ST. NERSESS ARMENIAN SEMINARY
Ս. ՆԵՐՍԷՍ ԸՆԾԱՅԱՐԱՆ
Preparing Leaders for Service in the Armenian Church since 1961
Seminarians Attend Annual Spring Retreat

The seminarians gathered on Enders Island in Mystic, CT, for their annual retreat on February 9-11, led by Dn. Yervant Kutchukian, Spiritual Director, and Professor Roberta Ervine. The theme was “Being Grounded in the face of Chaos: How do we Respond to the Unexpected.” Dr. Ervine drew from the Old Testament account of the Tower of Babel and the nature of sand to illustrate how we can both respond to the unexpected as well as influence the outcomes of the unexpected.
The participants included Dn. Garen Hamamjian, Dn. Serop Krajekian, Sdn. Daniel Bullock, Zareh Mirzayan, Arin Parsanian, Arman Shirikyan, Vardan Sargsyan, and Rhonda Boyajian. Following the conclusion of the retreat, the retreatants, together with seminary dean, Fr. Mardiros Chevian, were joined by Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Ecumenical Director and Diocesan Legate of the Eastern Diocese and Fr. Khachatur Kesablyan, pastor of Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church in Chelmsford, MA, for dinner on Saturday evening in Chelmsford. They had the opportunity to learn about Vicken Srpazan’s work and mission with the National Council of Churches, the World Council of Churches, and many other ecumenical and governmental organizations as well as receive wisdom he imparted from his many years of service as a priest of the Armenian Church. Fr. Khachatur serves as the seminary’s appointed mentor for seminarian Arman Shirikyan and provides liturgical, pastoral and educational guidance and direction during his preparation for the priesthood.
The weekend’s activities concluded on Sunday with the ordination of seminarian Arman to the subdiaconate in his home parish of Sts. Vartanantz. Two acolytes were ordained as well, including Arman’s son, Neo. Abp. Vicken Aykazian was both the guest celebrant and ordaining bishop, exhorting all to remember that only Christ can quench the thirst of every human being. The St. Nersess seminarians served at the altar, in the choir, and assisted with the ordination services.

Following the services, the seminarians and Fr. Mardiros Chevian enjoyed the opportunity to share in fellowship at a lovely luncheon prepared by parishioners in honor of the ordinations and guests present. Der Hayr expressed his gratitude to Fr. Khachatur and the entire parish community for their role in the formation of Sdn. Arman and for their love and care for Arman and his family.
Fr. Mardiros presented Der Khachatur with a beautiful olive wood carving from Bethlehem of fishermen pulling in their nets, recalling Christ’s proclamation that he would make his disciples fishers of men, and thanked him for the way he has lived out this calling in his parish ministry.

Parishioners had a chance to meet and speak with the seminarians and to learn about the mission of St. Nersess.
Seminary Graduate Continues Studies in Jerusalem

Dn. Adam Bullock, a 2022 seminary graduate, and his wife Jenna have been living in Jerusalem since late October. Their journey is part of a planned six-month immersion in the rich liturgical, cultural, and linguistic life of the Armenian Patriarchate and its community. This experience is further preparing Dn. Adam on his path to priesthood.

As part of their journey, Dn. Adam and Jenna are taking classes in Western Armenian to better serve and communicate with our Church faithful. When not in classes, they continue strengthening their language through regular conversation with members of the Jerusalem community. Additionally, Dn. Adam sits in on classes at the Zharankavorats Armenian Seminary and participates in daily services at the monastery’s Sts. James Cathedral and nearby Holy Sites.
Most recently, Dn. Adam served alongside the clergy and seminarians during Jerusalem’s liturgical celebration of the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ. This major event took place at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and consisted of multiple services spanning from mid-day January 18 to early morning on January 19. It was especially moving for Dn. Adam, as this celebration was the first time in two decades that the Armenian Patriarchs of Jerusalem and Constantinople were together to celebrate Christ’s birth.

Dn. Adam and his wife Jenna will remain in Jerusalem until mid-April for the celebrations of Holy Week and the Resurrection of Our Lord. Please keep them in your prayers.
Two St. Nersess Seminary graduates, Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian and Bishop Daniel Findikyan, doing research in the seminary library.
Used SUV Needed at Seminary
 
St. Nersess is looking for a used SUV to meet its transportation needs. One of our cars recently became too expensive to repair.
 
If you or someone you know has an SUV in good working condition, the seminary will gladly accept your donation! A letter will be provided for tax purposes. Please call the office at 914-273-0200 or email info@stnersess.edu.

Deacons' Training Program
Friday, June 23 - Sunday, July 2
  
Choir Workshop
Wednesday, July 5 - Sunday, July 9
 
 High School Summer Conference
Saturday, July 22 - Sunday, July 30
Click here to access and submit a registration form. Once your form is accepted, participants will receive further information to complete the registration process.
 
We look forward to welcoming everyone this summer on our Armonk campus! For more information, click here.
Young Adults Summer Conference Goes Abroad!
Early August in Europe
Exciting Details to follow…stay tuned!!
St. Nersess Spring Semester Zoom
Public Lecture Series
 
“An Introduction to Medieval Armenian Poetry, Part 2", with Dr. Jesse Arlen
 
On February 24 at 7:00pm by ZOOM, Zohrab Information Center director Dr. Jesse Arlen's lecture series on Medieval Armenian Poetry continues with a lecture devoted to the poetry of 15th-century poet and priest, Mkrtich Naghash.

This lecture coincides with the start of the North American debut tour of The Naghash Ensemble, a musical group that performs the poetry of Mkrtich Naghash in original compositions arranged by John Hodian.

The lecture and performances offer a one-of-a-kind opportunity to delve into the life, context, and works of this little known but very talented and profound poet of the fifteenth century and experience medieval poetry alive today in the twenty-first century.

To register for the lecture, offered through the St. Nersess Armenian Seminary Spring Public Lecture series, click here.

For a list of tour dates and to purchase tickets, visit: https://www.naghashensemble.com/tours. On March 11th, the Naghash Ensemble performs at Carnegie Hall in NYC.
RSVP is requested for Zoom and in-person attendance.
February 17 at 7:30pm at St. Leon Armenian Church.
Presentation is co-sponsored by St. Nersess Armenian Seminary.
Avak Shapat – Holy Week Service Book

Archbishop Avak Asadourian, former Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Iraq, and a graduate of St. Nersess Seminary, published a revised edition of the Service Book for Holy Week. It is written in classical Armenian, with scripture readings in both classical and modern western Armenian, including Palm Sunday (Opening of the Doors) and Avak Thursday (Holy Thursday Badarak and Washing of the Feet).

Cost: $40 (includes shipping). Quantity discounts 5+. Click here to order. or mail a check made payable to St. Nersess Armenian Seminary to St. Nersess Seminary, 486 Bedford Road, Armonk, NY 10504.
A Wonderful Gift!

Published in Jerusalem, the Zhamakirk 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.
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. Click here to donate.
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.
 
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.