Fall Semester Concludes

On Saturday, December 11, the seminary concluded its fall semester with a celebration of Holy Badarak. Fr. Haroutiun Sabounjian, a 2018 seminary graduate and pastor of the Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection, New Britain, CT, was the guest celebrant.

Fr. Nigoghos Aznavourian, a 2020 seminary graduate and pastor of St. Mark Armenian Church, Springfield, MA, offered the homily in which he stated, “When we are seminarians, we learn how to climb a mountain; and when we graduate, we ask for God’s wisdom and guidance to lead our flock to Christ.

He then compared that climb to St. James of Nisibis (St. Hagop), who climbed Mount Ararat in search of a relic of Noah’s Ark and when he found it, he returned to his people and preached the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. The chapel, which was given in memory of Hagop & Khengaper Didizian, was consecrated and named St. James of Nisibis (Ս. Յակոբ Մծբնայ Հայրապետ) by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, on November 12, 2016.

Also in attendance were Fr. Karekin Kasparian, Dn. Alexander Calikyan and Dn. Johnny Chadoyan, both 2019 seminary graduates, and other members of the seminary community.

During the Badarak, everyone was given a candle to light in front of the icon of St. James, which hangs in the chapel. 

Following the services, a festive luncheon was enjoyed by all in attendance. During the lunch, the group celebrated and sang “Happy Birthday” to Professor Roberta Ervine. Fr. Mardiros Chevian thanked the two alumni priests for their participation that morning and commended their dedicated work to the church.

The day before, on Friday, December 10, the seminarians enjoyed their customary Christmas outing, this time a visit to the New York Botanical Garden to see the Holiday Train Show. The group had the opportunity to explore the grounds and enjoy the natural beauty of the exhibit. The excursion was followed by a delicious dinner at Badageoni Georgian Kitchen in Mount Kisco, NY.