Return of the Post High School Summer Conference
After a hiatus of many years, the St. Nersess Post High School Summer Conference returned this summer, welcoming young adults ages 18–25 to the seminary campus in Armonk, NY for five days of faith, fellowship, learning, and fun.
The conference was directed by Dn. Adam Bullock and supported by his dedicated staff, Assistant Director Sub Dn. Vrej Pilavdjian, a current seminarian, and Conference Leader Emiliya Bagdasarian. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean, was present and offered guidance and support to the staff and participants. The conference welcomed young adults from across the Eastern and Western Dioceses, as well as a participant from Belgium.
“I was blessed to be Director of the Post High School Summer Conference this year. It was a great success!” exclaimed Dn. Adam Bullock. “Post High holds a special place in my heart, as it is the conference that introduced me to St. Nersess Seminary 13 years ago when I first came as a participant. It just goes to show that you never know the impact these conferences have on our youth. Thanks be to God for the St. Nersess Summer Conferences!”
Participants engaged in a variety of educational sessions led by clergy and lay leaders. Highlights included an interactive discussion on Holy Baptism and its role in our lives with Bishop Daniel Findikyan, former primate of the Eastern Diocese and seminary alumnus; a discussion on the Bible and the Badarak by Fr. Davit Karamyan, seminary faculty; a workshop on Spiritual Public Speaking with Arpi N. Bullockian, a seminary graduate and chief program officer of the Lilly Endowment Grant; Theological Discourse with Dn. Andrew Kayaian, an alumnus; and a session on How to Love God and Your Neighbor presented by Dn. Armen Terjimanian (seminary graduate) and his wife Emily.
“This was my third year attending St. Nersess, and I was very happy when I found out that we finally had the opportunity to attend again as college students,” shared Anahit Hekimyan, age 18. “St. Nersess is like a second home to me. The Post High session was very fun, and I had the opportunity to make new friends around my age.”
The group also traveled to St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral in New York City for a guided tour led by Fr. Davit Karamyan, cathedral vicar. On Sunday, participants were invited to worship together at St. Gregory the Enlightener Armenian Church in White Plains, NY.
Each day began and ended with prayer services, helping participants center their time around worship and spiritual reflection. Cultural activities, traditional Armenian music and dance, recreational programs, and evening social events rounded out the conference experience, fostering lasting friendships and strengthening participants’ connection to their faith and heritage.
“I had the privilege of attending the St. Nersess Post High School Summer Conference in Armonk, NY. The conference provided a valuable opportunity for spiritual reflection and personal growth,” said Bedros Maldjian, age 22. “Throughout the week, we learned about the history of the Armenian Church and the importance of our sacraments. We also took time to analyze how the Scriptures can be applied to our own lives. In addition to studying religion, we learned traditional Armenian dancing and folk songs, and we spent a whole day exploring New York City. Above all, I am grateful for the many friends I made throughout the week, and I wish I had more time to spend with the wonderful people I met at St. Nersess.”
The return of the Post High School Summer Conference provided young adults with a unique opportunity to deepen their relationship with Christ, explore the richness of the Armenian Christian tradition, and build a community of peers committed to living out their faith.
