ACYOA Senior Retreat
Five seminarians attended the ACYOA Seniors National Fall Retreat, November 7-9, at St. Iakovos Retreat Center in Kansasville, WI. Dn. Karo Boyadzhyan, Dn. Thomas Toghramadjian, Dn. Sargis Ginosyan, Shane Janian, and Serge Demirbacak joined 60 young adults from 24 parishes across the Eastern Diocese. Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, Primate, led the retreat “Faith Over Fear.” The St. Nersess seminarians, along with several clergy, supported the retreat and assisted with worship services throughout the weekend.
“Spending a weekend with our ACYOA family helped us all recharge our hearts and create new and rekindle friendships with our brothers and sisters in Christ,” shared Dn. Karo Boyadzhyan.
“We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to His Grace Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, Jenny Morris, Central Council, and all those involved in planning and executing such a wonderful experience. We not only grew closer with so many beautiful souls but also departed from friends who we felt we knew for years,” shared Shane Janian.
On Sunday, November 9, 2025, Dn. Sargis Ginosyan, served at St. John the Baptist Armenian Church, nearby. During the Divine Liturgy, Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, assisted by Fr. Guregh Hambardzumyan, pastor and a 2019 seminary graduate, ordained three deacons and an acolyte.
