Deacons’ Executive Council Meeting Focuses On Pilgrimages

Under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, the Deacons' Executive Council was formed on Tuesday, June 30, 2020.

A number of topics have been discussed since the Council’s establishment. They include the creation of a deacons' database which would facilitate the inter-Diocesan communication between the altar servers. Other topics including immersion in the community life through college (meetings with Armenian Student Associations) and hospital visits, tending to the spiritual needs of the elderly, and praying with parishioners.

On Tuesday, July 28, the Deacons Executive Council took part in a virtual video conference where the aforementioned topics were discussed at length. On August 16, the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God, the Council will organize a pilgrimage to St. Mary Armenian Church of Yettem.  

Under the pastoral guidance of the Rev. Fr. Vazken Movsesian, the Deacons’ Council will be responsible organizing continuing education programs for the deacons who serve in parishes throughout our diocese. With the physical and digital tools available in this day and age, there is a vocation that will be pursued by the ordained Deacons in the Western Diocese. More specifically, this organization of Deacons will organize fellowship opportunities like retreats, educational lectures, and spiritual discussions within and outside of our communities.

Led by the Rev. Fr. Vazken Movsesian and the Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan, the group will organize a pilgrimage to St. Mary Armenian Church of Yettem in the month of October. A festive celebration at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral on the Feast of St. Stephen the Protodeacon (December 26) is in the planning stage. 

The Deacon’s Council will also create partnerships on local school campuses, visit the hospitalized, and pray with the bereaved and prisoners to cater to the religious and spiritual needs of those who seek the Word of God.