PRELATE’S 2021 YEAR-END APPEAL

Dear parishioners and friends of the Armenian Prelacy,

The very bitter calamities of 2020 have caused irreparable scars in the world, especially in the Armenian people and on its course of action in 2021. At any rate, with the guidance of Providence, Christian faith and the iron will of our people and their secular experience, the Armenian Prelacy, along with the clergy and the lay staff of the communities in its jurisdiction, was driven to a new strategy to persist, overcome and continue our service with new visions.

As a year-end balance, we present to our community an overview of our annual activity, to continue the mission entrusted to us with our mutual collaboration:

• On a weekly basis (Tuesday and Thursday), our Pastors have dedicated an hour to pray online for the wellbeing of the world and our people. On Mondays, Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian and Rev. Fr. Vahan Kouyoumjian offered the online educational series “Faith and Family,” whereas on Fridays the Pastors took turns to share their reflections, offering additional spiritual nourishment to the faithful.
• The Religious and Executive Councils of the Armenian Prelacy meticulously reviewed and spearheaded the activities of the Prelacy and the Parishes.
• In collaboration with the Parishes, auxiliary bodies and sister organizations, the Pastors managed to maintain a vibrant community life despite the existing constraints, organizing social and cultural events in addition to religious ceremonies as much as was possible.
• The Christian Education Department offered Bible studies on different opportunities and topics. In addition to it, the Department has also offered an ongoing monthly course for Sunday school teachers.
• The Armenian National Education Committee, in collaboration with ARS and support from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, continued the teachers’ recertification course, with the participation of educators from different countries.
• The deacons’ seminar was continued on every Tuesday and Thursday under the direction of Dr. George Leylegian.
• Youth programs Datev, Siamanto, and Salt & Light continued their activity online.
• Through the Prelacy’s St. Nerses the Great Charitable Fund in Yerevan, 1,187 children on our list orphaned in the tragic war of Artsakh and other circumstances were sponsored by our generous benefactors. Also, the Happy Family program continued to provide benefits to the families of 15 veterans of the Artsakh war, with the sponsorship of the Aslanian family.
• Our community responded promptly and generously to the social, political and economic crisis of the Lebanese Armenian community, raising $162,000 this year. In this regard, we constantly encouraged the supporters of this charitable initiative with our messages.
• All the books of our bookstore are now available for purchase online. We also advertise the books in stock on a weekly basis.
• Our weekly newsletter Crossroads was enriched this year with a new section devoted to Jewels of Armenian Literature. The names of all our donors were also publicized, to share our collective success.

All this, and more, was achieved with the indefatigable dedication of our clergy, members of the National Representative Assembly, members of the Religious and Executive Councils, the staff of the Prelacy and the Pillars, the Executive Boards of the parishes and auxiliary bodies, sister organizations, but especially thanks to the unreserved support of parishioners and friends.

In these days of celebrations of the New Year and the Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ, when we are all filled with the spirit of Caring and Sharing, I appeal to all of you to support with devotion our mission in the service of God and our nation, to help us strengthen our communities modernizing our programs while at the same time we extend a hand to our needy sisters and brothers in Artsakh, Armenia, and the Middle East.

Filled with the positive message of the holidays, I wish that the gates of hope and that the winter of despair leaves our country for good. May God Almighty make us worthy to greet each other in health and joy and sing with the angels, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” (Luke 2:14).

With warm greetings of love,

Prayerfully,

ARCHBISHOP ANOUSHAVAN
Prelate
Eastern United States of America