NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY CONVENES

      The Eastern Prelacy’s National Representative Assembly (NRA) convened in New York City, May 13-15. The clergy conference began one day earlier. The NRA was hosted by the two New York parishes: St. Illuminator’s Cathedral and St. Sarkis Church. It was the first time the NRA was hosted jointly by two parishes and the first time since 1962 that the NRA took place in New York City.
        Archbishop Oshagan delivered the keynote address this afternoon. His Eminence focused his comments on Faith and Service noting “…service is a calling and the success of our service is our happiness. When we make service the purpose of our lives, then we bring our nation’s children together. We do everything with sacrifice, with the hope of continuity, just like the self-sacrifice of Vartanank, with their motto ‘For the sake of our faith and for the sake of our fatherland,’ secured our nation’s victory over all of the evil of the time and history. Our motto today remains the same: ‘For the sake of our faith and for the sake of our fatherland.’”

FEAST OF THE ASCENSION CELEBRATED DURING NRA
        Delegates to the NRA as well as the faithful from the New York metropolitan area celebrated the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ, at St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York on Thursday May 13. The Ladies Guild served dinner following the service. After dinner entertainment was provided by the Yeraz Dance Group and the students of St. Illuminator’s Armenian School.

ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN RE-ELECTED BY ACCLAMATION         His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America (Eastern United States), was re-elected to a fourth four-year term by acclamation at the National Representative Assembly.         Following the election, the clergy, delegates and guests escorted the Prelate into the sanctuary at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral where a
	Archbishop Oshagan during the Hrashapar service following his election to a fourth term as Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy.
Hrashapar service took place. His Eminence expressed his thanks for the confidence shown in his leadership and thanked the delegates for their unanimous support. He pledged to guide the Eastern Prelacy during the next four years to greater horizons and growth in the Armenian Church’s sacred mission.         Religious Council members are: Rev. Fr. Aram Stepanian, chairman; Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, secretary; and Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian.                Executive Council members are: Stephen Hagopian, chairman; Zohrab Tazian, Vice-Chair; Dr. Raffi Manjikian, secretary; Raffi Ourlian, treasurer; John Daghlian, Hagop Antranigian, and Dr. Zareh Soghomonian.

YERETZGINS VISIT METROPOLITAN MUSEUM         A conference of Yeretzgins coincided with the National Representative Assembly in New York City. On Thursday the Yeretzgins enjoyed two informative lectures given by Mrs. Iris Papazian and Yn. Joanna Baghsarian.         On Friday they spent a good part of the day at the Metropolitan Museum of Art where Dr. Helen Evans spoke to them about the two
	Dr. Helen Evans (fourth from left) at one of the two khachkars on display at the Met with the Yeretzgins and friends.
Armenian khatchkars on display as well as other exhibits of Armenian interest. She also took the group to the library to show them an Armenian manuscript that is being prepared to be displayed within the next few weeks.

NALG CONFERENCE DURING ASSEMBLY         A conference of the National Association of Ladies Guilds (NALG) took place concurrent with the recent National Assembly. Representatives from Ladies Guilds of Prelacy parishes attended and provided insight into the work of the Ladies Guilds as well as discussing future plans on national and local levels.
	Some of the NALG participants during one of the sessions.

HONOREES DURING THE NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY         During the NRA banquet on Friday, May 14, several parishioners from the two host New York parishes (St. Illuminator and St. Sarkis) were honored for their extraordinary service to the Armenian Church.        Certificates of Merit were presented to: Araxie Bakalian, Hermine Seferian, Julie Ishkanian, Zmroukhd Markarian, Amy Gostanian, Edward Barsamian, Gourgen Grigorian, and Louiza Kubikian.        Youth Leadership Awards were presented to: Anais Gharibian, Garen Vartanian, Daniel Megerian, and Nevair Oranjian.         The 2010 Spirit of Armenia award was given to Representative Joseph Crowley (NY, 7th District) in recognition of his support of the Armenian American community.
	Some of the honorees at the NRA banquet.