Datevatsies at the Eastern Prelacy gearing up for the weeklong Datev Summer Program. From left to right, Nishan Kouyoumdjian, Hagop Ketchedjian, Anna Tekeyan, Lori Tekeyan, and Taleen Lakissian.
Forty-three students and 14 clergy and lay instructors and staff will gather at St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania, on June 30, for the Prelacy’s annual weeklong St. Gregory of Datev Institute Summer Program for youth ages 13-18, sponsored and organized by the Prelacy’s Department of Christian Education.
The instructors for the Program are Very Rev. Fr. Sahag Yemishian, Very Rev. Fr. Boghos Tinkjian (director), Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian, Rev. Fr. Stephan Baljian, Rev. Fr. Vahan Kouyoumdjian, Dn. Shant Kazanjian, Yn. Maggie Kouyoumdjian, and Nayiri Baljian Bell. The counselors are Dn. Harout Takvorian, Yn. Maggie Kouyoumdjian, Hagop Ketchedjian, Nishan Kouyoumdjian, Taleen Lakissian, Tamar Lakissian, and Anna Tekeyan.
The Summer Program offers a unique faith-based experience for our youth in a wholesome and nurturing environment with three primary objectives: Christian education and formation, prayer and worship, and fellowship and recreational activities. The comprehensive Christian educational program spans four years, with one week of classes each summer. Those who complete the program can return for post-graduate classes. The weeklong program includes 75 fifty-minute classes—15 classes for each of the five levels—plus evening panel discussions and Bible studies for three different age groups. Additionally, students will participate in daily morning and evening church services and engage in sports and recreational activities in the afternoons.