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 three years, the ACYOA Seniors  (ages 18 to 25 - College age) have become an active and vibrant group of young adults in the Holy Martyrs community actively promoting the “Circles of the Cross” through their fundraising efforts and community service projects.

ACYOA Seniors Executive Board

President: Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan
Chairperson: Brian Sarafyan
Vice-Chair: Andrew Yenicag
Secretary: Alexander Vartanian
Treasurer: Alen Docmecioglu
 

The ACYOA Seniors meet at least once a month. If you know of a student who would like to become a member, please e-mail the church office at office@holy-martyrs.org or call at 718-225-0235 for more information.