V Meeting of Chairpersons took place

With the blessing of His Holiness Garegin II, Catholicos of all Armenians, Armenian Church World Youth Union (ACYOWorld) continues the implementation of its pan-diocesan, regional and pan-Armenian programs.

On March 24 of this year, V ACYOWorld Meeting of Chairpersons took place in an online format, about 5 dozen young people and spiritual/clerical persons in charge from 37 dioceses of Armenia and abroad, as well as a representative from the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople, participated in it.

The Meeting of Chairpersons started with the "Lord's Prayer". His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of North America, ACYOWorld Spiritual leader presided over the meeting and made an opening speech.

Then in accordance with the decision of the previous Meeting of Chairpersons, casting of lots for the purpose of selecting “Sister Dioceses” was carried out at ACYOWorld Central office according to the principle: 2 dioceses of the abroad and 1 domestic diocese, which was followed online by all participants of the meeting. 3 dioceses of the abroad “fell to the lot of five dioceses of Armenia. The aim of creating a viable and active inter-diocesan cooperation platform is being pursued through “Sister dioceses” program.

Among the other items on the agenda were the visits to be carried out by ACYOWorld office to the dioceses of Armenia, as well as the programs to take place in the Diaspora. The organizational issues concerning ACYOWorld Pan-Armenian pilgrimage under the title “Holy Etchmiadzin - the birthplace of our faith” scheduled for 5-10 July 2023 was specially touched upon and discussed. The Meeting of Chairpersons ended with the "Lord's Prayer".

The Meeting of Chairpersons is an advisory body, which is attended by clergymen and laypersons responsible for youth affairs of the dioceses. At the invitation of the Central Office it is convened with periodicity of once every one or two years, as well as when needed. Details of the programs that took place and the ones scheduled, organizational issues of Pan-Armenian events, motto of the events of the year, issues concerning regional meetings, changes to ACYOWorld Guidelines and other issues are discussed on the agenda. Each diocese has one vote at the Meeting of Chairpersons.