Pastors from throughout the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America met during October and November 2019 for a series of “Armenian Clergy Continuing Education Gatherings.” The retreats took place in three Diocesan regions, and were inaugurated this year as an autumn companion to the annual clergy retreats held during Great Lent.
Fourteen Diocesan clergy from parishes in the Midwest region and elsewhere gathered at the Joseph and Mary Retreat House (in Mundelein, IL) on October 28-30 for the first retreat, led by Diocesan Primate Bishop Daniel Findikyan. The three-day program included updates on Diocesan programs, and a presentation on materials prepared by the Diocese to assist pastors in their outreach to new parents following the baptism of their children.
For the Mid-Atlantic regional retreat, 17 clergy met at St. Mary’s Villa (Sloatsburg, NY), on November 11-13. The gathering was presided over Bishop Daniel, and focused on “Building Up the Body of Christ” through the celebration of badarak. Each morning and evening the clergy participated in the daily prayer offices. A special requiem service was held for the Armenian Catholic priest Fr. Hovsep Bedoyan and his father Apraham, both recently martyred in Syria.
In New England, 14 clergymen came together on November 18-20 at the Betania II Conference Center (Medway, MA). The Primate delivered an inspirational lecture on “Holy Communion and the Mission of the Armenian Church,” after which he addressed areas of the liturgy where he expects uniformity of practice. A two-hour open forum with the Primate allowed the clergy to discuss matters of concern in their pastoral ministries.
Click here to view photos from all three events.