Seminarians Host Successful Retreat
The St. Nersess Seminarians were honored to offer a two-day spiritual journey at the seminary centered on the theme Christian Love — Agape, for young adults ages 18-35. Over the February 14-15 weekend, they welcomed 22 participants from across the Eastern Diocese, including Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio, Chicago, and Texas. Each seminarian played a role in creating and managing this event. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean, was present throughout the retreat and led all worship services.
After the participants arrived and enjoyed lunch, Dn. Karo Boyadzhyan and Dn. Thomas Toghramadjian offered presentations that wove together the theme of Agape love as revealed throughout our rich Christian tradition. Sdn. Serge Demibacak led a thoughtful Bible study exploring the typology between the Old and New Testaments.
Dn. Sargis Ginosyan led the singing during all the Jhamerkootiuns. In the evening, everyone enjoyed a bonfire to celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord to the Temple followed by a meditation during the Rest Service, led by Dn. Yervant Kutchukian, seminary spiritual director. Dn. Armen Bandikian and Vrej Pilavdjian managed room setups and presentation tech throughout the weekend.
On Sunday morning, Fr. Mardiros Chevian celebrated the Badarak and Dn. Arin Parsanian gave the homily on Christian love. The participants departed after lunch filled with the Holy Spirit and ready to embrace the Lenten season. Encouraged by the positive response and the many blessings of this gathering, the seminarians look forward to hosting another retreat in the Fall 2026.
“We give thanks for the grace and strength of our Lord and God, Jesus Christ, without whom nothing is possible. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the blessings of the Father, this retreat came to fruition. We are especially grateful for the blessing of His Grace Mesrop Parsamyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, and His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, who each work tirelessly to ensure the vitality and unity of our Dioceses,” shared seminarian Sdn. Shane Janian.
The seminarians extend their heartfelt thanks to Der Mardiros for his blessing and steadfast guidance to help make the retreat possible, and to the seminary’s faculty and staff who assisted in countless ways, including serving as resources for presentations and Bible studies and helping with the many details required to bring the retreat together.
Finally, they thank all of the participants who made the weekend such a beautiful expression of fellowship, community, and joy.
