Dean and Seminarians Visit St. James Armenian Church
Over the Palm Sunday weekend, Fr. Mardiros Chevian and the seminarians traveled to St. James Armenian Church in Watertown, MA. During their stay, on April 9, they had the opportunity to tour the Armenian Library & Museum of America (ALMA) in Watertown. Together they saw the Armenia: Art, Culture, Eternity exhibit, which offers illuminated manuscripts and hand-crafted items.
They also traveled to the National Association for Armenian Studies & Research (NAASR) in Belmont, where they were greeted by Marc Mamigonian, Director of Academic Affairs, who gave them a tour of the facility. The seminarians enjoyed browsing the Mardigian Library where Ani Babaian, the library curator, shared a beautifully preserved prayer book.
Following, they took a walking tour of the Armenian Heritage Park in Boston to see the genocide sculpture, which commemorates the 1.5 million Armenians who were massacred in 1915, as well as all genocides committed after that date. They strolled the beautiful grassy pathway which is a prayer labyrinth to celebrate life’s journey.
Saturday evening, the group participated in the Vesper Service at St. James Armenian Church with the parish deacons, followed by a group dinner with wives.
On Sunday morning, April 10 – Palm Sunday – St. James parish priest Fr. Arakel Aljalian, and deacons, welcomed the seminarians to serve at the altar and sing in the choir. Der Mardiros was the guest homilist. Hayr Krikor Maksoudian was in attendance.
After Badarak, an ACYOA Day Palm Sunday luncheon was held in the church hall, where ACYOA members and parishioners joyously celebrated the organization’s long history. During the program, Fr. Mardiros spoke about the seminary and presented the new video 12 Vocations, which included a segment highlighting the ministry of Fr. Arakel as one of the first 12 graduates of St. Nersess and St. Vladimir’s Seminaries who were ordained priests.
Seminarian Dn. Adam Bullock spoke about his experience as a student at St. Nersess and his upcoming graduation in May. And the “Three Baritones” – Dn. Yervant Kutchukian, Dn. Adam Bullock, and Dn. Garen Hamamjian – entertained the crowd with a few songs.
During the program, Der Arakel graciously presented a check to St. Nersess in the amount of $10,000 in support of the seminary’s work.
Much gratitude goes to Der Arakel Aljalian and Maria Derderian, parish youth director and a seminary graduate, who hosted the seminarians and Fr. Mardiros and were with them throughout the weekend!
