EXPLORING & CELEBRATING

THE CREATIVE SPIRIT

Under the Auspices of

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate

at the

Western Diocese Headquarters and

Cathedral Complex, Burbank, California

March 2-4, 2018

#ReclaimAC2018

The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will

send in my name, will teach you all things and

will remind you of everything I have said to you.

- Jesus

His Eminence Archbishop

Hovnan Derderian invites you to...

Fr. Serovpe Alanjian parish priest of the St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Santa Clarita. A gradu-

ate of the St. John’s Catholic Seminary with a degree of MA in Pastoral Ministry, writing a

thesis on the importance of Christian Education in the Armenian family based on the encycli-

cal of St. Nersess the Gracefilled, titled, “Watch Your Steps.” He has served at the St. Leon

Cathedral in Burbank and at the Armenian Church of Ventura County. He is one of the father

-confessors for the conference.

Sophia Armen is scholar, civil rights organizer and writer. She is pursuing a PhD in Ethnic

Studies at the University of California, San Diego with a focus on the history of Armenian-

Americans, gender politics, class, race and labor. She has worked with many organizations that

focus on social justice and has been active in the St. Peter's Church Van Nuys. During her

undergraduate studies at UCSB she served at student body President. Topic:

Fr. Mesrop Ash is the parish priest of the St. John Armenian Church in San Francisco, where

he has serviced since his ordination in 2012. Through his parents' dedicated service he was

raised within the community of St. James Armenian Church of Los Angeles. has worked

with the Armenian Assembly of Amercia His formative years were devoted to Sunday

School, ACYO and theWestern Diocese Summer Camp.

Topic:

Isabel Bayrakdarian - Opera Singer, Professor of Music at UCSB, Biomedical Engineer. In a

career still in its second decade, an eagerly anticipated visitor to opera houses and concert

halls the world over, Isabel Bayrakdarian is celebrated for her beauty, presence, and style as

for a strikingly multihued voice that’s wholly in sync with the rest of her.

Conference Address:

Ronda Berkeley cultivates and applies a unique visual and contextual aesthetic to theatrical

experiences in multiple disciplines as a dramaturg, director, choreographer and perform-

er. During her tenure as Associated Artistic Director of AMAN World Music and Dance, the

company has been the recipient of numerous awards. She has provided creative leadership on

projects for institutions like The Chitresh Das Dance Company and performed in works for

international events like the Los Angeles Olympic Arts Festival. She leads the “Spiritual Dance”

at Reclaim

Gail Chelebian is the Chairlady of the Western Diocese Christian Education Council and Super-

intendent at St. James, LA. Gail has been active in the Armenian church and community since

she was a young girl, specifically in Sunday school, Hye Camp, the Ladies Auxillary Debutante

Ball and by spending summers in Armenia participating in intensive language programs. Gail

is a graduate of UCLA with degrees in Linguistics, Spanish and an MA in Education. Topic:

Mardiros “Marty” Dakessian founded Dakessian Law in 2015, specializing in California tax

controversy and litigation. Dakessian is on a short list of the most well-known and successful

attorneys in California taxation and has been named “Tax MVP” four times in the past five

years by the legal publication , which lauded him as “a top-flight litigator.” He is a

graduate of UC Berkeley with a degree in Political Science and UC Hastings College of the Law.

Topic:

Azad DerBedrosian is a hiker, engineer, photographer and artist.

He has served at St. Peter Armenian Church, Glendale for over 10 years in various positions.

With the Armenian Hikers Association, Azad organized a 4 days 100km hike to commemo-

rate the centennial of the Armenian Genocide. He has served as president of the Armenian

Engineers and Scientists of America. A graduate of Cal Poly Pomona he currently works

at JPL, Pasadena. His artistic works can be seen at

Azad leads Reclaim’s “Spiritual Hike” Saturday morning.

Sevag Derderian is the founder and director of the Music Education Department of the AACCWD.

During his time as Chairman, the AACCWD has launched two music scholarship funds, developed a

music curriculum for the CEC & HyeCamp, held masteclasses, workshops, trainings, and expanded

the online sacred music library. He is a proud member of the CSULA Gohar & Ovanes Andriassian

Classical Guitar Competition, Festival & Symposium and American Federation of Musicians. Topic:

Michael Goorjian, born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, is an Armenian-American

actor, filmmaker, and writer. His acting credits include (Emmy Award for

Best Supporting Actor), Fox’s

and HBO’s Film credits include,

and , a film Michael wrote, directed and starred in alongside

Hollywood-legend Kirk Douglas. Michael’s first novel was

release in 2016. More at michaelagoorjian.com Topic:

Dr. Yvette Hovsepian-Bearce is a Middle East scholar specializing in contemporary Iranian politics.

Her book,

f was published as a volume in the UCLA Center for Middle East Development series. Hovsepi-

an Bearce’s work also focuses on comparative studies of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Currently

Hovsepian Bearce has dedicates herself to humanitarian work in response to the Syrian Refugee

Crisis, working with refugees, non-governmental organizations, and policymakers in Germany.

Topic:

Fr. Haroutioun Tachejian is the parish priest of the St. James Armenian Church of Los Angeles.

Born in Aleppo, Syria, he is a graduate of the Seminary of the Armenian Catholicosate of the

Great House of Cilicia. He was ordained as a married priest in 1992 and has pastored the St.

Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in Chaville - France, St. Mary Magdalene Armenian

Church in Brussels - Belgium and the Holy Cross of Varak in Arnouville – France. He is one of

the Father-Confessors of this conference.

Madilyn Smith is a local singer/actor. In theater, she has played the lead in Once Upon A Mat-

tress as Princess Winnifred and the part of Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family Musical at

EagleRock High School. Her YouTube channel highlights her musical prowess with cover rendi-

tions. This young and upcoming artist performs at Reclaim for everyone’s enjoyment.

Melina Sardar has a proven track record for motivating and inspiring business professionals,

youth, adults, and groups within a diverse population. Her best ability is in empowering and

motivating others to act with purpose and set goals with the pursuit of achieving them. Since

2003, Melina has been operating her private coaching practice, and specializes in providing 1

-on-1 coaching in areas of career, relationship, emotional awareness, stress and anxiety

management. More at www.MeltheLifeCoach.com

Melina will be leading the orientation: “ ”

Fr. Krikor Zakaryan, is the parish priest of the St. Garabed Armenian Church in Rancho Mi-

rage. Born and raised in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, Fr. Krikor studied Biology, Humanitarianism and

French. He served valiantly in the Bulgarian army. Fr. Kirkor celebrated his first Divine Litur-

gy at the social hall of the Armenian Church of the Desert in Rancho Mirage. During his

pastorate, the Sanctuary of St. Garabed’s was built and completed. Fr. Krikor Zakaryan re-

ceived his Masters of Theology degree from the Claremont School of Theology, Claremont.

Topic: “ .”

David Karapetyan, a recent class of 2017 graduate from UCLA majoring in business economics, has been working

at the forefront of the emerging world of virtual reality since its earliest days. When an opportunity to create one

of the first ever content pieces in VR for European telecom giant 02 presented itself, David and his brother, com-

mercial director Gevorg, had to assemble a one-of-a-kind team of experts to pull it off. Exploiting their creativity,

they started the virtual reality production company, Bipolar Studio. Come by their room to get a chance to chat

and fully experience some of their content in true VR. They will have demo stations set up and would love to

share the excitement of VR with you.

Room? Time? When? Where? What? Who? Need help?

Look for the braided cross label pin! St. Leon ACYO members are your hosts

and hostesses for this weekend. They’ll make sure you’re headed in the

right direction and at the right time. Just ask! They’re here for you!

During the Conference two priests, Fr. Haroutioun and Fr. Serovpe will be hearing private

confessions in the vestry of the Cathedral. Request a session at the entrance of the Cathedral.

Mashdots Jobanian is the Directors of Christian Education at the Western Diocese. His Bible

Studies at several parishes are attended by large crowds of young and old. He has his own TV

and Radio programs and is followed on the Internet throughout the world. Mashdots is a gradu-

ate of Theological Seminary of the Armenian Church of the Catholicasate of Cilcia, Antelias,

Lebanon and has studied at the Theological Faculty, Oslo Norway, at the Theological Seminary,

Denmark studying Biblical Missiology and at Fuller Seminary in Recovery Ministry. Topic:

Aram Kavoukjian, M.B.A, received his Bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurship from Loyola

Marymount University, where he served as President of the Armenian Student Association,

VP of Finance of Sigma Phi Epsilon, Goalkeeper for LMU Men's Soccer, Leader of an Alterna-

tive Breaks trip to Israel/West Bank. At LMU, he found a passion for developing ideas into

products. He has worked on several startup companies, some of which are successful small

businesses today. Currently he works with in his family business, working closely with the

Starkey Foundation in donating and providing hearing aids for thousands of people in

Armenia. Topic:

Hayk Madoyan is the Ecumenical Officer and Librarian translator and interpreter of classical

Armenian and Theological texts of the Western Diocese. He is a Teacher/Catechist of Orthodox

Christianity and religious studies at large; specialized in the doctrine and history of The

Armenian Apostolic Church. He received his Masters of Theology degree from Yerevan State

University, Armenia and furthered his study in Biblical Studies (Biblical Hebrew and (Koine)

Greek) at Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena. Topic: Ստեղծարար լինելու

քրիստոնեական կոչումը (The Christian call to Creativity)

Fr. Vazken Movsesian is a graduate of USC with degrees in Social Ethics and Psychology. He

has pastored at St. Andrew, Cupertino, St. Gregory, Pasadena and St. Peter, Glendale, during

his 35 years of service as a priest of the Armenian Church. His weekly podcasts and videos are

followed by a worldwide audience. He holds weekly Bible Study in Glendale and is currently

working on a new project called “Armodoxy.” More at Keynote Address:

“ ”; Sunday Morning: “

”

Archpriest Fr. Sarkis Petoyan, the Parish Priest of the St. Gregory Armenian Church in Pasadena,

holds two undergraduate degrees from CSUN. At the age of 30 he resigned his managerial posi-

tion in the retail banking industry and began studying for the priesthood at Holy Echmiadzin, St.

Nersess Armenian Theological Seminary and St. Vladimir Orthodox Seminary where he earned an

M.Div. degree. During his eleven years as the shepherd of the St. John Armenian Church in San

Francisco, he and Yeretsgeen Talin organized pilgrimages to Armenia and over $400,000 for

charitable projects throughout Armenia. Topic:

The Weekend at a Glance… Friday - March 2

6:00-8:00P - Registration & Mixer - Turpanjian Plaza

8:00 - Opening Ceremony - Kathryn Mgrublian, Welcome

- Reflections - Nataline Jindoian, ACYO Central Council

- Reflections - Charles Cherezian, St. John, San Francisco

- Keynote Address “The God Generation” Fr. Vazken Movsesian

- Spiritual Message and Prayer—Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate

9:15 - Around the bonfire - Turpanjian Plaza

- Spiritual Dance - Ronda Berkeley Songs - Madilyn Smith

Saturday - March 3

6:30A - Bus boarding at Diocese to hike site

7:00A - Wake Up with the Spiritual Hike - Azad DerBedrosian

Stough Canyon Nature Center, 2300 Walnut, Burbank, California

8:30A - Breakfast - Paul Galleria

10:00A-4:30P - Private Confession in Sanctuary (See Dn Garen or Dn Nareg)

Fr. Haroutioun Tachejian & Fr. Serovpe Alanjian

10:00 - Session 1 - “Ignite Your Soul’s Passion” - Melina Sardar

11:00 - Session 2 - “Inspired by the Spirit” - Isabel Bayrakdarian

12:00 Noon - Group Picture - In front of the Cathedral Sanctuary

12:30 Lunch - Turpanjian Plaza

1:30 - 5:00 - Virtual Reality - BiPolarID - Classroom #2

1:30 - Session 3

2:20 - Session 4

3:10 - Session 5

4:00 - Session 6

5:00 - Cathedral & Museum Tour - Hayk Madoyan

6:30 - Spiritual Supper - Zorayan Museum “Rivers of Living Water“

Sunday - March 4

9:00 - Creative Power and Energy of the Diving Liturgy - Fr. Vazken Movsesian

10:30 - Divine Liturgy - Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Celebrant

Procession of the children

CEC Workshop - Zorayan Museum

Holy Communion

12:30 PM - Fellowship and dismissal

See schedule of speakers on next page

Classroom2 Virtual Reality - BIPOLARid

Afternoon Schedule of Speakers

1:30 2:20 3:10 4:00

Hampar Room

Michael Goorjian -

Creativity and the Artis-

tic Process

Dr. Yvette Hovsepian

Bearce - Responding to

the Current Global Crisis

Michael Goorjian -

Creativity and the Artis-

tic Process

Dr. Yvette Hovsepian

Bearce - Responding to

the Current Global Crisis

Sanctuary

Sevag Derderian -

Hymns of the Armenian

Church

Sevag Derderian -

Hymns of the Armenian

Church

Zorayan 1

Fr. Mesrop Ash -

Why your life is too

complicated: Simplicity

and Intentionality

Fr. Mesrop Ash -

Why your life is too

complicated: Simplicity

and Intentionality

Gail Chelebian -

Spiritual Parenting:

Myself and Others

Gail Chelebian -

Spiritual Parenting:

Myself and Others

Zorayan 2

Fr. Krikor Zakarian -

The Holy Spirit and the

Mission of the Church

Fr. Krikor Zakarian -

The Holy Spirit and the

Mission of the Church

Fr. Sarkis Petoyan -

Parable of the Talents:

Allowing the Holy Spirit

to work through you

Fr. Sarkis Petoyan -

Parable of the Talents:

Allowing the Holy Spirit

to work through you

Zorayan 3

Sophia Armen -

Reclaiming the Christian

Narrative in America:

Race, Hope & the Arme-

nian Fight

Sophia Armen -

Reclaiming the Christian

Narrative in America:

Race, Hope & the Arme-

nian Fight

Mashdots Jobanian -

The Celebration of the

Holy Spirit in our Crea-

tive Process

Mashdots Jobanian -

The Celebration of the

Holy Spirit in our Crea-

tive Process

Zorayan 4

Hayk Madoyan -

Ստեղծարար

լինելու

քրիստոնեական

կոչումը

Hayk Madoyan -

Ստեղծարար

լինելու

քրիստոնեական

կոչումը

Conference Room

Mardiros Dakessian -

Purpose and Passion:

How faith gives our

work meaning

Mardiros Dakessian -

Purpose and Passion:

How faith gives our

work meaning

Aram Kavoukjian -

Creativity: The Wheel

that keeps a business

moving

Aram Kavoukjian -

Creativity: The Wheel

that keeps a business

moving

Acknowledgements

This conference is made possible through

a generous donation made in memory of

Takuhi Siranush Kuyumjian (1926-2017)

in recognition of her love and devotion to the Armenian Church

By the Kuyumjian and Panosian families

We gratefully acknowledge and thank

The St. John Armenian Church, San Francisco

for their farsighted belief in the Mission of the Armenian Church and ongoing support of the Reclaim Conference

The St. Leon (Srbots Ghevontyants) Parish Priest - Fr. Khajag Shahbazian,

The Parish Council, Ladies Society & ACYO

for hosting Reclaim, arranging meal services and hospitality

The Staff of the Western Diocese

Harout Markarian, Executive Director

and ALL Departments for the extraordinary attention paid to detail

The presenters, Artists & Speakers of the Reclaim Conference for sharing their time and talent so willingly and plentifully

As well as all those who volunteered their time and services Bus Service: Royal American Tours - Akop Madanyan

Signage: Studio MA, Inc.

Promotions Printing: @MSPrinting Plus

Thank you!

The Reclaim Committee

Archbishop Hovnan Derderian,

Fr. Vazken Movsesian, Yn. Susan Movsesian,

Maria Hamparian, Suzie Shatarevyan, Charles Cherezian

Lida Ananian, Sevana Keshishian,

Marianna Muradyan, Michelle Markarian

#ReclaimAC2018