Over Columbus Day weekend, 220 ACYOA Juniors from parishes throughout the Eastern Diocese gathered for the annual ACYOA Juniors Fall Sports Weekend, hosted by the Church of the Holy Martyrs in Bayside, NY.
The program opened on Friday with an Evening Service and an “Insights” program led by Jennifer Morris, the Diocese’s director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries.
On Saturday morning, the young people took part in sports competitions, which were held at the Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church in Port Washington, NY. Team sports included co-ed volleyball and boys’ and girls’ basketball. Individual competitions included chess, tavloo, Connect Four, and ping pong.
On Saturday evening, participants enjoyed a NYC Sk”hye”line Cruise, taking in views of the Statue of Liberty and other Manhattan landmarks.
The Rev. Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan, pastor of Holy Martyrs Church, celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Sunday. The Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian, Diocesan Vicar, also took part in the service.
Sunday afternoon continued with sports finals. Between games, participants made sandwiches for Interfaith Nutrition Network, in Hempstead, NY. They also collected canned goods for Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Wyandanch NY.
Sunday evening concluded with an awards banquet and dance.
On Monday morning, the young people enjoyed a farewell breakfast before returning to their home parishes.
Sports Winners
Boys Basketball: St. Leon Church, Fair Lawn, NJ
Girls’ Basketball: St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Church, Wynnewood, PA, and Holy Trinity Church, Cheltenham, PA
Co-ed Volleyball: St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Church, Wynnewood, PA ,and Holy Trinity Church, Cheltenham, PA
Beginner Tavloo: Meline’ Avrigian, St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Church, Wynnewood, PA
Advanced Tavloo: Nikolas Aslanian, St. Leon Church, Fair Lawn, NJ
Beginner Chess: Lauren Dadekian, St. Leon Church, Fair Lawn, NJ
Advanced Chess: Kevork Atinizian, Holy Trinity Church, Cambridge, MA
Connect Four: Adam Pidedjian, Church of the Holy Martyrs, Bayside, NY
Boys ping pong: Ryan Heaton, St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Church, Wynnewood, PA
Girls ping pong: Linda Yenicag, Church of the Holy Martyrs, Bayside, NY
Outstanding Sportsmanship: Kiki Sarkissian, St. Gregory the Enlightener Church, White Plains, NY
Outstanding Sportsmanship: Greg Grigorian, Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church, Providence, RI
Overall: St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Church, Wynnewood, PA