Ribbon-Cutting for New Pathway

On Tuesday, October 22, the seminary welcomed Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese and President of the Board of Directors, to bless a beautiful new pathway leading to the seminary’s Prayer Garden. The path was dedicated in memory of Fr. Bedros and Yn. Eliza Feredjian and donated by their children, grandchildren and families who were in attendance. Also present were the V. Rev. Fr. Aghan Gogchyan, Chancellor of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Fr. Karekin Kasparian, Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean, seminarians, and seminary faculty and staff.

The gathering began in the St. Hagop Chapel with a Hokehankist for the beloved couple. “It is pure joy that we come together to celebrate two lives, their souls, and all that they gave to our Church,” shared Mesrop Srpazan. “Der Bedros and Yn. Eliza moved to the United States from Cairo, Egypt, with their children – Yn. Sirarpi Aivazian, Berdj Feredjian, Berdjouhi Parseghian, and Milka Jeknavorian – and served at St. Mark Armenian Church in Springfield, MA, before his untimely death. Let this new path help us all find peace, find comfort, and reconnect to our faith. It is more than a tribute, it’s a path to find God’s presence and carry their legacy,” stated Bishop Mesrop.

He then led everyone outside for a ribbon cutting and stroll down the new pathway to the Prayer Garden where they ended with a prayer.

 Ara Jeknavorian, a member of the Board of Directors, first had the idea of building the path after visiting the seminary for the first time. He then shared the idea with family members, and together they decided to donate the walkway in memory of Der Bedros and Yn. Eliza, his father and mother in law. The evening ended with a Hokejosh in the Arsen Keleshian Dining Hall, where family members shared memories of their parents and grandparents.