The 122nd Diocesan Assembly will convene May 2-4, 2024, at the Marriott Springfield Downtown in Springfield, MA. The city’s St. Mark Armenian Church will host the Diocesan Assembly and Clergy Conference (meeting April 30 to May 1), bringing together hundreds of Armenian Church leaders from across the Eastern Diocese.
Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan will preside over the Assembly, which will go forward under the theme “Be My Witnesses.”
Assembly attendees will be hosted at the newly-renovated Marriott Springfield Downtown, which re-opened recently following a major renovation. The hotel is situated in the heart of the city, within walking distance of area attractions including the Basketball Hall of Fame, the Springfield Museums, and MGM Springfield.
St. Mark’s parishioners and its Diocesan Assembly organizing committee are looking forward to welcoming delegates and clergy to Springfield—known as the “City of Firsts” and the Birthplace of Basketball—for the third time in the parish’s history.
Online hotel reservations and online assembly registration are now open and can be accessed via the St. Mark Armenian Church website. For questions, contact info@stmarkarmenianchurch.org, or Assembly chair David Jermakian at davidjermakian@gmail.com.
Awards Banquet: Friday, May 3
The annual Diocesan Assembly Awards Banquet will take place at the Marriott on the evening of Friday, May 3. On that occasion, the Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, executive director of Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) will receive the “Friend of the Armenians” award.
The long-serving, distinguished elder clergyman, the Rev. Fr. Mampre Kouzouian, will be honored as the “Armenian Church Member of the Year.”
Click here to register for the banquet.
The banquet will feature a special musical performance by renowned violinist, Samvel Arakelyan. Born in Yerevan and currently based in Florida, Arakelyan has performed throughout Europe, the U.S. and Russia, and regularly performs with the Traverse Symphony in Michigan and symphonies throughout Florida. Arakelyan has performed with popular artists such as Lindsey Sterling, Evanessence, Josh Groban, Idina Menzel, and Sarah McLachlan.
The host parish is also publishing a Commemorative Booklet, and invites parishes, clergy, delegates, and the public to extend personal greetings in its pages and support the St. Mark parish. Click the following link to contribute to the booklet online. The levels of giving evoke the Diocese theme for this year’s Assembly, which is “Be My Witnesses: Where Faith Blooms, Love Shines.” For questions, contact sponsorship chair Anna Garabedian at (413) 478-7688 or GMG3@aol.com.
Seeing the Sights of Springfield
The St. Mark community—its pastor Fr. Nigoghos Aznavourian, parish council, Assembly committee, and all the faithful—encourage delegates to stay in Springfield through Sunday, May 5, to participate in the Divine Liturgy together. Bishop Mesrop will celebrate the badarak at St. Mark Church.
Following services, the parish is hosting a special brunch for Diocesan Assembly guests and parishioners.
In the meantime, there are many things for delegates to do in Springfield after meetings adjourn on Saturday. They can attend the newly-renovated Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame; or visit the “Springfield Museums”: home to the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Museum of Springfield History. Visitors can also check out MGM Springfield, which offers dining and entertainment options; and even take in a Springfield Symphony Orchestra concert (a program titled “Bugs Bunny at the Symphony” is scheduled for the weekend). The hotel is also within walking distance of many great restaurants.
But it all begins with reservations and registration, which can be made online via the St. Mark Armenian Church website.
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