Armenian Church Youth Organization of America
Encyclopedia
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Tiran Nersoyan
Tiran Nersoyan was Patriarch-elect of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem very briefly in 1957-1958 but never received his position as Patriarch....
Armenian Apostolic Church
The Armenian Apostolic Church is the world's oldest National Church, is part of Oriental Orthodoxy, and is one of the most ancient Christian communities. Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion in 301 AD, in establishing this church...
Khajag Barsamian
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian , born 1951, is the primate of Diocese of Armenian Church of America and the president of the Fund for Armenian Relief.-Early life and church career:...
The Armenian Church Youth Organization of America (ACYOA) is the official youth group of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America. Its name in Armenian
Armenian language
The Armenian language is an Indo-European language spoken by the Armenian people. It is the official language of the Republic of Armenia as well as in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The language is also widely spoken by Armenian communities in the Armenian diaspora...
is "Hayastanyats Yegeghetsvo Yeridasartats Gazmagerboutiun Amerigayi." It was founded in 1946 by Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of America, 1944-1954. There have been many formulations of the purposes and aims of ACYOA, but the ACYOA Constitution lays out four aims: to propagate the Armenian Orthodox Christian
Armenian Apostolic Church
The Armenian Apostolic Church is the world's oldest National Church, is part of Oriental Orthodoxy, and is one of the most ancient Christian communities. Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion in 301 AD, in establishing this church...
faith among the youth of the Church, to promote the appreciation of Armenian culture, to strengthen the Armenian community
Armenian-American
Armenian Americans are citizens of the United States whose ancestry originates wholly or partly in Armenia. During the United States 2000 Census, 385,488 respondents indicated either full or partial Armenian ancestry...
, and to promote among its members loyalty to the United States Constitution
United States Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three...
. Another formulation of the ACYOA's purpose is the "Five Circles of the Cross" : Worship, Education, Service, Fellowship, and Witness.
History
The Armenian Church Youth Organization of America (ACYOA), the national youth program of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, was created on January 12, 1946 in ProvidenceProvidence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
, Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
. The Diocesan-wide national organization, created for the youth of the Armenian Church, emerged from the foundation of the then many local Junior Leagues and clubs that were formed for the young people of the parishes of the Armenian Church.
World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
interrupted the activities of these local groups, many of which were simply inactive during those difficult years. With the termination of the war, a renewed necessity took place of reorganizing the local parish youth groups. Bishop Tiran Nersoyan, the newly-elected Diocesan Primate, wholeheartedly took on the challenge of a problem which was causing the elders of the communities to question the future of the Armenian Church in America. This challenge was carried by Bishop Tiran to the American-Armenian youth. To all communities, he passed on the informing spark, so important to the creation and continuation of activities for this new organization. The culmination of all this activity and work took place at the "Constitutive Assembly" of Armenian Church youth, held in Providence, Rhode Island, on January 12, 1946.
ACYOA Today
The ACYOA today is an organization with thousands of members from ages 18 and up, from all classes of individuals spanning a wide variety of backgrounds and vocations. A sub group for Armenian-American youth under the age of 18 called “ACYOA Jrs.,” complements the ACYOA, and prepares these youth for their membership and active roles in the ACYOA. Any Armenian youth living in America can join the ACYOA as a member through a simple but meaningful initiation process and membership application. Your membership in the ACYOA provides a complex and fascinating assortment of rewards including religious development, exposure to Armenian culture, history and language, and a variety of national and local programming. Our organization also hosts a series of sporting activities, and exciting social events.2006 was the 60th Anniversary of the ACYOA, and it came at a time when the organization spent 2005 by successfully strengthening its foundations. The organization has become strong administratively with a full time Executive Secretary, well established national programming, some new chapters in new and mission parishes, some reformed chapters in older established parishes, and a newly found dynamic collaboration with the Diocesan Council, St. Nersess Seminary, ACYO and ACYOC of the Western and Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
Diocese, Armenian Student Association, and collaboration with various other organizations along with various other successes.
The ACYOA today, is currently in an expansionary phase. This phase is focused on increasing membership, as well as the development and impact on the lives of its members. The central council is making an increased number of grass roots efforts, through increased visitations, creative new programming, meeting the needs of college students and professionals, and maintaining a dynamic involvement in the local goals of its chapters and the parishes they serve.
As of 2007, the ACYOA has achieved a heightened level of performance and results in being the largest and most effective Armenian youth organization in America to create active awareness among its members to their religion, history, and culture. As part of its current expansionary efforts, the ACYOA is looking forward to an opportunity to formalize its Alumni’s involvement in supporting the ACYOA, by creating an association for its Alumni. This is meant to keep the Alumni in contact with each other, and better informed of ways they can help support the needs of the ACYOA. This is just another aspect of how ACYOA is gaining strength and effectiveness in successfully meeting its objectives along with those of the parishes it serves.