PALM HARBOR, FL – More than 125 clergy and lay delegates, representing parishes from across the Eastern Diocese, gathered in Palm Harbor, FL, from May 4 to 6, for the 115th Diocesan Assembly, hosted by St. Hagop Church of Pinellas Park, FL.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), presided over the meeting. In his message to delegates on Friday morning, May 5, Archbishop Barsamian spoke about ways the church must expand its ministries to reach people in the 21st century.

He noted the Diocese’s new Creative Ministries project, which teaches the history and traditions of the Armenian Church through video and audio episodes, and mentioned other efforts to use technology for outreach.

Turning to some of the challenges facing the Diocese, he spoke about recent meetings with parishioners in different regions and their concerns about declining membership, modern social ills, and the difficulty of attracting young people, among other things.

“Admittedly, some of these are issues our church cannot simply settle overnight,” he said. “But at the same time, I feel that none of these concerns is so great that we cannot overcome them—together. We need to speak openly together. Plan and work together. And above all, pray together—pray for the well-being of each of our parish communities.”

He went on to speak about the Diocese’s commitment to preparing pastors through the program at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary. Archbishop Barsamian mentioned the seminary’s new campus in Armonk and the Diocese’s support of clergy pursuing advanced degrees through the continuing education initiative.

Reflecting on this spring’s release of “The Promise,” the new feature film about the Armenian Genocide, Archbishop Barsamian reminded clergy and delegates that the generation of 1915 charted a new course for their children and children.

“In a world where ugliness, suffering, madness was all around them, they never lost sight of the beautiful, the gentle, the holy,” he said of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide.

“They held onto those qualities like precious seeds, and they replanted them here, in this country, when they resettled their lives. We today are the inheritors of what they planted.”

Rev. Fr. Arsen Mirzoyan read the message of His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. Fr. Mirzoyan and Rev. Fr. Sahak Sahakyan both attended the Diocesan Assembly as representatives of Holy Etchmiadzin.

“We exhort you to make the Eastern Diocese and our church prosper with God-pleasing works and commitments for the glory of God and for the well-being of our God-loving people,” His Holiness wrote.

The Rev. Fr. Avedis Kalayjian gave the report of the Clergy Conference, held from May 1-3 at the Bethany Center in Lutz, FL.

Gail Guroian gave a report of the Parish Council Chairs meeting held on the morning of May 4. The meeting was led by Diocesan Council member Paul Mardoian, and gave parish council chairs a chance to address discuss issues, such as outreach, welcoming new members, hall rentals, and other parish building initiatives.

Diocesan Council chair James Kalustian highlighted accomplishments of the previous year. He noted that the council has been working with several parishes which are in the process of building new sanctuaries and halls, including Hye Pointe Church of Bradford, MA; St. Gregory the Enlightener Church of White Plains, NY; St. James Church of Watertown, MA; and St. Sarkis Church of Dallas, TX. He also mentioned the renovation of Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium at the Diocesan Center and the increase in rentals the Diocese looks forward to in the coming year.

Regarding the council’s strategic plan, Mr. Kalustian mentioned efforts to continue developing topic-driven programming, support continuing education for clergy, and assisting parishes with community outreach.

Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Diocesan Legate and Ecumenical Director, spoke about the plight of Christians in the Middle East and the importance to advocate on their behalf in the United States. He described his trip to Iraq last January, where he met Christian refugees and heard first-hand about the threats they face in their daily lives.

Archbishop Aykazian also spoke about his efforts to advocate for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide and work with the new administration to boost support for Armenia and Artsakh.

On Friday morning, May 5, the Diocese’s communications and ministries staff members made a presentation about the new Creative Ministries project. They screened several videos in the “Bread & Salt” series, discussed podcasts, and shared supplemental materials available for parish schools and study groups.

Clergy and delegates then had an opportunity to attend small group sessions, where they heard reports from various Diocesan department leaders, as well as representatives of St. Nersess Seminary, the Fund for Armenian Relief, Armenian Church Endowment Fund, ACYOA, Sacred Music Council, Ararat Center, and the Women’s Guild.

In the afternoon, delegates heard from the Auditing Committee and Diocesan Council treasurer Roseann Manoogian Attar. They approved the revised 2017 budget and the proposed $4.6 million budget for 2018.

Melanie Dadourian and Oscar Tatosian, co-chairs of the Diocese’s Endowment Campaign, spoke about the effort to raise $15 million to support Diocesan and parish programs. The “Our Church, Our Legacy” campaign was launched last fall to inspire every Armenian, strengthen their faith, and make the church a relevant part of daily life.

“Our goal is to make the church more relevant to every parishioner in every region of the Diocese,” Ms. Dadourian said. “We want everyone to feel a part of this effort and help us grow the church.”

She announced that $8 million has already been raised. “We have a very strong start,” added Mr. Tatosian, “but there’s still a long way to go.”

Another campaign now underway across the Diocese aims to raise funds to restore Christ’s tomb in Jerusalem. The Rev. Fr. Arakel Aljalian and the Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, members of the “Save the Tomb” campaign committee, gave an overview of its progress, noting that more than a third of the $300,000 goal has been raised to date. They encouraged delegates to support fundraising receptions planned for the coming months, and announced that the Diocese will organize an Easter pilgrimage to the Holy Land next year.

Charles Takesian was presented with the “St. Vartan Award” in recognition of his leadership of the Armenian Church community of Ocala, FL.

On Saturday, May 6, clergy and delegates received the reports of the NEA and ERA Bylaws Review Committee. They approved a proposal directing the Diocesan Council to centralize administrative services—such as health insurance, payroll, or human resources policies—to leverage the collective strength of the parishes. A second proposal to ensure that assembly minutes are finalized and distributed to delegates in a timely manner was also approved.

In closing the meeting on Saturday, May 6, Archbishop Barsamian expressed his gratitude to clergy and delegates for their commitment to the Armenian Church. He also thanked the officers of the assembly and the host committee for their hard work in organizing the weekend’s events.

The 115th Diocesan Assembly was chaired by Diran Jebejian of St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn, NJ, with Alex Topakbashian of St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Church of Wynnewood, PA, serving as vice chair. Laurie Bejoian of St. James Church of Watertown, MA, served as the secretary.

The assembly host committee was led by the Rev. Fr. Hovnan Demerjian, pastor of St. Hagop Church of Pinellas Park, FL, and Stepan Serpekian, committee chair.

The 116th Diocesan Assembly will be hosted by St. Gregory the Enlightener Church of White Plains, NY.

2017 DIOCESAN ASSEMBLY ELECTION RESULTS

Below are the names of individuals elected to Diocesan boards and positions during the 115th Diocesan Assembly.

Diocesan Board of Trustees
Haig Ariyan

Diocesan Council
Very Rev. Fr. Aren Jebejian
Rev. Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian
Antranig Garibian
James Kalustian
Mona Karoghlanian
Oscar Tatosian

Auditing Committee
Russell Kashian

Proposals Committee
Rev. Fr. Mesrob Hovsepyan
Rev. Fr. Avedis Kalayjian
Rev. Fr. Khachatur Kesablyan
Bruce Ashbahian
Dn. Serop Demirjian

Nominating Committee
Rev. Fr. Ghevond Ajamian
Rev. Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan
Rev. Fr. Hratch Sargsyan
Nancy Basmajian
Ara Jeknavorian

NEA / ERA Review Committee Alternates
Rev. Fr. Arakel Aljalian
Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian