
College-age men and women are invited to celebrate Armenian Christmas at the spiritual oasis of St. Nersess Seminary on January 2-6, 2011 for the annual Christmas Conference.
Looking for a peaceful place to meet friends and revive their mind and soul in the true spirit of Christmas, young people return to St. Nersess year after year.
This year the Christmas Conference will be directed by Daron Bolat, a graduate of St. Nersess Seminary who is a veteran of the St. Nersess Conferences and has worked as a youth director at St. Mary Armenian Church in Washington, DC. Assisting him will be Fr. Daniel Findikyan, who will serve as Chaplain.

The theme of this year's Christmas Conference is: ChristmasThere and Then. Christmas Here and Now.
"We're going to look at how people responded to the birth of Jesus long ago—Mary, Joseph, the angels, the shepherds, the kings," Bolat said, "And how the Armenian people have responded to that miracle in our Christmas traditions, worship services, and hymns. By the end of the conference, we hope to get a deeper appreciation of how the real presence of the Son of God among us can be a life-changing reality."
As always, the Christmas Conference will feature daily worship and prayer, Bible Study, frank talk about real issues, and plenty of time for socializing and rekindling friendships.
Participants will spend part of the day leading up to Armenian Christmas Eve (January 5) visiting with homeless people in a New York City shelter before heading to St. Vartan Cathedral for the Divine Liturgy. Later that night, the option is there for taking in the Christmas sites and sounds of Fifth Avenue and Rockefeller Center.
"Around 200 young people participate in our summer conferences each year," said Fr. Findikyan. "But the Christmas Conference is special. It's a more intimate gathering where young people can truly share quality time with God and with each other, all in the Armenian Church's loving embrace."
The Conference is open to college-age men and women. The cost is $350, which includes tuition, room and board. Enrollment is strictly limited to 25. Those interested in attending should DOWNLOAD AN APPLICATION, fill it out, and mail it, with a check for $350 to St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, 150 Stratton Road, New Rochelle, NY 10804.
For questions or additional information, contact the Seminary at info@stnersess.edu or by phone at (914) 636-2003.