NEWS AND NOTES

PRIMATE VISITS

ARCHBISHOP WORSHIPS WITH THE OLDEST

A resident of the New York Armenian Home for the Aged reads a poem she wrote for Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, during his annual visit to the center on Jan. 8.

AMBASSADOR ORDWAY

U.S. AMBASSADOR ORDWAY SPEAKS OF NEED FOR INVESTMENT IN ARMENIA

The Diaspora should invest in Armenia. That was the message of the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Ordway, who spoke to about 200 Armenians at the Eastern Diocesan Complex in New York City on Jan. 13. It was one of three stops he was making on the East Coast in an effort to encourage more Diaspora business leaders to invest in Armenia.

Ambassador Ordway said that since Armenia's independence, the U.S. Embassy there has shifted from providing help in basic areas such as shelter and food, to working on economic investment activities to help the country thrive economically. While it has seen some successes, the Republic of Armenia still needs help from the Diaspora, Ordway said.

MR. JOHN NAKASHIAN

COMMUNITY SUPPORTER HONORED IN NEW JERSEY

John Nakashian and the late Mrs. Nakashian are joined by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and John Ordway, America's ambassador to Armenia, when Mr. Nakashian was presented on Jan. 11 with the St. Gregory the Illuminator Medal—the church's highest lay honor.

WOMEN’S MINISTRY

WORKSHOP IN WATERTOWN FOCUSES ON WOMEN'S MINISTRY

Women from throughout the Watertown, Mass., area gathered on Jan. 17 at the St. James Church for a retreat titled The Modern Woman: Shaping Up For Faith; Training to Run the Good Race.The event was organized by “Circle of Friends”—the Watertown parish women's group focused on Christian fellowship and personal spiritual growth.

“The retreat was a great reminder of the practical steps we can take to help us run the good race—that is, build a closer relationship with Christ,” said Elaine Westermark, who coordinates the “Circle of Friends” programs with Yn. Natasha Aljalian. Elise Antreassian, Diocesan coordinator of Christian education, coordinated the half-day retreat.

To arrange for a similar program in your area, contact Antreassian by e-mailing elisea@armeniandiocese.org or calling (212) 686-0710 ext. 57.

SCOOYA

ACYOA HOSTS SCOOYA CONFERENCE AT ST. NERSESS

On Feb. 7, 12 youth and clergy representatives from the five Oriental Orthodox churches met at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary in New Rochelle, N.Y. for a session led by Nancy Basmajian, executive secretary of the Armenian Church Youth Organization of America (ACYOA). The group, which first came together last June, is part of the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Youth of America (SCOOYA).

LENTEN RETREAT

LENTEN RETREATS BRING CLERGY TOGETHER

This year's the clergy retreats for the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)—traditionally held during Lent—focused on the idea of pastoral care in times of grief and loss.

“This is one of the major responsibilities of a priest, and we always need to learn new ways to minister more effectively to people in times of crisis,” said Fr. Karekin Kasparian, coordinator of pastoral support ministry for the Diocese.

During each of three regional retreats, professional grief counselors discussed coping methods. The clergymen also shared their own experiences and approaches for comforting people in need. The three-day retreats also offered time for prayer, worship, reading and reflection.

“In times of crisis, when faced with mortality, that is when people turn to our clergy. So it is important to give them this opportunity to examine how they address such issues,” said Archbishop Khajag Barsamian.

PEACE & TOLERENCE

PEACE AND TOLERANCE CONFERENCE

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, delivers the blessing at a luncheon honoring His All Holiness Bartholomew I at the Minskoff Cultural Center in New York City on Mar. 17. The event marked the 10th anniversary of the Peace and Tolerance Conference and the Bosphorus Declaration of 1994.

KHRIMIAN LYCEUM

DIOCESAN KHRIMIAN LYCEUM CELEBRATES CULTURE

The Khrimian Lyceum's 2004 “Gala des Amateurs” featured the Armenian language skills, musical ability, and cultural knowledge of the program's 60 students. Along with being a celebration of the Armenian spirit, the Gala was also a chance to honor those students who completed the six-year program.

The 2004 graduating class includes: George Chahinian, Grace Cholakian, Laura Dulgerian, Mary Gulmezian, Talar Parisian, Roy Seter, and Ida Zohrabian.

For more information on the Khrimian Lyceum programs in New York, Massachusetts, and Illinois contact Sylva der Stepanian, coordinator of Armenian education, at (212) 686-0710, ext. 48.

KEMAL YALCIN

ST. VARTAN CATHEDRAL HOSTS BRAVE WRITER

Turkish author Kemal Yalcin's travels and personal interviews in 1998 with Armenian survivors of the Genocide became a book, “You Rejoice My Heart.” Yalcin addressed a crowd at a reception hosted by the Diocese on Apr. 15.

In it, he tells personal stories: Armenian women who had married Turks to survive, orphaned young children, skilled Armenian craftsmen, forced to convert to Islam to survive. He also wrote of the generation that survived the Genocide.

Yalcin's You Rejoice My Heart,is available from the St. Vartan Bookstore's website, www.stvartanbookstore.com, or by calling (212) 686-0710 ext. 52.

FROM HOLY ETCHMIADZIN

CLERGY FROM ETCHMIADZIN TOUR EASTERN DIOCESE

Fr. Vahram Melikyan, seen here talking to Diocesan Assembly Delegate George Mekenian, and Fr. Asoghig Karapetyan, both from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, traveled to the Eastern Diocese throughout May. They attended the Diocesan Assembly and visited with parishes throughout the Diocese.

D.C. CONFERENCE

DIOCESES JOIN WITH AGBU, ASSEMBLY AT CONFERENCE

Leaders of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), the Western Diocese, the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), and the Armenian Assembly of America joined in Washington, D.C. for a weekend conference (Apr. 18-19) organized by the Assembly. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian represented the Eastern Diocese, along with Bishop Vicken Aykazian, diocesan legate and ecumenical officer, and Diocesan Council members Sarkis Bedevian and James Kalustian.

The purpose of the conference was to discuss issues pertaining to Armenians, such as recognition of the Genocide, permanent normal trade relations between Armenia and the United States, U.S. assistance to Armenia, and American foreign policy towards the Republic of Armenia. Archbishop Barsamian delivered the benediction at the Apr. 19 banquet and Bishop Aykazian helped organize an ecumenical service that featured speeches by Cardinal William Keeler, Catholic Archbishop of Baltimore, MD; and Bob Edgar, general secretary of the National Council of Churches.

REX KACHIGIAN

LONGTIME SUPPORTER HONORED WITH ST. NERSESS SHNORHALI MEDAL

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, on May 2, presented S. Rex Kachigian with the prestigious St. Nersess Shnorhali Medal and a Pontifical Encyclical on behalf of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians. The St. Nersess medal is awarded to individuals who demonstrate outstanding commitment and service to the Armenian Church.