Exactly one year after the WHO officially proclaimed the COVID-19 pandemic, the Western Diocese brought together people under the umbrella of its annual Reclaim Conference to look at issues of “Faith in a post-pandemic world.” In a virtual environment, participants logged-in to listen, absorb, contemplate and move forward in a world that has been plagued by the coronavirus in more ways than the physical, but in the spiritual, psychological and emotional realms as well.

This was the fifth incarnation of the Reclaim Conference, which kicked off in 2017 as a means of highlighting the sacred and important work of the Armenian Church, in its Christian ministry in a rapidly changing world. People came from all over the world to listen to speakers and participate in the discussion round-tables about issues of faith and faith in action. Over 200 participants from five different countries attended the conference on March 6, 2021.

The conference began with Dn. Dikran Harutyunian of the WD Deacons’ Council welcoming participants and setting the tone for the conference. After a prayer by Archpriest Fr. Datev Harutyunian of St. Andrew Cupertino, the conference began with the keynote address given by Fr. Vazken Movsesian. He outlined the challenges that face the Church and her Christian responses to a year characterized by lock-downs, racial unrest, political upheaval, and a war in Artsakh.

Dr. Hratch Tchilingirian, Professor at Oxford, joined the conference next from London. His topic was timely and personal: “Entering into the womb of the earth: A theological reflection on death and dying.” By dissecting the prayers of the Armenian Church, Dr. Tchilingirian spoke of the tremendous comfort and hope that is offered by the Church. This theme resounded with participants, as everyone from everywhere, has been touched by the deaths of innocent family members and friends because of the pandemic. (Current deaths by COVID19 is at 2.63 Million, worldwide.)

His Eminence Abp. Hovnan Derderian, Primate, addressed the gathering on the theme of “Reclaiming Identity.” He shared personal reflections from his life experiences and the major challenges and hurdles of leading the diocese and the Armenian Church during the pandemic. Through many examples and keen insight, Abp. Hovnan shared with participants a course of overcoming challenges with discipline and faith. His message became the perfect segue into an afternoon of panel discussions.

Youth of the Armenian Church – ages 20 to 35, sat in a virtual round-table to discuss issues of faith and faith in action. The panelists shined like the faith they expounded. Dn. Levon Parsegian, of the WD Deacons’ Council, introduced and set the stage for these discussions with scriptural interjections and his comments.

One of the panels focused on faith in action, as a response to the huge humanitarian problem facing Armenia in the aftermath of the War. Moderated by the Diran Avagyan, who heads the humanitarian relief effort of the Western Diocese, these young, energetic professional young men and women spoke about a clear course of action based on the Christian principles of faith, hope and love. Audience members were in awe of the way in which panelists articulated themselves.

Dn. Christaphor Movsesian, a member of the WD Deacons’ Council and engineer by profession reflected, “I can’t help but think of our church in terms of chess.  The Armenian church is our Queen. She's omnidirectional and arguably the most powerful piece we have.  One of our duties is to defend and support her. Unfortunately, it is also the one piece that most of us have not been using to her full potential. In order for us to do this, it will take lots of money, even more than money … it will take action and faith… that God will guide us.”

The panels were made up of deacons, lawyers, physicians, health care workers, mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, engineers, salespeople and students.

Panel #1 - Faith in Post Pandemic Times
Moderator: Ani Bakmajian; Panelists: Carmen Antonian, Vartan Babikyan, Danielle Hazarian, Dn David Madey, Arnold Semionov, Ani Simonoff, Lori Yeni-Komshian

Panel #2 - Faith in Action: Our Response to Humanitarian Crisis caused by the War in Artsakh 

Moderator: Diran Avagyan Panelists: Andrew Garibian, Dr. Maryam Garabedian, Dn Kevin Kestekyan, Dn Ohan Kilislian, Dn Christaphor Movsesian, Karin Yeni-Komshian, Dn Avak Zakarian

Panel #3 - Wrap Up: Our take-away from this Conference (Reclaimed!)
Moderator: Dn. Sevan Movsesian, Dn Alex Calikyan, Dn Nareg Ghookasian, Daniel Repchian, Delilah Shahbazian, Lynn Saroyan Skaff, Lusine Takmizyan, Dn Ari Terjanian        

In his concluding remarks, Fr. Vazken thanked everyone, especially Abp. Hovnan for his encouragement, backing and direction for the Reclaim Conferences. “It is refreshing,” said Fr. Vazken, “to see youth not treated as the ‘future of the Church’ but as the living church in the here and now – expressing themselves about all that is important and essential.”

Abp. Hovnan, shared his joy and enthusiasm for the Conference, especially for the bright and meaningful explanations given by the youth. Said Abp. Hovnan, “Our youth have taken their faith seriously. Christianity for our young people is not a philosophy, but a way of life.”

Reclaim, living up to its goal, reclaimed a Faith in the age of the pandemic. One of the participants from Ohio, Dn. Ari Terjanian, said from his heart, “The love that I sense in this community is inspiring. I take away hope for our Church.”

Reclaim is organized by the Western Diocese, In His Shoes ministries and with the participation of the Deacons’ Council and Bridging Generations. All of the speeches and panel discussions have been archived and are available free of charge and are to be shared at tiny.cc/reclaim2021