Three Students to Graduate

Since its establishment, St. Nersess has graduated outstanding young men and women who are serving the Armenian Church faithfully as priests and lay leaders for the Dioceses of North America. This year, three students will graduate from the seminary on May 17. Bishop Daniel Findikyan, 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 ceremony.

Dn. Albert Hambardzumyan, who is originally from Yerevan, Armenia, and is a graduate of the Theological Seminary of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, will be graduating from the Armenian Church Studies Program at St. Nersess Seminary. The following day, he will receive his Master of Divinity at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary on May 18. In the fall, Dn. Albert will begin a parish internship at St. Hagop Armenian Church in Pinellas Park, FL.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to continue my studies at St. Nersess. My time in the Holy Land was unique, but I feel I was in a special place here over the past three years and am very grateful for the opportunity God gave me,” commented Dn. Albert.

Dn. Alex Calikyan, who is from Long Island and attended the Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs in Bayside, NY, received his undergraduate degree from Catholic University. He will be graduating from the Armenian Church Studies Program at St. Nersess Seminary and will be receiving his Master of Divinity at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary on May 18. In the fall, he will further his higher education in pastoral work and enroll in a chaplaincy residency program.

“While it is difficult to leave St. Nersess Seminary, I look forward to bringing the gospel message of our Lord Jesus Christ to every corner of the world. I feel confident that with all of the tools the seminary has given me, I can preach, teach, and worship to God’s glory,” proclaimed Dn. Alex.

Johnny Chadoyan is from Richmond, VA, where he attended the St. James Armenian Church and received his undergraduate degree from Virginia Tech. Johnny will be graduating with a Certificate of Studies from St. Nersess and will continue with his studies in the fall at the University of Richmond in the Master of Liberal Arts Program with a concentration in Public History.

“Studying at the seminary has exposed me to different aspects of the Armenian Church; it’s history, linguistics, liturgics, music, theology, and preaching. St. Nersess was a life changing experience, and I am thankful for the time that I spent there,” exclaimed Johnny.

“We are proud of our graduates’ accomplishments and look forward to the fruits of their education and training in service to the Armenian Church,” remarked Fr. Mardiros Chevian, Dean.

The ceremony begins at 6pm in the St. Hagop Chapel on the St. Nersess campus, followed by a reception.