The annual Clergy Conference of the Eastern Diocese was held April 28 to 30, in Milwaukee, WI, as part of the 124th Diocesan Assembly hosted by the city’s St. John the Baptist Church. Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan presided over the gathering, with nearly the entire complement of active pastors from the Diocese in attendance, alongside several clergy in retirement.
Fr. Hovhan Khoja-Eynatyan served as conference chair, with Fr. Ghevond Ajamian as vice chair, and Fr. Voskan Hovhannisyan and Fr. Avedis Kalayjian as the Armenian and English secretaries, respectively. Host parish pastor Fr. Guregh Hambardzumyan welcomed the participants.
The Primate described his vigorous schedule of parish visits through the year, which has taken him to every parish and mission community in the Diocese. He also spoke joyfully about presiding over more than 200 ordinations into the diaconate and minor orders, his social media outreach and engagement.
The primate highlighted the progress and remaining challenges regarding the renovation of the Cathedral and Diocesan complex, and future plans for a Pontifical visit and re-consecration by His Holiness, projected to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the Cathedral.
Bishop Mesrop also spoke on progress made on the St. Vartan Cathedral restoration project. More generally, Bishop Mesrop stressed the sacred calling of priests to bring the presence of Christ to the people, and to be engaged in renewal, brotherly love, and constant prayer.
The clergy also received briefings from director of Diocesan Ministries Fr. Hratch Sargsyan about recent initiatives from the Ministries department (including those in youth outreach, adult education, sacred music, the Diocesan camps, Armenian language, Bible study, publications, and the Vemkar digital platform); from Fr. Ghevond Ajamian on the Diocese’s new Evangelism Ministry, called “Manna: Food for the Soul,” which is preparing for launch in the parishes; and from Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan on the “Parish Compass” college initiative which aims to connect students to the closest Armenian Church.
Informative presentations were also given by Diocesan Vicar Fr. Simeon Odabashian; Diocesan Council Chair Richard Papalian; and Diocesan Legate and Ecumenical Director Archbishop Vicken Aykazian. A number of new publications on sacramental services and pastoral concerns were also introduced to the assembled clergy.
Two visiting clergymen from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin—Fr. Zakaria Baghumyan and Fr. Movses Sargsyan —spoke on Confession and the role of Father Confessor, and on developments and present concerns in the homeland.
The Clergy Conference concluded with badarak at St. John Church, celebrated by Fr. Vardan Hayrapetyan (currently interning at the Armenian Church of Our Saviour, Worcester, MA). A requiem service for the departed clergy of the Eastern Diocese was offered at the end of the liturgy.
Click the following link to view photos of the 2026 Clergy Conference.