| NEW
YORK, NY—The 2007 National Representative Assembly (NRA)
of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of
America convened in Dearborn, Michigan, May 17 to 19, under
the presidency of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan,
Prelate. The host parish, St. Sarkis Church, extended a warm
and caring welcome to delegates and guests.
Artin Dermenjian from All Saints Church, Glenview, Illinois,
and Alan Goshgarian, from St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville,
Massachusetts, were elected co-chairmen. Elected to serve
as Armenian and English secretaries, respectively, were Rev.
Fr. Nareg Terterian, pastor of St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston,
New York; and Janet Haroian, of St. Gregory Church, Granite
City, Illinois.
The keynote addresses were given by the Prelate, Archbishop
Oshagan Choloyan, and Jack Mardoian, Esq., chairman of the
Executive Council. Both touched upon aspects of the upcoming
dual anniversaries in 2008: the 110th anniversary of the establishment
of the Armenian Church in America and the 50th anniversary
of the Prelacy’s affiliation with the Great House of
Cilicia. The major theme for both messages was the mission
of the Church.
A message from His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great
House of Cilicia, via the Internet, was heard by the delegates.
In his message the Catholicos spoke about the mission of the
Prelacy; our youth and the future; and the imperative of taking
Christ to our people. His Holiness congratulated the Prelate
on the 40th anniversary of his ordination, and he concluded
by expressing his best wishes to the NRA for a successful
assembly.
Religious
Conference
The Religious Conference, which convened one day earlier,
was attended by the clergymen serving the Eastern Prelacy.
The conference concentrated on pastoral issues and spiritual
enrichment through the prayers associated with the major feasts
of the Armenian Church.
Banquet
The banquet on Friday, May 18, which honored the Prelate on
the 40th anniversary of his ordination, also honored several
local parishioners. Certificates of Merit were presented to
Mr. Kegam Tazian, Dr. Arthur Hamparian, Mrs. Rose Gerjekian,
and Mr. Narses Gedigian. The Prelacy’s Youth Leadership
awards were presented to Ms. Meline Topouzian and Mr. Peter
Crane.
The Spirit of Armenia award was presented posthumously to
Michael Guido, a popular mayor of Dearborn for many years.
A first generation American, Mayor Guido was especially attentive
to the Armenian community in his quest to bring everyone together
for the greater good of all residents of Dearborn. The award
was accepted by his widow.
Prelate’s
Message
The Prelate said next year we will be marking the 50th anniversary
of the Prelacy’s affiliation with the Great House of
Cilicia, and we will be celebrating the service of the Prelacy
during this time. He noted that today the largest and most
vibrant tehms, or dioceses—outside of Armenia—are
the American tehms.
Noting that His Holiness Aram I has designated 2007 as the
“Year of the Armenian Language,” he advised all
to “Read it. Learn it. Use it.” He told the delegates
and guests that “language is not only a means of communication.
It also represents the whole wisdom and philosophy of our
nation.”
The main section of his address focused on the church and
her mission. He described the Church as “the noblest
gift given to our people” that from the very beginning
had a historic mission. “Built on the rock of Christ,
spread by the apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew, illuminated
and nationalized through the efforts of St. Gregory the Illuminator,
it was adopted by our people and became like the ‘color
of our skin.’ The Armenian Church is that spiritual
and intellectual terminal and treasure which next to our love
of Christ gave us love toward our people. . . The Armenians’
house of prayer turned into a place of congregation for all
of us. Anointed with the sweet sounding songs of mysterious
melodies, she became a place of inspiration. She became a
loving and tender mother, a sacred road towards God. Even
when the bells were crushed, they echoed and the hymns became
victory.”
His Eminence spoke about the challenges of secularism facing
the Church. “The charm of secularism must not blind
the eye of our soul. Foolish pleasures should not extinguish
the flame that sizzles in us. On the contrary we must know
how to believe that with this zealousness we will move closer
to our church. The best evidence of this is the fact that
110 years have passed since the formation of the Armenian
Church in North America, fifty years have passed since our
affiliation with the Great House of Cilicia and our church
is better organized, more widespread and stronger.”
The Prelate concluded his remarks with thoughts about our
greater immediate family. “We must become more mindful
of our children’s spiritual health and national education.
This is not just the work of one group. It cannot be accomplished
alone by educated and capable clergymen, but by collective
and dedicated efforts. You are the dedicated representatives
and workers—our delegates, members of our boards of
trustees, teachers, educators, and especially the Armenian
family…. It is time to work. Do not allow the flame
that burns within you to be extinguished,” he said.
Chairman’s
Message
Jack Mardoian, chairman of the Prelacy’s Executive Council,
focused his message on the Prelacy’s mission. He touched
upon a number of topics including the upcoming dual anniversaries;
the challenges facing our clergy in today’s reality;
parish responsibilities; evaluation of educational materials
and directives provided by the Prelacy; the need for better
communications; development of parishes; the vital necessity
of review and re-evaluation of current programs; and finally
the financial resources necessary to realize the mission of
the Church.
“As we approach the 110th anniversary of the initial
establishment of our Prelacy in 1898, the Executive Council
has chosen to focus the attention of this year’s National
Representative Assembly on what it is that calls us to the
church and on what the mission of our church is in today’s
world. Although it would seem that any discussion of the mission
of the Prelacy calls for the discussion of a series of seemingly
complex and difficult questions, as Aram Vehapar has set forth
in his Pontifical Encyclical, The Message of the 1700th Anniversary…the
mission of the Armenian Church and therefore of this Prelacy
is really quite simple: The mission of our Prelacy, as set
forth in the Gospel of Mark 16:15 is to ‘Go into all
the world and to preach the Gospel to everyone.’ In
this context, again quoting Aram Vehapar, ‘the church
is a community of faith, where people are joined together
in Christ, live together the imperatives of the Gospel and
strive for the full realization of the community of God.’
And yet, despite this rather simple and straightforward statement
of our mission as a church, it is obvious that this mission
is not being understood and is not being communicated to those
who live within the geographic borders of our Prelacy.”
Mr. Mardoian then identified and explained the areas of focus
necessary “if we are to grow as a Christian people within
our church and prelacy.”
Concluding his keynote address, the chairman challenged the
delegates to begin their deliberations in earnest. “It
is your work, as the supreme legislative body of our Prelacy,
to advise the Executive Council on the progress of its ongoing
work and to propose programs which will enhance our ability
to serve effectively and to realize our mission as a church.”
Panel
Discussions
The five panel discussion groups were on the following topics:
Youth and Young Adults; Clergy Recruitment, Development and
Training; Financial Development; Audit and Budget; By-Laws
Review.
Delegates were assigned to specific panels where discussions
took place with a report presented to the full NRA with specific
recommendations. The reports will be studied and implemented
by the Executive Council.
Celebrating
Ascension
Thursday evening a Divine Liturgy took place in St. Sarkis
Church, on the occasion of the Feast of Ascension (Hambardzoom).
Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian, pastor of Sourp Khatch Church
in Bethesda, Maryland, was the celebrant. With all of the
clergy participating, delegates and guests were joined by
a large turnout of St. Sarkis parishioners to witness this
inspiring service commemorating the Ascension of our Lord
forty days after His Resurrection.
NALG
Conference
The 24th annual national conference of the National Association
of Ladies Guilds (NALG) took place concurrent with the NRA.
During the meeting the executive members of the NALG presented
their annual report and programs to the representatives of
the various Ladies Guilds. The theme during the year that
just concluded was “When you educate a girl, you educate
a family.” The 2007-2008 theme is “Religious Education.”
The attendees at the conference heard several speakers. Joy
Callan spoke on the “Influence of our Heritage, Parents
and Culture;” Harry Dakesian spoke about “Women’s
Health and Exercise;” and Yeretzgeen Margaret Stepanian
presented a video of the Sunday School students from St. Asdvadzadzin
Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, building a home in Armenia.
The newly elected NALG executive board members are: Mary Derderian,
President; Rose Gerjekian, Vice President; Yeretzgeen Margaret
Stepanian, Secretary; Joy Callan, Treasurer; Agnes Bianco,
Advisor; Rita Tatevossian, historian.
Elections
With three seats to be filled on the Executive Council, the
three incumbents were elected to serve another term: Bedros
Givelekian, Jack Mardoian, and Noubar Megerian.
With two seats to fill on the Religious Council, the incumbent
Rev. Fr. Aram Stepanian, pastor of St. Asdvadzadzin Church
in Whitinsville, Massachusetts, and Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian,
pastor of Sourp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, were elected.
Elected to the Auditing Committee were Aspet Marashian, Avedis
Movsessian and Raffi Ourlian.
Conclusion
Before adjourning, the delegates heard from two guests in
attendance. Mr. Zohrab Tazian, World Council Delegate, and
Mr. Edward Korkoian, the representative of the Diocese of
the Armenian Church (Eastern), who expressed the greetings
of His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the
Eastern Diocese. He congratulated Archbishop Oshagan on his
40th anniversary of ordination wishing him good health and
a long life in his service to the Armenian Church.
The co-chairmen thanked the delegates for an orderly and upbeat
assembly. They thanked the pastor and parishioners of the
host church for their outstanding hospitality.
The final word was from the Prelate who thanked His Holiness
Aram I for his leadership and guidance. He expressed his deep
appreciation to all the delegates for the love they demonstrated
to the Church. He thanked the St. Sarkis community, Der Daron,
the Board, Ladies Guild, Diramayr and Yeretzgeen. He expressed
thanks to Mr. Korkoian for his representation on behalf of
the Eastern Diocese and Archbishop Khajag.
The Prelate announced that in June 2008 there will be the
Blessing of the Holy Chrism (Muron) in Antelias, Lebanon and
an international youth gathering in August.
He closed the 2007 National Representative Assembly with the
benediction. “Greet one another with the kiss of love.
Peace to all of you that are in Christ.” |
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