St. Vlad's builds up Armenian-Orthodox academic ties

(SNAS) - Last week, The Very Rev. Fr. Garegin Hambardzumyan, dean of the Gevorgyan Theological Seminary of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, visited St. Nersess Armenian Seminary in Armonk, NY. During his stay at St. Nersess, Fr. Garegin met with The Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Nersess, and with the seminarians. He also had the opportunity to visit St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in Crestwood, NY to meet with its dean, The Very Rev. Fr. John Behr. Together they discussed the establishment of an academic cooperation between the Gevorgyan Seminary, St. Vladimir's Seminary, and St. Nersess Armenian Seminary which may include an exchange of faculty as well as students.

In June, Fr. John Behr will have the opportunity to visit the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to further discuss the planned cooperation and to meet with the seminary's faculty. He will also have the opportunity to address the seminarians at Gevorgyan Theological Seminary and study a manuscript at the Matenadaran. Fr. Mardiros Chevian will accompany Fr. Behr to Armenia. While there, Fr. Mardiros will welcome St. Nersess seminarians Deacon Michael Sabounjian and Deacon Alex Calikyan to the seminary at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin where they will study during the summer.

Fr. Garegin also attended the annual Clergy Conference and Diocesan Assembly, hosted by the St. Gregory of Narek Armenian Church in Cleveland, OH from April 25 - May 1. He will visit several parishes within the Eastern Diocese during the remainder of his stay.