Seminar for Sunday School Directors and Teachers Held at the Prelacy

On Saturday, October 13, 2012, which coincided with the Feast of the Holy Translators, Sunday School directors, teachers, and volunteers gathered at the Prelacy “Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian” Hall to participate in a one-day seminar. The seminar was held under the auspices of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate and was organized by the Sunday Schools’ Directorate. The Prelate presided over the seminar and conveyed his message to the participants.

Also participating were Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian and Pastors.

The day began with a meeting of the Directorate. After the opening prayer, the newly appointed members of the Directorate were introduced. The election of the officers followed with Mr. Raffi Torossian (St. Garabed Church, Hollywood) and Mr. Hagop Tchagaspanian (St. Mary’s Church, Glendale) elected Co-Chairs, and Deacon Khatchig Shannakian elected Secretary. Directors then gave a report on the activities of their local Sunday Schools. Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian followed with a presentation on the activities of the Directorate in the previous year. Deacon Khatchig then spoke on how to draw Sunday school students closer to the Armenian and spiritual literature. After members offered their suggestions for the coming year, the meeting concluded with the Prelate’s message and benediction. The Prelate highly commended the mission of our Sunday Schools and the dedication of Sunday School teachers in fulfillment of that mission, and urged them to continue their service with unwavering faith, devotion, and collaboration for the religious and national instruction of our youth.

Following a lunch break, the seminar convened with the participation of teachers and volunteers from various Sunday Schools.

The seminar began with a collective prayer, the singing of the Sunday school anthem and a hymn dedicated to the Feast of the Holy Translators. Welcoming remarks were delivered by Fr. Muron.

A spiritual meditation followed by Co-Chairman Mr. Raffi Torossian on Matthew 7:6-12. Mr. Torossian emphasized the strength of prayer and the hope which we have as Armenian Christians. This was followed by Co-Chairman Mr. Hagop Tchaghatsbanian’s report on the outcome from the morning’s Directorate meeting.

Deacon Khatchig Shannakian then addressed the participants, speaking on the Feast of the Holy Translators.

Participants exchanged ideas and information and offered suggestions for the current school year.

The seminar closed with the Prelate’s message and benediction. The Prelate noted that the Feast of the Holy Translators is one of the greatest feasts for Armenian Christians and an opportunity to be reinforced in our Christian faith and to lead our lives according to God’s commandments. One of the greatest institutions devoted to this mission is our Sunday Schools. The Prelate stressed that our Sunday School teachers have the noble mission of enhancing our Church through their service, and their work is not merely instructing individuals but rather instructing the collective, because we are not a group of individuals. We are one body as the children of God and of the Armenian Church, and we are led by our faith and spiritual heritage to the successful realization of our endeavors and mission for the collective good.

Following the benediction, the participants were invited for a group photo and presented with a gift bag which included; Mr. Garo Bedrossian’s new book “Journey to the Armenian Heritage,” Archbishop Nareg Alemezian’s book “The Armenian Church’s Responses to Non-Orthodox Objections,” a copy of the latest issue of the Prelacy Spiritual Spectrum, and a set of illustrated cards of Biblical stories and parables.

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