St. Gregory of Datev Institute Summer Program Concludes

Institute’s 25th Anniversary Will Be Celebrated Next Year

NEW YORK—His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, recently praised the conclusion of another successful St. Gregory of Datev Institute Summer Program.

Speaking about this popular summer program, His Eminence said, “Although memories of the 2010 Datev Institute are still fresh in everyone’s mind, our thoughts are now focusing on next year and Datev’s 25th anniversary. As the years go by we see the full impact of the Datev Institute. Our graduates become participants and leaders in every aspect of the life of our church. Next year we will celebrate the 25th anniversary with great joy as we look toward the future of the Datev program, which must continue to reach and teach our youngsters.”

This year, 61 teenage students from 11 Prelacy parishes and 10 instructors gathered at the St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson, Pa. for the 24th Annual St. Gregory of Datev Institute Summer Program, from Sun., June 25 to Sun., July 4, under the auspices of the Prelate and the directorship of His Grace Bishop Anoushavan, the vicar general of the Eastern Prelacy. Approximately 40 of the participants began the annual summer program with the weekend retreat that started on Fri., June 25.

Sponsored by the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC), the institute provides an intensive weeklong program of Christian formation through Bible studies and discussions, prayer and worship services, communal activities, and fellowship. The day begins with Morning Service from 7:15-7:45 a.m. Classes are held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. In the afternoon, the students participate in recreational activities, such as volleyball, soccer, canoeing, dodge ball, swimming, board games, and music. In the evening, panel discussions and general lectures take place from 7:30-8:20 p.m., followed by three concurrent Bible studies from 8:30-9:20 p.m. for different age groups. The day comes to a close with the Compline Service (Husgoom) from 9:45-10:30 p.m.

“This was my first year going to Datev and though I was a bit nervous and hesitant, I really enjoyed myself,” said Amir Adelinia from the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church in Worcester, Mass. “Although I am only 50 percent Armenian and don’t speak the language except a few words, I was accepted by all.” A fellow first-year participant, Daniel Megerian of St. Sarkis Armenian Church in Douglaston, N.Y., said, “I learned a lot and I had a great time. I can’t wait until next year.”

The institute is a four-year program consisting of one week each summer. Students who complete the program have the option to return for fifth-year post-graduate classes. Classes for all five levels of study take place concurrently. During the weeklong program, 100 50-minute classes are held, 20 per level, along with evening panel discussions and Bible studies.

The curriculum for the first four levels is the same from one year to another, covering the traditional essentials of our faith, including the Bible, the sacraments with a particular emphasis on the Divine Liturgy (Soorp Badarak), feasts and worship, the Nicene Creed, church history, the Ten Commandments, and contemporary moral issues. The post-graduate curriculum changes every year, the classes providing further explanation on the elements of our faith. This year, for the first time, instead of having Armenian languages classes every day, students enjoyed Armenian history classes.

The instructors of this year’s Datev Institute were His Grace Bishop Anoushavan, Rev. Fr. Khoren Habeshian, Rev. Fr. Antranig Baljian, Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian, Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, Rev. Fr. Stephan Baljian, Rev. Fr. Karekin Bedourian, Dn. Shant Kazanjian, and Jeanette Nazarian. The institute enjoyed the presence of two guest instructors: Very Rev. Fr. Mesrob Sarkisian, the staff-bearer of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, and Rev. Fr. Paul Tarazi, professor of Biblical studies and Biblical languages at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in New York.

Rev. Fr. Paul Tarazi, a much loved and respected lecturer, presented four sessions on the Parables of Jesus Christ to the post-graduate class. Fr. Tarazi also led a two-hour session on the same topic with the clergy-instructors of the institute.

Guest speaker Dr. Vahan Kouyoumdjian, a psychiatrist and a deacon at Sts. Vartanantz Church in Ridgefield, N.J., spoke on the various challenges that youth face in society today.

On Sat., July 3, His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan visited the Institute, as he does every year, and engaged the students in an open discussion, entertaining their questions.

Over the years, the July 4th picnic has become an important part of the Datev Summer Program, an event that all participants await eagerly. This is a day full of copious delicious Armenian food and table fellowship, coupled with games, music, and dancing, made possible by the generosity of Asdghig Kazanjian, the owner of “Armenian Delight” in Broomall, Pa. 

The Datev program came to a close with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church in Philadelphia on Sun., July 4, followed by a luncheon graciously hosted by the Artemis Chapter of the Armenian Relief Society (ARS). The celebrant was Very Rev. Fr. Mesrob Sarkisian.
 
Words of appreciation

A program of this scope is possible only through the collaborative efforts of the AREC and parishes, parents, volunteers, and a number of organizations and individuals. The Datev Institute thanks the instructors for their labor of love, and the parents for entrusting their children to the institute for a week of spiritual formation. The institute expresses its gratitude to the following for their invaluable services as supervisors and counselors: Dn. Bedros Kalajian, Dn. James Haddad, Barbara Baljian, Harout Kaprielian, Ari Nalbandian, Jeanette Nazarian, Arpi Shetilian, Ani Yaghmourian, and Jasmine Yedigarian.

The institute also extends its appreciation to those parishes that subsidized a portion of the expenses by providing scholarships to church-server participants, to the Pashalian Family Education Fund, and to the following for their generous support and donations: The Prelacy Ladies’ Guild (PLG), the National Association of Ladies’ Guilds (NALG), the Artemis Chapter of the ARS, and Asdghig Kazanjian, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Harutunian, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Jehanian, Sirvart Kaloustian, Kanarik Karakelian, Valantin Kazanjian, Grace Keshgegian, Takouhi Mengouchian, Vartkes Mengouchian, Dr. and Mrs. Michael Nalbantian, Jannette Oundjian, Mr. and Mrs. Zaven Oranjian, John Tourigian, Virginia Tourigian, and Mr. and Mrs. Noubar Yeremian.

Special thanks are expressed to the pastor and board of trustees of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Philadelphia for their hospitality.
 
Participants

The participants of the institute came from the following 11 parishes: 19 students from Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, N.J. (8 church servers); 12 from Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, R.I. (10 church servers); 7 from St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, N.Y. (3 church servers); 6 from All Saints’ Armenian Church, Glenview, Ill. (6 church servers); 4 from Holy Trinity Church, Worcester, Mass. (2 church servers); 4 from St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pa. (2 church servers); 3 from Soorp Khach Armenian Apostolic Church, Washington, D.C.; 2 from St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, New York; 2 from St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church, Watertown, Mass. (1 church server); 1 from St. Gregory Church, Indian Orchard, Mass. (1 church server); 1 from St. Stephen’s Church, New Britain, Conn. (1 church server).

For more information about the Datev Institute, visit www.armenianprelacy.org or call the AREC office at (212) 689-7810.

Students’ impressions

“This was my first year going to Datev and although I was a bit nervous and hesitant I really enjoyed myself. I met a lot of people from different states and learned a lot about our Armenian culture and religion. Although I am only 50 percent Armenian and don’t speak the language except a few words, I was accepted by all. I will continue to serve as an acolyte on the altar at my church and do my best to become better and better each week. I am anxious now and looking forward to returning to Datev next year to learn more.”

—Amir Adelinia, first year

“Datev is a great place for Armenian Christians to make friends and learn about our religion and culture. There are morning and evening services every day, as well as classes Monday through Friday, so students will learn a lot. There’s also the Datev Games, a series of fun games everyone participates in. There’s also a Talent Show, where Datevatsis show their talent. Datev is a great experience for Armenian Christian youth.”

—Shant Agopian, second year

“This year’s Datev program was great. The classes and Bible studies were really interesting and I learned a lot. Free time and the talent show were awesome. I had a great time and I can’t wait to go back next year.”

—Alysha Phillips, third year

“This was my fourth year at Datev; each year I came back it got better and better. I meet new people every time. The classes and general sessions this year were all very interesting and caused me to think more about myself as a person both physical and spiritual. The activities this year were also fun. During the retreat there was a soccer game that many of the participants played in, and on Wednesday the entire institute went canoeing. The last aspect of Datev was prayer. We have morning and evening services every day along with Badarak on Sundays. I like seeing the complete Badarak during Datev because I usually don’t see it as much during the year. Compared to other years I have attended Datev I think that this year was one of the best. Everyone was friendly to each other and I learned a lot.”

—Jason Pjojian, fourth year

“My first year as a post-graduate at the Datev Institute was great. Datev is a place where you can relax, have fun, and most importantly, learn about our Christian faith. At Datev you meet many new people and experience amazing fellowship. The week is well organized and structured so that there is not one minute of dullness. The worship services in the mornings and evenings are beautiful. I am definitely looking forward to going back next year.”

—Levon Zobian, post-graduate

“I knew a lot of people from previous years and met new friends that were at the Datev Institute for the first time. I’m really looking forward to next year’s Datev.”

—Antraniq Gharibian, third year

“I learned a lot and I had a great time. I can’t wait until next year’s Datev.”

—Daniel Megerian, first year

“Datev is an indescribable experience every year. We are all sent here to learn many valuable lessons, develop and rekindle great friendships, and to be with God in a much more personal, yet communal way. It’s truly a blessing to feel the refreshment that the week at Datev brings, and to go back to our lives, feeling rejuvenated and guided by God. It always seems as if the short time we spend together is never enough, but the experience of being a part of Datev is something I will be forever grateful for.”

—Arpi Shetilian, post-graduate

“Datev is a place where you get to learn about the Armenian Church and history while being in a fun environment with other Armenian Christians. We also had Armenian history classes and Bible studies, and other fun activities, like the picnic and the Talent Show, so our days weren’t filled with just classes. Datev is a great opportunity to learn about our church and to make lifelong friends.”

—Vrej Agopian, second year

“My experience at Datev has been beyond brilliant. The activities, the friendships, and the classes that teach so much in just a week combine to make Datev so inspiring. Every time I come home from Datev, I feel like a totally different person.”

—Nazelie Doghramadjian, second year