With the blessing of His Holiness Garegin II, Catholicos of All Armenians the Armenian Church World Youth Union (ACYOWorld) continues to implement its pan-diocesan, pan-Armenian and regional programs.
On July 12 of this year, VII ACYOWorld Meeting of Chairpersons took place in an online format, it was attended by about 90 ACYOWorld clergymen and laypersons in charge from 37 dioceses of Armenia and the Diaspora, as well as from the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople.
The Meeting of Chairpersons started with the "Lord's Prayer".
His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, ACYOWorld Spiritual Leader presided over the meeting. Among the items on the agenda were the Regional forums to be held in 2024 and the preparation for Pan-Armenian pilgrimage titled “The Christian Family: An Anchor of the Armenian identity” dedicated to the 25th anniversary of ACYOWorld.
His Eminence directed that all dioceses submit their suggestions/proposals regarding the pilgrimage, which, after collating, will be included in the program.
Very Reverend Archimandrite Tovma Khachatryan, ACYOWorld Spiritual Rector, Director of the Central office presented the regions where Regional forums are planned to be held in the near future too. ACYOWorld Spiritual Leader emphasized the importance of ensuring cooperation and communication and the exchange of programs between ACYOWorld office and the dioceses in the near future too. It was decided to convene another Meeting of the Chairpersons in the month of September. The meeting ended with the “Prayer for 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 planned, organizational issues of Pan-Armenian events, motto of the events of the year, issues regarding regional meetings, changes to ACYOWorld Guidelines and other issues are discussed on the agenda. Each diocese has one vote at the Meeting of Chairpersons.