Altar Servers Attend Deacons’ Training Program at the Seminary
From June 28 to July 7, the Deacons’ Training Program in Armonk, NY, welcomed 28 young men from the Eastern and Western Dioceses, as well as a student from Brazil.
The participants, both first-time and returning attendees, gathered to learn the music and rituals of the Badarak and other services of the Armenian Church, as well as their meaning and importance.
The program was led by director Dn. Alex Calikyan, a 2019 seminary graduate, and was guided by Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean. Dn. Johnny Chadoyan, a 2019 graduate, Dn. Garen Megrdichian, Sdn. Aren Antranik, Sdn. Serop Rea all served as counselors.
Daily Armenian language classes focused on learning to read the Armenian alphabet including: Beginner Armenian (new to the language), Intermediate Armenian (know the letters, slowly reading), and Advanced Armenian (reading fluently and grammar study).
Participants gained fluency in Deacons’ chanting in Armenian and basics of grammar in Krapar (classical Armenian) through a beginner class (new to the Badarak), Intermediate class (intense Badarak study, taught by Fr. Tateos Abdalian) or Advanced class (learning to sing Peace Hour and Rest Hour services, taught by Very Rev. Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian). All students received invaluable theological explanations behind our sacred rituals.
Students also participated in daily bible studies, morning and evening worship, and cultural activities.
On the first Sunday of the program, the group traveled to St. Vartan Cathedral in New York City where they actively participated in the Divine Liturgy with His Grace Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese & President of the Seminary’s Board of Directors. They were present to witness the blessing of the new cathedral cross before it was lifted onto the dome and enjoyed a bountiful spread during the celebratory fellowship.
The following day, Mesrop Srpazan traveled to the seminary to spend the day with the participants, including sharing lunch, dinner, participating in classes, giving a lecture on Spreading the Light, and presiding at the evening service.
Throughout the week, there were evening lectures offered by guest clergy including Fr. Untzag Nalbandian on History, Culture & Language; Dn. Alex Calikyan on Origins of the Diaconate; Hayr Mamigon Kiledjian on Singing Mechanics; Dn. Armen Terjimanian on Service and Ministry; and Fr. Krikor Sabounjian on Vocational Awareness.
Fr. Krikor, a seminary board member and pastor of the Armenian Church of the Holy Translators in Framingham, MA, was recently appointed by Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan as the Director of Vocational Awareness for the Eastern Diocese. In addition to the speaking to participants in the deacons’ program, he is speaking to campers at St. Vartan Camp and will return to the seminary to present to participants in the High School Summer Conference about a possible career path to the priesthood or lay ministry.
On Thursday, the Very Rev. Fr. Barouyr Shernezian, Dean of the Armenian Theological Seminary of the Catholicosate of the Holy See of Cilicia in Antelias, Lebanon, visited the seminary and met with Fr. Mardiros Chevian, Fr. Krikor Sabounjian, and Dr. Roberta Ervine to talk about seminary life and programming in Antelias. He was invited to join the participants and staff for lunch and addressed everyone following the meal. Hayr Barouyr talked about his call to the priesthood and answered questions from the eager altar servers. Fr. Karekin Kasparian was also in attendance and offered his memories as a student at the seminary in Antelias.
On Friday, the participants made the annual trek to Point Pleasant Beach in NJ, where the group enjoyed time on the beach and the boardwalk.
On Sunday morning, the last day of the program, the group celebrated Divine Liturgy and the Feast of the Transfiguration in the St. Hagop Chapel with the Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian as guest celebrant. It was a special morning together before everyone departed.
“By the grace of our Lord and Der Mardiros’ invitation, I always feel humbled and privileged to direct the Deacons Training Program. Many thanks to the talented faculty who devoted time to teach our eager altar servers as well as the dedicated efforts of the counseling staff that spent countless hours working alongside me to make this year’s program a resounding, blessed success, ” shared Dn. Alex Calikyan.
The participants enjoyed wonderful meals throughout the week, prepared by Mary Shohmelian. The program was supported by the seminary staff, including Dn. Levon Altiparmakian, Dottie Bengoian, Robin Perlmutter, and Donna Sirounian.
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