The Year of Church and Home: One in Spirit

"If a people wants to inherit heaven after earth by keeping its religion, faith and church, yes, the altar that maintains these holy traditions incorruptible and intact is the family." —Khrimian Hayrig

Dear Friends,

The quote above, although written by Catholicos Khrimian Hayrig over 100 years ago around the time our Diocese was founded here in America, seems as relevant or more so today as when it was written. Making our Armenian Christian heritage an integral part of our lives is critical to knowing who we are.

Diocesan Ministry Builds a Foundation for Our Lives

Helping Armenian families better understand our faith, values, traditions and culture is central to the work of Diocesan ministry. Our work on the theme Church and Home – One in Spirit returns us to teaching the basics of our faith so that every Armenian family living in the Eastern Diocese has a strong foundation in what it means to be an Armenian Christian.

This year, Diocesan ministry has achieved much in this regard:

• Increasing the number of Armenian boys and girls who attend camps
• Providing more resources to teach the faith, including the resource book Building an Armenian Christian Home – Back to the Basics
• Providing scholarships for young Armenians to continue their studies
• Providing workshops and symposia for parents to help them better pass on the flame of faith to their children
• Organizing “mission teams” to help parishes re-energize their programs and activities
• Instituting training programs to help clergy from abroad be successful here in America
… and so much more.

Pontifical Visit – Bringing Faith Home

In October of this year, the Diocese led the way in organizing and implementing an unprecedented 30-day Pontifical Visit of our beloved Vehapar, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. His visit, entitled A Pastoral Journey – Bringing Faith Home built upon our work with Church and Home – One in Spirit and emphasized the need for us all to be true to our faith and live it out in important ways, all the days of our lives. The itinerary provided as many parishes as possible opportunities to engage with the Catholicos in regional activities from New England to the South and from the Mid-Atlantic to the Mid-West.

Feelings of Excitement & Energy

Throughout the Diocese, all of us, clergy and lay people alike, have witnessed the power of our faith. Our youth programs are being re-energized, attendance at Badarak is improving; we enjoyed witnessing the consecration of a new Armenian church in Florida by His Holiness, planted the cornerstone for another church in Massachusetts, saw renewed commitment in churches throughout the Diocese, and are working in a concerted way to help mission communities and parishes take the next step in their transition to full parish status. All this has been done through the work of Diocesan ministry.

Building on our Progress Next Year

We are already beginning to launch programs that will build upon our success of 2007. Already, our first regional workshop and symposia have been scheduled to help parents and children explore their faith in meaningful ways so they can bring it home; so that their homes become centers of the Armenian Christian life and a reflection of the Church God instituted for us all. In 2008, Diocesan ministry will help families and individuals be personally touched through:

• Immersion programs to help families better understand and live out their faith at home
• Post immersion programs to help families sustain what they have learned
• Audio-video programs to help teach the basics of faith, language, culture and worship
• Supporting “mission teams” to visit more parishes and help parishes be more successful
• Encourage more involvement through pilgrimages such as a Diocesan-led trip to Armenia for the blessing of the Holy Muron (Holy Oil) or to Jerusalem
• Promoting more involvement in Hye Camp, St. Vartan Camp or St. Nersess Summer Programs

With Your Help – We Can Achieve Our 2008 Goals

This is a time of opportunity in the life of our church and people. The enclosed brochure outlines the reasons your support and participation are so crucial. Please make a gift online through our secure servers today. With your commitment, our vision to make the Armenian Church significant in the life of every Armenian in the Eastern Diocese and his or her family will be realized.

I know that you will give my request your thoughtful consideration. In the meantime, may God bless you and your loved ones.

With prayers,

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian
Primate

Please let us thank you for your support of the 2007 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal by sending you one of the following gifts as a show of our appreciation:

$35—A special DVD of the Pontifical Visit of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. Contains Armenian, English and Russian content a wonderful gift for friends and family or a unique keepsake. Note: Additional copies can be obtained for each $35 gift to the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal.

$100—This unique, coffee-table sized book contains countless photographs and content covering the Pontifical Visit of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. This is a limited edition run that will disappear quickly!

$250—Porcelain Easter Eggs with a hand-painted image of the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin on one side and, on the other, the Armenian “A” painted in brilliant colors using traditional illuminated manuscript designs. The “A” represents the first year of issue for these unique, limited edition gifts. Handcrafted, complete with stand.

Your Gift will be sent to Donor Information Address.