Final Construction Plans Reviewed at Executive Committee Meeting

December 8, 2004

The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of St. Nersess Seminary reviewed all aspects of the Seminary's work and progress at their regular meeting on Wednesday, November 24 at the Eastern Diocese Headquarters in New York. 

Chairing the meeting was His Eminence Abp. Khajag Barsamian, President ex officio. Also participating in the meeting were the officers of the Board including Mrs. Artemis Nazerian (Secretary), Rev. Fr. Karekin Kasparian (Asst. Secretary), Dr. Raffy Hovanessian (Treasurer), Mr. Shahe Jebejian (Asst. Treasurer), Mr. Antranig Ouzoonian (Building Committee Chair) and V. Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan (Dean).

Abp. Hovnan Derderian and Bishop Bagrat Galsdanyan, the Primates of the Western and Canadian dioceses, respectively, who serve as ex officio Vice-Presidents of the Board of Directors, were unable to attend the meeting.

In his thorough report, the Dean reviewed the day-to-day operation of the Seminary since the last Executive Committee meeting in September, including the progress of each of this year's twelve seminarians. 

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Most of the meeting's time was spent reviewing last minute details attending the imminent construction of the Catholicos Karekin I Theological Center on the seminary grounds. Mr. Antranig Ouzoonian, Chairman of the Building Committee explained that a slight delay in the construction schedule had been caused by a review of the significant site work that will have to be completed before the actual construction of the buildings begins. This review and partial design of some utility connections will result in significant cost savings.

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The architect, Mr. Armand Avakian, has completed the final constsruction documents, which will be submitted to the City of New Rochelle for approval and issuance of the building permit, which is anticipated in February. This would allow construction to begin full-swing in March, with completion and occupancy anticipated one year later, in March 2006.

Attention turns now to the interior furnishings of the spacious library and the intimate Armenian-style chapel. In consultation with the dean, Mr. Ouzoonian and Mr. Avakian are taking great care to adhere to the traditional styles of Armenian sacred art and architecture as they envision the layout and furnishings of the chapel.

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"This will not be a parish church," Mr. Ouzoonian reminded the Executive Committee members. "It will be a seminary chapel, a place not only of prayer and worship, but a learning space where our seminarians and future leaders will be formed for ministry in the Armenian Church. So it is extremely important that every detail of the chapel design be faithful to our tradition."

"The prospect of a new library and chapel are truly exciting," said seminarian Deacon Nishan Baljian. "The next few months are going to be interesting as earth-moving and construction equipment begins to invade our quiet property. But it will all be worth it!"

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