Deacon Ryan Tellalian to Graduate Saturday

Abp. Hovnan Derderian poses with Western Diocese seminarians (L-R) Deacons Mkrtich Ksachikyan and
Ryan Tellalian

Deacon Ryan, age 25, is the son of Carolyn Tellalian and Deacon Randy Tellalian, and the stepson of Karen Tellalian. He was born and raised in central California in the parishes of St. Mary (Yettem, CA) and St. Paul Armenian Churches (Fresno, CA). He is a 2004 graduate of California State University, Fresno, where he earned a B.A. degree in Pscychology. After graduating college he lived in Armenia for 2 months volunteering at the Narekatsi Art Institute and Manana Center for Children in Yerevan. He was ordained deacon in 2006, following his first year of seminary, by His Eminence Abp. Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of America.

"St.  Nersess has provided me a wonderful opportunity to grow spiritually and intellectually--not only over the past four years as a seminarian, but from my first St. Nersess encounter as a 15-year old participant of the Deacons' Training Program in 1999," said Deacon Ryan.

The Commencement ceremony will follow immediately afterward on the patio. A reception will follow.

The Commencement activities are free and open to the public. RSVP by calling the Seminary office at (914) 636-2003 or by emailing info@stnersess.edu.

St. Nersess Seminary's 2009 Commencement ceremony will take place this Saturday, May 16 at the Seminary. This year the Seminary will graduate Deacon Ryan Esras Tellalian. He will receive a certificate in Armenian Church Studies on Saturday morning from St. Nersess before receiving his Master of Divinity in the afternoon from St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary.

Ceremonies will begin at 9:00AM with the Divine Liturgy celebrated in the Seminary chapel by Rev. Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian, Director of Youth and Vocations, with the participation of the seminarians, clergy, faculty and guests. His Eminence Abp. Yeghishé Gizirian, the Seminary's Spiritual Father, will preside. 

Deacon Ryan Tellalian will be graduated at Commencement ceremonies this Saturday.