St. Nersess Seminary Leads Lenten Retreat and Participates in Palm Sunday Services
Over the Palm Sunday weekend, Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean, and the St. Nersess Seminarians traveled to four Midwest Armenian parishes to participate in Palm Sunday services and lead a regional Lenten Retreat at St. James Armenian Church in Evanston, IL.
The visit began on Friday, April 11, with a trip to the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Armenia in Chicago, where Honorary Consul Mr. Oscar Tatosian, a former seminary board member, graciously gave the seminarians a tour followed by a discussion and lunch. After a stroll through downtown Chicago, the group visited the Baháʼí Temple in Wilmette and the historic Ouzoonian House in Evanston — where St. Nersess Seminary first opened its doors in 1961. The evening concluded with the Peace Hour service at St. James Armenian Church with pastor Fr. Hovhan Khoja-Eynatyan and dinner with Parish Council members.
On Lazarus Saturday, St. James hosted a regional Midwest Lenten Retreat led entirely by the seminarians, with host pastor Fr. Hovhan Khoja-Eynatyan welcoming the seminarians and retreat participants. Dn. Zareh Mirzayan and Shane Janian offered a spiritually enriching Bible Study on the Raising of Lazarus.
Dn. Karo Boyadzhyan gave a powerful presentation on Armenian Iconography, highlighting how the events of Holy Week are portrayed in sacred art. After this presentation, Dn. Arin Parsanian and Dn. Arman Shirikyan guided the participants in a moving reflection on Christ’s last words from the cross.
The retreat concluded with dinner and an inspiring presentation by Sarah Stites, Program Director of Ayo!, who shared the life-changing work Ayo! is doing to support communities across Armenia.
Palm Sunday was a truly joyful day! Fr. Mardiros Chevian celebrated Divine Liturgy at St. James and delivered the sermon. Seminarian Shane Janian joined the St. James Sunday School, teaching the children about Palm Sunday and the Glorious Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
After Badarak, Der Mardiros gave a presentation about the seminary and its mission, offering valuable insight into the work and vision of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary.
The other seminarians traveled to three Illinois parishes on Palm Sunday.
Dn. Arin Parsanian and Dn. Karo Boyadzhyan traveled to Sts. Joachim & Anne Armenian Church in Palos Heights where they delivered the sermon and participated in Palm Sunday services with pastor Fr. Tavit Boyajian, a seminary graduate.
Also participating in Palm Sunday services was Dn. Zareh Mirzayan who joined Fr. Andreas Garabedian, pastor and seminary alum, at St. Gregory Armenian Church in Chicago and delivered the sermon. Dn. Arman Shirikyan visited St. George Armenian Church in Waukegan, participated in the Divine Liturgy with pastor Fr. Sahak Kaishian, a seminary alum, and delivered the sermon.
The St. James Armenian Church community extends its heartfelt thanks to Fr. Mardiros and all the St. Nersess seminarians for a meaningful and faith-filled weekend. In turn, St. Nersess is grateful to Dn. Alexander Khoja-Eynatyan and Dn. Alex Dayenian for planning all the activities and logistics for the seminarians as well as the regional Lenten Retreat.
article and photo contributor: Dn. Alexander Khoja-Eynatyan
