Over the Memorial Day holiday, some 200 ACYOA Seniors and Armenian young adults from across the Eastern Diocese gathered for the 2025 ACYOA General Assembly and Sports Weekend, hosted by the ACYOA Seniors of St. John Church in Southfield, MI.
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 23 with the 2025 ACYOA General Assembly, where 42 ACYOA chapter delegates representing a dozen 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 2025-2026 ACYOA Central Council are Peter Bogosian (secretary), Lori Dorian (ministries and outreach), Shahe Der Torossian (ministries and outreach), and Alex Madajian (alternate). Remaining on the Central Council are Mara Najarian (chair), Alisha Panthier (vice chair), Dn. Garen Megrdichian (treasurer), and Sarah Tavitian (communications).
The ACYOA Central Council expressed gratitude to outgoing members Ani Misirliyan, Jackie Russell, and Andrew Yenicag for their many years of dedicated service to the ACYOA and the Armenian Church.
In addition to Bishop Mesrop and host parish pastor Fr. Aren Jebejian, clergy attending the General Assembly and Sports Weekend included Fr. Garabed Kochakian, Fr. Krikor Sabounjian, Fr. Hratch Sargsyan, Fr. Abraham Ohanessian, and Fr. Andreas Garabedian.
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 youth organization and to the Armenian Church.
(See below for a listing of this year’s award recipients.)
Motor City Social Events
On Friday evening, young adults gathered at Fifth Avenue in Royal Oak for billiards and dancing to the music of DJ Esso, in anticipation of Saturday’s sports competition.
Saturday morning, athletes boarded buses early to head to a local high school for a full day’s schedule of sports competitions that included Men’s Basketball, Women’s Basketball, Co-Ed Volleyball, Pickleball, Backgammon, and various e-Sports. In an authentic expression of Midwest hospitality, participants were treated to breakfast, lunch, and snacks throughout the day.
After a brief respite at the hotel, everyone headed to the Little Caesars Arena Biergarten downtown Detroit for a lively Saturday evening of dancing, with music by the Nigosian Band.
The pews of St. John Church were filled with ACYOA Seniors from across the Eastern Diocese on Sunday morning, for the Divine Liturgy. Bishop Mesrop was the celebrant and delivered an inspirational sermon, with many of the weekend attendees participating on the altar, in the choir, and among the congregation. The service concluded with the installation ceremony for the new ACYOA Central Council.
A brunch prepared by the St. John Women’s Guild followed services, before athletes and spectators moved to St. John Church’s Recreation Center for the sports finals.
(See below for the list of teams and individuals who brought first place trophies to their parish communities.)
Sunday evening began with a special ACYOA Alumni reception featuring lavish mezze and time to mingle and reminisce, before the doors opened for the ACYOA Awards Dinner and Banquet. The Hamazkayin Dance Ensemble took center stage before the ballroom floor filled with dancers enjoying music from the Yerakouyn Band and DJs MKay and Esso.
Participants departed on Memorial Day energized for further involvement in the life of the Armenian Church among their home parishes.
The ACYOA Central Council congratulates St. John Church’s 2025 ACYOA General Assembly and Sports Weekend Committee, the parish ACYOA Seniors, and the Detroit-area parish community for their fruitful efforts in organizing the weekend. Special appreciation is extended to the steering committee composed of Fr. Aren Jebejian, Paul Andonian, Lisa Mardigian, Mara Najarian, Talia Oknayan, Armen Arslanian, and Celene Philip.
Click the following links to view photos of the ACYOA Assembly sessions, sporting events, Sunday liturgy and awards banquet. (Photos by Mano Baghjajian.)
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2025 ACYOA AWARDS
ACYOA Seniors Chapter “A” Award:
St. James Church, Watertown, MA
Sam Nersesian Service Award:
Yn. Lucine Sabounjian, Holy Resurrection Church, New Britain, CT
Gregory Arpajian Leadership Award:
Maria Panthier, St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Chicago, IL
Very Rev. Fr. Haigazoun Melkonian Award:
Rev. Fr. Hratch Sargsyan, St. Gregory of Narek Church, Cleveland, OH
Rev. Fr. Haroutiun and Yn. Patricia Dagley Award:
Paul Andonian, St. John Church, Southfield, MI
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2025 ACYOA SPORTS COMPETITION
Outstanding Sportsmanship:
Michael Rose
Sarah Babikian
Co-Ed Volleyball:
Chicagoland ACYOA
Runner Up: Holy Martyrs ACYOA, Bayside, NY
Women’s Basketball:
St. John ACYOA, Southfield, MI
Runner Up: Chicagoland ACYOA, IL
Men’s Basketball:
Chicagoland ACYOA
Runner Up: St. John ACYOA, Southfield, MI
Pickleball:
Celene Philip & Michael Armen Kadian
Runners Up: Peter Crane & Michael Nersesian
Backgammon:
Tadeh Derstepanian
Runner Up: Andrew Yenicag
Mario Kart:
Eric Trimble
Runner Up: Nick Sarafian
Super Smash Bros:
Andrew Boskovich
Runner Up: Christian Khachian
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