St. Nersess Seminary
2018 Graduation Ceremony May 19 at 4:30pm Honoring DEACON ARMAN GALSTYAN & DEACON MICHAEL SABOUNJIAN RSVP by May 14 
SUPPORT ST. NERSESS
During this season of the celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, I have been thinking about growth and rebirth and reflecting on the cyclical nature of our work at the seminary, which follows a familiar pattern each year. As Commencement approaches, we look forward to launching new graduates into the world to do the work of our Church and to serve in our parish communities. It is a joyous time of year, full of celebration and pride for our students’ accomplishments. However, it is also a season of challenges as shortly thereafter marks another important annual milestone – the end of the seminary’s fiscal year on May 31. Each year, the seminary must carefully evaluate the programs we provide for seminarians, parish priests, deacons training and programs for our youth to ensure that we have the appropriate funding to continue them. We rely on the generous support of friends like you to reach a fundraising threshold each year so that the same level of programming can be offered in the following year. With this mailing, we must raise an additional $50,000 before May 31 in order to provide similar opportunities in the next academic year. As both Commencement and the fiscal year-end approach, I ask you to consider making a gift to honor our graduates and support the education of tomorrow’s church leaders. On May 19, Dn. Arman Galstyan and Dn. Michael Sabounjian will be graduating from their seminary programs. Following their graduation, Dn. Arman will continue his training in a parish internship program while Dn. Michael will continue his education at the Seminary of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. These young men will strengthen the individual communities they serve as well as our Church as a whole. Please make your gift today to honor the accomplishments and work of these candidates for the priesthood and to ensure that the seminary can provide the same training to our current and future students in the coming years. 
St. Nersess Seminarians Serve at Local Homeless Shelter
On the evening of March 26, the St. Nersess seminarians volunteered with the Emergency Shelter Partnership (ESP) in Northern Westchester County. Founded in 2004, the shelter can be described as a 'traveling shelter' which is run by ESP and is supported by different faith communities in the area. Each day, during the winter months of November through March, they provide the clients with a place to sleep, a hot dinner and dessert, as well as breakfast and a packed bag lunch for the next day. The last week of March, the St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Armonk was hosting. The opportunity to serve at this location was presented by Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean, to seminarian Timothy Aznavourian, who led the effort on behalf of all the seminarians. <<MORE 
Saluting a Soldier of Light
On Saturday, March 24, a day-long conference on His Holiness Karekin Hovsepian, the late Catholicos of Cilicia and former Primate of the Diocese, took place at the campus of St. Nersess Seminary in its "His Holiness Karekin I Center." Under the evocative title "Soldier of the Light: The Aspirations of Catholicos Karekin Hovsepian," the conference marked the 150th anniversary of Hovsepian's birth and the centennial of the Battle of Sardarabad (in which he fought). Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian presided. <<MORE |
2018 ST. NERSESS SUMMER CONFERENCES
Deacons' Training Program: Thursday, June 28 - Saturday, July 7 High School Conference: Friday, July 20 - Sunday, July 29 Post High School Conference: Friday, August 3 - Sunday, August 12 Click here to learn more or pay online 
Leadership Giving Circle
Guardian and Shepherd Program Members of the Leadership Circle are those who pledge to make an ongoing, annual gift at a specific level. They lead by example in providing critical financial support for the seminary to fulfill its mission of educating the next generation of church leaders. By committing to this gift level each year, members offer a reliable source of income for the seminary, allowing advanced planning for future opportunities and expenses. Your commitment of support guarantees the success of the seminary not only now, but well into the future. <<LEARN MORE <<DONATE 
Annual Seminarian Lenten Retreat
The St. Nersess seminarians gathered on Enders Island in Mystic, CT for their annual Lenten Retreat on March 9-11, led by the Rev. Fr. Yeprem Kelegian, Spiritual Director and St. Nersess Prof. Roberta Ervine. The theme was, "We as community; we as fellow travelers with others." They discussed how they can always "be there" for each other and for the world around us, and how they are all connected. The participants included Dn. Albert Hambardzumyan, Dn. Alex Calikyan, Dn. Michael Sabounjian, Dn. Levon Asdourian, Armen Terjimanian, Timothy Aznavourian, and Johnny Chadoian. The retreat concluded with the seminarians traveling to Providence, RI to participate in the Divine Liturgy at Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Armenian Church, and also talking to Sunday School students. The seminarians and retreat leaders were warmly received by the Pastor, the Rev. Fr. Shnork Souin, and his parishioners, who made a generous donation to St. Nersess. 
Holy Trinity Armenian Church Welcomes St. Nersess Seminarians
Over the weekend of February 23-25, the Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, Dean, and four seminarians traveled to Holy Trinity Armenian Church in Cheltenham, PA. On Friday evening, as part of the parish's Friday Night Lenten Series, seminarian Dn. Michael Sabounjian gave a talk on "Understanding the Creed, Our Confession of Faith." His talk, which was followed by a lively question and answer session, was well received by those present. The evening included worship and a traditional Lenten meal. On Saturday, an ACYOA Juniors Retreat was led by seminarians Dn. Albert Hambardzumyan, Dn. Michael Sabounjian, Dn. Alex Calikyan, and Armen Terjimanian. Utilizing the theme "Living Our Faith in Today's World," the seminarians led the students in a discussion, bible study and short worship service. Also in attendance was the Rev. Fr. Hakob Gevorgyan, pastor, and Leslie Movsesian, the ACYOA parent advisor who helped to organize the retreat. On Sunday, Fr. Mardiros celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the day's homily on the Prodigal Son, assisted by Dn. Albert, Dn. Alex and Armen at the altar along with the parish's altar servers. Dn. Michael visited the Sunday School and spoke to the students at an Assembly on the meaning of Lent. Following the service and light luncheon, Der Mardiros gave an informative presentation about the seminary to more than 100 parishioners. He spoke about the establishment of St. Nersess and its mission: to prepare leaders for the Armenian Church. He showed the video, Vision of Grace, and highlighted ways to support the seminary's work, followed by a Q&A session. Seminarian Armen Terjimanian then gave a heartfelt message about his journey to study at the seminary. "For many people, it was their first exposure to the work of St. Nersess; the whole weekend impressed our faithful," commented Nancy Basmajian, Coordinator of Adult Christian Education at Holy Trinity. St. Nersess acknowledges and thanks Nancy for her hard work in helping to make the weekend a success. |
Planned Giving Society: Wills & Bequests
Members of the Planned Giving Society are those who have chosen to leave a lasting legacy at the seminary by supporting St. Nersess through their estate plans. These gifts will ensure that the mission of the seminary and the work of the Armenian Church continues well after we have departed this earth to receive our heavenly reward. Gift arrangements can be made in a variety of ways, including: wills, gift annuities, or life insurance policies. Members of the Society are listed each year in the seminary’s Annual Report and receive a commemorative pin as a visual representation of their commitment to the future of the seminary and the Armenian Church. Join the Planned Giving Society today by calling the seminary and sharing your intention to leave St. Nersess in your estate plans. >>MORE
Members of the Planned Giving Society are those who have chosen to leave a lasting legacy at the seminary by supporting St. Nersess through their estate plans. These gifts will ensure that the mission of the seminary and the work of the Armenian Church continues well after we have departed this earth to receive our heavenly reward. Gift arrangements can be made in a variety of ways, including: wills, gift annuities, or life insurance policies. Members of the Society are listed each year in the seminary’s Annual Report and receive a commemorative pin as a visual representation of their commitment to the future of the seminary and the Armenian Church. Join the Planned Giving Society today by calling the seminary and sharing your intention to leave St. Nersess in your estate plans. >>MORE
