NEW YORK, NY – “I think Datev is a great program, and I am definitely coming back next year,” was one impression from a second year student who attended the 19th annual week-long St. Gregory of Datev Institute Armenian Christian Studies Program, sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education Council of the Eastern Prelacy. Many similar positive impressions were heard during the educational and fun-filled week that spiritually rejuvenates all who attend and reunites old friends in a healthy, safe, Armenian Christian environment. Most participants who attend for the first time return the following years to complete the full four-year program and many come back as post-graduate students. This year, the Institute had 75 students (ages 13 and over), from 14 parishes, and seven clergymen under the directorship of Very Rev. Fr. Anoushavan Tanielian, the Vicar General, who gathered at the St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania, for the “Datev Program,” as popularly known, July 3-10, 2005.

The program began on Sunday, July 3, in the evening with prayer by Hayr Anoushavan, after which Deacon Shant Kazanjian, the director of AREC, began the orientation. To set the tone for the week, Dn. Shant stressed the three key objectives of the program, namely, learning, prayer, and fellowship. Then, students from each of the following parishes were introduced:
St. Illuminator’s Armenian Cathedral, New York City, 6 students; St. Gregory Armenian Church, Philadelphia, PA – 13 students; Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church, Providence, RI – 12 students; St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, NY – 10 students; Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church, Ridgefield, NJ – 10 students; St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church, North Andover, MA – 7 students; St. Paul Armenian Church, Waukegan, IL – 5 students; St. Asdvadzadzin Armenian Church, Toronto, Canada – 2 students; Sourp Hagop Armenian Church, Montreal, Canada – 2 students; Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, MA – 3 students; St. Stephen’s Armenian Church, Watertown, MA – 2 students; Sourp Khatch Armenian Church, Washington, DC – 1 student; Holy Cross Armenian Church, Union City, NJ – 1 student; St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church, Pasadena, CA – 1 student.

There were 23 first-year students, 16 second-year students, 10 third-year, and three fourth-year students (graduating class), as well as 23 postgraduates. Each student received a folder which included their schedule for the week, educational resources, and guidelines to facilitate their stay at the Center.

Students attended classes Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 12:20pm. In all, there were 100 distinct 50-minute sessions for five levels of study, which covered a variety of topics such as Bible Study, Prayer and Life, Interpretation of Badarak, Youth and Values, Interpretation of the Bible, The Sacraments, Armenian Language and Culture, and other historical, religious and cultural classes.

During their free time, the students enjoyed sports activities including swimming, soccer and volleyball. And on Friday evening the highly anticipated talent show was held under the directorship of Ms. Jeanette Nazarian, where “datevazies” showcased their many and varied talents in and through Armenian song, dance, music, poetry and acting.

The Educators
The Instructors of the Institute this year were Very Rev. Fr. Anoushavan Tanielian, Very Rev. Fr. Shahe Panossian, Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Garabedian, Rev. Fr. Antranig Baljian, Rev. Fr. Nerses Manoogian, Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian, Dn. Shant Kazanjian, Dn. Arsen Mekaelian, and Ms. Jeanette Nazarian.

A prominent biblical scholar, Rev. Fr. Paul Tarazi, Professor of Biblical Studies and Biblical Languages at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (NY) was a guest instructor who taught a 4-hour mini-course to the college-age students on St. Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians and held a special two-hour session with the clergy. The students were very impressed with the presentations. This is what James Haddad, a postgraduate student, said about Fr. Tarazi, “… his lecture was very intense and the two-hour period flew by.” The lectures were informative and enlightening, and provided a fresh viewpoint from which to see the Apostle’s Letter. In addition, there were four guest lecturers: Rev. Fr. Bedros Shetilian, Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, Dn. Carlo Bayrakdarian, M.D., and Mr. Haroutune Misserlian.

On Monday July 4, Datev held its annual Independence Day picnic, catered by Mrs. Asdghig Kazanjian, owner of “Armenian Delight.” The datevatzies were graced by the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, the Prelate, who joined them in the fellowship.

The seven-day program came to a close on Sunday, July 10, with a celebration of the Divine Liturgy (Soorp Badarak) at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in Philadelphia on Sunday, followed by a luncheon, graciously provided and served by the Artemis Chapter of the Armenian Relief Society.

Thank you
A program of this scope was only made possible through the collaboration of AREC, the parishes, parents, volunteers and many organizations. They all deserve acknowledgement and thanks for their efforts and time and support. The Institute would like to express its deepest gratitude to the instructors for their labor of love, to the parents for entrusting their children to the Institute for a week of spiritual formation. The following Datev participants provided invaluable services as supervisors and counselors: Dn. Dr. Arsen Mekaelian, Mr. James Haddad, Mr. Arek Hamalian, Mr. Vicken Rachdouni, Mrs. Siroon Kojakian, Ms. Taleen Kupelian, Mrs. Martha Mekaelian, Ms. Martha Mekaelian Jr., Mr. Mikhail Mekaelian, and Jeannette Nazarian. Thanks is due to those Datevatzies from the NY-NJ area who volunteered many hours at the AREC office weeks prior the program – Lousine Galoyan, Mary Gulmezian, James Haddad, Taleen Kupelian, Mardo Piranian, and Mgo Pirnanian. Many thanks to those parishes that subsidized a portion of the expense by providing scholarships.

The Institute extends its appreciation to the Pashalian Family Education Fund for the donation of $2,000. The Institute thanks the following generous supporters: The Prelacy Ladies Guild (PLG), the Artemis Chapter of the Armenian Relief Society, Mrs. Asdghig Kazanjian, Mr. and Mrs. Noubar Megerian and Dr. and Mrs. Vahan Kouyoumdjian. Thanks also to the following donors: Mr. and Mrs. Gary Garabedian, Mr. and Mrs. George Semerdjian, Mr. and Mrs. Garbis Garboushian, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Jehanian, Mr. and Mrs. Zaven Oranjian.

Anticipation is already growing for next year’s 20th anniversary celebration of the Datev Institute (July 2-9, 2006), for which plans are under way.

###