ST. NERSESS ARMENIAN SEMINARY
Ս. ՆԵՐՍԷՍ ԸՆԾԱՅԱՐԱՆ
Preparing Leaders for Service in the Armenian Church since 1961
Clergy Invited to Join Seminarians During Intensive Week

St. Nersess Armenian Seminary invites clergy to join our seminarians during the upcoming St. Nersess Intensive Week, from March 20-24.

The Intensive Week has been held each semester for the past five years to give our students an opportunity to dive deeper into subjects not covered in the standard curriculum. This semester, the focus will be on an Introduction to Apologetics for Contemporary Armenian Christians, led by Dr. Ani Shahinian, a graduate of UCLA and Oxford University. Dr. Shahinian has also spent over a decade in training and mentoring with leading apologetic institutions in both the US and the UK.

During the twice daily interactive sessions of two hours each, Dr. Shahinian will discuss the history and current practice of apologetics, drawing upon Armenian classical writers as well as contemporary thinkers within and outside the Armenian tradition. Morning sessions will run from 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon; afternoon sessions will run from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
Join Us for the Last Two Medieval Armenian Poetry Lectures on Zoom

Spring Semester Public Zoom Series
with Dr. Jesse Arlen
 
Thursday, March 9: "Nahapet Kuchak and the Hayren"
Thursday, March 16: "Sayat Nova and the Ashugh Tradition"
 
Lectures begin at 7pm. Click for Zoom Registration.

To view recorded lectures, click here.
2023 St. Nersess Spring Semester Zoom Public Lecture Series Continues
 
St. Nersess Seminary invites you to join the second half of our Spring Semester Public Lecture Series with a new six lecture series on Armenian Martyrdoms. 
 
Presenter Dr. Ani Shahinian will examine the historical, social, and theological contexts of Armenian Martyrdoms to address the following questions: how has martyrdom shaped Christian identity in general, and Armenian Christian identity in particular? What is the continuing legacy of martyrdom in contemporary society? And what does Armenian Christian witness look like today?
 
A graduate of UCLA and Oxford University, Dr. Shahinian brings to her work a rich background in government, law, apologetics, philosophy, and theology.
 
Lectures will take place by ZOOM, on Thursday evenings from 7:00-8:00 PM, on March 23, 30; April 13, 20, 27; May 4
 
All lectures will be recorded. To register and attend by Zoom, click here.
Monastic and Seminarian Life within the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople  
by V. Rev. Fr. Harutyun Damadyan
 
Last month, with the blessing of the Very Rev. Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese and President of the St. Nersess Board of Directors, the Very Rev. Fr. Harutyun Damadyan, gave a lecture at St. Leon Armenian Church in NJ, organized by the parish and the Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center. Hayr Harutyun is a member of the brotherhood of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople and has been residing at St. Nersess since September.
 
The theme of the evening was the monastic and seminarian life within the Armenian Patriarchate, and the presentation was sponsored by St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, Constantinople Armenian Relief Society (CARS), Esayan Getronagan Alumni Inc. and Tbrevank Alumni Ins. Dr. Jesse S. Arlen, Director of Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center, Arthur Ipek and Ara Araz, the board member of St. Leon Armenian Church, assisted in the organization of the event. Dn. Yervant Kutchukian, Spiritual Director of Nersess Armenian Seminary, Prof. Roberta Ervine, seminarians, as well as many people, joined the event.
 
Dr. Jesse S. Arlen delivered the welcoming speech and expressed his joy that such a lecture took place. Next, Arthur Ipek presented the biography of Very Rev. Fr. Harutyun, and stated that he has been temporarily hosted by St. Nersess Armenian Seminary.
Then, the Very Rev. Fr. Harutyun revealed that, apart from the activities of the Armash Monastery, the Armenian Patriarchate had its own institutions in the 20th century, the main purpose of which was to deliver the mission of the church to the Armenian community. He presented the milestones of the Kalfayan Orphanage and the Kalfayan Congregation and the humanitarian activities of the Kalfayan Orphanage over time. Next, he presented the establishment of Soorp Khach Tbrevank (Holy Cross Armenian Seminary) and the remarkable activity of the school during its history. As a conclusion, he emphasized that the mentioned institutions were established with the blessing of the Armenian Patriarchs of Constantinople and always enjoyed patriarchal care.
 
He also mentioned St. Nersess Armenian Seminary of North America, which took its inspiration from the tradition of the Armash Monastery and the St. James Armenian Monastery of Jerusalem. Therefore, he said that: “Traditions gave birth to other traditions, in continuation of the mission of the church. St. Nersess Armenian Seminary is a good example which, based on the traditions of the past, transmits religious knowledge and prepares the future clergy within the Armenian Church of USA.”
 
Hayr Harutyun explained that the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople, under the leadership of His Beatitude, is trying to keep the church traditions alive within the limits of its ability.
 
At the end of the presentation, Prof. Roberta Ervine reflected on the presentation and emphasized the importance of the encouragement of the church. The event ended with a prayer.
Seminary Board Member Presents at Cathedral

Last month, Prof. Mark Movsesian, a St. Nersess Board Member and co-director of the Center for Law and Religion at St. John’s University Law School, was the guest speaker during the celebration of St. Vartan Day at the Eastern Diocese's St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral.

Click here to read the text of his inspiring presentation.
Used SUV Needed at Seminary
 
St. Nersess is looking for a used SUV to meet its transportation needs. One of our cars recently became too expensive to repair.
 
If you or someone you know has an SUV in good working condition, the seminary will gladly accept your donation! A letter will be provided for tax purposes. Please call the office at 914-273-0200 or email info@stnersess.edu.

Deacons' Training Program
Friday, June 23 - Sunday, July 2
  
Choir Workshop
Wednesday, July 5 - Sunday, July 9
 
 High School Summer Conference
Saturday, July 22 - Sunday, July 30
Click here to submit a registration form. Once your form is accepted, participants will receive further information to complete the registration process.
 
We look forward to welcoming everyone this summer on our Armonk campus! For more information, click here.
Young Adults Summer Conference Goes Abroad!
Early August in Europe
Exciting Details to follow…stay tuned!!
Avak Shapat – Holy Week Service Book

Archbishop Avak Asadourian, former Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Iraq, and a graduate of St. Nersess Seminary, published a revised edition of the Service Book for Holy Week. It is written in classical Armenian, with scripture readings in both classical and modern western Armenian, including Palm Sunday (Opening of the Doors) and Avak Thursday (Holy Thursday Badarak and Washing of the Feet).

Cost: $40 (includes shipping). Quantity discounts 5+. Click here to order. or mail a check made payable to St. Nersess Armenian Seminary to St. Nersess Seminary, 486 Bedford Road, Armonk, NY 10504.
A Wonderful Gift!

Published in Jerusalem, the Zhamakirk is a convenient size (4" x 6") with clear print and is nicely bound. Great ordination or holiday gift for altar servers!

Cost: $23 (includes shipping). Slightly higher fees apply if ordered online.

Click here to order online or mail a check made payable to St. Nersess Armenian Seminary to St. Nersess Seminary, 486 Bedford Road, Armonk, NY 10504.
Leave Your Legacy!
 

Recognize or Honor a family member or friend on our Founders Garden pathway, located on a pedestrian footpath in front of the Theological Center, or on our Prayer Garden Pathway, located in a secluded area adjacent to the Theological Center.

Your donation of a personalized engraved brick will support the education of priests and non-ordained leaders for ministry in the Armenian Church in North America and beyond. Click here to donate.
Join Our Leadership Circle!
 
Our Leadership Circle of donors want the best for St. Nersess Armenian Seminary and the future of the Armenian Church in America. Your moral and financial leadership empowers us to continue to strengthen our rich tradition of educating, engaging, and preparing leaders for service in the Armenian Church.
 
St. Nersess Seminary is important to the future of the Armenian Church in North America. The seminary provides a quality theological education that is firmly rooted in the faith and traditions of our Holy Armenian Church while fully utilizing the technological resources of the 21st century. Through graduate-level education and spiritual formation, St. Nersess prepares priests for today’s Church and, as a seminary that welcomes women and men, we prepare non-ordained ministers for service in youth ministry and education.
 
GUARDIAN ANGEL
$10,000/annually
 
GUARDIAN
$5,000/annually
 
PROTECTOR
$2,500/annually
 
SHEPHERD
$1,000/annually
 
HARVESTER
$500/annually
 
CARETAKER
$250/annually
 
Gifts can be made on a quarterly or monthly basis. Thank you and God bless you for your support and commitment to St. Nersess Armenian Seminary. All donors are recognized on our website.