The St. Gregory of Datev Institute is a four-year faith-based, youth program (one week each year). Those who complete the 4-year program may return for postgraduate classes. All five levels of study take place concurrently. In addition, this year the Institute had pre-Datev classes for students ages 10-12. There were 6 pre-datev students, 18 first-year students, 14 second-year students, 11 third-year students, 11 fourth-year students (graduates), and 16 post-graduates.

The participants enjoyed the presence of the Prelate, His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan, who took time out of his busy schedule to be with the Datevatsies, accompanied by Hon. Judge Sarkis and Ardemis Teshoian. Judge Teshoian delivered the evening lecture telling the students about the importance of being Armenian in our society and what it means to be an Armenian American. Utilizing experiences from his own life, he advised the students to be good citizens and meet the challenges ahead. “Don’t think that others are better than you, or that you are better than others,” he said. He told them that participation in both Armenian and American society is very important. He also stressed the importance of education and the knowledge of other languages, not only Armenian and English. “In this age of globalization,” he said, “the one who knows more will be hired and will advance up the ladder of success. Remember that just as you get happy when you read about a successful and famous Armenian, someday an Armenian youngster will read about you and your success and become happy.”

The weeklong program came to a close with the celebration of the Soorp Badarak at St. Gregory Armenian Church in Philadelphia on Sunday, July 4, followed by luncheon, graciously provided and served by the Artemis Chapter of the Armenian Relief Society.

The Educators
The instructors of the Institute were: Very Rev. Fr. Anoushavan Tanielian, Very Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Rev. Fr. Mesrob Tashjian, Rev. Fr. Khoren Habeshian, Rev. Fr. Antranig Baljian, Rev. Fr. Nerses Manoogian, Rev. Fr. Gomidas Baghsarian, Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian, and Dn. Shant Kazanjian. In addition, the following postgraduate "datevatsies" taught several classes: Dn. Nishan Baljian, Dn. Dr. Arsen Mekaelian, Barbara Baljian, Nayiri Baljian, Martha Mekaelian, Jeanette Nazarian.

This year the Institute was privileged to have three guest lecturers: Very Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian (Media Relations Officer, Catholicosate of Cilicia), Hon. Judge Sarkis Teshoian, and Prof. John Barnett of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (Crestwood, NY).

A Word of Thanks
Archbishop Oshagan praised the Datev program and thanked the dedicated teachers who manage to make the entire Datev experience exhilarating, enjoyable and educational. “I was so pleased to be able to spend a day with the Datev students and their teachers. I found the caliber of the participants to be exceptional. “The atmosphere was joyful and very respectful,” the Prelate said. “I told the students that they are part of our family and they have the love of God and our Church in their hearts.”

As Archbishop Oshagan noted, a program of this scope is made possible through the collaborative efforts between AREC and parishes, parents, volunteer workers, and a number of organizations and individuals. It is meet and right to acknowledge and thank them for their support and contributions to the work of the Institute. In the first place, the Institute wishes to thank 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 would like to express its gratitude to the following datevatzies for their invaluable services as supervisors and counselors: Dn. Nishan Baljian, Dn. Dr. Arsen Mekaelian, Ms. Barbara Baljian, Ms. Nayiri Baljian, Mr. Arek Hamalian, Mr. James Haddad, Mr. Harout Khatchadourian, Mrs. Martha Mekaelian, Mr. Mikhail Mekaelian, Ms. Jeanette Nazarian, and to ANEC director Gilda Kupelian for conducting the Datev Jeopardy program. Many thanks to those parishes that subsidized a portion of the expenses by providing scholarships.

The Institute extends its appreciation to the Pashalian Family Education Fund for the donation of $2,750. The Institute thanks the following generous supporters: The Prelacy Ladies Guild (PLG), the National Association of Ladies’ Guild (NALG), the Artemis Chapter of the Armenian Relief Society, Mrs. Asdghig Kazanjian, and Mr. and Mrs. Noubar Megerian. Thanks also to the following donors: Ms. Nayiri Baljian, Mr. and Mrs. Hrant Jilozian, Mrs. Sirvart Kaloustian, Mr. and Mrs. Zaven Oranjian.