PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
September 9, 2005
START OF SCHOOL YEAR AT ST. NERSESS WELCOMES 6 NEW STUDENTS
To mark the first day of the new school year, Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
(Eastern) and President of the St. Nersess Board, visited with students
at St. Nersess Seminary in New Rochelle, NY, on Thursday, September 8,
2005.
He presided over an evening vespers service marking the Feast of the
Nativity of the Holy Mother-of-God, dined with the students, and
participated in a conversation on a variety of issues ranging from the
state of the church in Armenia and challenges and opportunities for the
faith here in America.
“It was a joy to be around such dedicated young Armenians who are
answering the Lord’s call to serve our church and our people,” the
Primate said. “Each one of them has a passion and love for our living
faith, and their energy is surely contagious.”
This year the seminary welcomed six new students, bringing the total
enrollment to 11. Of the new students, two are women, one of whom is
focusing on youth ministry, and the other on Christian education.
“This is the first time in many years we’ve had women students,” said
Fr. Daniel Findikyan. “The seminary at its establishment was founded as
an institution not only for training priests but also for training lay
men and women. In fact, women were among the first graduates of St.
Nersess. Women approach us all the time about deepening their
theological understanding of the church with a desire to serve the
church in the many avenues that are available to women.”
During the vespers service, the Primate told the students that it was
very appropriate they were beginning their studies, the first step on
their path of service, on a day that marks the birth of St. Mary, which
was the first step on the path of Jesus’ ministry.
Fr. Findikyan said the message resonated with students and thanked the
Primate for his continued interest in the seminary.
“We thank him for his continued support, not only for the seminary, but
for the individual students,” Fr. Findikyan said. “He has shown himself
to be personally interested in the path of each student at St. Nersess
over all the years he’s been Primate.”
For more information on St. Nersess, visit its website:
If you have questions about answering the Lord’s call
to serve, contact Fr. Findikyan by e-mailing [email protected].
— 9/9/05
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern
Diocese, meets with the new students at St. Nersess Seminary in New
Rochelle, NY.
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