
The first fundraising event took place on Friday evening, March 1, and was hosted by Katherine Sarafian, daughter of the Rev. Fr. Mesrob Sarafian of blessed memory, and her family. Fr. Mardiros spoke to the guests who included summer conference alumni, about the mission of the seminary and ways to support it. The Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan, pastor at St. Vartan Armenian Church in Oakland, was in attendance as well as Greg Nemet, a local St. Nersess board member.
On Saturday morning, March 2, Fr. Mardiros was the guest preacher during the World Day of Prayer, which took place and was hosted by St. John Armenian Church in San Francisco. Bay Area Armenian Churches participated in the service.
On Saturday evening, Fr. Mardiros, along with the Rev. Fr. Sarkis Petoyan, pastor of St. Gregory Armenian Church in Pasadena and a St. Nersess board member, and the Rev. Fr. Mesrop Ash, pastor of St. John Armenian Church in San Francisco, attended a second fundraising event hosted by Greg and Susan Nemet. Greg is also a parish council member at St. John. The guests learned about St. Nersess and viewed a short video about the seminary.
On Sunday, March 3, Fr. Mardiros celebrated Divine Liturgy at St. John Armenian Church and offered the homily. He spoke about Great Lent as an opportunity for us to discern our calling to serve God.