For the past 6 months, St. John Jr. ACYO boys has been practicing basketball to participate in ACYO Sports Weekend which is held on Memorial weekend. Friday, May 23, under the leadership of Fr. Mesrop Ash and their coach Vasgen Kosdantyan, St. John participated the 51st Annual ACYO Sports Weekend. We are proud to announce that the Jr. ACYO of St. John received the 3rd place Basketball trophy. Furthermore, all of the boys served on the Holy Altar during the Divine Liturgy at St. Paul Armenian Church in Fresno. We're also proud that long serving St. John ACYO member, Kevin Kestekyan, also took home the 1st place Tavloo trophy and the 3rd place Ping Pong trophy.
Friday, May 23, following the registration and the opening ceremonies, Abp. Hovnan Derderian delivered a message to the athletes. “The ACYO Sports weekend is a unique time of Christian fellowship. This weekend’s journey begins with prayer in our hearts. I invite you all to make the weekend a memorable one: a weekend of Christian fellowship and spiritual growth, a special time to rethink about your calling to be exemplary leaders but above all disciples and ambassadors of the Armenian Apostolic Church,” said Archbishop.
The primate, also stressed the importance of the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide and said. “Dear ACYO members, this year we commemorate the sacrificial lives of a million and a half martyrs, who gave their God-given lives for their Christian faith and their homeland. Therefore, every step that you take let it bring justice to the memory of the martyrs, who on April 23rd were sanctified, thus becoming Saints of our Church and nation.”
The games started, Saturday May 23 and teams from various parishes competed against each other in different sport. The championship games were held on Sunday. It was not an easy task, every team tried their best to get the highest prize. We express our apprecation to the team, their coach, the parents, and Fr. Mesrop and the Parish Council for their support. The weekend concluded with an Awards banquet and dance at the Berberian Hall of St. Paul Armenian Church of Fresno.
