Current News

28 July 2011

Thirty-two AGBU interns, hailing from all over the world, visited the New York headquarters of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) and enjoyed dinner with Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian on Wednesday evening, July 27.

The evening continued a welcome annual tradition for AGBU interns to acquaint themselves with the Primate and the Diocesan complex.

Following a tour of St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral, led by the Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian, Diocesan Vicar, the AGBU group gathered in the "tahlij" (or formal reception room) of the Diocesan Center, to meet with Archbishop Barsamian and have dinner together in a relaxed atmosphere.

Addressing the group, Archbishop Barsamian quoted Vahan Tekeyan's poem "The Armenian Church" to affirm that the mother church is "the birthplace of the Armenian soul."

"The Armenian Church is home for all of us, because it is the birthplace of our soul and spirituality," said the Primate. "You are at your home here at the Diocese."

Archbishop Barsamian spoke about the founders of St. Vartan Cathedral, themselves survivors of the Armenian Genocide, who turned their vision of building an Armenian cathedral in New York into a reality. "The founders of this cathedral wanted future generations to remain Armenian Christians," the Primate said. "And they were successful in their vision."

He called on the interns to continue the mission of these visionaries and to support the body of the Church, noting the many ways young Armenian Christians can contribute.

Archbishop Barsamian also spoke about a recent pilgrimage he led to Jerusalem, with the participation of 35 young leaders from parishes across the Eastern Diocese.

"It was a very inspiring pilgrimage for me as well as for the participants," Archbishop Barsamian said. "The youth saw the strong Armenian presence in the Holy Land."

The Primate asked each intern to introduce him or herself, and to tell where they are interning for the summer. He invited the group to ask him questions and engaged them in a warm and candid dialogue about the Armenian Church, its history, and people.

The interns, who are in their seventh week of the eight-week Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) program, come from Armenian communities around the world, including Russia, France, Lebanon, Syria, Argentina, and Brazil, as well as from parts of the United States.

They have been placed in internships in diverse fields including finance, law, public relations, marketing, and medicine. Directing the program for the fourth year is Michael Hovsepian, with Mariana Mekbekian and Stephen Terjimanian serving as the activities coordinators.