October 30, 2005
Armenian Students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York got a taste of more than Armenian delicacies at a recent meeting of their new and already vibrant Armenian Student Association. A campus visit organized by the College Ministry Department of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church featured an unmistakable St. Nersess presence.
The College Minsitry Coordinator for the Eastern Diocese, Mr. Jason Dermerjian, is also a part-time student at St. Nersess preparing for ministry as a priest of the Armenian Church. His office organized the campus visit together with Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian, Pastor of St. Peter Armenian Church in Watervliet, New York. A number of Fr. Stepanos' college-age parishioners attend nearby Rensselaer (RPI), so he keeps in close contact with the Armenian Students Association there. Fr. Stepanos also serves as the Seminary's Director of Youth and Vocations.
Armenian Students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York got a taste of more than Armenian delicacies at a recent meeting of their new and already vibrant Armenian Student Association. A campus visit organized by the College Ministry Department of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church featured an unmistakable St. Nersess presence.
The College Minsitry Coordinator for the Eastern Diocese, Mr. Jason Dermerjian, is also a part-time student at St. Nersess preparing for ministry as a priest of the Armenian Church. His office organized the campus visit together with Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian, Pastor of St. Peter Armenian Church in Watervliet, New York. A number of Fr. Stepanos' college-age parishioners attend nearby Rensselaer (RPI), so he keeps in close contact with the Armenian Students Association there. Fr. Stepanos also serves as the Seminary's Director of Youth and Vocations.
Invited to speak at the October 20 meeting was Dr. Abraham Terian, Professor of Armenian Patristics at St. Nersess. He presented a wide-ranging survey of the role of the Armenian Church in Armenian history and culture. From the podium in the RPI Biotech Auditorium, he may have surprised some of the technologically-minded students when he said that some of the most progressive scientific thinkers for their time in the fields of mathematics, astronomy and medicine were Armenian monks! For them, there was no chasm between Christian faith and cutting-edge science. This attitude remains at the heart of the Armenian Church's theology today.
"Don't shy away from the humanities," he advised the young men and women in a fatherly tone. "Familiarity with the Bible, with history, and with theology will make you better scientists!"
Also attending the evening's event was the mayor of Troy, Mr. Harry Tutunjian, who offered words of welcome on behalf of the city of Troy. Even the Mayor is connected with St. Nersess. He is an alumnus of the Seminary's popular summer conferences.
Also attending the evening's event was the mayor of Troy, Mr. Harry Tutunjian, who offered words of welcome on behalf of the city of Troy. Even the Mayor is connected with St. Nersess. He is an alumnus of the Seminary's popular summer conferences.
Before and after the meeting, the students and their guests enjoyed Armenian food, which was prepared and served by the college students themselves with the help of St. Peter Church Women's Guild.
To read a report on the evening by Melanie Depoian, Staff Reporter for Polytechnic Online, the RPI student newspaper, click here.
For more information on the RPI Armenian Student Association, contact its president, Vagan Babajanyan at babajv@rpi.edu.
To read a report on the evening by Melanie Depoian, Staff Reporter for Polytechnic Online, the RPI student newspaper, click here.
For more information on the RPI Armenian Student Association, contact its president, Vagan Babajanyan at babajv@rpi.edu.
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