On December 7-9, the Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian traveled to Wisconsin and Illinois to meet with current and prospective donors in their homes and offices. He was accompanied by the Rev. Fr. Yeprem Kelegian, St. Nersess spiritual director and board member, the Rev. Fr. Tavit Boyajian, pastor of Sts. Joachim and Anne Armenian Church in Palos Heights, IL and a St. Nersess graduate, and board member Oscar Tatosian. They updated current donors on the progress and plans of the seminary and presented information to new donors about the seminary.  

On Sunday, Fr. Mardiros was the guest celebrant and homilist at St. George Armenian Church in Waukegan, IL, which was his first parish assignment 40 years ago. Following Divine Liturgy, he gave an informative presentation to the parishioners about the seminary, its mission, and ways to support the seminary's work. The video, Vision of Grace, was shown. Many thanks to the Rev. Fr. Sahak Kaishian, pastor and St. Nersess graduate, and Nishan Paparigian, Parish Council Chairperson, for their assistance in making the visit a success.

Recently, the seminary embarked on a campaign to reconnect with summer conference alumni. In the first of a series, we interviewed two alumni who have maintained their connection with the seminary since their first exposure as teenagers. Renee Ferraro and Karyn Bilezerian both attend the Armenian Church of the Holy Translators in Framingham, MA, and shared how St. Nersess has touched them personally.  
 
Q: What year/session did you first attend a Summer Conference?  
Renee:  
I began attending summer conferences in the early-1980s when I lived in NY. That was when Dn. Mike (now Fr. Mardiros) ran the program and Sophie was in the kitchen!
Karyn:  
My first time was a Jr. High session in the mid-1980s when I lived in NJ. 
 
Q: How have you stayed connected to or currently support the seminary?  
Renee:  
I participate in the Leadership Giving Circle annual giving program because St. Nersess has held a special place in my heart since I was a young adult. I feel it is important to support the seminary's mission. I also check the website and Facebook frequently to keep up with the events occurring at the seminary. Because my children have had the privilege of attending summer conferences, I have also helped to support students from Jerusalem attend conferences, so that other children can have the same benefits!
Karyn: 
I remain connected to St. Nersess in a few different ways. My first time was returning as a counselor at a summer conference while in college. Now my husband, Keith, and I donate to St. Nersess regularly, including helping to sponsor a student from Jerusalem each year for a summer conference as well as participating in The Path Forward brick campaign. Last, but certainly not least, is our connection to Fr. Mardiros, who led the summer conferences when I attended. Der Mardiros married Keith and me, baptized both of our children, and even presided over our vow renewal last summer in Cana when he accompanied our parish's trip to Jerusalem.
 
Q: Do you have a child who now attends a summer conference?  
Renee:  
My three children - Ariana, Neil and Lucas - have attended summer conferences and the boys have been to the Deacons' Training Program.  
Karyn:  
My son, Kyle, attended St. Nersess for the first time last summer as a participant in the Deacons' Training Program. Although the seminary is now on a new campus, the spiritual connection and experience is the same!    
 
Q: How did your St. Nersess experience help you become active in your local parish?
Renee:
St. Nersess is special for many reasons. It was a place where I could meet other Armenian kids and I developed friendships that endure today! It was a place where I felt safe and enjoyed a loving environment during the rocky and lonely adolescent years. It was a place where I developed a more personal relationship to God and developed a deeper connection to my Armenian faith. I've carried these experiences and lessons with me into my adult life, into my parish, and into raising my family. 
Karyn:
At the Summer Conferences, participants from many different parishes come together and become a family. I learned that when each person is assigned a specific chore to keep the rooms of the "home" clean or organized, we humbly work to contribute to the good of the whole. That lesson has carried over to my involvement as a member of my parish, which is my spiritual home and the congregants are my church family. I have served on Parish Council and in the Sunday school and various church committees, because I learned many years ago that when a group of people comes together to form a family, each person needs to use his or her God-given gifts for the greater good. 
 
Q: How would you describe your love for St. Nersess in a few words?  
Renee:
Love, acceptance and a foundation to build my faith and life.
Karyn:
Serenity, friendship, blessings

​On Saturday May 5, following the conclusion of the Diocesan Assembly hosted by the St. Gregory the Enlightener parish of White Plains, the St. Nersess Alumni Association (SNAA), joined by the present body of seminarians, met for the first time in Armonk.  Also, the V. Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, former Dean, alumnus, current professor, and newly elected Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, attended the meeting.
 
The alumni discussed the mission, work, and purpose of SNAA. All members by a vote of confidence affirmed the leadership of Arpi Nakashian as Chairperson, Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian as Treasurer, and Dn. Daron Bolat as Secretary.
 
Arpi welcomed everyone and in the name of our gathering congratulated our newly elected Primate. She shared with us a recap of the St. Nersess Alumni Great Lenten retreat that took place in March and was graciously hosted by Fr. Vasken Kouzouian in Cambridge, MA.
 
A discussion took place regarding fundraising efforts by Alumni themselves to help the seminary directly with their own donations to the newly established Leadership Giving Circle for St. Nersess, personal donations, seeking out people with a passion for the mission of the seminary, inviting them to consider donating, and directing honorary donations remembering or celebrating departed and living individuals to the seminary.
 
The alumni also took the initiative to re-establish the adopt a seminarian initiative; thus making a more personal contact with the present body of students and mentoring them to become good shepherds of the Armenian Church. 
 
Fr. Mardiros Chevian, Dean of the seminary, noted that this year is the 50th anniversary of the relationship established between St. Nersess and St. Vladimir Orthodox Seminary for the Master's of Divinity degree program for St. Nersess students.  He noted as well that it has been 52 years at St. Vladimir's that the joint education of our students has been in place. Since 1966  there have been some 40 ordained clergy, including four Primates, the most recent being the Primate of the Eastern Diocese, the Very Reverend Father Daniel Findikyan.
 
The luncheon meeting of ideas, good works, brotherly and sisterly fellowship concluded with a surprise celebratory cake for our new Primate, Fr. Daniel, on the occasion of his election while the alumni sang unanimously Ուրախ լեր Սուրբ Եկեղեցի (rejoice Holy Church). After words of joy and prayers, the V. Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan gave his first blessing to us as Primate. The current seminarians were in attendance during lunch.
 
Thank you to the staff of our beloved Alma Mater for opening the doors to us and always keeping them open for a visit, to refresh our spirits and renew our ties to a small school that has produced an abundant harvest of leadership.
 
Fr. Garabed Kochakian
Alumnus 1973