Patriarch of Constantinople Visits St. Nersess Seminary
On June 28, 2025, a momentous occasion took place at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary as His Beatitude Archbishop Sahak II, Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople, visited the seminary. The Patriarch was accompanied by Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, and the Very Rev. Fr. Harutyun Damadyan, representing the Patriarchate of Constantinople. Fr. Harutyun is well known to the seminary community, having taken up residence there for six months during the 2022–2023 academic year.
Upon arrival, the Patriarch and his entourage were greeted by enthusiastic applause from participants of the annual Deacons’ Training Program, clergy, and staff. Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Nersess Seminary, warmly welcomed His Beatitude with a heartfelt embrace. The visitors and attendees then gathered for a group photo to commemorate the occasion before proceeding into the seminary’s theological center.
A brief but moving prayer service was held in the St. Hagop Chapel, bringing everyone together in worship and reflection. The atmosphere was one of reverence and anticipation for the wisdom His Beatitude would soon share.
Following the service, everyone assembled in the seminary library, where Bishop Mesrop introduced the Patriarch to the audience. “It is our joy to welcome Patriarch Sahak II into our diocese and to St. Nersess,” he remarked. “He is the 85th Patriarch since the establishment of the Patriarchate of Constantinople in 1461, more than 500 years ago—a lineage of faith and leadership that continues to guide our church today.”
His Beatitude then addressed the participants, speaking for nearly two hours. His remarks touched on various aspects of church life, his own ministry, and the profound role of theological education in the life of the Armenian Church. “The most important place in the church is the seminary, the ‘womb of the church,’” he said. “It is the educational center where you pass down information, values, and faith from generation to generation. I salute all the spiritual leaders who had the vision to establish the Eastern Diocese and St. Nersess Seminary to support the faithful.”
Throughout his talk, the Patriarch encouraged the young participants to remain mindful of their calling and to always communicate their faith clearly and purposefully. He fielded several thoughtful questions from attendees, including Karson Bilezerian of Holy Translators Armenian Church in Framingham, MA, who asked, “How can we go about balancing our life today with faith and religion?” In response, the Patriarch offered a perspective both spiritual and practical: “The earthly things are part of our reality, but salvation and our faith are based on eternal life, not this life. That is where we must focus.”
The event concluded with expressions of gratitude from Fr. Mardiros Chevian, who thanked His Beatitude for his presence and inspiring message. “Your words have deeply touched and motivated the young men gathered here, who will carry your message into their service to the Church,” he said.
Before departing, the Patriarch gave his blessing to all those in attendance and presented a plaque commemorating his visit to the seminary.
