St. Leon Church "Sound of Children" Summer Camp Click Here to lean more
The 53rd Annual ACYO-WD Sports Weekend tournament “From Athens to Armenia” in Fresno, CA took place this Memorial Day weekend, May 26-28, 2017. The Sports Weekend tournament is one of the four annual events the Central Council hosts for its members. Athletes from across the Western Diocese participate in team sports including junior/senior boys basketball and girls volleyball, co-ed dodgeball, and co-ed soccer. Individual sports included tennis, chess, ping pong, and backgammon.
The weekend also hosts several social events and an evening banquet for all to attend.
The weekend began at Buchanan High School in Clovis with the Opening Ceremony. The “Parade of Parishes” kicked off the ceremony as chapters entered the main gym flying their chapter/parish flags to music of their choice. The U.S. National Anthem was performed by Gayane Petrosyan followed by Mer Hayrenik by St. James Sacramento ACYO member Arackel Isayan. The Armenian Dance Academy of Fresno led by Mrs. Karine Hovhannisyan performed for all in attendance. His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian shared a message with the youth and recognized the Central Council for their work in bringing together the youth. His Eminence invited Berj Apkarian, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Armenia to address the youth as well. The weekend officially kicked off with a prayer led by the Primate.
Reflecting on the significance of Memorial Day, in his welcoming message the Primate said “I invite you all for a moment of silence who gave their lives for the blessed country of the United States of America in protecting our freedom-loving nation and liberties. Let us also remember and pray for those fallen soldiers who protected our ancestral lands of Armenia and Artsakh.” This year the Sports Weekend is significant because we celebrate our youth in the context of the 90th anniversary of the Western Diocese.
It is our expectation that you, as the torchbearers and the future of the Armenian Apostolic Church, live your Christian Faith and be noble disciples of Christ, our Lord. This weekend is a celebration of sportsmanship, fellowship and in a unique way, solitude, so that each of us may grow spiritually.”
His Eminence expressed his gratitude to the twelve Diocesan priests who had attended the sports weekend and encouraged the youth of their respective parish, the Honorary Consul H.E. Berj Apkarian and Diocesan Council member Mr. Derik Ghookasian for their cordial presence.
Click here or on the gallery below for more photos.
Saturday began bright and early as athletes continued to compete in their respective sports. The Buchanan High School quad was filled with youth singing, dancing, and of course eating. Our Chapter festival brought St. John San Francisco’s homemade Choreg, St. Vartan Oakland’s Armenian coffee and tea, and St. Gregory the Illuminator Fowler’s Andrew Hagopian playing the oud with St. Vartan’s Khoren Sahagian. At lunch, the smell of the delicious Armenian barbecue filled the high school as Fr. Avedis, Fr. Krikor, and Fr. Yegishe from Holy Apostles, St. Garabed, and St. James Sacramento, respectively, all prepared a BBQ for 500 youth and parents alike. On Saturday night the youth connected for a Disco skate at Cal Skate Clovis. Our “Yerevani Kisherner” was a great hit as 200 ACYO members attended the event.
Our youth traveled to St. Mary Yettem to attend the celebration of the Divine Liturgy with His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian as the day’s celebrant. The sanctuary was standing room only as it was full with youth and parishioners from the Yettem community. We also celebrated the birthday of our beloved Der Zaven, Parish Priest of St. Mary Yettem. In addition to the church service and birthday celebrations, our youth were also witness to the ordination of Dr. Hagop Tabibian to the Diaconate. In his homily, the Primate reflected on the significance of Feast of the Ascension of Christ, noting Christ’s great commission (Matthew 28) in the life of the Church. “We are the Church and the more we are engraved in our Church life, the faster the Church grows and progresses in her mission” said His Eminence in part.
The ladies society hosted a delicious luncheon following Badarak to feed the many that travelled to Yettem. After the tasty lunch at St. Mary Yettem our youth traveled back to Buchanan High School for the championship games.
53 years of tradition brought us to a sold out Awards Ceremony and Banquet at St. Paul Fresno Sunday night. There wasn’t an empty seat in the house as the hall reached maximum capacity. The crowd of over 300 members, parents, and supporters from throughout the diocese filled St. Paul’s Haig Berberian Hall for an unforgettable night of non stop dancing and celebration. The Central Council would like to thank Der Yessai Bedros, Darlene Chardukian, Vartush Mesropyan, Deacon Steve Adams, Mr. and Mrs. Sedrak and Anahit Yazlyan, Mr. and Mrs. Nazaret and Seta Jindoian, Mr. and Mrs. Dicko and Alexia Shahvekelian, Hera Kestekyan, Armine Azizian, Anush Krikorian, Talin Azizian, Jessie Chao and Sevan Jindoian for their indispensable support, love and guidance throughout the weekend.
At the conclusion of the banquet, led by the Primate, the youth recited the following pledge.
"We promise to be God-loving, Church-loving dedicated youth. We ask the Almighty to instill in our hearts His divine wisdom so that we may become worthy servants of our Church. Almighty God, help us and guide us to walk through your paths and to fulfill your commandments. We promise to be devout citizens of the United States of America and equally to our ancestral land of Armenia."
We hope to see you all at our next event! Save the Date, we’re going to the Bay! The bi-annual Alumni Gala “Rooted in ACYO” will be September 9, 2017 at St. Vartan’s John Marukian Hall. You won’t want to miss this premier event.
