​From July 26 to August 4, the seminary welcomed students to the annual High School Summer Conference. This year, participants represented parishes in Washington, D.C., Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Florida, Rhode Island, Canada, Armenia and Jerusalem. The conference was directed by the Rev. Fr. Ghevond Ajamian, pastor of St. Sarkis Armenian Church in Dallas, TX, and a graduate of the seminary.
 
For the 13th year, students from the Sts. Tarkmanchatz Armenian School in Jerusalem were invited to attend, thanks to the support of several benefactors who cover their expenses. And for the third year, students from Armenia attended a summer conference. "We are happy to offer our American students the opportunity to interact with their peers from Armenia and Jerusalem," remarked the Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean.
 
The main benefactors of the project this year were Russell and Susan Kashian (WI) with generous support by  Vicken and Rosette Arslanian (NJ), Joseph and Kristine Casali (NJ), George and Lorraine Marootian (NJ), Steven and Karen Nargizian (NJ), Gregory and Meline Toufayan (NJ), Sara Andonian (MI), Keith and Karen Bilezerian (MA), and Paul Derderian (NY).
 
Traveling from Jerusalem were Nareg Sevan and Ardashes Hekimian and from Armenia were Sargis Hovsepyan, Armanush Andreasyan, and Diana Baghumyan. “Even though I had heard positive experiences from my friends who previously attended the summer conferences, I couldn't wait to see for myself!” exclaimed Nareg Sevan. “We are very happy to be a part of the High School Summer Conference. It is very important for the Armenian youth to have opportunities like this,” said Ardashes Hekimian.  
 
The three students from Armenia were also proud to experience the High School conference. Armanush Andreasyan expressed that what she had experienced was beyond her expectations. “The warm and open-armed welcome of the staff and the participants made us feel at home, especially when it is easy to become disengaged and feel homesick in a country and an environment that is not familiar,” she reflected. Sargis Hovsepyan commented, “I am so happy and very grateful for this opportunity of making new connections.” And Diana Baghumyan added excitedly, “I can say that my conversational English improved significantly.”
 
Each of the students from Jerusalem and Armenia was impressed at how serious and deep the Christian education was during the conference and all were going to cherish the memories and knowledge received.
 
The St. Nersess Summer Conferences have attracted thousands of students over the past 50+ years to explore their faith and the heritage of the Armenian Church. Clergy and lay leaders instruct the participants in the fundamentals of the Armenian Church’s faith and traditions, and they encourage frank discussion about issues and topics important to young people. In addition, sports and recreation, daytrips, and other activities add to a well-rounded experience where students make deep, lasting friendships and discover their place in the Armenian Church.
 
The next conference will take place January 2-6, 2020 for college-age students. Information and registration for the College Winter Conference can be found here.

His Grace Bishop Daniel Findikyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese and President of the St. Nersess Board of Directors, ordained Dn. Arman Galstyan, a 2018 St. Nersess graduate, to the holy priesthood during a special Divine Liturgy at St. George Armenian Church in Hartford, CT, on Saturday, July 27.

Consecrating Dn. Arman’s forehead and hands with Holy Muron (oil), Bishop Daniel gave him the priestly name “Fr. Voski,” after an ancient saint who holds a special significance for the church.

“For the second time in my young ministry as a bishop, I was graced with the opportunity to ordain a devoted servant of God to the holy priesthood. I thank the good Lord for this great blessing. I can testify that Fr. Voski truly is GOLD as a humble and committed man of faith. I named him VOSKI after the first-century disciple of the Apostle Thaddeus, the first priest in Armenia mentioned by name. By their saintly, hope-filled lives St. Voski and his companions (the “Voskians”, whom we recall at every Badarak) inspired waves of Armenians to follow Jesus Christ centuries before St. Gregory our Illuminator would come on the scene. Today when examples of fervent, life-changing, joyous faith in Christ are all too few, we need to inspire a new era of genuine faith in the Son of God, a gift “more precious than gold.” (1 Peter 1:7). I pray that Fr. Voski and Fr. Andreas will be on the holy vanguard of that new era so that all of us—priests, men and women, young and mature—may do our part to “build up the Body of Christ” in the Armenian Church,” proclaimed Bishop Daniel.

The church sanctuary was filled with clergy, parishioners, family, and friends who travelled to witness the ordination. The Rev. Fr. Gomidas Zohrabian served as the sponsoring priest, and Mr. and Mrs. Sarkis and Ruth Bedevian of New Jersey were his godparents. The Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, who served as the ordination coordinator, was also present.
At the conclusion of the service, the newly ordained priest gave his first blessing to the faithful where he has served for the past several months as Deacon-in-Charge. A celebratory banquet followed.

On the evening prior, the Service of Calling took place at St. George. Fr. Voski is currently spending his 40 days in seclusion and prayer at St. Nersess Seminary, before returning to Hartford to serve as the pastor.

Fr. Voski’s ordination is the culmination of a lifelong calling to serve Christ, his church, and the Armenian people. Click here to read more about the ordination and the personal journey leading to it.

​Click here to view a gallery of photos. Additional photos of all the ordination events can be viewed here.