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Latest News

Orientation Retreat Held at the Ararat Center
The seminary held its annual orientation retreat over the weekend of September15-17 at the Ararat Center in Greenville, NY. A sense of spiritual and brotherly/sisterly closeness permeated. The topics for this year’s retreat were drawn from St. Nersess Shnorhali’s words…
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St. Nersess Deacons’ Training Program Held in the Western Diocese
For the third summer, a St. Nersess Deacons’ Training Program was offered in the Western Diocese at Hye Camp in Dunlap, CA, from August 6-12. It was organized and directed by Fr. Gomidas Zohrabian, pastor of St. Gregory the Illuminator…
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Fall Semester Welcomes a New Student and New Assistant Professor
St. Nersess Armenian Seminary began its Fall semester this week with orientation and classes at the seminary and at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. “We are happy to welcome back our full-time students and a new student who are studying…
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Remembering Aida K. Pisani
St. Nersess faculty, students and staff continue to grieve the untimely passing of our dear Aida, who was our librarian, a valued member of our faculty, and a beloved friend in our St. Nersess family. Aida Karabatzakian was born…
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Two Seminarians Become Ouraragirs
On August 6, Abp. Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese and vice president of the board of directors, elevated four altar servers to the rank of stolebearer (ouraragir) at the St. Leon (Ghevontiants) Armenian Cathedral in Burbank, CA, including…
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60th Anniversary of the Summer Conferences Remembered During the High School Session
From July 22 – 30, the seminary welcomed high school students to the annual High School Summer Conference. This year, participants represented the three North American dioceses – Western, Eastern and Canadian- as well as Jerusalem, and hailed from parishes…
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Another Successful Youth Choir Workshop!
The second annual Yn. Diane Chevian Memorial Youth Choir Workshop welcomed 16 new and returning musically talented students ages 13-17 from the Eastern Diocese on July 5-9. These eager participants were excited to represent their parishes along with a capable…
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Altar Servers Attend Deacons’ Training Program at the Seminary
From June 23 to July 2, the Deacons’ Training Program in Armonk, NY, welcomed 24 young men from the Eastern, Western, and Canadian Dioceses, including Karo Boyadzhyan from California, who will begin his Master of Divinity degree at St. Nersess…
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St. Nersess Seminary Prepares to Honor its Second Group of 12 Alumni
St. Nersess Armenian Seminary is proud to have an active alumni network of clergy and lay ministers who lead and serve the Armenian Church in North America, with love and humility. To honor that service, the seminary will highlight the…
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Seminarians from the Western Diocese Return to their Diocese for Summer Activities
His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, welcomed four seminarians home at the diocesan headquarters, as they are back in California for the summer. Pictured (left to right) are Karo Boyadzhyan, who will begin classes at St….
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The Dean’s Garden
The dean of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, Fr. Mardiros Chevian, has been planting a vegetable and herb garden in the Dean’s Garden at the seminary for the past several years! The Dean’s Garden is located in the yard of the…
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Graduation Day 2023
The 2023 St. Nersess Graduation served as a beautiful reminder of the seminary’s everyday mission – to educate future clergy and lay ministers of the Armenian Church of North America. On Saturday, May 20, clergy, board of directors, faculty, students,…
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Board of Directors Hold Fiscal and Academic Year-End Meeting
On May 20, prior to the graduation ceremony, the board of directors met in the St. Nersess Library for their fiscal and academic year-end meeting. The meeting was presided over by the Primate of the Eastern Diocese, the Very Rev….
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Support our Spring Appeal
Each Spring, we ask you to remember and support the seminary with a donation to our Spring Appeal. Donations can be made here. Dear Friend, As the 2022-23 academic and fiscal years end in May, I write to thank you…
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CPR Class at the Seminary
On May 11, the St. Nersess students became certified in Heartsaver CPR/AED, which is for individuals with little or no medical training. Dn. Diran Jebejian, seminary board member and parishioner of St. Leon Armenian Church, Fair Lawn, NJ, taught the…
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Dean Presents at the Diocesan Assembly
On Saturday, May 6, Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean, made a short presentation about St. Nersess Seminary to the 121st Diocesan Assembly of the Eastern Diocese held at the Dallas/Plano Marriott at Legacy Town Center, in Plano, TX, and hosted by…
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Save the Date
SAVE THE DATE ! 12 VOCATIONS BROADENING THE CALL THE ONGOING PROMISE OF ST. NERSESS SEMINARY Join us on the evening of SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, to celebrate the vocations of the next 12 priests and lay ministers who studied at…
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2023 Graduation
Click Here to RSVP On Saturday, May 20, the seminary will hold its annual graduation ceremony for its 2023 graduate, Dn. Serop Krajekian, who has successfully completed his program of studies at St. Nersess Seminary. The Very Rev. Fr. Mesrop…
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A Pilgrimage to the Seminary
On Sunday morning, April 30, thirty members of the Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection (ACHR), New Britain, CT, traveled to St. Nersess Seminary. They were led by their pastor, the Rev. Fr. Haroutiun Sabounjian, a 2018 seminary graduate, who…
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Intensive Week
For the past five years, Intensive Week has been held each semester to give our students an opportunity to dive deeper into different subjects not covered in the standard curriculum. This semester, during the week of March 20-24, Ani Shahinyan,…
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Trip to Washington DC
On March 25, Fr. Mardiros Chevian and a few students attended a lecture at Catholic University in Washington, DC by Dr. Christina Maranci on Armenian Christian Art and Culture. Professor Maranci is the Mashtots Professor of Armenian Studies at Harvard…
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Dean and Seminarians Visit St. Sahag & St. Mesrob Armenian Church
On April 1-2, Fr. Mardiros Chevian and the seminarians traveled to St. Sahag & St. Mesrob Armenian Church in Wynnewood, PA. During their stay, they had the opportunity to tour the historic sights of Philadelphia as well as a visit…
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St. Nersess Remembers Seminary Benefactor Haig Didizian with Requiem Service
On Friday, March 10, clergy, board members, faculty and staff, and seminarians remembered Haig Hagop Didizian with a Requiem Service in the St. Hagop Chapel. Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean, opened with Mr. Didizian’s impressive biography of philanthropic accomplishments throughout…
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Primate Visits the Seminary
On Wednesday, the Very Rev. Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, made an overnight visit to St. Nersess Seminary. While there, he officiated at the Peace, Rest and Sunrise Services and shared meals with the community. Later in…
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Armenian Martyrdoms, 2023 St. Nersess Spring Semester Zoom Public Lecture Series
St. Nersess Seminary invites you to join the second half of our Spring Semester Public Lecture Series with a new six lecture series on Armenian Martyrdoms. Presenter Dr. Ani Shahinian will examine the historical, social, and theological contexts of Armenian…
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Clergy Invited to Join Seminarians During Intensive Week
St. Nersess Armenian Seminary invites clergy to join our seminarians during the upcoming St. Nersess Intensive Week, from March 20-24. Intensive Week has been held each semester for the past five years to give our students an opportunity to dive…
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Seminary Graduate Continues Studies in Jerusalem
Dn. Adam Bullock, a 2022 seminary graduate, and his wife Jenna have been living in Jerusalem since late October. Their journey is part of a planned six-month immersion in the rich liturgical, cultural, and linguistic life of the Armenian Patriarchate…
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Seminarians Attend Annual Winter Retreat
The seminarians gathered on Enders Island in Mystic, CT, for their annual retreat on February 9-11, led by Dn. Yervant Kutchukian, Spiritual Director, and Professor Roberta Ervine. The theme was “Being Grounded in the face of Chaos: How do we…
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Registration is OPEN for Summer Conferences
Participants can now register for the Deacons’ Training Program, High School Summer Conference, and Yn. Diane Chevian Youth Choir Workshop. Please click here to find out more information and for the registration link.
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Training for the Soul and Body
The St. Nersess Seminarians are getting stronger not only spiritually, but now also physically. Thanks to seminary benefactor Dean Shahinian, Esq., a new initiative is in place to fund a personal trainer to come to the seminary every other Saturday….
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Dean Travels to Charlotte, NC
On January 22, Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean, was the guest celebrant and homilist at the St. Sarkis Armenian Church in Charlotte, NC. In his message, he reflected on the importance of sharing God’s love with others. Joining him on the…
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In Memoriam: Haig Didizian
With profound sadness, St. Nersess Seminary mourns the loss of Haig Didizian, of London, England, who passed away earlier this week. It was Haig and his wife Elza’s magnanimous gift that enabled St. Nersess to purchase the land that is…
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A Reflection by V. Rev. Fr. Harutyun Damadyan
Hayr Harutyun is from the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople and has been residing and studying at St. Nersess since September. CELEBRATION AT ST. NERSESS SEMINARY St. Nersess Seminary is a wonderful complex, in which St. Hagop Chapel has an important…
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St. Nersess Spring Semester Zoom Public Lecture Series Starts February 2!
“An Introduction to Medieval Armenian Poetry, Part 2″, with Dr. Jesse Arlen This two-semester public lecture series introduces the public to the medieval Armenian poetic tradition. In the Fall 2022, Part 1 was offered. It consisted of six lectures and…
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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…
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Armenian Bishop from Romania Visits the Seminary
On December 2, His Grace Bishop Datev Hagopian, Primate of the Armenian Church Diocese of Romania, traveled to St. Nersess Armenian Seminary for the first time. While there, he toured the campus and met with the Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian,…
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Please Give to Your Seminary This Christmas
Every day, with prayer and renewed commitment, we carry out our mission of preparing the next generation of priests and lay ministers through classroom instruction, spiritual direction, worship services, and hands-on training. The education our students receive at St. Nersess…
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Meaningful Clergy Workshop Concludes
On December 2-3, St. Nersess Seminary hosted a clergy continuing education workshop, “Walking Together Through Challenging Places: The Companionship Model for Providing Care,” which was also open to parish lay leaders. The two-day workshop focused on pastoral care for people…
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In Memoriam
The St. Nersess Alumni Association is mourning the death of Dn. Bedros Hovsep Sarkissian, who was a 1978 alumnus of St. Nersess Seminary. In 1974, Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, of blessed memory, then Primate of the Eastern Diocese in New York,…
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Seminarian to Undertake Mission of Love to Armenia
Moved by an encounter of two struggling Armenian children last summer in Armenia, seminarian Arin Parsanian felt it is his duty to take action and help more children in need there. Over the seminary’s upcoming winter break, Arin will travel…
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St. Nersess Theological Review Resumes Publication
In mid-November, the Catholic University of America Press highlighted three new academic journals that will debut in 2023. One of the journals, the St. Nersess Theological Review (SNTR), was promoted on their website. As the scholarly publication of St. Nersess…
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Board of Directors Meet
Members of the St. Nersess Board of Directors met the morning of November 13 in the St. Nersess Library for their semi-annual board meeting. The meeting was presided over by the V. Rev. Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan, Primate of the Eastern…
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St. Vladimir’s Professor and Students Visit Seminary
On November 9, Dr. Peter Bouteneff, professor of Systematic Theology at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, and students from his class, visited St. Nersess Seminary for their annual gathering. The professor’s course explores the relationship between the Eastern and Oriental…
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Students Attend ACYOA Senior Fall Retreat
Over the November 11-13 weekend, three seminary students – Dn. Garen Hamamjian, Zareh Mirzayan, and Vardan Sargsyan – attended the Eastern Diocese ACYOA Seniors Fall Retreat at Camp Washington in Lakeside, CT. The Retreat’s theme, “Seeking Purpose,” resonated with all…
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Walking Together Through Challenging Places: the Companionship Model for Providing Supportive Care
A two-day workshop for priests, deacons, seminarians, and lay people in ministry. December 2: 9:30am – 12:30pm and 1:30pm – 4:30pm December 3: 9:00am – 11:00am and 11:30am – 12:30pm St. Nersess Seminary is pleased to offer a two-day workshop…
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Vocal Training at the Seminary
This semester, the seminary is offering weekly voice training classes, thanks to the generosity of seminary benefactor Dean Shahinian, Esq. Private voice lessons are offered to any student or member of the faculty or staff who would like to improve…
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PhD Candidate Returns to the Seminary
During the Fall of 2019, St. Nersess Seminary opened its doors to PhD students who were seeking to take classes at the seminary to support their research and advanced degrees at other institutions. One of these students is Ani Shahinian,…
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Pop-Up Lecture Monday, October 24 at 7pm
St. Nersess Armenian Seminary invites you to a pop-up lecture on Monday, October 24 at 7pm with Ani Shahinian, an Oxford PhD candidate and frequent visitor of the seminary where she receives guidance in completing her research. Ani is one…
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Western Diocese Hosts Deacons’ Workshop
On Saturday, October 8, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese and Vice President of the St. Nersess Board of Directors, and the Deacons Council of the Western Diocese hosted a day long Deacons’ Workshop at its…
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Support Our Seminary This Fall!
Dear St. Nersess Supporter, As we progress through the Fall Semester, I would like to share how your support continues to benefit our seminarians in their education and how our programs reach many beyond our campus. We have seven full-time…
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