St. Nersess Summer Conferences

St. Nersess Armenian Seminary is proud to continue its long history of hosting summer conferences for high school and post-high school students. This year, each conference will be held on the

St. Nersess campus in Armonk, New York. Applications are now being accepted for all three sessions:

Deacons' Training Program: Thursday, June 28 – Saturday, July 7

            Directed by V. Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan

High School Summer Conference: Friday, July 20 – Sunday, July 29

            Directed by Rev. Fr. Ghevond Ajamian

Post High School Summer Conference:  Friday, August 3 – Sunday, August 12

            Directed by Rev. Fr. Hratch Sargsyan

This summer, St. Nersess will continue its curriculum for the Summer Conferences which will include topics such as Armenian Church History and Doctrine, Sacraments, Armenian Religious Art, Contemporary Issues, Modern and Classical Armenian, the Life of Christ, The Creed, Saints & Martyrs, and more. Issues and topics of concern to youth and parents today will also be discussed.

Since its inception in 1963, the summer conferences have attracted thousands of teenagers and college-aged students to explore their faith and heritage of the Armenian Church with friends in a fun environment. Clergy and lay church leaders instruct the participants in the fundamentals of the Armenian Church’s faith and traditions, and they encourage frank discussion about issues important to young people. In addition, sports and recreation, day-trips, and other activities add to a well-rounded experience where young people make deep, lasting friendships and discover their place in the Armenian Church.

For the Deacons’ Training Program, young men gain a deeper understanding of the church’s worship services through practical workshops and interactive classes. Students are placed in classes according to experience. In Level I, students are introduced to the duties of an acolyte. In Levels II and III, students are introduced to liturgical practicum. All students take Armenian classes and voice lessons. Upon completion of the program, students return to their home parishes with polished liturgical skills and a stronger faith.

International Attraction

For the 12th year, St. Nersess will welcome students from the Sts. Tarkmanchatz School of Jerusalem’s Armenian Patriarchate to the high school session. Thanks to the coordinated efforts between the Very Rev. Fr. Norayr Kazarian, principal of the school, and Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Nersess, as well as generous benefactors and supporters who financially support their visit, these high school students from Jerusalem are provided a special opportunity to interact with their American counterparts and enhance their spiritual life and knowledge.

Last year, the Deacons’ Training Program welcomed students from Armenia. Three boys were recommended by the Very Rev. Fr. Anania Tsaturyan, who has been residing at St. Nersess while taking English language courses at a local college. "As their mentor and teacher at St. Gayane Monastery in Armenia, I am proud that these three dedicated teenagers traveled to St. Nersess to attend the Deacons' Training Program," commented Fr. Anania. This is not the first time students from Armenia have attended a summer conference. The students' travel expenses were covered by generous donors, similarly to the program in place for students from the Sts. Tarkmanchatz School in Jerusalem.

Registration Information

Registration for the St. Nersess Summer Conferences is available online and by mail. A maximum of 25 participants will be accepted to each session. To download a brochure and register, go to www.stnersess.edu, contact the seminary at 914-273-0200 or email info@stnersess.edu