| February 9, 2011 More than 250 people from the greater San Francisco Bay Area of California gathered in the hall of St. John Armenian Church in San Francisco on Sunday, January 31 for the world premiere of a short documentary film about St. Nersess Armenian Seminary entitled, St. Nersess Seminary: A Calling Fulfilled. The 26-minute program, filmed at the Seminary in New Rochelle, New York, as well as at a number of Armenian Churches on the East and West Coasts, portrays the mission, work and daily life of the Seminary as told by seminarians, alumni, the dean, and faculty. Its release coincides with the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of the Seminary in 1961. The documentary is the work of the noted young Armenian film-maker, Anthony Catchatoorian, who has produced a number of well-received short films on Armenian and other topics. Catchatoorian is also an ordained deacon of the Armenian Church. |  |
Fr. Daniel Findikyan (R) poses with Fr. Sarkis Petoyan and Anthony Catchatoorian following the premiere of the
new documentary film on St. Nersess Armenian Seminary at St. John Armenian Church, San Francisco.
new documentary film on St. Nersess Armenian Seminary at St. John Armenian Church, San Francisco.
"St. Nersess Seminary is arguably the most important institution of the Armenian Church in North America," said Fr. Sarkis Petoyan, Pastor of St. Gregory Armenian Church in Pasadena, California. Fr. Petoyan, a St. Nersess alumnus, had the initial vision for the film and took it upon himself to raise the funds necessary to produce it, and to oversee the entire production from start to finish. "God has called many, many young Armenian Americans to study their church's theology and traditions and to pledge their lives to her service as priests, teachers and lay ministers. Yet many do not realize that such a thing is even possible in the United States. Our hope is to distribute this film widely to encourage young people to enroll in the Seminary, and to elicit financial support for this critical institution."
Alumni, clergy and friends from the Fresno area gather to view the new film.
(Standing L-R) Fr. Arshen Ayvazian, Fr. Kevork Arakelian, Fr. Yeghia Hairabedian,
Grace Petoyan in the arms of her father, Fr. Sarkis Petoyan, Yn. Talin Petoyan, Dr. Sara Terian.
(Sitting L-R) Fr. Daniel Findikyan, Fr. Shahe Altunian, Dr. Abraham Terian, Yn. Eliza Feredjian, Verjin Mermerian.
Photographer: Yn. Sirarpie Feredjian.
(Standing L-R) Fr. Arshen Ayvazian, Fr. Kevork Arakelian, Fr. Yeghia Hairabedian,
Grace Petoyan in the arms of her father, Fr. Sarkis Petoyan, Yn. Talin Petoyan, Dr. Sara Terian.
(Sitting L-R) Fr. Daniel Findikyan, Fr. Shahe Altunian, Dr. Abraham Terian, Yn. Eliza Feredjian, Verjin Mermerian.
Photographer: Yn. Sirarpie Feredjian.
Major funding for the project was contributed by the late Vahram Takvorian, long-time member and benefactor of St. John Armenian Church of San Francisco. Sadly, his untimely death last year prevented him from seeing the fruits of his generosity. His wife Rita, and children, Deacon Hratch and Nadine, as well as members of the extended family were on hand for the premiere. Deacon Hratch attended the St. Nersess Deacon's Training Program in the late 1990's and now operates the family business.
"Today we witness the realization of a dream come true," said Fr. Daniel Findikyan, speaking to the audience at the conclusion of the premiere. "We are enormously grateful to Fr. Sarkis, Deacon Anthony, the Takvorian family and all of those who made this film possible."
Earlier in the day, with the blessing of His Eminence Abp. Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, Fr. Findikyan celebrated the Divine Liturgy and the preached the sermons at St. John. He then travelled south for a gathering of alumni, clergy and friends at the home of Drs. Abraham and Sara Terian in Fresno. The next day, the dean met with Abp. Hovnan at the Diocesan headquarters in Burbank, and was interviewed about the St. Nersess for television broadcast in the Los Angeles area.
"Today we witness the realization of a dream come true," said Fr. Daniel Findikyan, speaking to the audience at the conclusion of the premiere. "We are enormously grateful to Fr. Sarkis, Deacon Anthony, the Takvorian family and all of those who made this film possible."
Earlier in the day, with the blessing of His Eminence Abp. Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, Fr. Findikyan celebrated the Divine Liturgy and the preached the sermons at St. John. He then travelled south for a gathering of alumni, clergy and friends at the home of Drs. Abraham and Sara Terian in Fresno. The next day, the dean met with Abp. Hovnan at the Diocesan headquarters in Burbank, and was interviewed about the St. Nersess for television broadcast in the Los Angeles area.
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