Diocesan Primate Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan welcomed a group of ACYOA juniors from different cities

On Sunday, Diocesan Primate Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan welcomed a group of ACYOA juniors from New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Connecticut to St. Vartan Cathedral and the Diocesan Center.

"How inspiring it is to bring young souls into our mother cathedral," he said. "It's such a blessing to speak with young people who are interested in our community's history and tradition."

The Primate spoke to the ACYOA juniors about the story of the Armenian Church in America, and the 125th anniversary of the Diocese's establishment. "I encouraged them to follow in the footsteps of their ancestors who came to this country and established the diocese by trusting in God," he said.

He added: "The 125th anniversary of our diocese is a significant milestone: a time to reflect on our community's rich history and tradition. But it is also an opportunity to pass on the legacy of our forefathers to the next generation, ensuring the continuation of our faith and culture for years to come.

"Our young people are the future of our community, and it is crucial to educate them about our history and traditions.

The ACYOA juniors' visit was a testament to their enthusiasm and interest in learning more about our diocese. I am grateful for their visit, and I hope that they continue to pursue their interest in our community. "As we celebrate the 125th anniversary of our Diocese, let us all keep our community in our prayers and work together to carry on the legacy of those who came before us. We must continue to educate our youth, passing on our traditions and values so that they too can carry on our community's legacy."

In St. Vartan Cathedral's sanctuary, Fr. Mesrop concluded the visit by expressing his heartfelt thanks to the ACYOA juniors. "Let us all continue to work together to ensure the continuation of our community's rich history and tradition," he said.