FAQs - Prerequisites for Seminary Study:
Do I Have what It Takes
|
What educational background do I need to study at St. Nersess?
To study at St. Nersess students must have an undergraduate degree. This can be a Bachelor's degree in most any subject. Among our alumni we have had students who came to St. Nersess with undergraduate degrees in areas as diverse as electrical engineering, chemistry, business, linguistics, natural science, theology, history, music and others. I don't speak Armenian. Can I study at St. Nersess? Yes. At St. Nersess you will study Modern and Classical Armenian. Seminarians preparing for priesthood also spend a term abroad in Armenia and/or Jerusalem to master their spoken and written Armenian language skills in preparation for ministry. Are there any courses I should take before coming to Seminary? If you are not a native speaker of Armenian, and are able to take Armenian language courses either at college or elsewhere, do so. Also, if you have learned to read music (or better yet, to sight-read music) by the time you start Seminary, it will give you a head-start in your studies at St. Nersess. Do I have to be a deacon before I study at Seminary? No. While some students have already been ordained as deacon (sargavak), sub-deacon (gisasargavak), stole-bearer (ooraragir), or acolyte (tbir), this is not a requirement for admission to St. Nersess. I do not live in North America. Can I study at St. Nersess? While the Seminary was established with the particular mission of attracting and training priests and lay church leaders from the dioceses of North America, students from other countries have studied at St. Nersess. Interested applicants from abroad must meet all admissions requirements and submit a written letter of endorsement from their Diocesan bishop. Do I have to have a college major in theology to study at St. Nersess? No. College students who are interested in studying at St. Nersess should major in practically any area that interests them. In many ways it is better to major in an area far from theology and philosophy. Priests and other lay ministers not only have to learn theology well, but they have to be able to communicate it effectively to people who have little or no theological background. So a major in the sciences, in business, art, history, or another area might actually be a good preparation for seminary study. Among our alumni are men and women who majored in chemistry, electrical engineering, history, linguistics, education, natural sciences, physical education and others. |
CLICK HERE
CHRONICLES OF THE CALL A Calling To The Truth An Unexpected Call From God Flip A Coin From Sales To Souls God's Constant Call To Become A Priest Going With The Current Of God's Call Serve Your Church The Inspiration Of My Teachers RESOURCES FOR VOCATIONS AND CHURCH MINISTRY An Interview with the Director of Youth & Vocations Are You Listening? His Invitation is Still: 'Follow Me' The Armenian Sacrament of Ordination to the Holy Priesthood The Armenian Service of Calling to the Holy Priesthood The Call To Choose or to be Chosen POINTS OF LIGHT All that the Father Gives Me Will Come to Me (John 6:37) Go In Peace, Darling A Match to Light Our Worship A Prayer in the Car A True Christmas Story An Open Door to the Kingdom Baptism in a Shack Blessing of a Factory Confirmed in the Spirit He Gave His Life for Us It Is Worth All The Trouble Prayerful Care of Souls The Blind Man Warming Up Without Heat FAQs Prerequisites for Seminary Study Do I Have What It Takes? Seminary Studies: Courses, Teachers, Grades, Requirements Seminary Life Marriage and Celibacy |
