This week, the 123rd Diocesan Assembly will convene at the Hilton Hotel in Woburn, MA. Holy Archangels Church of St. Michael and St. Gabriel, in Haverhill, will host the Clergy Conference (meeting April 29-May 1), and the Diocesan Assembly (meeting May 1-3), bringing together hundreds of Armenian Church leaders from the Eastern Diocese.
Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan will preside over the gathering, which marks the third Diocesan Assembly since his election as Primate.
The General Sessions—scheduled for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, May 1 through 3—will go forward under the theme “Love One Another.” In his formal remarks, the Primate will introduce the theme during the Friday morning session. Delegates will spend time exploring ways to enact the example of Christ’s love through Christian outreach at the local parish level, and will collaborate on a community outreach project during the assembly sessions.
Other highlights include an update on the campaign for the restoration of St. Vartan Cathedral, and presentations from the Fund for Armenian Relief, Armenian Church Endowment Fund, and Diocesan program departments, ministries, and auxiliary organizations.
Assembly business will also include elections for the Diocesan Board of Trustees, Diocesan Council, and other official committees.
The gala awards banquet and dance will take place at the Hilton Boston/Woburn Hotel on Friday, May 2. At that time, James Kalustian will be honored as this year’s “Armenian Church Member of the Year,” and Fr. John Delaney will receive the “Friend of the Armenians” award. Click here to view a two-page flyer with details of the gala banquet and dance.
Running concurrently with the Diocesan Assembly will be the 36th Women’s Guild Assembly, organized by the Women’s Guild Central Council. The WGCC will hold its 12th “Women of Wonder” award luncheon on Saturday, May 3, at 12 p.m.
The Divine Liturgy at the newly-consecrated Holy Archangels Church of St. Michael and St. Gabriel will conclude the Diocesan Assembly on Sunday, May 4.
Find detailed information on registration, reservations, and the schedule of events on the host parish’s website, by clicking here. Check the Eastern Diocese’s website and Facebook page for updates on the Diocesan Assembly proceedings.