diocese, when necessary, will be responsible for the travel expenses of our retired clergy to attend the Clergy Conference. In the event of financial need by a retired clergyman, he may appeal to the Primate for financial assistance to attend the Diocesan Assembly.

The Diocesan Council endorsed the draft copy of the “Clergy Sabbatical Leave Guidelines,” dated Oct. 4, 2004. A restricted fund is available to cover the expenses of any clergy sabbatical leave.

Clergy Stipend: The Diocesan Council expressed its gratitude to the Clergy Stipend Committee, consisting of: Thomas Garabedian, chairman; John Amboian, Keith Bilezerian,Esq., Fr. Aved Terzian, and Fr. Mikael Devejian (until Aug. 31). The Council concurred with the recommended changes in the Clergy Stipend Guideline for 2005. The increases were in line with the changes in the 2004 Consumer Price Index.

Funeral services were held for Fr. Varoujan Kabaradjian, who passed away in May, and for Bishop Houssig Bagdasarian who passed away in Aug.

Fr. Zohrab Kostanyan, of the Etchmiadzin Brotherhood, has returned to Armenia after completing his education at Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI.

The two deacons from Armenia, Artak Khachigyan and Artur Petrosyan, who were attending North Park University in Chicago, IL, are presently studying at St. Nersess Seminary.

Dn. Vahe Hovsepian of Holy Etchmiadzin will study at North Park University in the fall.