ST. NERSESS ARMENIAN SEMINARY
Ս. ՆԵՐՍԷՍ ԸՆԾԱՅԱՐԱՆ
Preparing Leaders for Service in the Armenian Church since 1961
New Altar Servers Attend Deacons' Training Program

From July 24 to July 31, the Deacons' Training Program in Armonk, NY, welcomed 19 young men from the Eastern and Western Dioceses, including two young men, Arin Parsanian and Zareh Mirzayan. They are both returning to St. Nersess in a few days to commence their fall semester studies in preparation for ordination to the Holy Priesthood.
This year, many of the participants were first-time attendees of St. Nersess Summer Conferences, who gathered to learn the music and rituals of the Badarak and other services of the Armenian Church as well as their meaning and importance.

The program was led by co-directors, Dn. Alex Calikyan, a 2019 seminary graduate, and Dn. Ari Terjanian, and was guided by Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean. Daily classes were led by Fr. Tateos Abdalian and the Fr. Nigoghos Aznavourian, a 2020 seminary graduate, as well as Dn. Alex and Dn. Ari. Dn. Anthony Maldonado and Dn. Garen Megrdichian assisted as counselors during the week.
Armenian language classes focused on learning to read the Armenian alphabet, fluency in chanting in Armenian, and basics of grammar in Krapar (classical Armenian) for the advanced students. In the Deacons’ Training classes, students reviewed the chants, hymns, and liturgics of the Badarak, as well as obtained invaluable theological explanation behind our sacred rituals. The advanced Deacons’ Training class, led by Dn. Alex, reviewed the sacrament of Holy Matrimony. Fr. Nigoghos also led a Nshkhar-making class. Students participated in daily Bible Studies, which centered around Bishop Daniel Findikyan’s recent book release, Building up the Body of Christ.
Evening lectures were also offered, including guest speaker Bishop Daniel Findikyan, seminary professor of Liturgical Studies and former primate of the Eastern Diocese, previewing his soon to be released translation of The Book of Hours (Zhamakirk); Dn. Arthur Sabounjian presenting on repentance; and Dn. Alex giving a moving presentation on St. Stephen and the diaconate.

On Thursday afternoon, a special service was held to bless two new icons in the St. Hagop Chapel, St. Nersess the Graceful and St. Nersess the Great. Officiating at the ceremony was Bishop Daniel, assisted by the participants. The icons were anonymously donated in commemoration of the Fr. Karekin Kasparian, former dean of St. Nersess and Fr. Mardiros Chevian, current dean of the seminary.
On Friday, the participants traveled to Point Pleasant Beach in NJ, where the group enjoyed time on the beach and the boardwalk.

On Sunday morning, Badarak was celebrated in the chapel, with Fr. Tateos serving as the guest celebrant, and assisted by the participants of the program at the altar and in the choir. Dn. Alex delivered the sermon.
“Glory to God for once again blessing us with the opportunity to inspire a new group of future deacons and servants of our church,” shared Dn. Ari Terjanian. “We exhort all the participants to carry forward Fr. Tateos’ closing message, ‘Listen, Learn, Go, Do!’ May all continue their studies and service to our Lord back home at their parishes and henceforth in their earthly ministries.”

The participants enjoyed wonderful meals throughout the week, prepared by Wilma Petrossian, Manager of Food Services. Dn. Levon Altiparmakian was invaluable in his support behind the scenes to ensure the conference ran smoothly.
"Thanks to Der Mardiros and the entire staff of St. Nersess Seminary, the instructors and guest speakers, our dedicated participants, and especially Dn. Ari, it brings me great joy and encouragement to see that through the Deacons' Training Program, we carry on the vision of our church, namely Building Up the Body of Christ, " exclaimed Dn. Alex Calikyan.
2nd Annual Deacons' Training Program Held in Western Diocese

For the second summer, the Western Diocese offered a St. Nersess Deacons’ Training Program at Hye Camp in Dunlap, CA, from August 7-13. It was organized and directed by Fr. Gomidas Zohrabian, pastor of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in Fowler.
This year, there were eight participants, including two deacons, a subdeacon, and five acolytes, who represented five parishes of the Western Diocese. There were daily morning and evening prayer services, deacons’ training classes, Bible studies, Armenian language classes, and lectures.

Dn. Barlow DerMegurdichian, PhD, taught Armenian Church history classes on Ecumenical Councils of Nicaea (325), Constantinople (381), Ephesus (431), and Chalcedon (451) as well as Church Fathers. Fr. Haroutiun Tachejian conducted Armenian Language lessons on Zoom, while Fr. Zaven Markosyan and Fr. Gomidas Zohrabian led Deacons’ training classes, focusing on singing, poorvar, kushots, Gospel procession, Veraperoom, Voghchooyn, and making Nshkhar.

The Bible studies were led by Der Zaven, Fr. Yesayi Bedros, Dn. Arees Setrak, and Dn. Andrew Hogopian. On Thursday morning, Der Yesayi celebrated Holy Badarak, with Dn. Andrew on the organ and singing the choir parts, and the participants serving on the altar.
The volunteer kitchen crew consisted of Janice Hendrix, Yn. Roberta Hairabedian, and Anahit Krikorian. Thanks to them, the participants had traditional Armenian food, along with other delicious meals. In the evenings, the group bonded by singing Armenian songs from the St. Nersess Songbook. The program was a wonderful way for both the participants and their mentors to bond through their Armenian faith, heritage, and traditions. Most importantly, they discussed and shared their experiences in responding to God’s call to serve.

Through this Deacons’ Training Program in CA, the seminary is able to reach more altar servers in the Western Diocese, our future spiritual and lay leaders.
Zhamakirk Available
Published in Jerusalem, this new book is a convenient size (4" x 6") with clear print and is nicely bound. Great ordination or holiday gift for altar servers!

Cost: $23 (includes shipping). Slightly higher fees apply if ordered online.

Click here to order online or mail a check made payable to St. Nersess Armenian Seminary to St. Nersess Seminary, 486 Bedford Road, Armonk, NY 10504.
2022 Fall Public Lecture Series - on Zoom

St. Nersess Armenian Seminary is happy to announce its 2022 Fall Zoom Public Lecture Series on Thursday evenings. All lectures are open to the public. Attendees may participate in one or all of the sessions.
 
September 1 - October 6, 2022 at 7pm
with Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, PhD
 
The course will explore the first Gospel in the books of the New Testament attributed to the apostle Matthew. We will initially discuss issues related to the authorship, dating and intended recipients of the Gospel. We will then shed light on the use of the Gospel of Matthew in the Armenian Church. Exploring the structure of the Gospel as well as its relationship with the other Gospels if any, will be next. Next, we will examine the stories unique to the Gospel of Matthew which will help us understand the focus of the author and the way he interpreted certain events. The rest of the course will be committed to examining key theological issues developed in the Gospel.
 
Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian is a graduate of St. Nersess Seminary and holds a PhD degree in Biblical Studies from Fordham University. He served as an Eastern Diocesan priest in different parishes until 2009, when he was elected Primate of the Diocese of the United Kingdom. In 2014, he was elected Primate of the Diocese of France. He is currently a professor of Biblical Studies at St. Joseph University in Maine. He has published articles and books in Arabic, Armenian and English. He serves on the editorial board of several theological journals and is the series editor of "The Bible in the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches" by Peter Lang Inc.
 
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October 13 - December 1, 2022 at 7pm
with Dr. Jesse S. Arlen
 
After the invention of the Armenian alphabet in the fifth century, the early centuries of Armenian literature are dominated by prose: theological and philosophical treatises, histories, hagiographies, commentaries, and the like. Nevertheless, the premodern Armenian literary tradition also boasts a vast and dazzling array of poetic texts, which are generally less well known to scholars and novices alike. This two-semester public lecture series will introduce the medieval Armenian poetic tradition, including sharagans, odes, lyrics, laments, poetic prayers, as well as love and wisdom poetry. This vast array of material spanning over ten centuries was composed both in the classical literary idiom as well as a form of the language closer to the vernacular, known as middle Armenian. Attention will also be paid to interchange and contact with neighboring literary and poetic traditions, such as Greek, Persian, and Arabic.

Dr. Jesse Arlen is the inaugural Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Armenian Christian Studies and Director of the Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center, a recently arranged joint appointment between the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America and Fordham University. He earned his Ph.D. in Near Eastern Languages & Cultures at the University of California, Los Angeles, with a dissertation entitled, "A Window into the Tenth Century: The Life and Literary Works of Anania of Narek." Dr. Arlen’s research pertains to literature and intellectual history, with attention to asceticism, mysticism, and education in Eastern Christianity and Islam. He is also a published writer of creative prose, poetry, and literary criticism in Western Armenian.
Leave Your Legacy!
 

Recognize or Honor a family member or friend on our Founders Garden pathway, located on a pedestrian footpath in front of the Theological Center, or on our Prayer Garden Pathway, located in a secluded area adjacent to the Theological Center.

Your donation of a personalized engraved brick will support the education of priests and non-ordained leaders for ministry in the Armenian Church in North America and beyond. 

Join Our Leadership Circle!
 
Our Leadership Circle of donors want the best for St. Nersess Armenian Seminary and the future of the Armenian Church in America. Your moral and financial leadership empowers us to continue to strengthen our rich tradition of educating, engaging, and preparing leaders for service in the Armenian Church.
 
St. Nersess Seminary is important to the future of the Armenian Church in North America. The seminary provides a quality theological education that is firmly rooted in the faith and traditions of our Holy Armenian Church while fully utilizing the technological resources of the 21st century. Through graduate-level education and spiritual formation, St. Nersess prepares priests for today’s Church and, as a seminary that welcomes women and men, we prepare non-ordained ministers for service in youth ministry and education.
 
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SHEPHERD
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HARVESTER
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CARETAKER
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Gifts can be made on a quarterly or monthly basis. Thank you and God bless you for your support and commitment to St. Nersess Armenian Seminary. All donors are recognized on our website.