Juniors from different parishes of the Western Diocese participated in the Junior Retreat that took place at Hye Camp from April 5-7. This year’s theme was “Becoming Hero’s: Living a Courageous Life in Christ.” The sessions were led by Fr. Mesrop Ash, Fr. Avedis Abovian and Deacon Mkrtich Ksachikyan, during which the youth were asked to think about what they value in life as Orthodox Christians, what they see in the lives of action hero’s in the Hollywood movies and what we learn about them in real life.

On Saturday, April 20, 2013 members of the ACYO will walk for 15 miles under the scorching heat of the desert. For a brief period, they will fill the shoes of our ancestors; the women and children who, deprived of water and basic necessities, were forced to march to their deaths.

The Armenian Church Summer Camp Committee is preparing for Camp 2013 and wants participation from you!

Are you looking forward for an adventurous experience this summer? Do you wish to grow spiritually, learn more about your heritage, and give back to others? Well, that’s what CYMA 2013 will offer. We are looking forward for another exciting pilgrimage to Armenia. Since its establishment, the Christian Youth Mission to Armenia has made annual pilgrimages to Armenia, where Diocesan youth interned in various fields, visited historical sites, and worked on renovation projects, such as remodeling a youth center, building a house for an impoverished family, and renovating a dilapidated monastery in the region of Tavush.

The Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America introduces an exciting one week summer program designed especially for the Armenian youth. Held under the auspices of Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, the program is headed by Rev. Fr. Nerses Hayrapetyan and Minas Kojayan, PhD. The courses are designed to strengthen and further promote the Armenian identity of our youth.

The Armenian Church Summer Camp Committee is preparing for Camp 2013 and wants participation from you!

The Junior Godfathers’ Committee of the Western Diocese invites you to attend the Third Annual Junior Godfather Day at the Diocese and to witness the unveiling of the pomegranate tree on which the names of all Junior Godfathers of St. Leon Armenian Cathedral is engraved. The celebration will be held on Sunday, February 24 at the spiritual center of the Western Diocese.

The Armenian Church Summer Camp Committee is preparing for Camp 2013 and wants participation from you!

Close to 40 ACYO members from the Burbank, Arizona, Pasadena, Crescenta Valley chapters gathered at the Primate’s residence on December 28, 2012, where they discussed youth-related issues. On the following day, led by the Primate and Rev. Fr. Avedis Abovian, the youth group visited the elderly residents of Ararat Home in Mission Hills and delighted them with songs and dances.

The Armenian Church Youth Organization of the Western Diocese of North America (ACYO-WD) held its 64th Annual General Assembly on Thanksgiving weekend, November 23-24, 2012. The delegates from various ACYO chapters convened at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church in Fowler, California in order to review the activities of the previous year, raise concerns, elect new members for the organization’s governing body (the Central Council) and to just meet old friends for a fun-filled weekend.

The Armenian Church Youth Organization of the Western Diocese of North America (ACYO-WD) held its 64th Annual General Assembly on Thanksgiving weekend, November 23-24, 2012. The delegates from various ACYO chapters convened at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church in Fowler, California in order to review the activities of the previous year, raise concerns, elect new members for the organization’s governing body (the Central Council) and to just meet old friends for a fun-filled weekend.

On October 26-27, 2012, 35 ACYO members came together at Hye Camp for the annual Senior Retreat. This year’s subject, “Responding to Injustice”, was led by Fr. Mesrop Ash.

The highly-anticipated musical “We Are All Armenian” starring members of the Armenian Church Youth Organization was presented on Saturday, September 15 at Glendale’s Beyond the Stars Palace Theater. ACYO’s current central council event coordinator Arpi Nakashian was the writer and director of the seven-act musical.

"Polorus Nuyn Hyen Enk" is a documentary musical that emphasizes the importance of the Armenian identity, culture, and language and how Christianity shaped the Armenian nation throughout the years. The musical covers significant eras in Armenian history reflecting the preponderance of unity. It will be held on Saturday, September 15 at 7:00 p.m. at Beyond the Stars Palace in Glendale.

Joining forces, the Armenian Youth Federation, the Unified Young Armenians, the SDHP Gaidz Youth Organization, the All-ASA and the ARF Shant Student Association will protest against the extradition and pardon of Ramil Safarov, an Azeri soldier responsible for brutally murdering Lieutenant Gurgen Margaryan, an Armenian military officer in 2004 ago during a NATO training exercise in Hungary.