St. Nersess Armenian Seminary hosts preaching workshop

(stnersess.edu) - Preaching is both art and craft. Great sermons are unforgettable.

Thirteen young clergy from throughout the Eastern Diocese spent two days at St. Nersess Seminary for a continuing education program on preaching. The workshop consisted of collegial sessions combining presentations on the essential elements and strategies of effective preaching with collegial practice sessions where the clergy preached and critiqued each other.

Leading the workshop were two experts in the field of preaching and public speaking. Dr. Herand Markarian, a scientist, playrwright, director, actor, theater critic and poet. A recipient of major awards in recognition of his significant contributions to Armenian dramatic arts, Dr. Markarian reviewed the basic elements of effective speaking and communication.

Rev. Fr. Nicholas Porter is an ordained priest of the Episcopal Church and currently rector of Trinity Church in Southport, Connecticut. A nationally-renowed preacher, he is also acclaimed for his teaching and revitalization of church life and ministry. His ministerial posts throughout the world took him also to Jerusalem, where for several years he taught at the seminary of the Armenian Patriarchate. Since 2008 he has been Adjunct Instructor in Homiletics at St. Nersess.

This is the third such continuing education program for clergy held at the Seminary in the past year. At the request of the Primate, His Eminence Abp. Khajag Barsamian, St. Nersess will be assuming a greater role in providing quality educational opportunities for ordained clergy of the Eastern Diocese.

Also present for the workshop was V. Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian, Diocesan Vicar and V. Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, Seminary Dean, who assisted in the organization of the program. Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, Dean of St. Vartan Cathedral also participated.

Participants included: Rev. Frs. Paren Galstyan (St. George, Waukegan IL), Hakob Gevorgyan (Holy Trinity, Cheltenham, PA), Martiros Hakobyan (St. Kevork, Houston, TX), Mesrob Hovsepyan (St. James, Richmond, VA), Khachatur Kesablyan, Hovhan Khoja-Eynatyan (St. James, Evanston, IL), Hrach Sargsyan (St. Gregory of Narek, Richmond Heights, OH), and Deacons Justin Ajamian (St. Sarkis, Dallas, TX) and Benjamin Rith-Najarian (St. Leon, Fair Lawn NJ).