Central Council
Candace Karasarkisian Chairwoman
Anna Sargsyan Treasurer
Arthur Semionov Vice Chairman
Arthur Semionov Vice Chairman
Anna Sargsyan Treasurer
Arthur Semionov Vice Chairman
Anna Sargsyan Treasurer
Anna Sargsyan Treasurer
Anna Sargsyan Treasurer
Sarah Koloyian Recording Secretary
Anna Sargsyan Treasurer
Anna Sargsyan Treasurer
Nareh Abovian Corresponding Secretary
Fr. Avedis Abovian Youth Director
Nareh Abovian Corresponding Secretary
Mary Iskenyan Publicity Director
Fr. Avedis Abovian Youth Director
Nareh Abovian Corresponding Secretary
Daniel Koloyian Advisor
Fr. Avedis Abovian Youth Director
Fr. Avedis Abovian Youth Director
Fr. Avedis Abovian Youth Director
Fr. Avedis Abovian Youth Director
Fr. Avedis Abovian Youth Director
Message From Clergy
His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian
The ACYO-WD has been, and continues to be, and will remain the most important mission in the life of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Through this institution, our sons, and daughters, baptized in the holy font of our forefathers, are being trained to become strong visionary, and committed leaders of the living church. The ACYO-WD is the backbone of the Armenian Church of the Western Diocese. Once engaged in this mission and institution, each member certainly becomes affiliated with the tradition of the Armenian Apostolic Church. I trust that our youth have the divine wisdom and inspiration to make this organization the ground and stronghold for their Christian Armenian identity.
Four Pillars
Education
Our Expertise
Education
Attending spiritual retreats, pilgrimages, and local Bible studies will expand your knowledge of your faith and culture. Being in the ACYO will broaden your mind and expose you to your heritage and identity as an Armenian.
Events: Bible studies, religious conferences, Armenian cultural lectures, debates and discussions, etc.
Worship
Our Expertise
Education
It is important, as members of the ACYO, that we celebrate our Christian heritage by attending church on Sundays to strengthen our personal religious practices outside of the church with family and friends.
Events: Attending liturgy, performing and attending Vesper services, community prayer, etc.
Our Expertise
Our Expertise
Our Expertise
As an ACYO member, you will have multitudinous opportunities to volunteer with your peers during parish-hosted events, learning how to take on the reins of the generation before you to help improve your local community.
Events: Community service, volunteering at shelters, donating backpacks and school supplies to Armenia, helping out in o
As an ACYO member, you will have multitudinous opportunities to volunteer with your peers during parish-hosted events, learning how to take on the reins of the generation before you to help improve your local community.
Events: Community service, volunteering at shelters, donating backpacks and school supplies to Armenia, helping out in our local communities, volunteering during major church events, etc.
Fellowship
Our Expertise
Our Expertise
Reaching out to others and connecting with friends is a focal point of the ACYO. Being involved in ACYO will not only expose you to many new opportunities, but it gives ample time to network and make long-lasting connections.
Events: Jeopardy/game nights, movie nights, hikes, lock-ins, bowling, barbecues, career fairs, dances, etc.
History
History of ACYO
The Armenian Church Youth Organization of the Western Diocese, ACYO-WD, was established in September of 1949 in Fresno, California. Late Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan established the ACYO as a visionary foundation for all youth across the United States of America which has been enveloped into a long-lasting legacy. The first major immigration of Armenians to the United States had occurred nearly a generation earlier, and the children of Genocide survivors made every attempt to preserve their faith in their forefathers, their identity, their cultural heritage, and most importantly, their faith. The ACYO was created to build strong and faithful Christian Armenian Americans who could grow within the Armenian Church and hold fast to the values of their people. This vision has been at the core of the ACYO for nearly four generations and has consistently been the instrument through which young men and women are trained to not only become faithful Armenian Orthodox Christians but the leaders of our Church and community. With each generation, the organization adapts to develop the tools needed to address the ever-changing nature of American culture and adapt to communicate the true meaning of Christ’s message and value of our Armenian Apostolic faith.
About The Late Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan
We are living in a young and vigorous country. The freedom we enjoy has made this country great. Our prosperity is proverbial in the whole world. We must use these blessings to good purpose. And good purpose does not mean only pursuit of material comfort and enjoyment: it does not mean only the use of more gadgets for our ease and pleasure. Ultimately, only One is Good, and that is God, as the Lord Jesus said. And while our ultimate purpose is to realize God’s will in us and in our society, all intermediate good things must serve and be directed towards the uplifting of our souls to God. As long as our members are motivated in their actions by the same holy purposes of their Christian faith and their love for our Mother Church, their freedom will be creative and fruitful. It is that kind of creative and constructive freedom that we want our organization to have. Subjecting oneself to God’s will is the loftiest and most satisfying way of being free. Because by working with God, we shall partake of God’s own infinite freedom.
