St. Nersess Armenian Seminary
  • Home
  • About
    • Our Mission
    • History of the Seminary
    • Prayer for the Seminary
    • Board of Directors
    • Fast Facts
    • Alumni/Recent Ordinations
    • Water Quality Report
  • Academics/Admissions
    • Global Classroom >
      • Seminary Lectures (audio)
      • Seminary Lectures (video)
      • St. Nersess Theological Review >
        • SNTR Volume 1-1
        • SNTR Volume 1-2
        • SNTR Volume 2
        • SNTR Volume 3
        • SNTR Volume 4
        • SNTR Volume 5 & 6
      • St. Nersess Armenian Spirituality Series
      • AVANT
    • Programs of Study
    • Is God Calling You?
    • Faculty & Staff >
      • Dr. Roberta Ervine
      • Bishop Daniel Findikyan
    • Course Offerings >
      • Classical Armenian
      • Church History
      • Armenian Patristics
      • Liturgy
      • Liturgical Music
      • Practicum
      • Biblical Studies
      • Church & Society
      • General Studies
    • Admissions & Application
    • St. Nersess Library
  • Liturgical Resources
    • Sacred Music Lab >
      • Daily Services >
        • Night Hour >
          • Hymns of the Night Hour
          • Deacon's Chants of the Night Hour
          • Ganonaklookh/Head of the Canon
          • Requiem Hymn (Hangstyan Sharagan)
          • Avak Orhnutyun
          • Orhnootyoon Sharagan (Penitential)
          • Orhnootyoon Hymns (Martyrs)
          • Takavor Haveedyan (Penitential)
          • Takavor Haveedyan (Martyrs)
          • Alleluia (Resurrection)
          • Alleluia (Nativity)
          • Alleluia (Cross)
        • Morning Hour >
          • Hymns of the Morning Hour
          • Deacon's Chants of the Morning Hour
          • Service of the Oil-Bearing Women
        • Sunrise Hour
        • Evening Hour >
          • Hymns of the Evening Service
          • Deacons' Chants
          • Martyrs Hymns of Psalm 120
          • Penitential Hymns of Psalm 120 (Tones 1-8)
          • Resurrection Hymns of Psalm 120
        • Peace Hour
      • Divine Liturgy >
        • Midday Hymns (Jashoo Sharagans)
        • Gospel Alleluia
        • Processional Hymns
        • Introit (Zhamamood)
        • Deacon's Chants
      • Sacraments >
        • Baptism
        • Marriage
        • Ordinations
        • Funeral
      • Holy Week >
        • Lazarus Saturday
        • Palm Sunday >
          • Palm Sunday - Night/Morning Services
          • Palm Sunday - Ceremony of Opening the Doors
        • Holy Monday
        • Holy Tuesday
        • Holy Wednesday
        • Holy Thursday >
          • Holy Thursday: Night Service
          • Holy Thursday: Morning Service
          • Holy Thursday: Absolution of the Penitents
          • Holy Thursday: Washing of the Feet
          • Holy Thursday: Divine Liturgy
          • Holy Thursday: Great Vigil (Khavaroom)
        • Holy Friday >
          • Holy Friday: Morning Service
          • Holy Friday: Service of the Crucifixion
          • Holy Friday: Service of Burial
        • Holy Saturday >
          • Holy Saturday: Night/Morning Services
          • Holy Saturday: Easter Vigil (Jrakalooyts) & Divine Liturgy
        • Easter Sunday
      • Festal Hymns >
        • Saints' Hymns (Սրբոց Շարականնե)
        • Theophany (Ծնունդ)
        • Mother of God (Ս. Աստուածածին)
        • Presentation of the Lord to the Temple (Տեառնդառաջ)
        • Great Carnival (Բուն Բարեկենդան)
        • New Sunday (Նոր Կիրակի)
        • Ascension (Համբարձում)
        • Holy Cross (Խաչի)
        • Holy Church (Եկեղեցւոյ)
      • Other Services >
        • Blessing of Water
    • Armenian Hymnal
    • Liturgical Services >
      • Services of Blessing
      • Special Services
      • Holy Week
      • Divine Liturgy
  • Conferences
    • Deacons' Training
    • High School Summer Conference
    • College Winter Conference
    • Adult Conferences & Retreats
  • News
  • Photos
    • Photo Galleries
    • Consecration Photos
    • Construction Photos, Armonk, NY
  • SUPPORT
    • Giving Tuesday
    • Donate Now
    • 2020 College Winter Conference
    • The Path Forward
    • Leadership Giving Circle
    • Planned Giving Society
    • Legacy Donors, New Campus
    • Parish Patrons

First St. Nersess Adult Conference a Success

6/14/2019

6 Comments

 
"Be Still and Know That I Am God!"
 
The inaugural Adult Conference will be remembered for two important reasons: it was the first conference for multi-generational adults in decades and the very first focused on the "spiritual journey". Twelve participants assembled for four days last weekend, June 6-9, ending on Pentecost Sunday which commemorates the "sending out" of the Twelve to share the Good News.
 
And that Good News was ample from morning through late evening during the conference. Mornings began with brief worship services in the chapel led by seminary dean and conference chaplain the Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian. During one morning service, participants offered up to God the crosses they crafted from walks during a silent contemplative morning -- crosses made of twigs, wild berries, leaves, stones, and flowers -- pledging to take up Christ's cross and walk with Him in prayerful conversation throughout their lives.
 
The spiritual journey theme was reflected in each of the instructor's presentations: Dr. Roberta Ervine's words and on-screen images evoked the life and prayers of St. Gregory of Narek; Fr. Arshen and Yn. Sirarpi Aivazian reviewed the Armenian lectionary and techniques for praying with Scripture; and Fr. Mardiros spoke about the Church as a nourishing mother, a topic that prompted memories of the group's own experiences.
 
Daniel Srpazan graciously joined the conference on Saturday afternoon -- after running in the morning's 5K race benefiting the ACYOA -- for an enlightening talk on The Divine Liturgy: God's Word/God's Body. He explored the centrality of Holy Communion and the bigger picture of a Badarak that is clearly described in its own prayers as taking place "for the salvation of the whole world," followed by an open general discussion. Other sessions were presented by conference directors Nancy Basmajian and Elise Antreassian and explored the various ways of engaging in quality time with the most important person in our lives - Jesus Christ.

On Saturday evening, Fr. Mardiros celebrated the Divine Liturgy at which the Primate offered a rousing Pentecost message on that same fiery Spirit that can ignite our faith today and always. Thanks to the choir directors, singers, and organist among the conference attendees, heart-felt solos, and spirited sharagans, the Badarak was visually touching. 
 
Creative avenues for expressing faith weren't forgotten, and included an art session of collage-making (which formed the focus of that night's journaling), informal skits on Bible stories, and film presentations, including "Does Life Have A Purpose?" facilitated by participant Arthur Asadorian.
 
A deeply satisfying session was the morning during which participants were to remain in silent contemplation and then share a silent meal. After exploring the importance of silence for hearing God's voice in our lives, participants went on their silent walks or meditated in their rooms or on benches outdoors under the lush campus trees, with some of the many questions God asks in Scripture such as "Where are you? (Genesis 3:9); "Why are you afraid?" (Matthew 8:26); What do you want? (John1:38); "Do you believe I am able to do this?" (Matthew 9:28); and "Who do you say I am?" (Mark 8:29).
 
Evening candlelight walks (on one, the group burst into spontaneous song; on another they held their candles overhead in an impromptu reenactment of Pentecost), daily journaling and occasional creative assignments for worship, rounded out the mind-body-soul effort.
 
Participants left greatly inspired and fulfilled:
 
"I looked forward to this weekend with great anticipation... and all my expectations were fulfilled and surpassed. I learned that being still certainly led me to know God better, and that looking at life from a different perspective changes one's ability to cope because His presence is felt more keenly. Most of us were strangers when we met as participants, but we parted as friends - no, closer still- brothers and sisters in Christ." --Carol Loshigian
 
"This was my first visit to St. Nersess...to say it is a special place is an understatement....I received an education on the many facets of our Orthodox faith, prayer, and my walk with Christ and given an opportunity to personally reflect on myself and my relationship with God... The impact of this weekend is hard to measure except to say in many ways this experience will affect everything I do in my future. --Rhonda Boyajian
 
The success of this conference guarantees another for next summer and, under consideration, spiritually-focused one-day programs throughout the year, including guided days of silence, prayer workshops, and book discussions.
 
To the 2019 St. Nersess Adult Conference attendees: thank you for making this a memorable summer for everyone! <<PHOTOS

6 Comments

​Seminarian Attends International Summit

6/12/2019

4 Comments

 
On May 31 to June 3, some 50 delegates representing over 40 Orthodox theological schools and seminaries world-wide convened in Istanbul, Turkey, for the third Halki Summit hosted by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.  
 
Dn. Alex Calikyan, who was selected to represent St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, attended the summit. Event sponsors St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, NY, and Holy Cross Orthodox School of Theology, MA, covered the cost of lodging, meals, tours, and the summit for all participants.

The theme, "Theological Formation and Ecological Awareness", encouraged awareness and discussions of environmental sensitivity in the core curricula of theological institutions. It also echoed the Ecumenical Patriarchate Bartholomew's longstanding concern and ongoing initiatives for the protection of the natural environment. Affectionately known as the "Green Patriarch," His All-Holiness has organized two previous summits, in 2012 and 2015.
 
"This ecotheological summit was an incredibly important experience for me because it brought attention to a crisis that Christians do not pay enough attention to. The way in which we directly change our climate, and what that means for the planet which we call home, is an issue which all Christians, including the Armenian Church, can no longer ignore or deny, and it was a great honor for me to take part in an event that not only addresses that problem, but works to offer solutions to combat this problem from a faith-based perspective," recalled Dn. Alex.
 
The Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean, attended the final day of the summit in Istanbul, after spending a few days in Jerusalem. Both he and Dn. Alex had an opportunity to speak with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. 
 
During his brief stay in Jerusalem, Fr. Mardiros met with the dean of the Theological Seminary of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Tsaturyan. Together they discussed establishing communication and collaboration between St. Nersess Seminary and the Seminary of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The development of this relationship follows what has already been advanced between St. Nersess and the Seminary of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.  
 
Fr. Mardiros also met with His Beatitude Archbishop Nourhan Manougian, the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, about the possibility of holding next summer's Deacons' Training Program there. The Patriarch offered his approval and readiness to provide whatever support is needed to make it possible. The last time the program was held in Jerusalem was in 2014.  
 
While in Istanbul, Fr. Mardiros had an opportunity to interview a potential St. Nersess student as well.


4 Comments

​New Adult Conference Added to St. Nersess Summer Conferences

2/25/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
St. Nersess Armenian Seminary is pleased to add a new conference for adults to its lineup of popular summer and winter conferences for high school and college students.
 
The inaugural Adult Conference is open to all adults, whether a summer conference alumnus or first-time participant. This new session, entitled Be Still and Know That I Am God, will take place June 6 – 9, 2019 and will be directed by Elise Antreassian and Nancy Basmajian, with Fr. Mardiros Chevian serving as the chaplain. The conference will give attendees the opportunity to get away from the "noise" of everyday and hear what God is telling you about your life.
 
In particular, the adult conference will focus on all the ways we can draw closer to the Lord of Life and see the world and our own lives as He does. The conference title comes from a powerful line of advice in Psalm 46, a psalm that is not so much a suggestion to be quiet as it is a commanding wake-up call to put down our relentless struggle with life’s circumstances and consider Who’s in charge!
               
Each day will feature worship using traditional Armenian prayer with active participation, candlelit prayer walks, art as spiritual expression, a brief period – and a single meal – shared in silence (the hardest for modern people to handle but oh so important), and journaling exercises. Class sessions such as “Pilgrim’s Purpose,” “What is Prayer?” “St, Gregory of Narek as Mentor,”  “Encountering God in Scripture,” “Sacramental Living,” “The Church as Nourishing Mother,” will provide a coherent overview of what we can and must do to get to the source of life’s meaning: a loving God who patiently waits for us to step forward, open our hearts, and be changed by His presence.
 
Are you ready to take that step? Interested adults can register by downloading a form. Tuition, room and board is $295. Space is limited. <<MORE INFO
 
The Adult Conference was developed from a one-day adult faith formation retreat held at St. Nersess Seminary by the Adult Christian Education (ACE) ministry team of Holy Trinity Church in Cheltenham, PA, last June 2018. 

0 Comments
<<Previous
Forward>>

    Archives

    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    March 2012
    January 2012
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009
    August 2009
    May 2009
    April 2009
    March 2009
    February 2009
    November 2008
    October 2008
    September 2008
    August 2008
    July 2008
    June 2008
    May 2008
    April 2008
    March 2008
    February 2008
    January 2008
    December 2007
    November 2007
    October 2007
    September 2007
    August 2007
    July 2007
    May 2007
    March 2007
    February 2007
    January 2007
    December 2006
    November 2006
    October 2006
    September 2006
    August 2006
    July 2006
    June 2006
    May 2006
    April 2006
    March 2006
    February 2006
    January 2006
    December 2005
    November 2005
    October 2005
    September 2005
    August 2005
    July 2005
    June 2005
    May 2005
    April 2005
    March 2005
    February 2005
    January 2005
    December 2004
    November 2004
    October 2004
    September 2004
    August 2004
    July 2004
    June 2004
    May 2004
    April 2004
    March 2004
    February 2004
    December 2003
    November 2003
    October 2003
    September 2003
    March 2003
    November 2002
    March 2002
    February 2002
    January 2002
    December 1999
    November 1999
    October 1999
    September 1999
    January 1999
    July 1998
    June 1998

    Categories

    All
    Acculturation Program
    Adult Conference
    Alumni
    Annual Appeal
    Board Of Directors
    Christmas Conference
    Clergy
    Clergy Support
    Deacons' Training
    Distance Learning
    Divine Liturgy
    Donations
    Fundraising
    Graduation
    History
    Leadership
    Lectures
    Library
    Liturgical Music
    Music
    New Armonk Campus
    Ordination
    PhD Students
    Picnic
    Prayers & Blessings
    Retreat
    Seminarians
    Seminary
    Seminary Events
    Seminary Faculty
    Sermons
    Studying In Armenia
    St. Vladimir's
    Summer Conferences
    Youth Programs

    RSS Feed

Picture
Preparing leaders for service in the
Armenian Church since 1961
.

Directions to the Seminary

486 Bedford Road
Armonk, NY 10504

​(**PLEASE** input "St. Nersess Armenian Seminary" into Google Maps for correct location!)

Subscribe to the eNewsletter

Contact Us

Phone: (914) 273-0200

Office Hours:
Monday - Friday, 9:30am-5:30pm


  • Website by Filament Designs