To: Parish Priests, Parish Council Chairpersons, Choir Chairpersons, Choir Leaders, Organists
From: Mary Selvinazian, Chair, Central Council
Date: April 15, 1998
Subject: The Diocesan Centennial and The Primate's Plan
In this most important auspicious milestone in the life of our Diocese, its Centennial Anniversary, we wish to remind our choirs of "The Primate's Plan: On the Road to a New Century" which designates a specific theme for the years 1998 through 2001. There are four goals - one for each year - which aim to strengthen our local parishes.
To quote from His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamiam, the first year, 1998, " . . . will be devoted to reflection on Christ - the Word of God becomes man - as He is revealed to us through the Holy Gospels. Throughout the year 1998, the Diocese of the Armenian Church will celebrate its centennial in America, and this milestone should server as a springboard for the faithful - as individuals and as a community - to reflect on their relationship with Christ, and to grow in their knowledge of God, through Christ's teaching of faith, hope, and love as articulated in the Holy Gospels."
Since 1998 has been designated as the year of Faith and the theme for the year is The Holy Gospels, our goal throughout the Diocese is "to teach the word of God and the good news of salvation." His Eminence exhorts every parish to have a Bible Study program led by a qualified individual. Furthermore, all Diocesan departmants and auxiliary organizations, of which the AACCA is one, will feature a unit of the Holy Gospels in their regular and special programs. We encourage our choirs to ahere to the Primate's request and include a segment on the Holy Gospels during their meetings and rehearsals.
We are pleased to announce that the AACCA Central Council has already made plans to focus the theme of the 1998 Assembly workshops on the Application of Scripture to the Divine Liturgy.