Raffi G. Naljian, Esq.RGN@NaljianLaw.com
The Armenian Church Youth Association (ACYA) was formed a mere four years ago under the auspices of H.E. Moushegh Arch. Mardirossian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Western America. Currently, the ACYA, headquartered at the Western Prelacy in La Crescenta, serves both Armenian Christian youth and young adults through two bodies: one for youth ages 11 to 17, and the other for young adults and adults alike, ages 18 to 35.
The ACYA’s nine-member Central Executive Committee is led by Chairman Raffi Naljian and vice-chairman Manuk Chulyan. Local chapters of the ACYA cater to their respective groups at churches throughout California, with six chapters in the greater Los Angeles County, and others in Fresno and San Francisco. Overall, the ACYA has more than 300 active members throughout California.
Since its inception, the ACYA’s goals have been to bring the Armenian youth and young adults back to church through various activities and events, and moreover, to keep them in church by educating them about Christianity as applicable to the Armenian Church. In helping with these great challenges, the ever-devoted Right Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian and Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian always provide their undivided support to the ACYA and its various activities throughout all the local churches.
Last year was the most successful year yet for the ACYA. The year was highlighted with events hosted by both the Central Executive ACYA and local chapters throughout the state. More specifically, eight members of the ACYA were fortunate enough to have an all-expense-paid trip to Antelias, Lebanon, in August 2008 for a youth conference. The youth conference, organized by the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s Youth Department, was officially launched in the Saint Mary Monastery in Bikfaya on August 4. The conference convened under the theme "The Armenian Youth in the face of the challenges of the 21st century." The conference was held under the auspices of His Holiness Aram I, who also presided over the opening ceremony and addressed the young delegates participating in the conference from Armenian communities worldwide. The conference brought together over 100 young Armenians from the Eastern and Western prelacies of North America, Istanbul, Cyprus, Kuwait, the Arab Gulf countries, Tehran and Isfahan, Syria and Lebanon.
Locally, the ACYA chapters were highly active in their respective communities. Between the various local chapters, young adults engaged in numerous activities, including:
• Five visits to Ararat Home, including two trips to the nursing home facility and three to the elderly-resident facility. All visits included singing prayers and church songs to the elderly, in addition to serving various desserts;
• Three "Community Movie Nights", which included free showings of biblical movies during specific holidays. In 2008, the movies "The Nativity Story," "The Passion of the Christ," and "The Ten Commandments" were shown during Armenian Christmas, Easter, and the All-Saints day (Halloween);
• Six hiking trips, two of which allowed members to hold their bi-weekly meetings at the top of the mountain;
• Three at-the-park meetings held at McCambridge Park in Burbank, where members were able to play sports for an entire afternoon, in addition to Bible-Study lectures at each meeting;
• Volunteering during Holy Week by way of greeting churchgoers and performing crowd control, including reading of "Havadov Khosdovanim" ("With Faith I Confess") at a church service, passing out butter after "Washing of the Feet", passing out flowers on "Good Friday" and running "recruitment booths" during both Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. More than 40 different members in total volunteered during the ten-day period;
• A Second Anniversary All-Day Picnic where members of both the St. Mary’s Parish and Board of Trustees attended to celebrate the chapter’s second anniversary, with an attendance of over 70 members and their families. The Sub-Committee provided a full day of activities, including sports, games, food and refreshments;
• A three-day, two-night camping trip in the month of September, highlighted by a visit by Rev. Fr. Vazken Atmajian. Twenty-one members enjoyed a weekend at Rivernook Campground, which included Bible Studies, prayer sessions, a showing of "The Gospel of John", a morning hike, a trip to a nearby "slip ‘n slide", numerous games and sports, and of course, numerous home-made meals prepared by ACYA Subcommittee members;
• The Third Annual Thanksgiving Potluck held on Saturday, November 22, 2008. The now-traditional event has become an amazingly popular tradition for the local Armenian Christian young adults, which is a free event, open to all ACYA members and used as a recruitment tool for non-members. Dinner included more than 30 tradi
prepared by ACYA Subcommittee members;
• The Third Annual Thanksgiving Potluck held on Saturday, November 22, 2008. The now-traditional event has become an amazingly popular tradition for the local Armenian Christian young adults, which is a free event, open to all ACYA members and used as a recruitment tool for non-members. Dinner included more than 30 traditional Armenian, American and Middle-Eastern dishes and numerous home-made desserts. Entertainment for the night was provided by a live DJ playing international music for all attendees. More than 125 members attended this highly-successful event;
• Several attendances to various local church-sponsored events where youth and young adult members were encouraged to show up in great numbers;
• A bonfire night at Dockweiler Beach during July, which followed a young adults meeting at the St. Mary’s Church;
• Two meetings at the Western Prelacy Headquarters in La Crescenta, where members were encouraged to later join the Divine Liturgy held every first Saturday of each month;
• A multi-church hike with members of the Pasadena, Glendale and La Crescenta ACYA members; and
• The very popular ACYA New Year’s and Christmas Celebration held on December 27, 2008.
• Five visits to Ararat Home, including two trips to the nursing home facility and three to the elderly-resident facility. All visits included singing prayers and church songs to the elderly, in addition to serving various desserts;
• Three "Community Movie Nights", which included free showings of biblical movies during specific holidays. In 2008, the movies "The Nativity Story," "The Passion of the Christ," and "The Ten Commandments" were shown during Armenian Christmas, Easter, and the All-Saints day (Halloween);
• Six hiking trips, two of which allowed members to hold their bi-weekly meetings at the top of the mountain;
• Three at-the-park meetings held at McCambridge Park in Burbank, where members were able to play sports for an entire afternoon, in addition to Bible-Study lectures at each meeting;
• Volunteering during Holy Week by way of greeting churchgoers and performing crowd control, including reading of "Havadov Khosdovanim" ("With Faith I Confess") at a church service, passing out butter after "Washing of the Feet", passing out flowers on "Good Friday" and running "recruitment booths" during both Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. More than 40 different members in total volunteered during the ten-day period;
• A Second Anniversary All-Day Picnic where members of both the St. Mary’s Parish and Board of Trustees attended to celebrate the chapter’s second anniversary, with an attendance of over 70 members and their families. The Sub-Committee provided a full day of activities, including sports, games, food and refreshments;
• A three-day, two-night camping trip in the month of September, highlighted by a visit by Rev. Fr. Vazken Atmajian. Twenty-one members enjoyed a weekend at Rivernook Campground, which included Bible Studies, prayer sessions, a showing of "The Gospel of John", a morning hike, a trip to a nearby "slip ‘n slide", numerous games and sports, and of course, numerous home-made meals prepared by ACYA Subcommittee members;
• The Third Annual Thanksgiving Potluck held on Saturday, November 22, 2008. The now-traditional event has become an amazingly popular tradition for the local Armenian Christian young adults, which is a free event, open to all ACYA members and used as a recruitment tool for non-members. Dinner included more than 30 tradi
prepared by ACYA Subcommittee members;
• The Third Annual Thanksgiving Potluck held on Saturday, November 22, 2008. The now-traditional event has become an amazingly popular tradition for the local Armenian Christian young adults, which is a free event, open to all ACYA members and used as a recruitment tool for non-members. Dinner included more than 30 traditional Armenian, American and Middle-Eastern dishes and numerous home-made desserts. Entertainment for the night was provided by a live DJ playing international music for all attendees. More than 125 members attended this highly-successful event;
• Several attendances to various local church-sponsored events where youth and young adult members were encouraged to show up in great numbers;
• A bonfire night at Dockweiler Beach during July, which followed a young adults meeting at the St. Mary’s Church;
• Two meetings at the Western Prelacy Headquarters in La Crescenta, where members were encouraged to later join the Divine Liturgy held every first Saturday of each month;
• A multi-church hike with members of the Pasadena, Glendale and La Crescenta ACYA members; and
• The very popular ACYA New Year’s and Christmas Celebration held on December 27, 2008.
The event was open to adults over 18 with more than 225 persons in attendance. The night included a fully catered dinner and appetizers. Of course, those present danced the entire night to Armenian, Middle-Eastern and other international dance music.
Overall, year 2008 brought numerous new mem bers to the ACYA, which exposed young adults and adults alike to the teachings of the Armenian Apostolic Church, allowed members to participate in various church activities and services, and created volunteering opportunities to help both the respective local church and its faithful. Most importantly, ACYA activities allowed members to learn teachings from the Bible and establish a better and closer relationship with our Church and the Christian faith through the help and support of various clergymen. There is no doubt the ACYA will continue its strong growth, both in membership and in the quality of its teachings, during 2009. All Armenian Christian young adults are encouraged to visit their local church and ask about joining the ACYA, or by calling 818-859-9081.
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