On February 21-23, 2022, headed by H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Prelate, clergy from the Western Prelacy conducted a two-day long conference on the occasion of the feast of Sts. Ghevontiants, at the Holy Trinity Mother Church in Fresno.
Heeding the message of H.H. Aram I., Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, the theme of the conference was “Taking the Church to the People.” The conference included reflections on various discussions and experiences, thought-provoking lectures which revitalized the clergy’s spirit and commitment towards their calling. This clergy conference also became a driving force for spiritual awakening for the members of the Holy Trinity Mother Church, which hosted the conference with love, satisfaction and joy.
At the end of the conference, on the occasion of the “Year of the Diaspora,” the clergy made the following official statement:
A. We, the clergy of the Western Prelacy, heeding the example of Sts. Ghevontiants, renew our vow to serve the Armenian people through the Holy See of Cilicia, for the glory of God and for the glorification of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
B. We use the “Year of the Diaspora” declaration as a guide to restructure our service, to strengthen the Armenian Diaspora and for the eternity of Armenia.
C. Given the multi-layered challenges of the Lebanese Armenians, the Western Prelacy has extended a fraternal hand to further support our Lebanese people through various initiatives. On the occasion of the “Year of the Diaspora” and on the eve of Great Lent, as a new humanitarian initiative, the clergy will undertake the sponsorship of 100 students attending Lebanese Prelacy schools for the 2022-2023 academic year.
D. By the ordinance of the Prelate, following the Divine Liturgy on April 24, 2022 (New Sunday), Blessing of Water will take place using special crosses containing relics of the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide.
E. We call on our faithful to make a pilgrimage to the Catholicosate of the Holy See of Cilicia in Antelias, Lebanon, on July 1, 2022, to participate in the spiritual ceremony of the Blessing of the Holy Muron, which will be conducted by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia.