a few words from der tateos . . . This Sunday of Pentecost is also called Vocation Day on our Diocesan Calendar. It is a day to remind our faithful of the need of young and not-so-young men to consider answering God's call to priesthood. We all know of the need to recruit and empower young clergy, especially given the current state of our church overloaded with baby boomers heading toward retirement. What we tend to focus on and often hear is that somehow young clergy are inherently more effective in their practice of ministry, either through their abundance of energy and passion, their willingness to challenge the status quo, their technological prowess, or simply because they are likely more attractive to their peers who aren’t currently attending our churches. And yet, I find myself troubled at simply thinking that age is the most important factor in driving clergy recruitment. As a "late bloomer" myself, I wish to address those who at one time may have given thought to priesthood but instead traveled another career path in life that has left them perhaps monetarily satisfied but spiritually deprived of that inner joy that only priesthood offers. Perhaps my thoughts are partially driven by the fact that I am far from being a “young clergy,” even though my mind hasn’t been willing to let go of that status. Yes, while I was married at 21 and a father at 23, my seminary years started when I was 30 years of age and ordination at 36. Today at 63, I would be considered on the downhill slide toward retirement although given the economic financial situation and the state of Social Security I doubt that I will be able to retire until they kick me out. When asking the Armenian Priest when he was going to retire, the standard answer has been; "two days after the funeral!" After a few decades of ministry under one's belt, any intelligent clergyman will admit that no newly ordained priest has the maturity to deal with all the relational realities found in most congregations, nor the patience, nor the ability and willingness to honor the folks who have come before . . . those aging saints that fill the pews of most of our congregations. That may say more about the delay in my own maturation, for there are no doubt brilliant young clergy who are able to have wisdom far beyond their age.

e-Tsayn e-Voice is a publication of

The Diocese of the Armenian Church (Eastern) Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate Department of Mission Parishes Rev. Fr. Tateos R. Abdalian, Director

www.armenianchurch.net Diocesan Office: 212.686.0710 Email: dertateos@armeniandiocese.org

However, I’m not certain that these gifts to the church aren’t more an exception than the rule. Attempting adaptive change in the dysfunctional systems found in the majority of our congregations today requires the wisdom of Solomon at times and, having a little life experience, which certainly helps. I am one who thinks that going to seminary straight out of college and then to a local church straight out of seminary may not be the best thing. Being a local church pastor requires the juggling of multiple skills — public speaking, organizational leadership, financial management, HVAC repair, teaching skills, musical talent, graphic design — most of which isn’t taught in seminary. Getting a few years walking in the context of where most of our parishioners live provides a variety of skills and understandings that can serve one well in the church. The danger with focusing on only young clergy is that we confuse chronological age with passion, energy, commitment, and even technological know how. The problem is not one of age — it’s a system that values conformity to institutional norms above that of leading congregations to a vibrant and living faith that is relevant to people of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences. We have a process that lifts up those who say the right answers or who calm the boat in the storm, and does what it can to stamp out those with an entrepreneurial spirit. The issue isn’t age — it’s values. Don’t get me wrong, for I’m not saying recruiting young clergy isn’t important. But the definition of who is “young” may be as much a state of mind as a chronological age.

A number of current excellent priests became priests after an earlier career in something else. Is then the approach to attracting people to priesthood after a first career to be different to attracting people directly from school? Do we leave it all up to God? Or does God work through our careful planning?

The “world” still thinks of priesthood as a career. So my primary question is: is priesthood a career? Is it helpful to promote priesthood in similar ways to other careers, including information on the web, at careers expos, etc.? Or is priesthood something quite distinct from other careers and the process towards ordination becomes understood by individuals as they individually explore their inner sense of call?

So on this "Vocation Day" I encourage those men who are chronologically not so young any longer and have been hearing a faint whisper in their ear throughout their lives, to begin to pay closer attention, for it truly could be God's voice of calling. I can assure you all, that no matter how old you get to be, if that call is there and is genuine, it never goes away.

As always, the choice is yours.

The Feast of Pentecost

This Sunday, June 12, is the Feast of Pentecost. According to the New Testament book of the Acts of the Apostles, the disciples were gathered in the upper room on the Jewish feast of Pentecost some time after Jesus' resurrection. Suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. --Acts 2:2-4

A Day and a Season "Pentecost" means fifty days in Greek. It refers both to the fiftieth day after Easter, and also to that entire season of fifty days. The 8th century Armenian

Church father and theologian St. John of Otzun says that during the fifty days of Pentecost, "every day is Sunday." By this he means that every day is a day to celebrate the Easter mystery of Christ risen and active among us. There should be no fasting and no kneeling down because these are penitential rites which are not compatible with the joy of Easter. Ancient Ceremony of Genuflexion One characteristic of the Feast of Pentecost in the Armenian Church and all other ancient eastern churches is a ceremony of "Genuflexion" or kneeling down. After the festivities of Easter are completed on Pentecost Sunday, the church resumes its normal cycle of fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays. In addition, the prohibition against kneeling down in prayer and penance is lifted. In fact, the churches celebrate this by ceremonially inviting the faithful to bend the knee for the first time since Easter. In the Armenian tradition, this ceremony takes place during the Badarak (Divine Liturgy). The priest celebrating the Divine Liturgy interrupts the Eucharistic Prayer (before the words, Arek, gerek... (Take, eat...) and reads three prayers which come to us from the ancient liturgy of Jerusalem. Each prayer is addressed to one member of the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Before each prayer a hymn is sung. After each prayer the priest invites all the faithful to bow down three times, saying, "With prayers, we fall on our knees and beseech the Lord." (For the complete prayers, go to <www.stnersess.edu> under the News category, click on Pentecost in the Armenian Church: Three Prayers.) St. John Chrysostom (Vosgeperan) The three Pentecost Prayers are attributed to the great orator and theologian of the early church, St. John Chrysostom ("the golden mouth"; Vosgeperan) who was enormously influential in the theology and liturgy of the Armenian Church. A priest born in Antioch, he became Bishop of Constantinople in the late fourth century. He died in exile in western Armenia. Other traditions attribute the prayers to St. Basil the Great of Caesarea, another great saint of the fourth-century. In most eastern churches the Ceremony of Genuflexion has a penitential theme: kneeling down is seen as a sign of sinfulness and unworthiness. In the Armenian Church, however, the three prayers to the Holy Trinity portray genuflexion on Pentecost is an act of adoration and worship. We kneel down before God to commemorate the descent of the Spirit on the Apostles on the first Pentecost day.

Pentecost and Baptism In the Armenian Church a newly-baptized child, having been immersed in the water and anointed with the sacred oil, is taken up the steps of the altar by the priest and with him bows down "before the holy altar, and before the holy sanctuary, and before the holy font." The Armenian prayers of genuflexion recall this act of adoration at baptism and can be understood as a renewal of divine gifts received at baptism. The great scholar of Armenian Christianity, the Benedictine monk Charles Athanase Renoux has theorized that the Armenian version of the three Pentecost Prayers and Byzantine version are based on a common model which evolved differently in the two liturgical realms of early Christianity. These beautiful prayers can be found on the seminary website <www.stnersess.edu>.

Taken from the St. Nersess Seminary website

Vocations Day - Pentecost Sunday, June 12.

IS

GOD CALLING

ME?

MATTHEW 9:35-38 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in

their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were

harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers

are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

MATTHEW 10:1-4. Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.

To help discern the answer Contact: Fr. Daniel Findikyan at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary info@stnersess.edu 914-636-2003 or The Primate at prmoff@armeniandiocese.org 212-686-0710 or Fr. Tateos Abdalian at dertateos@armeniandiocese.org 215-85-0710

A Prayer for St. Nersess Seminary

O Lord Jesus Christ our God, the teacher and savior of all, look upon us, your servants, we beseech you, and bless Saint Nersess Armenian Seminary, named after your servant, the patriarch of the Church of Armenia, and make its workers worthy of fruitful labor in the harvest for which you commanded your apostles to pray to the Lord of the Harvest. Grant to them that instruct and to them that study therein wisdom and godliness that they may be guided in your way. Lead them that are worthy to be chosen vessels for you to heed your call and follow you as did your disciples who proclaimed your truth to give light to the world. Bestow your gifts from on high upon the founders and all the benefactors of the Seminary and make them abound in all good works. Fill us all, we pray to you, with divine and heavenly grace that ever fills the needs of the holy ministry of the Apostolic Church, for the continual building up of the same. Teach us to know, to love and to obey you and give us they strength to prevail against the adversary and to work with diligence and unselfishness in the service of your kingdom, through the intercession of your Blessed Mother Virgin Mary and of Saint Nersess the Graceful and of all the saints with whom we praise you, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

This prayer, composed by the founder of St. Nersess Seminary, Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan (†1989), appeared in the 1963-1964 Academic Catalogue of Saint Nersess Armenian Theological School, Evanston, Illinois.

St. Nersess Armenian Seminary FAST FACTS ESTABLISHMENT & LOCATION

• St. Nersess was established in 1961 through the vision of Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan.

• The original location of St. Nersess was in Evanston, IL. • St. Nersess has called 150 Stratton Road in New Rochelle, NY, home for 30 years (1978-2008). • St. Nersess currently sits on nine acres of land in this Westchester County. • St. Nersess is the only Armenian seminary in the Western hemisphere. • St. Nersess falls under the auspices of all three Dioceses in North America (Eastern, Western &

Canadian)

STUDENT BODY PAST & PRESENT

• All St. Nersess seminarians have a minimum of a four-year bachelor’s degree in such fields as natural sciences, sociology, psychology, history, criminology and law.

• St. Nersess Armenian Seminary has more alumni working full-time for the Armenian community than any degree-granting center of Armenian Studies in North America.

• Out of 38 active clergy in the Eastern Diocese, 23 are St. Nersess graduates (60%). If we include eight others who have studied at St. Nersess for special courses or shorter periods of time, the total percentage approaches 80%.

• The largest Armenian Church parishes in the United States are pastored by St. Nersess alumni: St. Peter, Van Nuys, CA – Fr. Shnork Demirjian; St. John, Southfield, MI – Fr. Garabed Kochakian; St. James, Watertown, MA – Fr. Arakel Aljalian; Holy Trinity, Cambridge, MA – Fr. Vasken Kouzouian; St. Leon, Fair Lawn, NJ – Fr. Diran Bohajian.

• Fr. Kevork Arakelian, raised in Southern California, was the first graduate of St. Nersess to be ordained a priest (graduated 1971 ordained 1973). He served as pastor of St. Gregory Armenian Church (Binghamton, NY) for seven years and St. Gregory Armenian Church (Fowler, CA) for 26 years.

• Five St. Nersess alumni currently serve at the Armenian Diocese in New York. (Fr. Mardiros Chevian, Fr. Tateos Abdalian, Elise Antreassian, Nancy Basmajian and Megan Jendian)

• All of the Eastern Diocese’s youth programs are directed by St. Nersess alumni: St. Nersess Summer Conferences – Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian; St. Vartan Camp – Fr. Krikor Sabounjian; Hye Camp – Fr. Aren Jebejian; ACYOA Leadership Conference – Nancy Basmajian; St. Nersess Deacons' Training Program - Fr. Daniel Findikyan

YOUTH OUTREACH

• Nearly 200 youth ages 12 thru 24 participate yearly in the St. Nersess Conferences in the Summer and at Christmas.

• Thousands of young people have benefited spiritually and culturally from the summer conferences since its inception in 1963

ACADEMIC FACTS

• St. Nersess has more faculty members devoted to Armenian Studies than any university in the US. • More Armenian language courses are offered at St. Nersess than at any other place in the Western

hemisphere. • All courses taught at the Seminary are at the graduate level and are accredited by the Association of

Theological Schools in the United States and Canada through the Seminary's affiliation with St. Vladimir's.

• Master of Divinity degrees are granted through St. Vladimir’s Seminary and a diploma in Armenian Church Studies from St. Nersess.

• St. Nersess publishes the only theological journal of the Armenian Church in English, the St. Nersess Theological Review, now in its 13th year.

• The AVANT series comprises book-length studies and English translations of the theological and spiritual treasures of the Armenian Church.

• The St. Nersess Global Classroom is a virtual portal to Armenian Church studies and our theological heritage.

• The Sacred Music Lab is the most extensive repository of Armenian liturgical resources on the Web.

FINANCIAL FACTS

• St. Nersess is incorporated and registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit religious organization.

• Seven Armenian Church parishes in the U.S. have a line item in their annual budget to support St. Nersess Seminary: St. John (San Francicso, CA); St. Gregory (Fowler, CA); Holy Virgin Mary & Shoghagat Armenian Church (Belleville, IL); Holy Cross (Union City, NJ), St. Leon (Fair Lawn, NJ), St. Gregory (White Plains, NY); St. Mary (Livingston, NJ).

• The Seminary relies on the generosity of friends and benefactors for more than 50% of the annual operating budget.

Calling All Campers . . . LAST CALL!

2011 SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM Mark your calendar for a summer filled with friendship, fellowship, and fun at St. Vartan Camp and Hye Camp. Check out the Camp Video on the home page of the website of the Diocese – www.armenianchurch.net St. Vartan Camp 2011, housed at the Ararat Center in Greenville, NY Staff Training: Wednesday, June 22 – Saturday, June 25

Session A: Sunday, June 26 – Saturday, July 9 Session B: Sunday, July 10 – Saturday, July 23 Session C: Sunday, July 24 – Saturday, August 6 Hye Camp 2011, housed at Camp Hickory in Ingleside, IL Staff Training: Thursday, July 27 – Saturday, July 30 Camp Session: Saturday, July 30 – Saturday, August 6 For more details on the camp programs, including past photos and daily blogs, or to be added to the St. Vartan Camp or Hye Camp mailing list, contact Jennifer Morris, Youth Outreach coordinator, at (212) 686-0710, ext. 118, or jenniferm@armeniandiocese.org.

Websites worth checking out . . . Website of Prayer as well as links to broadcasts of religious programs from Armenia www.stgregoryofnarek.am/ The Entire Bible in Armenian – both Eastern and Western http://www.armenianchurchlibrary.com/ The entire Bible in English (New Revised Standard Version) http://www.devotions.net/bible/00bible.htm The teachings and faith of the Orthodox Church as well as Bible Study Links http://aggreen.net/orth_links/orthlink.html

St. Peter Armenian Church Youth Ministries' Center – the most progressive youth ministries program in the Armenian Church lead by Fr. Vazken Movsesian. www.inhisshoes.org

Holy Etchmiadzin: www.armenianchurch.org

Our Diocese: www.armenianchurch.net

Western Diocese: www.armenianchurchwd.com!!!

The popular iPhone app is now available in the Android Market! It's loaded with useful features: daily scripture readings, photo and video galleries, Armenian spiritual and folk music, a calendar of events, a directory of Diocesan parishes, a prayer request function, and much more. Log on to post a comment, share an image with friends, or read the latest news from the Eastern Diocese.

In Armenian, a “Vemkar” is the specially anointed stone that serves as a movable altar, which can be used for ritual functions in the absence of a permanent sanctuary. As a portable tablet, it allows the sacred power of the Armenian Church to be brought to people in even the most remote places. The Vemkar app places access to the Armenian Church in the palm of your hand.

and finally . . . The Further Adventures of Abarantsee Bedo . . . Our friend, Abarantsee Bedo and his friend Bubba met in a bar after work for a drink, and were watching the 6 O'clock news. A man was shown threatening to jump from the Brooklyn Bridge. Bubba turned to Bedo and said, "I bet ya $50 that he'll jump." Bedo replied, "Ho-kehy, I take it dat bet!" Anyway, sure enough, the man jumped, so Bedo gave Bubba the $50 he owed. Then Bubba said, "Look, man I can't take this, you're my friend." Bedo said, "No, no, no, eh bet eez eh bet. You vin da muney." So Bubba said, "Listen, I have to admit, I saw this on the 5 O'clock news, so I can't take your money." Then Bedo replied, "Vell, ya so deed I. But I nevur tought he going jump again!"

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