IV 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 February 10 of this year, IV ACYOWorld Meeting of Chairpersons took place in an online format, more than 50 local clergymen and laypersons responsible for youth affairs from 38 dioceses of Armenia and abroad, as well as 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 Primate presided over the meeting and made an opening speech.

"With its mission ACYOWorld, in particular these days when Mother Armenia and Artsakh, including the Diaspora, are facing challenges, is obliged to increase its organizational work and devotion tenfold for the sake of the youth, our homeland and the steadfastness of our Holy Church" His Eminence emphasized in his speech.

One of the items on the agenda of the Meeting of Chairpersons was ACYOWorld Pan-Armenian pilgrimage under the title “Holy Etchmiadzin - the birthplace of our faith” scheduled for 5-10 July 2023. The pilgrimage is a prayer consolidation of the representatives of Pan-Armenian youth, a platform for the implementation of spiritual and educational programs, as well as a way to implement youth pastime and other programs.

Among the other items on the agenda were ACYOWorld Regional Forums to take place this year, as well as the creation of ACYOWorld Interdiocesan programs/projects, which implies turning the idea of sister dioceses into reality through collaboration of the dioceses of the Diaspora and Armenia.

Very reverend Archimandrite Tovma Khachatryan, ACYOWorld Spiritual Rector, Director of the Central Office, briefly presented to the participants at the meeting the programs scheduled by the Office for 2023: with the inclusion of new educational components, diocesan and regional visits with proposed new formats and geography.

The Meeting of Chairpersons was held in a lively atmosphere. The participants at the meeting directed their questions at His Eminence Hovnan and Father Tovma, came forward with interesting proposals that will be included in the pilgrimage agenda.

The Meeting of Chairpersons ended with a prayer of “Protection”.

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.