111th Diocesan Assembly to Convene in Boca Raton

From May 2-5, the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) will hold its 111th Diocesan Assembly in Boca Raton, Fla. The city’s St. David Armenian Church will host the Diocesan gathering, which will bring together several hundred Armenian Church leaders from throughout the Eastern Diocese, including clergy, parish delegates, and parish council chairs, the Diocesan Council, leaders of Diocesan organizations, and members of the Diocesan staff. His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, will preside over all the gatherings and events.

A highlight of the week of activities will be the annual Diocesan Assembly awards banquet, on the evening of Fri., May 3, where Mr. and Mrs. Edward and Janet Mardigian will be honored as the Diocese’s 2013 “Armenian Church Members of the Year.” Natives of the St. John Armenian Church of Southfield, Mich., Edward and Janet Mardigian have been heroic benefactors of the Diocese and the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), and are continuing the grand legacy of leadership, participation, and support established by Edward’s late parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward and Helen Mardigian. The “Friend of the Armenians” award will be presented to former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, who visited Armenia in the wake of the 1988 earthquake.

Prior to the assembly itself, clergy from across the Diocese will meet for their annual Clergy conference and retreat, from Mon., April 29 through Wed., May 1. The Diocesan Women’s Guild General Assembly also convenes during the week. Leaders of parish Women’s Guilds will begin their annual meeting on Thurs., May 2, at 10:00 a.m. The first morning session will go forward under the presidency of the Primate, with all Diocesan clergy participating.

The Diocesan Assembly will convene on Thurs., May 2 at 4 p.m., with sessions continuing to the afternoon of Sat., May 4. In addition to the regular business sessions and reports from the Diocesan Council, FAR, and various Diocesan organizations, one entire morning session will be devoted to a presentation of the new Diocesan theme for the coming year—”Living the Gospel of Christ.”

On Sun., May 5, the Primate will preside over a special Divine Liturgy at St. David Church for the Assembly attendees.

The host parish, under the leadership of its pastor, the Very Rev. Fr. Nareg Berberian, has arranged for accommodations at the Marriott Boca Raton Hotel (5150 Town Center Circle, Boca Raton), where the sessions will also take place. For information on all assembly events, visit www.stdavidfl.com.

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