Ararat Center in Greenville,NY

Ararat Center in Greenville, NY
Quantity versus quality is the age-old debate in parental time management. Of course, both are equally important for an optimum, healthy and loving relationship. During the weekend of September 14-16, fathers and sons will have the opportunity to experience both quality and quantity in their relationship with each other. Co-sponsoring the event, the Ararat Center Board of Directors and St. Nersess Armenian Seminary are together making plans for the 2nd annual Father and Son weekend to be held at the Ararat Center in upstate New York.

Fathers with their sons are invited to participate in a weekend filled with outdoor activities, casual sports, relaxing campfires, and great food and fellowship. This weekend is intended to give fathers and sons time to explore their relationship by discussing, listening, and simply sharing with each other through guided activities. Social activities will also be offered which may include golfing, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, a trip to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, a sightseeing cruise on the Hudson River, apple picking at a local farm, canoeing or simply relaxing at the Ararat Center.

Seminarians chanting during the Divine Liturgy

Parable of the Builders

Archibishop Yeghishe Gizirian preaches during the Divine LiturgyYeghishe Srpazan is widely regarded as a captivating preacher. He spoke of the parable of the two builders(Mathew 7:21-29). "One builds an edifice which externally is beautiful. But because it has no solid foundation, it crumbles when a storm hits," Srpazan said. "The other builder takes care to build his house on a firm foundation, and of course it weathers the storm." 

"Build the House of Your Life on Christ"

"The foundation is Jesus Christ," the Archbishop went on to say, his booming voice echoing in the intimate chapel. "So many people expend enormous efforts at building the house of their lives on foundations other than Christ. They are doomed. Sooner or later they will face the storms of this world. The anxiety that plagues so many today is proof that any other foundation for our lives pales in comparison with the Son of God."

Abp. Gizirian's message contained a subtle allusion to the Gospel reading of the day taken from the opening chapter of the Gospel according to Mathew (Mathew 1:1-17). The chapter consists of Jesus' genealogy, a list of his ancestors, many of them noted figures from the Old Testament. The purpose of the tedious passage is to demonstrate that Jesus himself had a strong ancestral foundation, rooted deeply in the sacred history of the Jewish people.

(L-R) Deacons Mkrtich Ksachikyan and Ryan Tellalian

Traditional Armenian Services at St. Nersess

The St. Nersess Seminary community celebrates the Divine Liturgy (Badarak) on other occasions throughout the year. In addition, the traditional daily services of the Armenian Church are conducted Monday through Friday at 7:45am and 5:00pm. The Seminary warmly welcomes all who wish to pray with us. See theSeminary's calendar of events for further information or contact the Seminary or at info@stnersess.edu or by telephone: (914) 636-2003.

Seminarians, faculty, staff and friends gathered in the chapel of St. Nersess Seminary on Saturday morning, September 8 to celebrate the Divine Liturgy on the Feast of the Birth of Mary the Holy Mother of God.

Celebrating the Divine Liturgy and preaching was His Eminence Abp. Yeghishe Gizirian, former Primate of the Armenian Church of England and now spiritual father of the St. Nersess Seminary community.

Serving at the altar were four of this year's eight seminarians: Deacon Ryan Tellalian, Deacon Mkrtich Ksachikyan, Sub-deacon Justin Avedis Ajamian and Gregory Andonian. Also serving was Seminary Administrator Deacon Levon Altiparmakian.

Archibishop Yeghishe Gizirian preaches during the Divine Liturgy

The Dawn of the Sun of Righteousness

(L-R) Deacons Mkrtich Ksachikyan and Ryan TellalianThe Feast of the Birth of the Holy Mother of God, overlooked by many Armenian Church communities, is always celebrated at St. Nersess. With the birth of Mary, the church celebrates the beginning of the unfolding of God's mysterious plan for the salvation of humanity through Jesus Christ, the Son of God. By virtue of Mary's willingness to take part in this divine plan by becoming the mother of God, the Son of God is born into this world to reconcile sinful humans with God the Father. 

Yeghishe Srpazan serves as the Seminary's Spiritual FatherThis is why the Armenian Church fathers often refer to Mary as "The Dawn of the Sun of Righteousness"

"The Birth of the Mother of God has a special meaning for us at St. Nersess," said the dean, Fr. Daniel Findikyan. "God continues to call young people--men and women--to step up to collaborate with Him in His divine work. Our mission at St. Nersess is to prepare them for that sacred privilege."

Yeghishe Srpazan serves as the Seminary's Spiritual Father