Seminarians with Various Backgrounds to Graduate This Saturday

St. Nersess Armenian Seminary continues to prepare leaders for the Armenian Church in North America. Since its establishment, St. Nersess has graduated outstanding young men and women who are serving the Armenian Church faithfully as priests and educators for the Dioceses of North America. Three seminarians will graduate from St. Nersess on May 20. His Eminence Abp. Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) and President of the St. Nersess Board of Directors, will preside at the graduation.

Levon Asdourian, who is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, will be graduating from the Armenian Church Studies Program at St. Nersess Seminary. He will also be receiving his Master of Divinity at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary earlier in the day. Prior to receiving his diploma from St. Nersess, he will be ordained a deacon during the Divine Liturgy. In the fall, he will begin a parish internship.

Dr. Andre Markarian, who currently resides in Sutton, Massachusetts with his wife and two daughters, is an emergency room physician at the Milford Regional Medical Center, Milford, MA. Over the past five years, Dr. Markarian has been studying part-time towards a Master in Diaconal Ministry at St. Nersess by taking classes remotely as well as on campus. “The spiritual truths and perspectives that I have learned from my mentors at St. Nersess have made me a more compassionate physician, an effective Christian educator and an overall better human being, for which I am eternally grateful,” commented Dr. Markarian.

Dn. Eric Vozzy, who is from Troy, New York, currently works in the Department of Creative Ministries at the Diocesan Center in New York City. He was ordained a deacon in January by His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral. Dn. Eric has been studying part-time towards a Master in Diaconal Ministry at St. Nersess. After graduation, he will continue to work at the Diocese.

“We are proud of our graduates’ accomplishments and look forward to the fruits of their education and training in service to the Armenian Church,” commented Fr. Mardiros Chevian, Dean. The public is invited to attend the graduation ceremony honoring our three seminarian graduates.

The day begins at 4:30pm with Divine Liturgy followed by the diaconate ordination of seminarian Levon Asdourian, the first ordination on the new seminary campus. His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate, will officiate at the ordination as well as at the consecration of a new baptismal font in the chapel.

The graduation will follow at 7pm. Guests will move into a festive tent to witness the three seminarians receive their diplomas. After the graduation, attendees will enjoy a celebratory reception at 7:30pm where they can meet the graduates, hear from seminary leaders, and enjoy a bountiful spread of Armenian delicacies. A special performance by the AGBU Antranig Dance Ensemble will captivate and inspire all those in attendance. During the Evening Under the Stars portion of the reception, guests will have an opportunity to offer their financial support to the seminary.

The event is free and open to all. Guests are invited to attend a segment or the entire evening! To RSVP, please call 914-273-0200 or email info@stnersess.edu by May 18.