ST. NERSESS ARMENIAN SEMINARY
Ս. ՆԵՐՍԷՍ ԸՆԾԱՅԱՐԱՆ
Preparing Leaders for Service in the Armenian Church since 1961
Seminarians Enjoy Vocal Training
 
This semester, the seminary is offering weekly voice training classes, thanks to the generosity of seminary benefactor Dean Shahinian, Esq. Private voice lessons are offered to any student or member of the faculty or staff who would like to improve his or her voice. Mr. Shahinian is underwriting the program in memory of his aunt Lily Jelalian, a faithful lifetime member of St. Leon Armenian Church in NJ and daughter of Rev. Fr. Vahan Jelalian.
 
"I proposed these lessons after a seminarian last year suggested that voice lessons would be helpful, and I remembered enjoying taking voice lessons myself," commented Mr. Shahinian. "I hope the coaching will help members of the seminary community use the voices God has given them more effectively. They will be funded for as long as they are helpful."

Currently, four students are taking weekly lessons with EphiGenia (Ephi) Kastanas, a professionally trained classical vocalist. “Coming from a family of humble and dedicated priests, readers, choir directors, and vocalists, my first love of music was nurtured in Byzantine chant and the multipart harmony of Western sacred music," recalls Ephi. "This was the impetus for me to train as a classical vocalist. By combing both genres, I am able to offer our dedicated seminarians the training to chant with accuracy, passion and confidence,” she shares.
Ms. Kastanas’ formal classical music training hails from two conservatories as well as private sessions with active and former New York Metropolitan opera stars. Her undergraduate degree began with SUNY Fredonia Music Program in NY and was completed at the Hart School of Music, University of Hartford, in CT. She earned her master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music in New York City.
 
“It is no small blessing to serve St. Nersess Armenian Seminary as vocalist instructor and coach. It is my honor and privilege to help musically and vocally develop and fine-tune men and women who will dedicate themselves as Christian Apostles, Chanters, or Choir Vocalists; all becoming servants to our Lord, Jesus Christ, as well as servants and leaders in the Armenian parish communities,” reflects Ms. Kastanas.
She continued, “They will not only guide Armenian Christians in prayer, but by using their trained and angelic voices, they help participating souls sing harmonious praises to our Lord in order to attain that vital spiritual connection to God. Furthermore, chanting hymns of praise and redemption also helps to unify a congregation, which then fosters continued support for maintaining the longevity of the community,” remarked Ephi.
PhD Candidate Returns to the Seminary

During the Fall of 2019, St. Nersess Seminary opened its doors to PhD students who were seeking to take classes at the seminary to support their research and advanced degrees at other institutions. One of these students is Ani Shahinian, an Oxford PhD candidate, who traveled to St. Nersess for a month to receive assistance in reading, translating, and interpreting medieval texts in Classical Armenian from Dr. Roberta Ervine. Her time at the seminary was an important piece of her doctoral thesis on Christian Martyrdom. She also took various classes at both St. Nersess and St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminaries.

Ani returned to St. Nersess last week for a short time as she completes her doctoral dissertation. “Now, having reached the finish line of my Ph.D., there is really no other way I wanted to seal the journey but to be at St. Nersess for a time of reflection, contemplation, and rest. My time has been enriched by one-on-one mentorship and continued tutorials with Dr. Roberta Ervine. She has invested in me over the years via Zoom and FaceTime. I was eager to visit the seminary in person and have quality time with the community. My conversations with the seminarians and staff have been enriching and encouraging,” reflected Ani.

Earlier this week, Ani offered an introductory lecture to the public on the psychology, history, faith, and impact of Armenian martyrdom, with plans to offer a formal course on this subject in the future. Ani is one of the world’s rare specialists in Armenian martyr texts, using them as a lens to look at broader issues such as the phenomenon of choice and the Armenian understanding of virtue. 
Part II - 2022 Fall Zoom Public Lecture Series

Join us for Part II of our St. Nersess Seminary 2022 Fall Zoom Public Lecture Series on Thursday evenings at 7pm. All lectures are open to the public. Attendees may participate in any or all of the sessions. Please use the Zoom link to register.
 
October 20 - December 8, 2022 at 7pm **No lecture 10/27 or 11/24
with Dr. Jesse S. Arlen

Click here to watch the Part I Fall Lecture Series by Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, PhD.
Fall Appeal for the Seminary!
Dear St. Nersess Supporter,

As we progress through the Fall Semester, I would like to share how your support continues to benefit our seminarians in their education and how our programs reach many beyond our campus.

  • We have seven full-time students this semester, including five who are on the priestly track, one in diaconate studies, and the other in religious studies. Three students hail from the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church. We also have three part-time students studying in person and remotely. We wish them all success as they progress through their studies.

  • This summer was a step in a positive direction in a post pandemic world, as we welcomed the youngest leaders in our church communities to grow in faith and character in four well attended and staffed programs.

  • At the four-day Youth Choir Workshop, participants ages 13-17 learned the hymns of our Yegmalian Divine Liturgy. Their sincere interest in learning and singing our liturgy in  4-part harmony made the inaugural program a success. The workshop will be extended to five days next year and is underwritten by the Yn. Diane Chevian Memorial Fund.

  • Our week-long High School Summer Conference educated and inspired high school students from our Eastern and Western Dioceses, through Armenian language classes, Badarak music lessons, Bible Studies, and lectures and discussions on faith topics. The students formed lifelong friendships and valuable connections with clergy and lay leaders.

  • The Deacons’ Training Program, offered in both the Eastern and Western Dioceses, helped altar servers learn how to participate in the liturgical services of the Armenian Church. Participants spent the week reviewing chants, hymns, and liturgics of the Badarak, as well as obtained invaluable theological explanations behind our sacred rituals. This training is critical for service to the church and our communities.

  • Through our Deacons’ Training Program in Jerusalem, deacons and subdeacons were selected to travel to the Holy Land during the first two weeks of August. There they studied the most integral week of the Armenian Liturgical calendar, Avak Shapat, at the seminary of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The pilgrimage combined an educational program with the opportunity to visit the holy sites of our Lord's birth, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension.

With your renewed support, we will be able reach our spiritual and educational goals for the 2022-23 academic year. Your gift directly impacts the education and training available for our seminarians, as well as supports the many other programs the seminary offers.

Please make your gift today on our website. Thank you for your continued dedication and support to strengthen the leadership and community of our Church.

With prayers,
Fr. Mardiros Chevian
Dean
Yn. Diane Chevian Memorial Youth Choir Workshop
High School Summer Conference
Deacons' Training Program, Armonk, NY
Deacons' Training Program, Jerusalem
Zhamakirk Available

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.
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. 

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.