2025 Successes
In 2025, the St. Nersess Preaching Program offered a robust slate of continuing education opportunities for clergy, including two one-day workshops and one three-day seminar in each of the Eastern and Western Dioceses.
The inaugural three-day seminars were held November 12–14 in New England and November 19–21 in the greater Los Angeles area. They were led by Fr. Sergius Halvorsen, Assistant Professor of Homiletics and Rhetoric at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. Fr. Sergius guided participants through the art of storytelling in preaching, drawing on both theological depth and practical insight. We are grateful to the Eastern Diocese for co-hosting the clergy continuing education seminar.
More than 30 clergy from both dioceses participated, including His Grace Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese and President of the Seminary Board of Directors, and His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese and Vice President of the Seminary Board of Directors. Each spent meaningful time with their respective clergy during the seminars.
Under the theme “Preaching as the Sacred Art of Story,” participants reflected on the shape of biblical narrative as a compelling framework for preaching. Sessions explored preaching as a sacred art — one that, like iconography, integrates craft, discipline, and the preacher’s ongoing spiritual life. Clergy openly shared the challenges they face in preaching, examined the characteristics of effective sermons, and discussed the particular demands of preaching at baptisms, weddings, funerals, and in times of crisis.
The sessions fostered honest, thoughtful, and collegial conversations about ministry and how to proclaim the Gospel in ways that are both compelling and inspiring. Throughout their time together, Fr. Sergius Halvorsen reminded clergy of the profound ways God works through the stories they tell and the truths they proclaim.
“This past fall I had the blessing to attend the St. Nersess Armenian Seminary Preaching Program for Clergy Continuing Education, a deeply enriching and timely experience,” shared Fr. Vart Gyozalyan, Pastor of Holy Archangels Armenian Church, St. Michael & St. Gabriel, in Haverhill, MA. “The sessions explored preaching as the sacred art of story, homiletical creativity as death and resurrection, and preaching in times of crisis, reminding us that the sermon is not merely spoken words, but a living encounter that brings hope, healing, and renewed faith to God’s people, especially in challenging times.”
“It is always a blessing when brothers in Christ come together, listen, share, and conceptualize what, in many instances, is performed on an intuitive level. The retreat was a great forum for deepening our knowledge and awareness of preaching as an essential aspect of our ministry,” shared Fr. Avedis Abovian, Pastor of Holy Apostles Armenian Church in Crescenta Valley, CA.
The fourth module from these sessions has been added to the online preaching website page. All clergy of the Eastern and Western Dioceses of the Armenian Church of America are welcome to register to access this material free of charge. To receive a code waiving the $500 fee or for additional information, please contact Arpi N. Bullockian, Chief Program Officer, at arpi@stnersess.edu.
