On Saturday, May 19, over 100 guests including friends and family of the graduates, clergy, board of directors, alumni and supporters of the seminary celebrated the graduation of Dn. Arman Galstyan and Dn. Michael Sabounjian who received their diplomas from St. Nersess Seminary.

Among the dignitaries at the event were the Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, new Primate of the Eastern Diocese and President of the St. Nersess Board of Directors, and His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, who for nearly three decades led the Diocese and the Seminary as its Primate and President.

The program began with a vespers service in the St. Hagop Chapel. The Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, Dean, welcomed the guests and introduced each speaker who addressed the graduates during the graduation ceremony. Dn. Albert Hambardzumyan, representing the St. Nersess student body, spoke to the graduates saying, "Remember your roots at St. Nersess and always remain faithful servants."

Fr. Mardiros then introduced Garen Karamyan, Instructor of Classical & Modern Armenian, who proclaimed on the eve of Pentecost, he chose to speak in Armenian. "Let it be Pentecost in your lives every day so that you may be able to speak in all the unique and various languages of our people in order to bring unity in your parishes as future priests of the Armenian Church," said Garen.

Speaking to the graduates next was Dr. Roberta Ervine, Professor of Armenian Studies, who also referenced Pentecost, citing the uncertainty that the disciples felt on that day and asking the new graduates, "How will you encounter others and how will they respond?"

This was followed by the President of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, the Very Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield, who thanked St. Nersess for its long standing 50-year collaborative relationship. "We will celebrate our anniversary with a special symposium on October 5, 2019...save the date."

Next the graduates addressed the attendees, starting with Dn. Arman, who completed his studies in the St. Nersess the Great Program for Late Vocations and received a Diploma in Armenian Church Studies. "Sometimes when you look back at your choices in life, you are not always sure of your decision. But I am so happy to have attended St. Nersess and am at peace with my choice. It was not always easy," he explained, as he detailed how his wife and children in Canada supported his busy travel schedule to the seminary to complete his degree.

Both Dn. Arman and Dn. Michael expressed their gratitude to their instructors, and Khajag Srpazan and Der Mardiros for their unconditional support and love. "As I reflect on the last three years, I am able to say I am a better Christian and servant of the Armenian Church," exclaimed Dn. Michael, who received a diploma in Armenian Church Studies. "St. Nersess filled my head with knowledge as I explored the heart of our church traditions," said Dn. Michael.

Before Fr. Daniel presented the graduates with their diplomas, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian addressed the room with a heartfelt message. "Today is a celebration of progress for both St. Nersess and our graduates. I have worked hard to make the vision of Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan a reality. The mission of the Armenian Church now continues through our graduates, whom I have watched grow through the years. With Fr. Daniel as the new Primate - this is also progress - I am confident for the future of the seminary and the diocese," declared Khajag Srpazan. He also thanked Fr. Mardiros and the faculty for their dedication, as well as the board of directors and benefactors of the seminary.

Fr. Daniel concluded the ceremony, referencing Pentecost and the disciples who were able to speak eloquently and inspire others and fill them with hope. "The Holy Spirit takes the divine energy of God and makes things possible. The Holy Spirit took Dn. Michael and Dn. Arman and made them graduates of the seminary. What will the Holy Spirit do next with St. Nersess? We must set our eyes and vision beyond where it has been."

The joyful guests moved from the chapel into the lobby of the Theological Center where they enjoyed a bountiful reception prepared by Wilma Petrossian, Manager of Food Services, and had an opportunity to personally congratulate the graduates on their accomplishments. The lavish dessert table was lovingly prepared and donated by Mary Stevoff of Chicago, the aunt of Yn. Diane Chevian.

Earlier in the afternoon, Dn. Michael Sabounjian was among the 20 graduates at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary where he received his Master of Divinity degree. Seminarian Timothy Aznavourian gave the salutatorian address, a first for a St. Nersess student.

​This summer, Dn. Arman will continue his parish internship at St. Leon Armenian Church in Fair Lawn, NJ. Dn. Michael will be teaching at the Deacons' Training Program in June and in the fall, he will continue his studies at the Seminary of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin for an academic year.

photos by Dn. Ryan Tellalian and Donna Sirounian

On Saturday, May 20, over 200 guests including friends, family and clergy celebrated the graduation of Dn. Levon Asdourian, Dn. Eric Vozzy, and Dr. Andre Markarian who received their diplomas from St. Nersess Seminary.

The day began with Divine Liturgy, celebrated by the Rev. Fr. Garabed Kocharian, in the St. Hagop chapel. During the service, seminarian Levon Asdourian was ordained a deacon by Abp. Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese and President of the St. Nersess Board of Directors, the first ordination on the new campus. The Rev. Fr. Armash Bagdasarian, a recent graduate of St. Nersess, was Dn. Levon’s sponsoring priest. At the end of service, Abp. Khajag Barsamian consecrated a baptismal font which was recently installed.

The graduation was held in a festive tent, where the Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, Seminary Dean, opened the graduation ceremony by welcoming all present and describing the graduates as a “beautiful mosaic”. “A mosaic has many pieces of different sizes and shapes and colors and all those who support the ministry of priesthood and those serving in lay ministry are part of a mosaic,” he commented. Dn. Michael Sabounjian, representing the St. Nersess student body, addressed the graduates saying, “you have already taken your knowledge from St. Nersess and are proclaiming your faith through action: Dn. Levon by creating a Facebook Prayer Group, Dr. Andre by editing The Treasury publication, and Dn. Eric by narrating the Bread & Salt Ministry series at the Eastern Diocese.”

Fr. Mardiros then introduced the President of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, the Very Rev. Fr. Chad Hatfield, who thanked St. Nersess for its long standing 50-year collaborative relationship. Speaking to the graduates next was the Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, Professor of Liturgical Studies. “Beyond the structures, policies, rules, and talents at the seminary is something mysterious…I am convinced that the mystery is powerful and divine and it’s the Holy Spirit that has brought the graduates here today,” proclaimed Fr. Daniel.

Representing the graduates, Dn. Levon Asdourian thanked everyone who has helped him to arrive at this point in his life. “St. Paul tells us about the race we are to run. Your prayers have helped the graduates run this race together, and we will pray for you every step of the way,” he said. The graduates were then presented with their diplomas by Khajag Srpazan, after which Abp. Barsamian addressed the graduates and the audience. “With the Holy Spirit, all things are possible,” he said. Khajag Srpazan thanked Fr. Mardiros and the faculty for their dedication to the seminary and blessed the graduates in their future roles.
Other honored guests in attendance were the Very Rev. Fr. John Behr and Dr. Peter Bouteneff from St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary.

Family and friends of the graduates enjoyed a dinner reception and had an opportunity to personally congratulate the graduates on their accomplishments, and then enjoyed an inspiring dance performance by the AGBU Dance Ensemble. Laurie Onanian, a board member, encouraged all those in attendance to consider making a heartfelt donation to the seminary. “Think about that $3 Starbucks coffee you purchase each day…that’s $1,000 a year you could give to St. Nersess. There is always free coffee at the seminary… come and visit!” Laurie announced. Guests had an opportunity to make online donations from tablets placed on the tablets, as well as by check. Donations are still being accepted at www.stnersess.edu/support.

Earlier in the day, Dn. Levon Asdourian was amongst the 16 graduates at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary where he received his Master of Divinity degree.

St. Nersess Armenian Seminary continues to prepare leaders for the Armenian Church in North America. Since its establishment, St. Nersess has graduated outstanding young men and women who are serving the Armenian Church faithfully as priests and educators for the Dioceses of North America. Three seminarians will graduate from St. Nersess on May 20. His Eminence Abp. Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) and President of the St. Nersess Board of Directors, will preside at the graduation.

Levon Asdourian, who is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, will be graduating from the Armenian Church Studies Program at St. Nersess Seminary. He will also be receiving his Master of Divinity at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary earlier in the day. Prior to receiving his diploma from St. Nersess, he will be ordained a deacon during the Divine Liturgy. In the fall, he will begin a parish internship.

Dr. Andre Markarian, who currently resides in Sutton, Massachusetts with his wife and two daughters, is an emergency room physician at the Milford Regional Medical Center, Milford, MA. Over the past five years, Dr. Markarian has been studying part-time towards a Master in Diaconal Ministry at St. Nersess by taking classes remotely as well as on campus. "The spiritual truths and perspectives that I have learned from my mentors at St. Nersess have made me a more compassionate physician, an effective Christian educator and an overall better human being, for which I am eternally grateful," commented Dr. Markarian.

Dn. Eric Vozzy, who is from Troy, New York, currently works in the Department of Creative Ministries at the Diocesan Center in New York City. He was ordained a deacon in January by His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral. Dn. Eric has been studying part-time towards a Master in Diaconal Ministry at St. Nersess. After graduation, he will continue to work at the Diocese.

"We are proud of our graduates' accomplishments and look forward to the fruits of their education and training in service to the Armenian Church," commented Fr. Mardiros Chevian, Dean. The public is invited to attend the graduation ceremony honoring our three seminarian graduates.

The day begins at 4:30pm with Divine Liturgy followed by the diaconate ordination of seminarian Levon Asdourian, the first ordination on the new seminary campus. His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate, will officiate at the ordination as well as at the consecration of a new baptismal font in the chapel.

The graduation will follow at 7pm. Guests will move into a festive tent to witness the three seminarians receive their diplomas. After the graduation, attendees will enjoy a celebratory reception at 7:30pm where they can meet the graduates, hear from seminary leaders, and enjoy a bountiful spread of Armenian delicacies. A special performance by the AGBU Antranig Dance Ensemble will captivate and inspire all those in attendance. During the Evening Under the Stars portion of the reception, guests will have an opportunity to offer their financial support to the seminary.

The event is free and open to all. Guests are invited to attend a segment or the entire evening! To RSVP, please call 914-273-0200 or email info@stnersess.edu by May 18.