ST. NERSESS ARMENIAN SEMINARY
Ս. ՆԵՐՍԷՍ ԸՆԾԱՅԱՐԱՆ
Preparing Leaders for Service in the Armenian Church since 1961
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Orientation Retreat Held at the Ararat Center
The seminary held its annual orientation retreat on September 16-18, continuing the tradition of spending it at the Ararat Center, in Greenville, NY. A sense of spiritual and brotherly/sisterly closeness permeated throughout the weekend, with the key theme, "Where does the Spirit blow."
Discussion topics explored how to respond to the winds that may come out of nowhere in life blowing us in different directions, and how we might see the hand of God in each of these moments. As a fun project and to illustrate this, retreatants had an opportunity to interact with wind as they worked in teams to fly kites on Saturday morning.
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The weekend retreat was led by the seminary's spiritual director, Dn. Yervant Kutchukian, and Professor Roberta Ervine, who engaged the following students and spouses: Dn. Garen Hamamjian, Dn. Serop Krajekian, Sevan Krajekian, Arman Shirikyan, Arin Parsanyan, Zareh Mirzayan, Dan Bullock, Arpi Nakashian, and Vardan Sargsyan. The Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean, also joined the group.
The retreat began on Friday evening with icebreakers and an evening worship service. Fr. Mardiros led the group in a presentation and discussion on being mindful and attentive in our worship and prayer life, studies, seminary community life and ultimately as pastors of a community.
There were worship services twice daily. On Saturday afternoon, the retreatants enjoyed apple picking at a local orchard and in the evening, they gathered around a campfire to enjoy fellowship and friendship.
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The retreat concluded on Sunday with Divine Liturgy at St. Peter Armenian Church in Watervliet, NY, where the Rev. Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian, pastor and a St. Nersess alumnus, and members of the parish welcomed back the orientation group. Dn. Garen Hamamjian offered the day’s spiritual message in English and Armenian, while the other students served on the altar and sang in the choir. Everyone enjoyed a lovely fellowship following services prepared by the Parish Council and members of the church community.
The weekend ended with a visit to see the Primate, the Very Rev. Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan, where retreatants had an opportunity to hear the Primate’s reflections on the retreat theme of how the Wind of the Spirit moves us through life. The visit concluded with a shared moment of prayer and singing, led by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, former Primate of the Eastern Diocese, who was also visiting. Hayr Soorp blessed the retreatants before their return to St. Nersess.
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Strolling with the Dean - An Ancient Custom Introduced at Our Seminary
It is customary in some of our monasteries for clergy to “jemel” or to stroll in discussion. This often takes place after evening services. It is from that verb that we get the word “jemaran”, a word for seminary.
This semester, Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean, instituted this practice and every Tuesday following dinner, he strolls around the campus and has a discussion - jemels - with two different students each time.
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Published in Jerusalem, this 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.
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2022 Fall Public Lecture Series - on Zoom
St. Nersess Armenian Seminary is offering its 2022 Fall Zoom Public Lecture Series in two parts on Thursday evenings at 7pm. All lectures are open to the public. Attendees may participate in one or all of the sessions. Please use the Zoom link to register.
September 1 - October 6, 2022 at 7pm
with Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, PhD
October 13 - December 1, 2022 at 7pm
with Dr. Jesse S. Arlen
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Faith Building Women Symposium
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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.
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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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