Sts. Tarkmanchatz Students Enjoy Unique Fellowship at St. Nersess Seminary

“It was unforgettable. Our experience at St. Nersess Seminary was filled with the Armenian Christian spirit,” gushed 16-year-old Tania Nassar. Hagop Kasparian, also 16, agreed, adding, “It was like a big Armenian family. The friendships we made with our fellow students in the summer program there will last a lifetime.”

Both Hagop and Tania, born in Jerusalem, are outstanding students at the Sts. Tarkmanchatz Armenian Secondary School in Jerusalem’s Armenian Patriarchate, and were selected by the school faculty to travel to New York and attend the St. Nersess Armenian Seminary’s summer program.

This is the seventh year this unique project has been in effect, through the generosity of benefactors, and under the direction and guidance of Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, who initiated the program. Major benefactors for this year were Russell and Susan Kashian of Greenfield, Wisc., and Michael Ovanes of New York, N.Y. The project was also supported by Keith and Karyn Bilezerian of Wrentham, Mass., Pamela Young of Washington, D.C., Glen and Kristin Dabaghian of Ramsey, N.J., and Gregory Toufayan of Upper Saddle River, N.J.

Unforgettable bonds

“We prayed, sang, and danced every day at St. Nersess, learning from the instructors and each other. There were Bible studies, daily worship, lectures, and discussions, as well as visits to the Armenian homes in Flushing, N.Y., and Emerson, N.J. The connections we made between the young people our age are strong, and unforgettable,” said Tania. “The daily prayers in chapel made my faith stronger,” said Hagop. “The fact that we have the same culture as our Armenian friends in America is very special.” At the conclusion of the conference, one of the benefactors, Michael Ovanes, treated them to a two-day tour of the many famed landmarks of New York City.

The Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, the dean of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, expressed his appreciation to Father Mardiros, whose ”efforts for our summer conference participants have resulted in building lasting friendships, with up until now 15 young Armenians who have attended. Those bonds are a small but tangible sign of our support for the ancient Armenian community of Jerusalem and its historical patriarchate.”

Top-notch school

Sts. Tarkmanchatz Armenian School is noted for its highly esteemed academic education with its cadre of excellent instructors. In addition to its Armenian program of history, culture, and language, it is also known for its diverse studies in mathematics, history, physical and social sciences, and language. Both Tania and Hagop speak, read, and write four languages fluently, including Armenian, English, Arabic, and Hebrew, and both students plan to attend university abroad (Tania is interested in forensic chemistry and nursing, and Hagop is gravitating toward finance).

They both expressed their appreciation to the school’s principal, the Very Rev. Fr. Norayr Kazazian, for all he has done for them and the school. “Our classes at Sts. Tarkmanchats are like a big family; because the classes are small, we all known each other. If you want children to be Armenian, they should attend Armenian school from a young age,” said Hagop, who lives in the convent with his parents and older brother. Tania, who commutes between Bethlehem and Jerusalem where her family’s residences are, lives with her parents and a younger brother and sister.

Roots are in Jerusalem

Both students have been deeply imbued with the spirituality and beauty of the Armenian faith, and are especially moved when they hear the choir of seminarians at the St. James Armenian Cathedral sing our beautiful hymns, especially “Der Voghormia.” “Its many sounds on different levels puts me in a position with God,” said Tania. Hagop points out that the cathedral, which has no electrical lights but more than 300 oil lanterns, takes on different mystical hues and atmospheres as light filters through the windows throughout the day.

Though both students have done some traveling, they agree that life in Jerusalem is “wonderful” and life in the convent is safe despite the difficulties outside. Hagop, an avid soccer player, has been to Armenia five times with his Armenian soccer team. “If you want to stay Armenian, go to the homeland,” he advised. “In the diaspora, it’s hard to stay Armenian. I’m a patriotic man who would love to help Armenia in any way I can.” For Tania, this was her first visit to America. “I want to travel to all the countries of the world and learn about their cultures,” she said. “I’m an Armenian who loves to make friends, and learn new things.”

Both students strongly emphasize that their roots are in Jerusalem. “Our families are there, and we wish to live and work there,” Tania said. “We are Armenians, and we have to keep the Armenian community, which in the past was becoming less and less, together and vibrant in Jerusalem.”

“This endeavor each year brings me a great deal of satisfaction,” said Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, “knowing because of it we have been able to connect young Armenian Christians of Jerusalem and America in a very special way. The benefit is definitely experienced by all of them. I thank God for the opportunity to make this happen.”