By Sarine Atamian
DETROIT — Youth and clergy from across the Eastern Diocese gathered here over Memorial Day weekend for the 68th annual Armenian Church Youth Organization of America (ACYOA) General Assembly and Sports Weekend.
The General Assembly was held on May 21 and 22, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Novi, with Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), presiding.
The weekend was hosted by the ACYOA Seniors of St. John Church of Southfield. The assembly was chaired by Harry Kezelian of St. John Church. Mallory Maslar of St. Hagop Church of Pinellas Park, Fla., served as vice chair.
On Thursday , May 21, delegates heard reports on the Pan-ACYO Conference held in Armenia last year, programs at St. Nersess Seminary, and the activities of the Zohrab Information Center. These were presented by Sarine Atamian, the Rev. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Nersess Seminary, and the Very Rev. Daniel Findikyan, director of the Eastern Diocese’s Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center, respectively.
Chevian was presented with the “Very Rev. Fr. Haigazoun Melkonian Award” for his dedication to the youth of the Armenian Church. A reception for the ACYOA delegates and clergy closed out the evening.