
32 young men are participating in this year's Deacons' Training Program Badarak, Baptism and Weddings. These are the main topics of this year's annual Deacons' Training Program currently taking place at the Seminary. A record 32 young men from 14 Armenian communities in the Eastern and Western Dioceses are participating in the program.
Each day of the nine-day program features individualized training in the music and rituals of the church's worship, which must be mastered by the deacon in order to assist in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and other services of the Armenian Church.
In addition, students participate in daily worship, Bible Study, and Armenian language instruction. Guest speakers offer presentations on the teachings, traditions and history of the Armenian Church and other topics related to the deacon's ministry.
Assisting the Director, V. Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, are eight clergy and deacons who are serving as counselors and instructors. They include Rev. Fr. Sahak Kaishian, Rev. Fr Daniel Karadjian (Pastor, St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Charlotte, NC), Deacon Sarkis Altunian (St. Sarkis, Dallas TX), Deacon Haik Diloyan (St. James, Watertown, MA), Deacon Mkrtich Ksachikyan (St. Peter, Van Nuys, CA), Peter Hanoian (Sts. Sahag and Mesrob, Providence, RI), Jano Minassian (St. Sarkis, Dallas, TX), and Emil Davitian (Armenian Church of Columbus, OH).