The annual Clergy Conference of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America was held April 30 to May 2, 2024, in Springfield, MA, as part of the 122nd Diocesan Assembly hosted by the city’s St. Mark Church. Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan presided over the gathering, with nearly the entire complement of active pastors from the Eastern Diocese in attendance, alongside several clergy in retirement.
It was Bishop Mesrop’s second such conference since his election as Primate, and the first since his consecration as a bishop of the church.
Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, the Diocesan Legate and Ecumenical Director, Diocesan Vicar Fr. Simeon Odabashian, and two guests from the Mother See, the Very Rev. Fr. Ruben Zargaryan and Very Rev. Fr. Harutiun Kirakosyan, also attended.
Fr. Mesrob Hovsepyan served as conference chairman, with Fr. Paren Galstyan as vice chairman, and Fr. Guregh Hambardzumyan and Fr. Avedis Kalayjian as the Armenian and English secretaries, respectively. Host parish pastor Fr. Nigoghos Aznavourian welcomed 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 for the Armenian Church. His Holiness drew attention to the urgent security challenges currently faced by our homeland; encouraged active church participation throughout the Diocese; and called on pastors to serve as role models among their parishioners.
The Primate praised God for the opportunity to come together as brother clergy, expressing a prayerful hope that the Armenian people will emerge from their present difficulties. He reviewed the previous year’s celebration of the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Diocese, and also gave an update on the ongoing work to restore St. Vartan Cathedral in New York. He described his vigorous schedule of parish visits through the year, and looked forward with hope to a church consecration and a priestly ordination in the coming months.
Bishop Mesrop also reported to the clergy on progress made during the past year, regarding the Diocesan “action plan” introduced at last year’s Diocesan Assembly titled, “Growing In Faith Together.” Beyond these vital practical matters, however, the heart of the Primate’s message to the clergy was pastoral, revolving around the themes of spiritual renewal and witnessing to the Christian faith.
Presentations & Discussions
Fr. Krikor Sabounjian and Fr. Mardiros Chevian, Dean of St. Nersess Seminary, spoke on the urgent need to identify those with the vocational calling to serve God and the church, who would be potential seminarians.
Archbishop Vicken Aykazian spoke about the ecumenical, interfaith, and global work in which he has been involved. He also cautioned the clergy about the desperate reality of the persecution facing Armenians and other Christians in the Middle East and Jerusalem.
Fr. Hratch Sargsyan, the Diocese’s Interim Director of Ministries, shared some of the work that is being conducted at the Diocese, highlighting the Vemkar digital ministries platform; new publications and tools for the educational purpose of the parishes; youth and camp programs; and music ministry.
In the course of the conference, clergy heard reflections on the Continuing Education Program at Holy Etchmiadzin; learned about federal grants available for enhancing church security; were briefed on a pending U.S. Senate resolution safeguarding Armenia; and heard a report on the programs of the Fund for Armenian Relief and its crowdsourcing platform “Ayo!”
The Clergy Conference concluded on Thursday, May 2, with the Holy Badarak at St. Mark Church, celebrated by Fr. Ruben Zargaryan of Holy Etchmiadzin. Brother clergy sang under the direction of Dn. Rubik Mailian. A requiem service for the departed clergy of the Eastern Diocese was offered at the end of the liturgy.