First Clergy Conference Of 2019 Held At The Western Diocese

With the participation of all Diocesan clergy, the first clergy conference of 2019, presided by the Primate His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, was held on Tuesday, February 26, the Feast Day of St. Ghevont the Priest and his companions, at the Headquarters of the Western Diocese in Burbank.  

Administrative, organizational and pastoral matters were addressed and discussed during the opening session in which the Diocesan Primate emphasized the continuing ministerial mission of delivering the Word of God to our People. Youth involvement, service, and immersion in the life of the Church was another important topic of discussion.  

The significance of The Sacrament of Confession and Personal Confession  was the central focus of the second session which commenced in the afternoon.

Elaborating on the aforementioned topics was the Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian whose presentation was titled Personal Confession of Sins: A Christian’s Path to Perfection. Basing his presentation on scriptural quotes and theological references, Fr. Dajad especially highlighted the boundless divine love and mercy of God in comprehending the yearning desire for confession and defining  the relationship between God and Man.

Fr. Dajad’s presentation was followed by a presentation by The Rev. Fr. Zacharia Saribekyan, Pastor of St. Apkar Armenian Church of Scottsdale. Titled Repentance and the Christian Purpose of Confession: A Return to God and the Salvation of Man, the informative presentation concluded with the expression that repentance and confession can be comprehended by their uniquely Christian characteristics and are enlivened through the power of faith and conviction.

The Rev. Fr. Avedis Abovian presented a topic on the significant role of The Father Confessor: his religious preparation and obligation. Fr. Avedis’s presentation was based on the theological writings and testimonies of St. Gregory of Datev, one of the greatest theologians in the history of the Armenian Church.

Fr. Dajad Yardemian’s presentation was titled “The Sacrament of Repentance and Personal Confession in accordance with the theology of the Armenian Church.” Fr. Dajad cited the parable of The Prodigal Son in emphasizing the return of Man to God for acceptance and purification. This falls in line with the confession of sins, an accepted practice in the Armenian Church for centuries that has allowed the faithful to repent through the assistance of a priest. The presenter also referenced to a stunningly unique effect that is achieved through confession, namely the transformation and renewal of one’s life in Christ. This effect is referred to as divine grace, through which “one is born anew” (John 3:3) and a life “lived in Christ after death” (Romans 6:4,8,11 and 13).     

The aforementioned informative topics were discussed at length and analyzed by the clergy. Thoughts and ideas of effective implementation and providing “Spiritual Healing” to faithful of the Armenian Church were shared and exchanged. The topic of repentance and confession of sins will be discussed at greater length in the forthcoming clergy conference which is scheduled to be held on the eve of the 92^nd Annual Assembly in May.