The clergy of the Eastern Prelacy took part in a retreat on Oct. 18-19 at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Long Island. It was the first gathering following the unprecedented pandemic, during which the clergy has held monthly videoconference calls.
Following the opening prayer and welcome address by His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan , Prelate, Archpriest Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian was elected chair of the meeting and Rev. Fr. Garabed Telfeyan, its secretary.
Rev. Frs. Vahan Kouyoumdjian and Nareg Terterian delivered interesting lectures with practical applications: “The Religious-Social Foundations of the Armenian American Youth” and “Symptoms of Unhealthy Family Relationships,” respectively. Archpriest Fr. Nerses Manoogian chaired a session on pastoral experience exchanges and Very Rev. Fr. Sahag Yemishian presented an outline of the mainprojects undertaken by the Prelacy. For his part, Archpriest Fr, Antranig Baljian gave a presentation with a focus on the 65-year history of the Prelacy, and Dn. Shant Kazanjian presented the Christian education programs for the current year.
The retreat included moments of prayer and contemplation, during which Rev. Frs. Bedros Shetilian and Torkom Chorbajian offered reflections.
Singing the hymn “Disciples of Christ,” the participants concluded the retreat with renewed faith and enthusiasm