
St. Nersess seminarians, faculty, staff and friends celebrated the Feast of the Presentation of Mary the Mother of God to the Temple early Monday morning, November 21, 2005 in the seminary chapel.
According to ancient sources, the feast commemorates an event in the early life of Mary. According to Jewish custom, her parents, Saints Joachim and Anne dedicated her to God's service by presenting her to the religious officials of the Temple in Jerusalem.
St. Nersess is one of very few Armenian Churches in the world which retains the tradition of celebrating the Divine Liturgy on the Feast of the Presentation, which the Armenian Church celebrates every year on November 21. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Kapriel Mouradjian, Pastor of Holy Resurrection Armenian Church (New Britain, CT). Fr. Kapriel was graduated from St. Nersess Seminary last May.

In his message, Der Kapriel related the day's feast to the seminarians, who, like Mary, have devoted their lives to God's service.
Present for the Divine Liturgy were several Indian Orthodox seminarians, who study with the St. Nersess students at St. Vladimir's Seminary in nearby Crestwood, New York. The Indian Orthodox Church is a sister church in full communion with the Armenian Church.

"Taking the Holy Mother of God as their example, Maria and Megan have undertaken to serve God and serve the holy Armenian Church," Fr. Findikyan said. "Today we recognize them and encourage them in love."
Fr. Findikyan also recognized the dedication of Prof. Roberta Ervine, Associate Professor of Armenian Studies. "She too, in a particular way, has dedicated herself to the service of God and His holy church," Findikyan said