Western Diocese

Fresno, CA – The long standing and popular ACYO Sports Weekend Tournament was held on Memorial Day Weekend in Fresno, CA with parents and youth attending from parishes throughout the Western Diocese. ACYO athletes participated in a wide variety of sports including Volleyball, Basketball, and Dodgeball. With over 120 youth participating in the games, and many more attending to support their friends and family in a faith-filled environment, the Western Diocese is proud to call this year's Sports Weekend a true success.

It is a source of pride for the Diocese to announce that this year's tournament was dedicated entirely to the Junior ACYO (ages 12-17). This created an environment that put ACYO's younger members at the focus of the weekend's activities with age appropriate spiritual messages and events, and will give the Junior Tournament room to grow and accommodate more teams and sports in the future. Truly, the affect of this was seen in the great joy that the youth expressed throughout the weekend. The weekend's theme for 2008 was "Got Faith?" which was emblazoned across green t-shirts that were worn by attendees and athletes alike.

In his opening remarks Abp. Hovnan Derderian, who presided over the entirety of the weekend, said to the youth "You are the agents of change and ambassadors of Christ! With your presence and your activity the Church becomes renewed in the Spirit." Reinforcing his message during his benediction at the Awards Ceremony he said "Truly you are the source of joy and pride for your community, the purpose for which we strive to strength our Church."

The Senior Sports Weekend Tournament (ages 18 and up) will be held in Fall of 2008 in the San Diego Community. The Western Diocese eagerly anticipates this upcoming event, which we pray will become an occasion in the lives of the youth to recommit themselves to one another and the mission of the Armenian Apostolic Church. More information regarding this event will be forthcoming.