From June 27 to July 6, the Deacons’ Training Program in Armonk, NY, welcomed 28 young men from the Eastern and Western Dioceses.

The participants, both first-time and returning attendees, gathered to learn the music and rituals of the Badarak and other services of the Armenian Church, as well as their meaning and importance.

The program was led by co-directors Fr. Haroutiun Sabounjian (2018 seminary graduate) and Dn. Alex Calikyan (2019 seminary graduate). The staff included counselors Dn. Johnny Chadoyan (a 2019 graduate), Dn. Armen Bandikian, Sdn. Vrej Pilavdjian, and Aram Krajekian, who also took photos during the conference. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, Dean, was present during the conference and supported the directors.

Daily Armenian language classes focused on learning to read the Armenian alphabet including: Beginner Armenian (new to the language), Intermediate Armenian (familiar with the letters, slowly reading), and Advanced Armenian (reading fluently and grammar study).

Participants also gained fluency in Deacons’ chanting in Armenian through four classes that were offered by different instructors: Deacon's Chants of the Badarak (Fr. Tateos Abdalian); Censing Patterns of the Badarak (Fr. Andreas Garabedian, a 2019 seminary graduate); Deacon's Chants of the Night and Morning Hours (Dn. Alex Calikyan); Hymns, Censing Patterns and Deacon’s Chants of the Funeral Service (Fr. Haroutiun Sabounjian). All students received invaluable theological explanations behind our sacred rituals.

During the week, students participated in daily bible studies, morning and evening worship, and cultural activities.

On the first Sunday of the program, the group traveled to St. Vartan Cathedral in New York City where they actively participated in the Divine Liturgy with His Beatitude Archbishop Sahak II, Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople, and His Grace Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese & President of the Seminary’s Board of Directors. The day prior, the altar servers and staff welcomed the Patriarch and Srpazan at the seminary for a group photo, prayer service, and discussion which offered them the opportunity to listen and ask questions.

Throughout the week, there were evening lectures and activities offered by guest clergy and staff, including Fr. Nigoghos Aznavourian (2020 seminary graduate): Diakonia at the End of Life; Dn. Armen Bandikian and Sd. Vrej Pilavdjian: Armenian Dance; Fr. Andreas Garabedian: The Unlikely Cross Bearer; Fr. Lazarus Onuh: From Life to the Altar to Life; Fr. Tateos Abdalian: Nuskharh Making; and Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan: Icons - Windows into Heaven.

On Wednesday, the participants made the annual trek to Point Pleasant Beach in NJ, where the group enjoyed time on the beach and the boardwalk.

On Sunday morning, the last day of the program, the group celebrated Divine Liturgy in the St. Hagop Chapel with Fr. Haroutiun Sabounjian as the celebrant. It was a special morning together before everyone departed.

“It was an honor to take part in this year’s Deacons’ Training Program (DTP) for the first time in ten years,” shared Der Haroutiun. “Dn. Alex and I were so incredibly blessed to serve alongside such faithful, talented and passionate instructors and staff, and to have been graced with such a warm, enthusiastic, and mature group of participants. I always return from our St. Nersess Conferences physically exhausted yet spiritually recharged, filled with the hope of seeing the Holy Spirit at work in those who seek to serve Christ’s Holy Church more deeply,” stated Der Hayr.

"I was very excited to see several key additions to the instructional and counseling staff for this year's program, especially Fr. Haroutiun as co-director, Fr. Andreas Garabedian as an instructor, and first-time as well as long-time returning faces in guest speaker and counseling roles,” highlighted Dn. Alex Calikyan. “Many thanks to all who contributed their time and talents to making this year's deacons training more successful than ever."

The participants enjoyed wonderful meals throughout the week, prepared by Mary Shohmelian. The program was supported by the seminary staff, including Dn. Levon Altiparmakian, Dottie Bengoian, Robin Perlmutter, and Donna Sirounian.