Under the leadership of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, a two-week summer academy will be held at St. Mary Monastery in Bikfaya, Lebanon with the participation of youth from the Prelacies of the Eastern U.S., Western U.S., and Canada. Four youth from the Western Prelacy will participate. They are: Stole-bearers Gary Markarian (Holy Martyrs Church, Encino), Vartan Baltayan (St. Sarkis Church, Pasadena), Hrag Harboyan (Holy Cross Cathedral, Montebello), and Menas Arisian (Holy Trinity Church, Fresno).
In preparation for their participation in the program, the youth visited the Prelacy where they met with H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Vicar General, both of whom offered direction and suggestions to the participants and wished them a productive trip.
The intensive course, which runs from July 30 to August 11, 2018, will introduce participants to the Bible, Armenian Christianity, and the Armenian Church, as well as inter-faith and ecumenical dialogue. The youth will have the opportunity to meet with His Holiness and clergy and visit religious and national sites.
