Seminary Graduates: Where are they Now?
Recently we caught up with our recent seminary graduates and what they are doing today! We are proud of each of them.
Fr. Nerses Krajekian, 2023 graduate
On Sunday, April 6, Fr. Nerses Krajekian celebrated his Antranig Badarak at his new parish, St. Sahag Armenian Church, in St. Paul, MN, following his 40-days of seclusion at St. Nersess Seminary. Joining him on the altar was his sponsoring priest Der Hovsep Karapetian from St. Mary Armenian Church in Washington DC. Serving at the altar were Der Hovsep’s son, subdeacon Ruben, and Ferris Ghanoum, the parish’s subdeacon and parish council member. Following the emotional service, the parish hosted a luncheon to celebrate the permanent arrival of Der Nerses and his wife Yn. Sevan.
Dn. Garen Hamamjian, 2024 graduate
Dn. Garen Hamamjian, a deacon of the Western Diocese, is currently serving at different parishes in southern California. Once a month, he preaches at the Armenian community of Inland Empire. He has been instrumental in bringing the community together, and has served alongside Fr. Sarkis Petoyan, a seminary alum, and Fr. Yeremiah Abgaryan, the Vicar of the Western Diocese.
At St. Leon Ghevondiants Armenian Cathedral in Burbank, CA, Dn. Garen preached recently to the ACYO about the different images of the Church, using images that included the Church as a ship with Christ as the Captain, and the Church as the house of God and the church as the Body of Christ. He also trains deacons once a week and will begin training subdeacons soon. Dn. Garen helps to lead the deacons at the Cathedral during various services, including Badarak. When he visits St. Gregory Armenian Church in Pasadena, he teaches Sunday School and also received permission by Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese and Vice President of the St. Nersess Board of Directors, to distribute communion.
Dn. Adam Bullock, 2022 graduate
Dn. Adam Bullock has spent the last few months serving as the pastoral intern of St. James Armenian Church in Watertown, MA. He has been fortunate to work alongside parish pastor, Fr. Arakel Aljalian, a seminary alum, who has given him plenty of opportunities to grow. Among other responsibilities, Dn. Adam has had the chance to work with the parish’s ACYOA Juniors and has helped start a Little Saints program. He preaches twice a month during Badarak in Armenian and English. Dn. Adam is also taking courses to enhance his knowledge of the Armenian language. We send him and his wife, Jenna, best wishes as they expect a baby boy in the coming weeks.
Dn. Armen Terjimanian, 2020 graduate
Dn. Armen Terjimanian is currently serving at the Eastern Diocese as a part-time Adult Christian Ministry Specialist. He is creating content for the Diocesan Ministries and Vemkar, moderating the Vemkar Zoom education sessions, updating the daily lectionary calendar on the Vemkar website, assisting in editing Vemkar Topical Series publications, and supporting other members of the Department of Ministries as needed. Long-term, he hopes to be assigned to a parish.
