Over the Memorial Day holiday, some 300 ACYOA Seniors and Armenian young adults from across the Eastern Diocese gathered for the 2024 ACYOA General Assembly and Sports Weekend, hosted by the ACYOA Seniors of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in Chicago, IL.
Presiding over the General Assembly and witnessing the whole weekend of spirited fellowship was the Primate of the Eastern Diocese, Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan.
The weekend kicked off on Friday, May 24 with the 2024 ACYOA General Assembly, where 60 ACYOA chapter delegates representing 18 parishes, plus observers and clergy, came together to conduct the business of the ACYOA, reflect on the past year of ministries, hold elections, and engage in meaningful discussions.
Additionally, a presentation was made to discuss the importance of recruitment and the many opportunities for young adults to explore educational opportunities at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary.
ACYOA Central Council Elections
Newly elected to the 2024-2025 ACYOA Central Council are Dn. Garen Megrdichian (secretary), Mara Najarian (communications), Alisha Panthier (ministries and outreach), Sarah Tavitian (ministries and outreach), and Anastasia Bohajian (alternate). Remaining on the Central Council are Ani Misirliyan (chair), Jackie Russell (vice chair), and Andrew Yenicag (treasurer).
The ACYOA Central Council extended its heartfelt gratitude to outgoing members Mardig Klachian, Madeline Ovassapian, Yn. Lucine Sabounjian, and Michael Sarafian for their dedicated and passionate service to the ACYOA and Armenian Church.
In addition to Bishop Mesrop and host parish pastor Fr. Andreas Garabedian, clergy attending the General Assembly and Sports Weekend included Fr. Tavit Boyajian (Sts. Joachim and Anne, Palos Heights, IL), Fr. Mardiros Chevian (St. Nersess Seminary), Fr. Avedis Kalayjian (St. Mesrob, Racine, WI), Fr. Hovhan Khoja-Eynatyan (St. James, Evanston, IL), Fr. Yeprem Kelegian (retired), Fr. Krikor Sabounjian (Holy Translators, Framingham, MA), and Fr. Hratch Sargsyan (St. Gregory of Narek, Richmond Heights, OH).
The ACYOA thanked all of the clergy leaders for their ongoing support of the organization and its youth, as well as Diocesan Council members Lisa Essayian and Mona Karoghlanian for attending to support the young adult leaders of the Eastern Diocese.
During the General Assembly’s Primate’s Luncheon, ACYOA Central Council presented its annual awards to individuals and chapters for their service and dedication to the organization and Armenian Church.
(See below for a listing of this year’s award recipients.)
Windy City Social Events
On Friday evening, weekend attendees gathered at Millenium Hall—a short walk from the hotel, the Marriott Renaissance Chicago Downtown—to spend the evening reuniting with old friends and meeting new ones.
Saturday was an action-packed day of sports as teams representing ACYOA chapters across the Diocese competed in Co-Ed Volleyball, Women’s Basketball, Men’s Basketball, Backgammon, Chess, and Mario Kart. Crowds gathered to witness the spirited competition at Whitney M. Young High School with the championship games on Sunday.
(See below for the list of teams and individuals who brought first place trophies to their parish communities.)
On Saturday evening, participants danced to Armenian and American music by DJ M-Kay at the VU Rooftop Bar: a venue 22 stories above street level, offering breathtaking views of Chicago.
On Sunday, Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Chicago’s St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, with many of the weekend attendees participating on the altar, choir, and congregation. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the new ACYOA Central Council members were installed, and outgoing members received a gold ACYOA pin in gratitude for their service.
Following badarak, attendees mingled with parishioners of the Chicago community during fellowship hour, then headed over to the gym to watch the championship games.
The weekend concluded with the Sunday evening gala banquet. After an inspiring message from Bishop Mesrop, host pastor Fr. Andreas Garabedian was joined by weekend chair Alisha Panthier and committee members to distribute sports trophies.
The Siragan Armenian Dance Company of Chicago then took center stage, kicking off the night with an energetic performance, before participants danced to the musical entertainment of singer Shant Massoyan, keyboardist Raffi Massoyan, and disc jockey M-Kay.
The ACYOA Central Council congratulates the 2024 Chicago ACYOA General Assembly and Sports Weekend Committee, St. Gregory the Illuminator ACYOA Seniors, and the Chicago parish community for their incredible effort in organizing a wonderful weekend.
Click the following links to view photos of the ACYOA Assembly sessions, sporting events, Sunday liturgy and awards banquet, along with a recap video of the weekend. (Photos and video by Mano Baghjajian.)
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2024 ACYOA AWARDS
ACYOA Seniors Chapter “A” Award:
Holy Resurrection Church, New Britain, CT
Sam Nersesian Service Award:
Greg Marifian, Holy Shoghaghat Church, Belleville, IL
Cindy Panthier, St. Gregory the Illuminator Church Chicago, IL
Gregory Arpajian Leadership Award:
Vinney Moushigian, St. James Church, Watertown, MA
Very Rev. Fr. Haigazoun Melkonian Award:
Rev. Fr. Vart Gyozalyan, Hye Pointe Church, Haverhill, MA
Rev. Fr. Haroutiun and Yn. Patricia Dagley Award:
Dn. Daron Bolat, St. Sarkis Church, Dallas, TX
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2024 ACYOA SPORTS COMPETITION: FIRST PLACE TROPHIES
Co-Ed Volleyball:
Chicagoland ACYOA
Women’s Basketball:
Chicagoland ACYOA
Men’s Basketball:
Chicagoland ACYOA
Backgammon:
Andrew Yenicag, Holy Martyrs Church, Bayside, NY
Chess:
Michael Sarafian, St. Hagop Church, Pinellas Park, FL
Mario Kart:
Brandon Simon, St. James of Nisibis Church, Evanston, IL
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