On the evening of November 22, some 225 guests filled the grand ballroom of Macaluso’s in New Jersey to honor 12 remarkable individuals: three bishops, seven priests, a deacon/music director, and a lay minister—all of whom answered God’s call to serve the Armenian Church after graduating from St. Nersess Armenian Seminary.
Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese and President of the St. Nersess Board of Directors, officiated.
Love and joy radiated throughout the room as clergy, honored guests, alumni, faculty, board members, seminarians, summer conference alumni, donors, and friends congratulated the honorees and their families during an abundant cocktail hour.
Dn. Diran Jebejian, the evening’s emcee, warmly welcomed all in attendance before introducing the invocation speaker, Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, director of the Karekin I Educational Center in Etchmiadzin. “St. Nersess, my spiritual home, shaped who I am today,” he shared. “Thank you to the Board of Directors and committee members for ensuring our legacy for years to come.”
Dn. Diran next invited Karnig Durgarian, chair of the seminary Board of Directors, to offer a celebratory champagne toast. Following the toast, seminary dean Fr. Mardiros Chevian introduced each honoree by name.
Each one rose to enthusiastic applause as Der Mardiros announced them in order of ordination or graduation: Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian (1990), Bishop Nareg Berberian (1992), Bishop Daniel Findikyan (1997), Fr. Vartan Joulfayan (1998), Fr. Hovhan Khoja-Eynatyan (2010), Fr. Ghevond Ajamian (2013), Fr. Samuel Rith-Najarian (2014), Fr. Yeghishe Ksachikyan (2015), Fr. Avedis Kalayjian (2016), Fr. Armash Bagdasarian (2016), Dn. Rubik Mailian (1998), and Maria Derderian (2007).
The honorees each received a beautifully framed illustrated portrait, hand-drawn in Armenia by artist Hovhannes Yedigaryan.
Words of Advice & Gratitude
Fr. Mardiros also recognized board members, clergy, and former seminary deans and thanked the banquet’s generous underwriters: the Mardigian Family Foundation for underwriting the cocktail hour and dinner; Dean Shahinian, Esq., for funding the commemorative video; Ruth Bedevian and family, in memory of Sarkis Bedevian, for sponsoring honoree travel and lodging; Vicken & Rosette Arslanian for the floral centerpieces; and Kathryn Ashbahian for photographing the event.
Also acknowledged were Dr. Ionut-Alexandru Tudorie, academic dean of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, and his wife, reflecting the more than 50-year relationship between the two seminaries. Faculty, staff, and seminarians of St. Nersess were recognized as well.
After dinner, Dn. Diran invited Bishop Nareg Berberian, Primate of the Diocese of Brazil, to offer remarks. “My heart overflows with gratitude for the institution that has supported me and transformed me,” he shared. “I learned to live the Gospel and what it truly means to serve. The seminary gave me the confidence to speak and listen.”
Next, Fr. Yeghishe Ksachikyan, pastor of St. James Church in Sacramento, CA, offered three pieces of guidance to seminarians: “1. Don’t rush—if God put you there, let Him guide you. 2. Seek advice from others. 3. Don’t be afraid to do the difficult things first.”
Fr. Hovhan Khoja-Eynatyan, pastor of St. James of Nisibis Church in Evanston, IL, reflected, “Everything I am and everything I have become is because of St. Nersess Seminary. The seminary has been stamped on my heart.”
Honoree Maria Derderian, Youth Minister at St. James Church of Watertown, MA, shared her own inspiring journey. “It is up to us to plant the seeds in future youth ministers and priests. We need more bold leaders, thinkers, and resources,” she proclaimed. “We are all called by God—engaged in making faith relevant.”
Educator, speaker, and humorist Dottie Bengoian delighted the room with her presentation, “God’s Gift: Humor and Hope.” Interweaving Armenian and English humor, she had guests laughing uproariously from the moment she began. Often described as an “ambassador of joy” and the “Armenian queen of comedy,” she lived up to both titles. Dottie also serves as Administrative Assistant at St. Nersess.
A Vision Takes Flight
Fr. Mardiros offered reflections on Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan of blessed memory, the founder of St. Nersess. “He had a vision in 1960, with no idea how it would grow beyond Etchmiadzin, Jerusalem, Antelias, and Constantinople. Today, St. Nersess is soaring like an eagle—reaching beyond North America as a vital institution that others look to for guidance. Join us in flight and help us grow our mission.”
The audience cheered as event co-chairs Margaret Kachigian Ajamian and Lynn Pinajian Beylerian were recognized for their months of dedicated planning and unwavering love for the seminary.
Dn. Diran also recognized Fr. Karekin Kasparian, former seminary dean and longtime faculty member, and read a brief message he sent in his absence: “It has been a great joy of my own ministry to work with you as students and as brothers and sisters in Christ. I congratulate each of you being honored tonight and wish you many more productive and memorable years in God’s service.”
During dessert, guests viewed the premiere of the highly anticipated video, “12 Vocations: Variety of Gifts–One Spirit,” shown on screens throughout the ballroom. The film highlighted the honorees’ callings, ministries, and the role St. Nersess played in shaping their vocations.
To conclude the evening, Bishop Mesrop offered the final message and benediction. “One word describes tonight: Joy! We are here because Christ whispers, ‘You are important,’” he said. “St. Nersess continues to be a fountain of faith for all who say ‘Yes.’ We thank our 12 honorees, who bring honor to the seminary.”
As guests departed, they took their commemorative booklets featuring honoree biographies and the names of banquet donors.
The “12 Vocations” series will continue to celebrate and give thanks for those who have answered God’s call to serve the Armenian Church.
Click here to view a gallery of photos by photographer Kathryn Ashbahian.
Above: Honorees at the “12 Vocations” gala. Standing (l-r): Dn. Rubik Mailian, Fr. Samuel Rith-Najarian, Fr. Avedis Kalayjian, Fr. Armash Bagdasarian, Fr. Yeghishe Ksachikyan, Fr. Ghevond Ajamian, Maria Derderian. Seated (l-r): Fr. Hovhan Khoja-Eynatyan, Bishop Nareg Berberian, Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, Bishop Vahan Hovhanessian, seminary dean Fr. Mardiros Chevian. Missing: Bishop Daniel Findikyan, Fr. Vartan Joulfayan.
Article by Donna Sirounian.