Western Diocese

On Thursday, February 7, 2008, the Primate flew from Los Angeles to New York, to visit the Eastern Diocese and St. Nersess Armenian Seminary in New Rochelle. The next day, the Primate met with His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese. Afterwards, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian paid an official visit to St. Nersess Armenian Seminary in New Rochelle. The Primate met with Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, Dean of St. Nersess Seminary, and the seminary students. Dn. Mkrtich Ksachikyan and Dn. Ryan Tellalian are the two seminary students from the Western Diocese who currently attend St. Nersess Seminary. In the meeting, the Primate elaborated on the importance of clergy and their service to the Church.

The Primate also paid a cordial visit to St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary and met with Rev. Fr. John Behr, Dean of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary, as well as the Chancellor, Very Rev. Fr. Chad Hatfield. The St. Nersess Seminary students attend St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary for required theological courses, as part of an exchange program between the two academic institutions.