From Sun., July 3 to Sun., July 10, 56 students, mostly 13-18 years old, and 15 instructors and staff members gathered at the St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson, Pa., for the 25th Annual St. Gregory of Datev Institute Summer Program, which was held under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan, the Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and the directorship of His Grace Bishop Anoushavan, the vicar general of the Eastern Prelacy.
Sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC) of the Prelacy, the institute provides an intensive weeklong program of Christian formation through Bible studies and discussions, prayer and worship services, communal activities, and fellowship. Each day, the program began with Morning Service from 7:15-7:45 a.m. Classes were held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. In the afternoon, the students participated in recreational activities, such as volleyball, soccer, dodge ball, swimming, board games, and music. In the evening, panel discussions and general lectures were held from 7:30-8:20 p.m., followed by three concurrent Bible studies from 8:30-9:20 p.m. for different age groups. Each day came to a close with the Compline Service (Husgoom) from 9:45-10:30 p.m.
The institute is a four-year program, consisting of one week each summer. Students who complete the program have the option to return for postgraduate classes. Classes for all five levels of study take place concurrently. During the weeklong program, a hundred 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, and covers 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.
The roster of instructors this year included His Grace Bishop Anoushavan, Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Garabedian, Rev. Fr. Antranig Baljian, Rev. Fr. Nerses Manoogian, Rev. Fr. Gomidas Baghsarian, Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian, Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, Rev. Fr. Karekin Bedourian, Dn. Shant Kazanjian, Yn. Joanna Baghsarian, and Jeanette Nazarian. The institute enjoyed the presence of four guest instructors, Rev. Fr. Paul Tarazi, professor of Biblical studies and Biblical languages at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (Crestwood, N.Y.), Rev. Fr. Hovnan Bozoian and Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, and Dr. Michael Papazian, professor of philosophy at Berry College (Mount Berry, Ga).
Over 30 of the participants had begun the annual summer program with a two-day retreat that started on Thurs., June 30 and focused on the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to St. Matthew, led by Dn. Shant. After a brief introduction to the Gospel, the entire book was read by the students as a group.
The 4th of July picnic has become an important part of the Datev Summer Program, a community-building event that all participants eagerly await. It is a day full of copious delicious Armenian food and table fellowship, coupled with games, music, and dancing, made possible through the generosity of Asdghig Kazanjian, the owner of “Armenian Delight” in Broomall, Pa.
On Sat., July 9, gala banquet was held at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in Philadelphia to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Datev Institute, with the participation of past and present Datevatsis, along with friends and supporters of the institute, under the auspices of Archbishop Oshagan.
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 July 10, followed by a luncheon graciously hosted by the Artemis Chapter of the Armenian Relief Society (ARS). The celebrant was Bishop Anoushavan.
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 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, Arman Ayvazian, Barbara Baljian, Tamar Lakissian, Jeanette Nazarian, Nevair Oranjian, Aram Panosian, Jason Pjojian, Ani Yaghmourian, and Sevan Zobian.
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), Artemis Chapter of the ARS (Pennsylvania), and Asdghig Kazanjian.
Appreciation also to the following donors: Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Jehanian, Sirvart Kaloustian, Valantin Kazanjian, Dr. and Mrs. Vahan Kouyoumdjian, Takouhi and Vartkes Mengouchian, Dr. and Mrs. Michael Nalbantian, Jannette Oundjian, Takouhi Orangian, Mr. and Mrs. Zaven Oranjian, and Arsine Oshagan.
Finally, a special thanks to the pastor and Board of Trustees of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Philadelphia for their hospitality.
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