Fall Semester Concludes
On Saturday, December 17, the seminary concluded its Fall semester with a celebration of the Holy Badarak in the St. Hagop Chapel. The Very Rev. Fr. Harutyun Damadyan, who is from the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople and has been residing and studying at St. Nersess since September, was the guest celebrant.
His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, a 1989 St. Nersess graduate, offered the homily. He talked about those who are willing to serve the Church as clergy must be courageous, must commit his life to the church and continue to preach and teach the word of God.
On this occasion, and with the blessing of the Primate of the Eastern Diocese, the V. Rev. Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan, Bishop Vahan ordained Daniel Bullock to the sub-diaconate, prior to the start of Badarak. Daniel is in a diaconate studies program at the seminary and has served as organist at the Armenian Church of Our Savior parish in Worcester, MA.
“Despite serving the Armenian Church as a tbir and organist, I recently felt a calling to pursue diaconate studies. Through coursework and daily services at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, I completed the subdiaconate requirements. Next semester, I will continue my studies in pursuit of the diaconate,” commented Daniel Bullock. “I’m very excited and grateful to be serving our Church in this manner.”
This Divine Liturgy is held every year on the saints day feast of St. James of Nisibis (St. Hagop), in whose name the seminary’s chapel was consecrated by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians. An icon of St. Hagop hangs in the chapel.
Following the services, a festive luncheon was enjoyed by all in attendance in the Arsen Keleshian Dining Hall. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean, thanked Vahan Srpazan and Hayr Harutyun for their participation in the services that morning.
The day before, on Friday, December 16, the seminarians enjoyed their customary Christmas outing, this time a visit to Bryant Park, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Rockefeller Center in Manhattan, followed by dinner. The group had the opportunity to spend time together before the winter break.
