LOS ANGELES–Two USC professors will highlight a conference on Saturday–October 20–at the Davidson Center in USC. Professor Donald E. Miller–Executive Director of the Center for Religion and Civic Culture at USC–will be delivering a presentation concerning the "Challenges to Armenian Christian Identity in the 21st Century," while Dr. R. Hrair Dekmejian–Professor of Political Science will speak about the role of the Church in a Globalized Environment.
The one day conference will focus on Christianity–and Armenian Nation and Church. It is sponsored by the Armenian Church of North America–the Dean of Religious Life at USC–the Center for Religion and Civic Culture at USC–the Armenian institute at USC and the Armenian Student Association of USC. Aptly named "Toward the Next 1700 Years," the conference is part of a world wide celebration marking the 1700th anniversary of the first Christian nation. In 301 AD–Armenia was the first nation to accept Christianity as a state religion. Today this oldest Christian group struggles in a secularized environment with limited tools to survive. The conference asks the questions necessary to begin a process of growth.
Joining Dr. Miller and Dr. Dekmejian will be Archbishop Hovnan Derderian–the world wide director of the 1700th anniversary celebrations from Etchmiadzin–Armenia; Rev. Dr. Daniel Findikyan–Dean of St. Nerses Armenian Seminary–and Rev. Arshen Aivazian–Pastor of St. Paul Armenian Church–Fresno–California.
A panel discussion moderated by conference organizer Fr. Vazken Movsesian will bring to forum pertinent issues of identity and spirituality. Participants in the panel will be members of the community at large–with ample opportunities for the attendees to contribute to a dynamic discussion. According to Fr. Movsesian–"The conference challenges the participants to look beyond the celebrations of 1700 year and deal with their identity and spirituality today."
The conference is open to the public. Seating is limited so register early. The all day conference with lunch is $25 and $35 after October 17. To Register–send name–address and email address along with payment payable to: 1700 Committee–2215 E. Colorado Blvd.–Pasadena–CA 91107. All information and registration forms can be found at www.next1700.com.