The Armenian Church Youth Organization of America (ACYOA) was founded in 1946 through the vision of Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan, of blessed memory, the late Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America. The ACYOA remains the oldest church-related youth organization in the worldwide Armenian community. Its goal is to promote a deeper relationship between young Armenian Christians and their ancestral church, and to provide a stage on which young Armenians can gather to know and love their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and to discover their identity as Armenian Christians.
Generations of young Armenian-Americans have participated in ACYOA activities focusing on Worship, Witness, Service, Education, and Fellowship-five ideas collectively known as the “Circles of the Cross.” By building bonds among its members, the ACYOA also strengthens the sense of attachment and leadership that young Armenian Christians feel towards the Armenian and American communities in which they live.
Through programming initiatives such as leadership conferences, educational workshops, spiritual retreats, service projects, and trips to Armenia and the Holy Land, the ACYOA prepares young Armenians to be active, educated members of their church, and leaders in their local parish communities and within the broader Armenian Church. Palm Sunday is traditionally dedicated to the recognition of this organization and is known as “ACYOA Day.” The ACYOA has given our youth a vehicle and venue to make meaningful connections with other youth nationwide and it has also allowed our youth to have a voice in the hierarchy of the Armenian Church.
Over the past two years, the ACYOA has become an active and vibrant group of young adults in the Holy Martyrs community. With two chapters — Juniors (ages 13 to 18 - High School age) and Seniors (ages 18 to 25 - College age) — our ACYOA youth programs have been actively promoting the “Circles of the Cross” through their fundraising efforts and community service projects.
ACYOA Juniors Executive Board
President: Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan
Chair: Anoush Baghdassarian
Vice-Chair: Chris Artun
Treasurer: Veronica Skolnick
Recording Secretary: Alexandra Pidejian
Corresponding Secretary: Armen Arsenian
Publicity: Linda Yenicag
ACYOA Seniors Executive Board
President: Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan
Chair: Sarine Atamian
Vice-Chair: Krikor Ghazarian
Treasurer: Greg Haroutunian
Recording Secretary: Alex Tegnazian
Corresponding Secretary: Talin Vakilian
Publicity: Linda Ravul, Gregory Gaverian
The ACYOA Juniors meet at least once a month on Sundays and the ACYOA Seniors meet on Saturdays. Both groups are under the direction of Holy Martyrs’ Youth Director Garen Karamyan. If you know of a student or young adult who would like to become a member, please e-mail Garen Karamyan at frdavit@gmail.com or call the church office at 718-225-0235 for more information.
