ST. NERSESS ARMENIAN SEMINARY
Ս. ՆԵՐՍԷՍ ԸՆԾԱՅԱՐԱՆ
Preparing Leaders for Service in the Armenian Church since 1961
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St. Nersess Remembers Seminary Benefactor Haig Didizian with Requiem Service
On Friday, March 10, clergy, board members, faculty and staff, and seminarians remembered Haig Hagop Didizian with a Requiem Service in the St. Hagop Chapel.
Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean, opened with Mr. Didizian’s impressive biography of philanthropic accomplishments throughout his life. “With love and gratitude, we remember Haig for his generosity to St. Nersess Seminary. It was Haig and his wife Elza’s magnanimous gift that enabled St. Nersess to purchase the land that is now the Armonk campus and build the HH Karekin I Theological Center which includes the St. Hagop Chapel (named in memory of his parents, Hagop and Khengaper Didizian), library, classrooms, and offices,” remarked Fr. Mardiros.
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The Very Rev. Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese and President of the St. Nersess Board of Directors, also remembered Haig Didizian and the example he set for generations to come. “Haig’s passing is a personal loss for so many. We witnessed his deep love for His Holiness Karekin I and the preservation of his legacy. No one will ever forget this example of love, friendship and loyalty, his support of Etchmiadzin, and placing St. Nersess Seminary on secure footing,” shared Hayr Mesrop. “May God bless his soul into eternity.”
Following the hokehankisd, attendees gathered in the Arsen Keleshian Dining Hall for a memorial meal.
May the Lord rest Haig’s soul in eternal peace and may his family be comforted through the power of the Holy Spirit.
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Primate Visits the Seminary
On Wednesday, the Very Rev. Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, made an overnight visit to St. Nersess Seminary. While there, he officiated at the Peace, Rest and Sunrise Services and shared meals with the community. Later in the evening, he spent time speaking with the seminarians. Also, he and Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean, had the opportunity to discuss recruitment and vocations. Hayr Soorp remarked that he is looking forward to more frequent visits to the seminary.
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Seminarians Remain Active in Our Community
On Saturday, March 11, three seminary students – Zareh Mirzayan, Arin Parsanian, and Vardan Sargsyan – participated in the Regional ACYOA Seniors Lenten Retreat at the Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs in Bayside, Queens. There they shared with other ACYOA Senior members from NY/NJ/CT/PA in meaningful dialogue and reflection on the Three Pillars of Great Lent: Fasting, Charity and Prayer.
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That evening, seminarian Dn. Garen Hamamjian served as the narrator at The Naghash Ensemble performance at Carnegie Hall. The group of musicians from Armenia performed the poetry of Mkrtich Naghash in original compositions arranged by John Hodian. As part of the St. Nersess Public Spring Lecture Series, Dr. Jesse Arlen presented Lecture #9 on the medieval poetry of Mkrtich Naghash, and delved into the life, context, and works of this little known but very talented and profound poet of the fifteenth century.
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And last month, over the President’s Day Weekend, seminarian Arin Parsanian joined the ACYOA Mission trip in Atlanta, GA, to help build a house for Habitat for Humanity. The ACYOA members from throughout the Eastern Diocese felt fulfilled after meeting the homeowner whom they worked selfishly for two days in inclement weather. The group also met members of the Armenian Church of Atlanta community and concluded the weekend with Divine Liturgy, celebrated by Fr. Yeprem Kelegian, a St. Nersess Alumnus and former Spiritual Director. Also joining the group was seminary graduate Dn. Johnny Chadoyan. |
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Clergy Invited to Join Seminarians During Intensive Week
St. Nersess Armenian Seminary invites clergy to join our seminarians during the upcoming St. Nersess Intensive Week, from March 20-24.
The Intensive Week has been held each semester for the past five years to give our students an opportunity to dive deeper into subjects not covered in the standard curriculum. This semester, the focus will be on an Introduction to Apologetics for Contemporary Armenian Christians, led by Dr. Ani Shahinian, a graduate of UCLA and Oxford University. Dr. Shahinian has also spent over a decade in training and mentoring with leading apologetic institutions in both the US and the UK.
During the twice daily interactive sessions of two hours each, Dr. Shahinian will discuss the history and current practice of apologetics, drawing upon Armenian classical writers as well as contemporary thinkers within and outside the Armenian tradition. Morning sessions will run from 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon; afternoon sessions will run from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
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Join Us for the Last Medieval Armenian Poetry Lecture on Zoom
Spring Semester Public Zoom Series
with Dr. Jesse Arlen
Thursday, March 16: "Sayat Nova and the Ashugh Tradition"
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2023 St. Nersess Spring Semester Zoom Public Lecture Series Continues
St. Nersess Seminary invites you to join the second half of our Spring Semester Public Lecture Series with a new six lecture series on Armenian Martyrdoms.
Presenter Dr. Ani Shahinian will examine the historical, social, and theological contexts of Armenian Martyrdoms to address the following questions: how has martyrdom shaped Christian identity in general, and Armenian Christian identity in particular? What is the continuing legacy of martyrdom in contemporary society? And what does Armenian Christian witness look like today?
A graduate of UCLA and Oxford University, Dr. Shahinian brings to her work a rich background in government, law, apologetics, philosophy, and theology.
Lectures will take place by ZOOM, on Thursday evenings from 7:00-8:00 PM, on March 23, 30; April 13, 20, 27; May 4
All lectures will be recorded. To register and attend by Zoom, click here.
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Click here to submit a registration form. Once your form is accepted, participants will receive further information to complete the registration process. For more information, click here.
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Young Adults Summer Conference Goes Abroad!
Early August in Europe
Exciting Details to follow…stay tuned!!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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St. Nersess Armenian Seminary
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