St. Nersess Armenian Seminary

09/04/2026

Seminarians Serving Our Youth and Growing in Ministry This Summer

For St. Nersess seminarians, summer is not simply a break from the classroom. It is an opportunity to put their formation into practice through hands-on ministry at camps, conferences, parishes, and clinical settings. This summer, our seminarians traveled across the United States, Canada, and Armenia, sharing their faith, teaching Armenian language and culture, leading worship and Bible studies, and gaining valuable pastoral experience.

For these seminarians, summer ministry provided far more than valuable experience. It was an opportunity to live out their vocation, deepen their own faith, and serve others in the name of Christ. Through their service, they are planting seeds of faith, friendship, compassion, and love for the Armenian Church — seeds that, with God’s grace, will continue to grow for years to come.

https://stnersess.edu/seminarians-serving-our-youth-and-growing-in-ministry-this-summer/ to read more about how Dn. Armen Bandikian, Dn. Karo Boyadzhyan, Serge Demirbacak, Dn. Sargis Ginosyan, Dn. Shane Janian, Vrej Pilavdjian, and Dn. Thomas Toghramadjian served this summer. The Eastern Diocese of The Armenian Church of America WD Armenian Church Armenian Diocese of Canada / Գանատահայոց Թեմ

09/01/2026

A Year of Milestones for Archpriest Garabed Kochakian
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The year 2026 marks Archpriest Garabed Kochakian’s fiftieth year of faithful priestly ministry in the Armenian Church and the fiftieth anniversary of his marriage to his wife Yeretzgin Roberta.

Back in May Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, and more than 400 people gathered at St. John Armenian Church in Southfield, MI, to celebrate the double milestone with Fr. Garabed and Yn. Roberta. Fr. Garabed, an alumnus of St. Vladimir’s Seminary (M.Div., ’73), served as pastor at St. John’s for more than seventeen years before his retirement in October 2015. The celebratory banquet brought together family members, friends, parishioners, and clergy from the Armenian and Eastern Orthodox Churches from across the US and beyond, reflecting the countless lives touched by Fr. Garabed’s ministry over five decades.

In a fitting expression of their enduring commitment to the parish they have served and loved, Fr. Garabed and Yn. Roberta generously donated $10 thousand to St. John’s Veterans Building renovation fund.

A native of Salem, MA, Fr. Garabed studied classical languages at Iona College and went on to earn a Master of Divinity degree from St. Vladimir’s Seminary and St. Nersess Armenian Seminary. He was ordained to the holy priesthood in 1976.

Fr. Garabed began his priestly ministry as an assistant pastor at the Church of Our Saviour in Worcester, MA. He then became the full-time pastor there before going on to serve at St. Mesrob Church of Racine, WI, from 1982 to 1992. Prior to his arrival in Detroit, he served at the Diocesan Center in New York City, where he was the chancellor and ecumenical officer. He also taught at his alma mater, St. Nersess Seminary.

In addition to pastoral ministry, Fr. Garabed is also widely known as an art historian and iconographer. He holds a master’s degree in art history from the University of Wisconsin, with a specialization in Armenian art and architecture. Fr. Garabed serves as the chairman of the Ecclesiastical Arts and Architecture Committee of the Diocese and is often an advisor to new church construction projects. He has painted a number of Armenian illuminations and icons for churches and has authored several books on the Armenian Church and Armenian religious art.

May God grant many years to Archpriest Garabed and Yn. Roberta!

09/01/2026

St. Nersess Seminary is Coming to Berkeley, CA, on Sat. Sept 26!

Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Time: 10:30am to 1:00pm
Location: Claremont Resort & Spa, Berkeley, CA

This special occasion will be held under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese and Vice President of the St. Nersess Board of Directors, who will join us along with Fr. Mardiros Chevian, Dean of St. Nersess, and other honored clergy.

For 65 years, the seminary has welcomed those discerning God’s call, preparing and supporting them for a lifetime of ministry in the Armenian Church. Its impact extends far beyond our graduates. Through our Summer Conferences, thousands of young people have discovered a deeper connection with Christ and our Church. Our clergy continuing education provides opportunities to all clergy in North America to refresh, renew and grow their skills. And our Lay Ministry Trainings offer pathways to service and leadership in our faith communities.

We hope you will celebrate with us!

https://stnersess.edu/western-diocese/ for sponsorships and reservations

Hurry, the September 19 deadline is fast approaching!

08/25/2026

St. Nersess High School Summer Conferences Inspire the Next Generation of Armenian Church Leaders

This summer, St. Nersess Armenian Seminary welcomed 50 high school students for its annual High School Summer Conferences, giving young people an opportunity to deepen their faith, explore their Armenian heritage, build lasting friendships, and consider their role in the future of the Armenian Church.

Held in two sessions — July 18–26 and August 1–9 — the conferences brought together students from the Eastern and Western Dioceses, as well as Jerusalem, representing parishes across California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Click to read more and for photos

Email from St. Nersess Armenian Seminary ... and secure your tickets and sponsorships to our upcoming Fundraisers   ST. NERSESS ARMENIAN SEMINARY Ս. ՆԵՐՍԷՍ ԸՆԾԱՅԱՐԱՆ Preparing Leaders for Service in t

08/18/2026

A Special Opportunity to Study the Life and Teachings of St. Paul

St. Nersess Online is pleased to offer a Fall 2026 Virtual Open Class: St. Paul: The Apostle Who Shaped the Church: A Journey Through His Life, Letters, and Theology.

This special eight-week course will be taught by St. Nersess faculty member and seminary graduate Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, offering participants an opportunity to explore the life, writings, and enduring influence of one of Christianity’s most important apostles.

September 17 through November 5 (Thursday evenings)
8:00 – 9:15 PM EST
Sessions will be held via ZOOM

All are welcome! Join us online and enjoy this opportunity to learn with Srpazan Hayr as we journey through the world of St. Paul and discover how his life, letters, and theology helped shape the early Church.

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/viugx1_BSR2mjRc5KgtJLg #/registration

08/14/2026

Another Video Highlight!

Watch Dn. Armen Terjimanian present the words of Grigor Tat‘ewats‘i on the Assumption of the Theotokos… on the occasion of the Feast Day this Sunday!

In this special video collection for the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God, St. Nersess Online is giving voice to the treasures of our tradition, with our seminary graduates presenting the sacred texts in English.

https://www.online.stnersess.edu/public-offerings/grigor-tatewatsi-on-the-assumption-of-the-theotokos

08/12/2026

St. Nersess Online is an extension of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary!

We offer Armenian Christian education through online lectures and courses, recorded presentations, certification programs, seminars, and workshops.

St. Nersess Online is designed to further enrich and equip our clergy, lay ministers, and the public.

Clergy: Two new modules from the recent Eastern Diocese Mid-Atlantic Clergy Seminar (NJ) and Western Diocese Clergy Workshop (Northern California) have been added to St. Nersess Online.

https://www.online.stnersess.edu

08/11/2026

Join us at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary on Saturday, October 3, 2026, for a special evening honoring the leadership, faith, and generosity that have shaped the Seminary and looking ahead to its future.

Together, we will pay tribute to Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, whose visionary leadership and steadfast commitment helped make the Armonk campus a reality, and commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the Armonk Campus and the Consecration of the Chapel.

Set outdoors on the beautiful Seminary grounds, the evening will bring together alumni, clergy, benefactors, and friends for a cocktail-style celebration. Guests will enjoy a thoughtfully curated dinner served from a variety of gourmet culinary stations, creating an inviting atmosphere for conversation, fellowship, and connection.

Reserved tables are available through sponsorship opportunities; otherwise, seating will be open. We invite you to become a sponsor, reserve your place, and invest in the future of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary. Your generosity will help ensure that the Seminary continues to educate, inspire, and form faithful leaders for generations to come.

Should you have any questions please contact [email protected].

Celebrate the legacy. Support the mission. Help shape the future.

https://stnersess.edu/resources/eastern-diocese/ for tickets & sponsorships

08/09/2026

NEW Video Highlight!

Watch Dn. Adam Bullock present the words of St. Nerses Lambronatsi on The Assumption… on the occasion of the August 16 Feast Day.

In this special video collection for the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God, St. Nersess Online is giving voice to the treasures of our tradition, with our seminary graduates presenting the sacred texts in English.

https://www.online.stnersess.edu/public-offerings/st-nerses-lambronatsi-on-the-assumption-presented-by-dn-adam-bullock for full video