Prelacy’s St. Gregory of Datev Institute will celebrate its 25th anniversary

       The St. Gregory of Datev Institute turns 25 this year. For the past twenty-five years, the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America has provided a much needed Christian-based program for youth ages 13-18, sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC).

       Initially intended as a deacon training program, the Institute quickly evolved into a youth program – for both males and females, altar servers or would-be deacons – in response to the community needs for a Christian-based educational program for youth. In all, 450 people have benefited from the weeklong Datev Summer Program.

       On Saturday, July 9, Datevatsis, past and present, will come together to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the “Datev” Institute with a banquet at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan, the Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America. The 25th Anniversary Steering Committee comprised of datevatsis is planning the celebration of this milestone, co-chaired by Dr. Arsen Mekaelian and Dr. George Berberian.

       The Institute provides a four-year program, one week each summer, held at St. Mary of Providence Center, the venue since 1991, located in a beautiful bucolic setting in Elverson, Pennsylvania. Students who complete the four-year program have the option to return for postgraduate classes. Classes for all five levels of study take place concurrently. During the weeklong program, one hundred 50-minute classes are held, twenty for each of the five levels, plus evening panel discussions and Bible studies, all conducted by Prelacy clergy and lay religious instructors, under the directorship of His Grace Bishop Anoushavan, the Vicar General of the Prelacy.

       A great many datevatsis become active in the Armenian Church, serving as Sunday School teachers, choir members, board of trustee members, altar servers, and a number of other ways that a member participates in the life and ministry of the Armenian Church.

       For information regarding the banquet or for reservations, please contact the Prelacy office at 212.689.7810 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or visit datev webpage here or facebook.