The annual Clergy Conference of the Eastern Diocese was held May 2-4, in Dallas, TX, as part of the 121st Diocesan Assembly hosted by the city’s St. Sarkis Church. It was the first in-person gathering of all Diocesan clergy since the start of the pandemic. Diocesan Primate Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan presided over the conference for the first time since his election last year.
Fr. Aren Jebejian served as conference chairman, with Fr. Khachatur Kesablyan as vice chairman, and Fr. Paren Galstyan and Fr. Andreas Garabedian as the Armenian and English secretaries, respectively. Host parish pastor Fr. Ghevond Ajamian and host committee co-chair Silva Dayian warmly welcome the participants.
A paternal blessing from His Holiness Karekin II, the Catholicos of All Armenians, was read to the clergy, commending the work they do in the diaspora for the Armenian Church, while drawing attention to the challenges faced in our homeland of Armenia and Artsakh, as well as in the diaspora.
The Primate praised God for the opportunity to gather in person at last, expressing prayerful hope that the Armenian people will emerge from all their present difficulties. He introduced the clergy to the upcoming plans to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Armenian Church Diocese in America, and also updated them on plans to restore St. Vartan Cathedral in New York, and to fundraise for that purpose. The coming year will also see the 850th anniversary of St. Nersess Shnorhali’s death, the re-opening of the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, a Blessing of Holy Myron ceremony at the Mother See, and the Primate’s own episcopal ordination by the hand of Catholicos Karekin II.
Fr. Parsamyan also discussed the Diocesan “action plan” that has been in development, and was slated to be a major topic during the 121st Diocesan Assembly sessions. Titled “Growing In Faith Together,” the plan seeks to fortify spiritual life at the levels of the individual worshiper, the parish, and the Diocese overall. It focuses on five broad areas of church life—Worship, Education, Witness, Service, and the “Common Life in Christ”—and gives specific goals and timelines for development.
Presentations & Discussions
Dean of St. Nersess Seminary Fr. Mardiros Chevian spoke on the seminary’s mission and the urgent need to encourage and identify those who have the vocational calling to serve God and the church.
Diocesan Legate and Ecumenical Director Archbishop Vicken Aykazian spoke about the ecumenical, interfaith, and global work in which he has been involved. But also cautioned the clergy about the desperate reality of the persecution facing Armenians in Artsakh, and of Christians in communities in India, the Middle East, Ukraine, and Jerusalem.
Fr. Hratch Sargsyan, the Diocese’s Interim Director of Ministries, shared some of the new work that is being conducted at the Diocesem highlighting a new emphasis for the Vemkar digital ministries platform, and new publications and tools being prepared for the educational purpose of our parishes.
Conference chair Fr. Aren Jebejian and Diocesan Vicar Fr. Simeon Odabashian gave the clergy an opportunity to discuss challenges they are facing in parish life. The clergy addressed church attendance, live streaming, declining membership, and the sanctity and importance of Holy Communion.
Among other presentations, Interim Diocesan Executive Director Fr. Davit Karamyan spoke in detail about plans to restore the cathedral; Aram Hintlian spoke about the Ararat Center and Conference Facility; and Paul Mardoian spoke about the clergy pension plan.
The Clergy Conference concluded on Thursday, May 4, with the Holy Badarak celebrated by Fr. Andreas Garabedian at the new St. Sarkis Church. Brother clergy sang under the direction of Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian, and Fr. Garabed Kochakian delivered a homily on the Holy Spirit’s guiding presence in the lives of the faithful. A requiem service for the departed clergy of the Eastern Diocese—including the greatly beloved Fr. Nersess Jebejian, who passed away this year—was offered at the end of the liturgy.