EASTERN PRELACY ASSEMBLY CONVENES IN WATERTOWN, ADVANCES REFORMS AND RENEWAL AGENDA
The 2025 National Representative Assembly of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, Eastern Prelacy, was hosted by St. Stephen’s Church in Watertown, Massachusetts, on May 29-31. The sessions were convened at the hall of Archangels Greek Orthodox Church in Watertown.
His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan, Prelate, opened the Assembly with prayers, appointing Movses Shrikian as chair and Janet Haroian as secretary of the temporary presiding panel. The Assembly later elected its presiding panel, confirming Mr. Shrikian as chair and voting Ms. Haroian as co-chair, with Rev. Fr. Samuel Ajemian and Bea Movsesian as Armenian and English secretaries.
Delegates approved the agenda and heard a video message from His Holiness Aram I, who designated 2025 as the year of Renewal of Traditions and emphasized the Church’s enduring role in modern society. The Catholicos called on the faithful to preserve the Armenian Church’s spiritual and cultural foundations while remaining actively engaged with modern society. He thanked Archbishop Anoushavan for his dedicated leadership at the helm of the Prelacy.
Archbishop Anoushavan echoed this message in his remarks, highlighting the importance of tradition, community, and innovation.
Very Rev. Fr. Hrant Tahanian, Pastor of St. Stephen’s Church, and Board of Trustees Chair Dn. John Daghlian welcomed participants and highlighted community initiatives, including the expansion of St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School.
Rev. Fr. Arakel Aljalian, Pastor of St. James Church (Watertown, Ma.), conveyed best wishes from Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan and the Eastern Diocese. Representatives from sister organizations also delivered greetings and program updates. Garo Tashian, representing the Hairenik Association and the ARF, reaffirmed the church’s central role in the Armenian national identity. Heather Apigian Krafian spoke on behalf of the Armenian Relief Society Eastern Region, highlighting the ARS’s 115-year mission and ongoing collaboration with the Prelacy. Hasmig Aprahamian, representing Hamazkayin Eastern USA, presented several youth-centered cultural initiatives by the organization. Vicken Khatchadorian, of Homenetmen, emphasized the organization’s youth sports and scouting activities, while Executive Council Secretary Tamar Kanarian read a message from the Armenian Youth Federation reaffirming their close ties with parish communities.
The Executive Council report, presented by Chair Aram Sarafian, covered the Prelacy’s current programs, strategic planning, and finances. Delegates raised questions about clergy training in the United States and the expansion of parish missions. It was noted that clergy preparation is available through existing institutions. Expanding parishes requires both initiative and financial support, as illustrated by communities with large Armenian populations but limited local engagement.
Other presentations included a report by Alice Simonian Buratti on the absentee voting pilot program carried out by Sts. Vartanantz Church (Providence, Rhode Island) and a discussion led by Anoush Baghdassarian, Esq., on “Identity and Justice in Rerooted Armenian Communities.”
Crossroads will continue to report on the National Representative Assembly and the issues raised by the delegates, as well as the proposals aimed at strengthening the Armenian community and the parish life across the Eastern United States.
