The ACYOA has traditionally been celebrated on Palm Sunday for the purpose of focusing attention on the organization, its members, and its role in our church community. For this reason, “Palm Sunday” has been designated as “ACYOA

Day” throughout the Diocese of the Armenian Church to pay tribute to and recognize the role ACYOA members play in our church community. On April 5th, 2009, a capacity crowd gathered in Holy Martyrs church auditorium to celebrate “ACYOA DAY”. We congratulate the ACYOA Seniors and Juniors of our church for a successful event, which was attended by a numbers of church members who had come from all over Queens and Long Island to worship at this special Palm Sunday service.

The Armenian Church Youth Organization of America is charged with the responsibility of organizing the young people of the Diocese and preparing them to participate in leadership capacities when they mature. ACYOA members provide a social vehicle through which Armenian young people may relate to one another and build friendships and lasting relationships. However, in order to do this, the organization must also educate its members about the teachings of the Armenian Church and history of its people, by providing guidance through which they may express themselves and demonstrate their faith, abilities, skills, interests, and willingness.

From providing a sense of community to nurturing faith, the Armenian Church Youth Organization of America has strengthened the lives of Armenian youth for over 60 years. ACYOA has been a foundation of dedication and service to the church, and fellowship has been an integral part to building relationships within the church community. In the Armenian Church, we all bear witness to the perseverance of faith through our youth who carry forward the traditions of our ancestors. It is necessary for each and every one of us to provide the tools to allow our youth to develop and understand their past, so that they can effectively shape the future.

Fr. Vahan and the Parish Council urge all parents and grandparents to encourage their children, teens, college students and young adults to join and be part of this vital organization, so that they may make a difference in their lives, communities, and in our Armenian Church.

In conclusion, I would like to thank all ACYOA members, especially the Chairman of the ACYOA Juniors Gregory Stepanian, and the Chairman of the ACYOA Seniors Roupen Aslanian, for organizing such a successful event and also for their dedication and commitment to our Armenian community throughout the year. We are sure their love and support will continue toward our Armenian Church, and can only hope that their own children and grandchildren will one day serve the community in the same virtuous manner.