From May 2 to 4, 2019, in Burlington, MA, 159 clergy and lay delegates representing parishes from across the Eastern Diocese gathered for the 117th Diocesan Assembly, hosted by the St. James Church of Watertown, MA.
Presiding over the gathering—which was preceded by the annual Diocesan Clergy Conference (April 29-May 1) and ran concurrently with the Women’s Guild Assembly—was Diocesan Primate the Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, who led the deliberative body that had elected him as Primate one year ago.
To open the proceedings, the Primate offered brief remarks in Armenian and then English to introduce the theme of the assembly, “Christ’s Healing in a Broken World.”
Drawing on scripture, Armenian history, and his recent personal experience of loss, Fr. Daniel identified healing as “the heart of the Christian message.” He mentioned the “brokenness observable in our world and country, our church and indeed our Diocese,” and prescribed “the Christian ministry of healing to bring relief to a world desperately in pain.”
As the Assembly’s first session got underway, the Rev. Fr. Gabriel Vardanyan read the message of His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. Fr. Vardanyan and the Rev. Fr. Ghevond Temkin both attended the 117th Diocesan Assembly and Clergy Conference as representatives of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
In his written message to the delegates, His Holiness reflected on the upcoming episcopal consecration of the Primate. “Empowered by the graces and blessing of the most High, he will commence his work of service with a new enthusiasm for the splendor of the Eastern Diocese and welfare of our Armenian American people,” he wrote.
The Rev. Fr. Avedis Kalayjian gave the report of the Clergy Conference, held earlier in the week. He thanked the Primate for leading an inspirational conference, and mentioned Diocesan efforts to support the clergy through technological and educational resources.
Gail Boroyan gave a report of the Parish Council Chairs meeting held on the morning of May 2. The meeting was led by Diocesan Council member Paul Mardoian, and gave parish council chairs a chance to discuss issues relating to local parish management, stewardship, and general parish concerns.
The delegates heard from the Rev. Fr. Antranig Baljian, of Watertown’s St. Stepanos Church, who applauded the spirit of healing for the Armenian Church, and conveyed greetings from Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian. The Primate expressed joy at the presence of Fr. Baljian, whom he praised as a “heroic Armenian priest.”
From Healing to Building
In a formal address to the delegates on Friday morning, Fr. Findikyan reflected on his first year as Diocesan Primate. “Last year you honored me by electing me as the Primate of this great, historic Diocese. Aside from my ordination into the holy priesthood, it was one of the most moving, humbling experiences of my life,” he said.
“This past year has been a time of discovery for me. It was not merely a time of learning, but also a time of connecting with the entirety of our Diocese: its parishes, pastors, and people. It’s been very heartening to receive your goodwill, and to witness your good works that routinely and abundantly go on among our beautiful parish communities.”
He proceeded to outline an ambitious set of priorities for the coming years, drawing inspiration from a passage in St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians (Eph 4:11-16). His broader plan, titled “Building Up the Body of Christ: A Vision for Our Diocese,” include ideas for reinvigorating Diocesan organizations aimed at youth, choirs and altar servers; elevating the level of liturgical services; and making various modes of education a top priority for all segments of the church community.
He concluded with a plea to faithful across the Diocese to “recognize the great strength that resides in our church, when her faithful act together, as a common body, with a common purpose.”
The Primate’s address was followed by a panel presentation by members of the Diocesan staff, including Christopher Zakian of the Communications department; Artur Petrosyan, Arpi Nakashian, and Dn. Eric Vozzy on Creative Ministries; Rev. Fr. Hovhan Khoja-Eynatyan on the Sacred Music Council; Rev. Fr. Krikor Sabounjian and Laurie Onanian on Development and fundraising; Jennifer Morris on Youth and Young Adult Ministries; and Dr. Christopher Sheklian on the Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center.
Diocesan Vicar the Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian read reports from Elise Antreassian and Gilda Kupelian, respectively of the Diocese’s Christian Education and Armenian Studies departments. The Very Rev. Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan spoke on his recent plans as the new Vicar of St. Vartan Cathedral. Relatedly, the Primate made reference to a pilot program in the works to support mission parishes in the early stages of formation, and plans to re-invigorate activity among the choirs of the Diocese.
Addressing Major Issues
For the Diocesan Council report, council vice chair Paul Mardoian took the podium in place of chairman James Kalustian, who was absent due to a sudden family crisis. Items covered during the Diocesan Council report included operational changes at the Diocese and updates on ways to develop the material assets of the Diocese to benefit the organization, its parishes and people.
Among these is a collection of Arshile Gorky artwork, items of which, council member Lisa Esayian reported, are currently on display in Venice. The delegates were informed that the Diocesan Council will be seeking outside expert counsel to address the needs to properly maintain and insure the Diocese’s Gorky collection.
Another valuable asset is the Diocesan Center in New York, which has been the subject of ongoing investigations for its development. Paul Mardoian spoke to community concerns about the issue by assuring that there was no arrangement to sell any part of the cathedral complex property. Joined at the podium by Board of Trustees member Janet Mardigian, the two said that the Diocesan Board of Trustees and Diocesan Council would be working together on major financial questions facing the Diocesan Center, jointly setting up subcommittees of experts to advise them on matters like the monetization of air rights. The two added that the process would be transparent with the public, and that reports would be made available as they were issued. The Diocesan Council said it would inform the Diocesan Assembly prior to any action being undertaken.
Janet Mardigian said that the Board of Trustees and Diocesan Council have agreed “to go back to square one” on all matters pertaining to the disposition of property and monetization of the air rights. Paul Mardoian added that in regard to these matters, the two bodies “need to discuss with experts what’s even possible.”
Diocesan Council member Antranig Garibian addressed a matter involving the governance of the Diocese, by describing steps taken by the council to gain clarity in an ongoing discussion about the Diocesan Bylaws. Mr. Garibian said that the council has engaged an international law firm to investigate the question of whether the Global Guidelines for Diocesan Bylaws, issued by the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in 2010, conflict with New York State law regarding not-for-profit institutions. That investigation is still underway, with no decision rendered, he said.
The Primate addressed a proposal introduced last year supporting an expanded role for women in the liturgy and diaconate. Fr. Findikyan indicated a report he has issued, outlining his consultations with church authorities on the matter. He said that while there is still “historical and ecclesial work to do on the issue” of women and girls in altar service, he pledged to be at the forefront of determining how the Diocese, and the Armenian Church overall, could proceed on the matter.
Paul Mardoian also advised the assembly that a pilot program is underway, in which seven parishes are participating, to change to a stewardship-based membership system starting January 1, 2020, from the dues-paying membership system that currently prevails in the Eastern Diocese.
A Year in Review
Diocesan Council treasurer Roseann Manoogian Attar presented the council’s financial report, stating that through the council’s disciplined approach to budgetary issues, the Diocese has been able to pay down all of its outstanding debt and has not borrowed in the past year. She presented a detailed breakdown of Diocesan holdings and funds, and introduced the independent auditor engaged by the Diocese to answer any questions from the floor. The delegates voted to approve the revised 2019 budget and a proposed budget for 2020.
In a panel discussion format, reports and overviews were given by the leaders of the Diocese’s auxiliary organizations, including Aram Hintlian on the Ararat Youth and Conference Center; Nora Knadjian on the ACYOA Central Council; Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian on St. Nersess Seminary; Nancy Kassabian on the Women’s Guild Central Council; Thomas Garabedian on the Armenian Church Endowment Fund; and Randy Sapah-Gulian on the Fund for Armenian Relief.
Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Diocesan Legate and Ecumenical Director—and president of the ecumenical group Christian Churches Together—spoke on the plight of Christians in the Middle East, and his advocacy on their behalf.
Delegates also heard the Auditing Committee’s report from Russell Kaishian.
Ara Araz spoke on behalf of the NEA and ERA Bylaws Review Committee, formally established by the Diocesan Assembly several years ago.
Melanie Dadourian and Oscar Tatosian, co-chairs of the Diocese’s “Our Church, Our Legacy” Endowment Campaign, spoke about the effort to raise $15 million to support Diocesan and parish programs, which has passed the half-way mark to its goal.
The Diocesan Assembly’s final session introduced several proposals dealing with administration, membership, and practical considerations in the Diocesan operations.
A proposal updating the language in the Diocesan Bylaws to formally permit the Board of Trustees to hold telephonic meetings (in addition to in-person meetings) was passed by the delegates. As a Bylaws amendment, it will need to pass at a second Diocesan Assembly, and be ratified by the Catholicos of All Armenians, to be incorporated into the Bylaws.
A proposal on the disposition of real property, requiring separate majority votes of the respective memberships of the Diocesan Council and Board of Trustees in order to approve a sale (as distinct from a majority of their combined membership), was passed by the delegates. It will likewise be voted on again next year.
Finally, a proposal to limit the terms of Diocesan Council members also passed, and will also be brought to a second vote next year. Prior to voting, the proposal was endorsed by the sitting Diocesan Council. It will limit elected members to serving three consecutive four-year terms, after which there is a mandatory two-year respite from council service before a former member can be considered as a candidate again.
The 117th Diocesan Assembly was chaired by Lisa Esayian of St. James Church in Evanston, IL, with Gregory Saraydarian of Holy Martyrs Church in Bayside, NY, serving as vice chair. Laurie Bejoian of Holy Translators Church in Framingham, MA, served as the secretary.
The assembly host committee was led by the Rev. Fr. Arakel Aljalian, pastor of St. James Church of Watertown, MA, and Thomas Gengozian and Herman Purutyan as committee co-chairs.
The 118th Diocesan Assembly will be hosted by the St. Sarkis Church in Dallas, TX.
Click on the link to view photos of the 117th Diocesan Assembly.
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2019 DIOCESAN ASSEMBLY ELECTION RESULTS
Below are the names of individuals elected to Diocesan boards and positions during the 117th Diocesan Assembly.
Diocesan Board of Trustees
Sandra Shahinian Leitner
Diocesan Council
Fr. Vasken Kouzouian
Fr. Krikor Sabounjian
Dn. Levon Altiparmakian
Roseanne Manoogian Attar
Lisa Kouzoujian
(Alternates: Rev. Fr. Hratch Sargsyan, Ara Araz)
Auditing Committee
Ara Araz
(Alternate: Sarine Zenian)
Proposals Committee
Dn. Ara Jeknavorian
Bruce Ashbahian
Fr. Avedis Kalayjian
Fr. Samuel Rith-Najarian
Sarine Zenian
(Alternate: Charles Babikian)
Nominating Committee
Lynn Cetin
Jacqueline Elchemmas
Fr. Vart Gyozalyan
Fr. Mesrob Hovsepyan
Alex Topakbashian
(Alternate: Dn. Narek Garabedian)
Ecclesiastical Representative Assembly (ERA)
Fr. Mardiros Chevian
Lynn Cetin
Lisa Esayian
Paul Mardoian
(Alternates: Fr. Aren Jebejian, Dn. Ara Jeknavorian)
National Ecclesiastical Assembly (NRA) / Ecclesiastical Review Committee (ERC)
Fr. Mardiros Chevian
Fr. Garabed Kochakian
Ara Araz
Thomas Ashbahian
Dean Shahinian
(Alternates: Fr. Avedis Kalayjian, Dn. Serop Demirjian)