St. Nersess Benefactors Tour Campus

Mr. and Mrs. Haig and Elza Didizian of London, England, the main benefactors of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary who donated the land for the new campus, spent the afternoon of December 15 visiting the seminary in Armonk, NY. Accompanying them were Abp. Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), St. Nersess Board Member Kevork Toroyan, construction chairman Zaven Tachdjian, and their son Hagop Didizian. The Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, Dean of St. Nersess, welcomed the Didizians back to St. Nersess and offered them an in-depth tour of the facilities. The charitable couple and their family were present at the Opening Day ceremonies with His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, on November 12.

Der Mardiros walked the guests throughout the entire campus, including: the Mangassarian Building which houses single male students; the Dadourian Building which houses married students; the Hekimian Building which houses seminary guests and faculty; the Arsen Keleshian Dining Hall, the Keosayan gym, and the recreation building.

But of all the beautiful structures on the campus, the building they spent the most time visiting was the Karekin I Theological Center, which they donated. In the newly constructed center is the newly consecrated St. Hagop Chapel also donated by the Didizians, the library, the classrooms and offices. Haig and Elza Didizian enjoyed touring each room and visiting with the staff in the office and the library. Following, they had lunch with Khajag Srpazan, Fr. Mardiros and the seminarians in the dining hall and had an opportunity to speak with each seminarian, learn where they are from, and see how their studies are proceeding.

Following lunch, everyone moved to the St. Hagop Chapel for zhamerkootyooon (vespers) and a special Hokehankisd (memorial) service held for the parents of Haig and Elza.