ST. NERSESS ARMENIAN SEMINARY
Ս. ՆԵՐՍԷՍ ԸՆԾԱՅԱՐԱՆ
Preparing Leaders for Service in the Armenian Church since 1961
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Seminary Dean Leads Deacons Workshop at St. Leon Ghevondyants Armenian Cathedral in CA
Last month, Fr. Mardiros Chevian traveled to California to lead a deacons workshop at the invitation of Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese and Vice President of the St. Nersess Board of Directors.
Held on December 18 at the diocesan headquarters in Burbank, 40 altar servers from throughout the diocese gathered to learn more about their role in the Armenian Church. Fr. Vazken Movsesian was instrumental in organizing this special event. The workshop was a part of an entire weekend dedicated to the remembrance of St. Stephen, the first deacon and martyr of the Christian Church, and the ministries of deacons today.
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In a bible study discussion, Fr. Mardiros explained the role of the deacon in reference to St. Stephen (Acts 6). Dn. Garen Hamamjian, a current St. Nersess seminarian from the Western Diocese, gave a talk about martyrdom, explaining the three-fold understanding of nahadak as witness, martyr and champion of Christ.
Fr. Mardiros also spoke about St. Nersess Seminary, explaining the seminary’s 50+ year history. Participants watched the newly produced video 12 Vocations and a short discussion followed. The afternoon concluded with a Vesper service in the cathedral.
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On Sunday morning, Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the cathedral by Hovnan Srpazan, assisted by priests and more than 30 deacons and altar servers, including Dn. Garen. As is tradition, the deacons all wore priestly crowns on the occasion of St. Stephen. During the service, a special Khatchkar was dedicated in honor of Dn. Hrair Dekmejian, who originally came from the Eastern Diocese, for his 80 years of service as an altar server and deacon. Abp. Hovnan Derderian also introduced Fr. Mardiros to the congregation and presented him with a beautiful hand cross, on the occasion of his visit to the Western Diocese.
During his stay, Fr. Mardiros joined an ACYO project and attended the annual ACYO Christmas Fellowship hosted by Hovnan Srpazan. He also had the opportunity to meet with two new candidates who plan to apply to St. Nersess Seminary this coming year and to spend time with Abp. Hovnan to update him on the seminary's activities.
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Fr. Mardiros receiving a hand cross from Abp. Hovnan Derderian. |
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Fr. Mardiros Chevian, Abp. Hovnan Derderian, and Fr. Vazken Movsesian. |
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Dear Friends,
In this season of gratitude, we are reminded of your commitment to St. Nersess and your support of our education. We pray you will have a blessed New Year and a joyous Theophany - the celebration of God’s revelation to mankind.
Քրիստոս Ծնաւ եւ Յայտնեցաւ
Christ is Born and Revealed!
Օրհնեալ Է Յայտնութիւնն Քրիստոսի
Blessed is the Revelation of Christ!
In Christ’s Love,
The St. Nersess Seminarians
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Six Decades and Counting...
Sixty years of vision, commitment, new ideas, hard work, enthusiasm, prayers, and an abiding faith.
Sixty years of leadership, instruction, worship, and formation of seminarians.
Sixty years producing 50+ graduates serving the Armenian Church as bishops, priests, deacons and lay ministers here and abroad. The first 12 graduates were honored on November 13 (cover photo), with more celebrations planned to recognize ordained and lay alumni of St. Nersess Seminary.
Sixty years of gathering thousands of young people, who are offered an education, inspiration, and a better understanding of what it means to be an Armenian Christian. Many are now leading our Church as priests, deacons, teachers, parish council members, diocesan delegates, and diocesan council members.
Sixty years of remembrance of the pioneers of this institution, including Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan, founder and first dean.
Sixty years of support, financial and moral, that has come from you and three generations before you.
May the Lord continue to bless and protect you and may His light continue to shine upon our beloved seminary.
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Photo - The first 12 students to graduate from St. Nersess and St. Vladimir’s Seminaries and be ordained:
(back row) Fr. Garabed Kochakian (1976), Fr. Arakel Aljalian (1993), Fr. Yeprem Kelegian (1977), Fr. Sahak Kaishian (1993), Fr. Vasken Kouzouian (1994), Fr. Tavit Boyajian (1993), Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian (1996), Fr. Shnork Demirjian (1991), Fr. Diran Bohajian (1993); (front row) Fr. Kevork Arakelian (1973), Fr. Karekin Kasparian, Bishop Daniel Findikyan, Fr. Mardiros Chevian (1985), Fr. Simeon Odabashian (1996).
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New Leadership Circle Level Added
Our Leadership Circle of donors want the best for St. Nersess Armenian Seminary and the future of the Armenian Church in America. We appreciate how you help to motivate others, supply wisdom and experience, and provide the seminary with important financial support. 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 and financial 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, St. Nersess prepares non-ordained ministers for service in youth ministry and education.
A new Protector level has been added to our Leadership Circle. Donors can now make a $2,500 annual donation. We also offer:
GUARDIAN ANGEL
$10,000/annually
GUARDIAN
$5,000/annually
PROTECTOR
$2,500/annually
SHEPHERD
$1,000/annually
HARVESTER
$500/annually
CARETAKER
$250/annually
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.
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St. Nersess Armenian Seminary
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