On 22 October, 2025, the ceremony of the anointing of the altar of the chapel of the newly built Youth Center of the Congregation of the Sisters of Immaculate Conception took place in Gyumri, during the celebration of the Holy Mass by H.E. Kevork Archbishop Noradounguian, and me as the concelebrant priest. And the next day, I 23 October, the ceremony of the inauguration of the Youth Center took place, with the participation of Armenian Catholic priests, serving in the Ordinariate and in the diaspora, also were present the ambassador of Canada to Armenia, benefactors of the Youth Center and other guests.

During the inauguration, Mother Arousiag Sajonian, the Superior of the congregation told, that the construction of the new center came true as a divine providence, as a miracle: a pious woman named Jacklyn Galstian, has bequeathed an inheritance for the purpose to build this center, together with donations from USCCB, Dicastery for the Eastern Churches of the Holy See, and many individual benefactors, who have always assisted the charitable, educational and social activities. The new youth center is also equipped with various facilities, which make it possible for the adolescent and young girls to dwell here while studying in higher educational institutions, also to receive Christian and moral education, counselling and guidance, with the purpose of developing vital capabilities, also vocational skills, required in today’s labor environment. This house for the young is also designed to form spiritual vocations for membership of the congregation of Immaculate Conception of Armenian Sisters.

H.E. Archbishop Noradounguian, addressing to those present in the hall, emphasized specifically the social dimension of this new house, guided by the Evangelical spirit:

”With the inauguration of this center we have excluded the danger of having very fragile families. Young people, who will go through this center, are to be baked, fed, enriched and adorned with Christian values, to be able to go through the world and make holy families… The Church, as a Mother and Educator, is to have this kind of institutions, amid others, where future mothers and educators will be formed. It is not impossible also, that some young people will prepare themselves for the consecrated life”.

The enchanting adornment of the inauguration ceremony was the concert of the Choir Diramayr Hayastani, conductor Robert Mlkeyan, which imprinted great aesthetical, spiritual and patriotic impressions in our hearts.

Fr. Hovsep Galstyan

27 October, 2025