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

The seminarians gathered on Enders Island in Mystic, CT, for their annual Lenten Retreat on March 18-20, led by Dn. Yervant Kutchukian, Spiritual Director, and Professor Roberta Ervine. The theme was “Shifting Perspectives: Seeing what is there and what is not there and acting on it.” Dr. Ervine drew from the experiences of Moses and Ezekiel to illustrate these aspects of shepherding God’s people. Pastoral care for one’s flock as well as God’s relationship with the shepherd were explored through the example of a shepherd’s relationship with his sheep.
 
The participants included Dn. Adam Bullock, Dn. Garen Hamamjian, Dn. Serop Krajekian, Arman Shirikyan, and Rhonda Boyajian. The retreat concluded on the Sunday of the Steward, with the seminarians traveling to Trumbull, CT to participate in the Divine Liturgy at the Armenian Church of the Holy Ascension Church. They were joined by seminary dean, the Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, who was the day’s celebrant. Dn. Serop delivered the Armenian sermon and Dr. Ervine delivered the English sermon, while the other participants served at the altar and added their voices to the choir. All were warmly received by the pastor, the Rev. Fr. Untzag Nalbandian, and the Holy Ascension community. Following services, the seminarians and Fr. Mardiros enjoyed the opportunity to share in fellowship at a luncheon warmly prepared by parishioners.
Seminary Graduate Spends Time With Students

Recently, Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, a 1989 St. Nersess graduate, spent a week on campus with the seminarians. He participated in daily worship services, engaged in discussions with students, and enjoyed meals with students and staff.

Vahan Srpazan has launched a new project called the GAÏDS Foundation. The word itself in Armenian means "Spark". The foundation aims to serve as a financial spark to promote academic research in the fields of the Armenian Bible, in particular its manuscripts and theology, with commentaries in Armenian. The aim of the foundation is to provide scholarships for graduate students and post-graduate researchers, lectureship at accredited universities and institutes such as St. Nersess Seminary, and financial support to maintain, digitize and preserve Armenian manuscripts. The Foundation hopes to be able to finance a center for Armenian Research in these fields of interest. 

Thank you Vahan Srpazan for spending time with us!
Cathedral Avaks Visit Seminary

Last Friday, some members of the St. Vartan Cathedral Avaks, together with Fr. Davit Karamyan, Cathedral Vicar, traveled to the seminary to spend time on the campus. The group first gathered in the seminary chapel to worship together with the seminarians during an Arevakal/Sunrise Service. Following the service, Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean, shared some information about the work of the seminary.

After their lunch in the Arsen Keleshian Dining Hall, prepared by seminary manager of food services Wilma Petrossian, the guests were entertained by Dottie Bengoian, seminary administrative assistant and motivational speaker/humorist. She stressed that good humor is more than jokes, but rather a powerful tool that can help us live more Christian lives. The group was also entertained by the rich baritone voices of Dn. Yervant Kutchukian, Spiritual Director, and seminarian Dn. Adam Bullock, who sang Yegeghetseen Haygagan and Azk eem Parabantz. Everyone departed happily.
Registration is Filling UP!
Deacons' Training Program, High School Summer Conference, and the Youth Choir Workshop
still have some spots.
St. Nersess Armenian Seminary is proud to continue its long history of hosting programs for high school students and young adults.

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, go to www.stnersess.edu
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.
Perfect Easter Gift for Altar Servers! 

Archbishop Avak Asadourian, the 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). Books are $35 each plus postage with quantity discounts available (5+).
 
Books may be ordered by contacting the seminary at 914-273-0200 or email.