Beautiful Commencement Ceremony at St. Nersess Seminary
The 2025 St. Nersess Seminary Commencement, held on May 16, was a moving tribute to the seminary’s mission of preparing clergy and lay ministers for the Armenian Church of North America. The ceremony honored the graduation of Dn. Zareh Mirzayan of the Western Diocese and Dn. Arman Shirikyan of the Eastern Diocese, with clergy, board of directors, faculty, students, alumni, family members, friends, and guests from the Western Diocese who gathered in the St. Hagop Chapel.
Officiating at the graduation was Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese and President of the St. Nersess Board of Directors. Although Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese and Vice President of the St. Nersess Board of Directors, was unable to attend this year, his unwavering support was acknowledged.
Fr. Mardiros Chevian, Dean, opened the graduation program by welcoming the guests and introducing the graduates. “Today we celebrate the accomplishments of two fine graduates,” shared Fr. Mardiros.
He also thanked Hovnan Srpazan for his continued support and recognized and thanked the board members for their contributions, as they had just met for their fiscal and academic year-end meeting prior to the graduation. He then introduced David Onanian, Vice Chairperson of the board, who honored the graduates and faculty, emphasizing their collective responsibility to St. Nersess and its students. “Remember, we are all responsible to St. Nersess and our students. God bless this institution.”
Fr. Mardiros acknowledged Fr. Karekin Kasparian, an alumnus, faculty member, and former dean. “He is a torch, a light that continues to shine bright on our seminary.”
Der Mardiros recognized the St. Nersess faculty in attendance, including Fr. Karekin Kasparian, Fr. Arshen Aivazian, Fr. Davit Karamyan, Fr. Haroutiun Sabounjian, Dr. Roberta Ervine, Dr. Ani Shahinian, Dr. Jesse Arlen, Dn. Yervant Kutchukian, Dn. Hovannes Khosdeghian and Leo Janigian.
Representing St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, the Very Rev. Dr. Alexander Rentel, Assistant Professor of Canon Law and Chief Operations Officer, extended their greetings and congratulated Dn. Zareh and Dn. Arman, praising the collaboration between the sister seminaries.
Next to speak, in Armenian, was Fr. Davit Karamyan, who represented the faculty. “Today, we celebrate the culmination of a journey that has been anything but easy. Seminary is not merely a place of study — it is a place of transformation. It challenges you, unsettles you, and breaks you open, only to rebuild you anew. You entered with a set of values and understandings, but along the way, those were questioned, stretched, and refined. The old self has given way to someone renewed — formed by grace, tested by truth.”
Dn. Arin Parsanian spoke on behalf of the remaining students, who emphasized the growth he has observed with each graduate. “Dn. Zareh, when you first arrived at the seminary you asked me how to become a leader. You have now earned everyone’s respect. And Dn. Arman, I have learned from you, watching how hard you have worked. God be with you both!”
Fr. Mardiros invited Fr. Sarkis Petoyan, board member and pastor of St. Gregory Armenian Church in Pasadena, CA, to represent Abp. Hovnan Derderian and the Western Diocese. “Good-bye (always be good) and Farewell (always be well). You are called to serve, the very reason for being a seminarian, and now you are making history to guard and protect our church,” emphasized Fr. Sarkis. “When someone asks, ‘where is St. Nersess’, simply point to your heart.”
Before receiving their diplomas, each graduates spoke.
First to share his thoughts was Dn. Arman, who thanked Fr. Khachatur Kesablyan for guiding him during his studies, the Sts. Vartanatz parishioners for their continued support, his professors, and Fr. Mardiros Chevian. “You all have been my spiritual GPS to make sure I arrive at the right destination. My heart is full of awe, and I give glory to God who has carried, shaped, and sustained me.”
Dn. Zareh then shared his sentiments about his seminary journey. “If you are willing to surrender to God, we can change. Any good you see in me is not from me, it is from our Lord Jesus,” remarked Dn. Zareh. “I have picked up my cross to follow Jesus… I have been the prodigal son. And during my lowest moment, Jesus came to me and put me on your shoulders.”
Before presenting the diplomas, Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan shared his observations. “Graduation day reminds us that God’s hands are still working. Every graduate is a living answer to a prayer,” exclaimed Mesrop Srpazan. “You have a right to be proud, but it is just a doorway, a beginning, because the path is not finished. You don’t know what is next, but God does, and He will show you where you are meant to be. Trust in Him as he is not looking for perfection.”
Mesrop Srpazan recognized Fr. Mardiros Chevian on his 40th anniversary of ordination to the holy priesthood. “You have always been a shepherd to bring young men to their calling. Your legacy is written on their hearts. Thank you for your lifetime of work,” he shared before presenting Fr. Mardiros with a beautiful gold pectoral cross.
Following the program, the graduates and all guests moved to a festive tent set up outside the Arsen Keleshian dining hall to enjoy a bountiful dinner lovingly prepared by Marian Varteresian, the seminary cook. During the meal, guests were invited to share their best wishes with the graduates.
On the following day, May 17, Dn. Zareh Mirzayan received his Master of Divinity degree at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. Mesrop Srpazan personally presented his degree.
Click here for more photos. We thank Jebejian Images for taking all the graduation photos.
