On July 20–25, 2026, the Armenian Catholic Youth Union (ACYU) camp took place in Stepanavan. The event was attended by 54 young people from Armenian Catholic communities in Armenia, Georgia, and Russia, guided by four clergymen and H. E. Archbishop Gevorg Noradounguian.

The logistical organization of the recreation area was handled by Rev. Fr. Nerses Galstyan, Pastor of the Armenian Catholics of Tashir, with the coordination of ACYU Vice President Serge Nazarian. The spiritual leaders of the ACYA were Fr. Komitas Daveyan, Fr. Hovsep Galstyan, and ACYU President Nairi Hajyan. The Ordinary of the Armenian Catholic Church, H. E. Archbishop Gevorg Noradounguian, accompanied the young people with his fatherly presence and blessing throughout all five days of the camp.

The camp agenda included the following activities:

1.Daily Holy Mass and moments of silent prayer in outdoor settings; the opening and closing Holy Masses were celebrated by H. E. Archbishop Gevorg Noradounguian;

2. A pilgrimage to the Armenian Catholic churches of Tashir and Metsavan. The Holy Mass at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Tashir was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Nerses Galstyan, the pastor of Tashir Armenian Catholics;
3. Lectures and discussions on the following topics with the following speakers:
-“Youth’s Mission in the Church: What is My Calling and Role?” – Rev. Fr. Nerses Galstyan;
-“Starting a Family as a Vocation: A Christian Perspective” — Fr. Komitas Daveyan;
– “A Reflection on Prayer and Types of Prayer” — Fr. Hovsep Galstyan and Armen Adamyan;
– “The Church’s Contemporary Stance on Artificial Intelligence: Insights from Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical “Magnifica humanitas” (“Magnificent Humanity”) — Armen Adamyan;
– “Professional Orientation as a Calling in Christian’s Life” — Fr. Hovsep Galstyan;
– “Are Miracles Possible in This Life?”: talk and discussion — Fr. Mikayel Domburyan;

– “The Vocation of Spiritual Service: Priesthood and Monastic Life (Monks and Nuns)” — H. E. Archbishop Gevorg Noradounguian;

– Three workshops on the content of Pope Francis’s apostolic exhortation “Christus Vivit” in preparation for World Youth Day (WYD) 2027 in Seoul. The young people read spiritual texts, engaged in silent meditation, completed worksheets, prayed silently, and discussed the results;

– Meditation on the Word of God (Lectio Divina), focusing on John 1:35–51 (the calling of the first disciples). Participants were given an opportunity to reflect on their own calling as apostles of Christ and share their thoughts and feelings during the reading;

– Presentation and discussion of a film about St. Carlo Acutis, along with the story of the 8th-century Eucharistic Miracle in Lanciano (part of St. Carlo’s collection), presented by seminaran Simavon Mkrtchyan;

– “Who is St. Francis of Assisi?”: On the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the saint’s passing, Maria Avetisyan presented biographical information, followed by a presentation and discussion of Franco Zeffirelli’s film “Brother Sun, Sister Moon”;

– Sports and intellectual games;

– Campfire, music, dancing, a festive party, and a closing ceremony, during which the Archbishop individually thanked all camp organizers and participants. He bestowed his blessing and invited them to reflect on the rich spiritual and social experience gained during these days and how to put it into practice as part of ACYU’s mission.

This ACYU camp was made possible through the benefactor support of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and voluntary contributions from the young participants.

Fr. Hovsep Galstyan
Chancery of the Armenian Catholic Ordinariate
July 25, 2026