Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian, Director of Youth and Vocations, along with his wife, Yn. Paulette and two children, Jonah and Gloria, visited the St. Sarkis community on February 16-17. Fr. Stepanos celebratedBadarak and preached about the Prodigal Son, stressing the second son, who took for granted his relationship with the father by being blinded to the blessings he already possessed. Fr. Stepanos connected him to the community of St. Sarkis. They too have many blessings that God has given them and that they should never take for granted the simplest of gifts.

Later that day, an informal gathering took place at the Maggorie home, where members of the parish council and community enjoyed brunch and a discussion of the meaning of Orhnetseets uzDer hamenayn zham, the last hymn sung during the Divine Liturgy. The conversation focused on the question, "How can I bless the Lord at all times"?

The St. Nersess visit provided spiritual nourishment to a hungry and thirsty community. What's more, it stirred a handful of youngsters from the St. Sarkis community to attend the St. Nersess Summer Conferences this summer.

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord to the Temple falls on the fortieth day following Christmas, February 14.

                                              A Heroic Servant

Celebrating the Divine Liturgy in the Seminary chapel was V. Rev. Fr. Babgen Salibyan, who serves in Javakh, an Armenian enclave in the Republic of Georgia. Fr. Salibyan shepherds a flock that suffers economic hardship and widespread discrimination by the Georgian authorities.

"Among the many distinguished clergy that have visited us in recent years, Hayr Babgen is one of a small number of Armenian clergy who can truly be called heroic," said the dean, Fr. Daniel Findikyan at the end of theBadarak. The two priests, both members of the brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin have been close friends since their student days in the Mother See.

Also participating in the Divine Liturgy with the Seminary community were Rev. Daniel Karadjian, former pastor of St. Sarkis Armenian Church (Charlotte, NC); Rev. Mesrob Hovsepyan, a newly-ordained priest who is currently concluding his forty-day post-ordination retreat (Karasoonk) at St. Nersess; Rev. Karekin Kasparian, Pastor of St. Gregory the Enlightener Armenian Church (White Plains, NY) and Assistant Secretary of the Seminary's Board of Directors; and Rev. Tateos Abdalian, Coordinator of Mission Parish Outreach for the Eastern Diocese.

Seven alumni joined the seminary community in Evening Worship (Yeregoyan Zham), followed by a festal meal. After supper, the alumni and seminarians gathered in the parlor for an informal discussion led by the dean.

"I feel joy and hope whenever I come through the doors of St. Nersess," said Megan Jendian, who recently completed her studies and will be graduated this May. She has already begun her full-time ministry in the Department of Youth and Education of the Eastern Diocese.

Seven programs offered for 2008 season plus unprecedented Parents' Weekend

NEW ROCHELLE, NY It's that mid-winter season when everyone begins to turn their thoughts to warmer weather, tall glasses of lemonade, and sunning on the beach. For many, also part of their summer plans is fitting in the time to attend the ever-popular St. Nersess Armenian Seminary Summer Conferences.

Seven programs will once again be held on the beautiful New Rochelle, NY campus, including two separate conferences specifically designed for college students, three sessions for high school aged students, one for junior high school participants, and one for those serving or interested in serving on the altar in the Deacons' Training session

SUMMER YOUTH CONFERENCES The Summer Conferences will start off with a Post-High School "A" session on June 9-14 for those entering or already in college. This particular session is an alternative to the Post-High School "B" session held in mid-August, and also includes a special mystery trip to an offsite destination. The High School sessions, open to those in the 9th through 12th grades, take place from July 6-14; July 17-25; and July 28-August 5. Following will be the Junior High School session on August 7-11 which serves as an introduction to the conferences.

The Summer Conferences are organized by the Rev. Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian, director of Youth & Vocations for the Seminary. Fr. Stepanos, an alumnus of the Summer Conferences, as well as of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, has been directing these programs for more than ten years.

During these Summer Conferences, Armenian youth will be allowed the opportunity to learn about their faith, culture and history in a unique environment. Each conference will offer daily worship, Bible study, Armenian language instruction, lectures and discussions led by clergy and lay leaders of the Church. In addition, sports, social activities and excursions are also planned. This well-rounded religious, cultural and social experience creates the perfect opportunity for young people to make lasting friendships and continue the tradition that has made the St. Nersess Summer Conferences so successful for nearly 50 years.

"We are planning for another successful year of programming designed to educate our youth in our Armenian Church beliefs as they relate to today's society," shared Fr. Stepanos. "They do this all while creating a family-type bond in a very unique, comfortable setting."

DEACON'S TRAINING PROGRAM 

The Deacons' Training Program, led by the Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, dean and professor of Liturgical Studies at the Seminary, will be held June 25-July 3. This program is designed especially for young men who would like to participate more actively and meaningfully in the worship of the Armenian Church. Practical workshops and interactive classes teach the participants the deacons' parts of the liturgy and take the mystery out of the rituals, the music, the symbols, and the chants.

Students who complete this particular program return to their home churches with polished liturgical skills, a more satisfying sense of participation in the church's worship, and many new friends.

PARENTS' WEEKEND 

Another unprecedented and exciting conference offered this year will be geared just for parents of participants. On June 6-8, parents will have the opportunity to experience a bit of what their children partake in during these conferences. In an atmosphere of prayer and fellowship, parent participants will discuss challenges they face with their teens in today's society and what the church teaches in relation to that. 

They will also study the Bible, enjoy cultural and social activities, and even prepare their own I.D. cards...a popular core activity associated with any Summer Conference program.

Registration for the Summer Conferences, including Deacons' Training and this special Parents' Weekend, is now open with applications available below or by calling 914-636-2003. There is a 25 participant limit for each conference program.

To download an application and to pay by credit card, CLICK HERE


Participant Application

Parents' Weekend Application