DATEV INSTITUTE’S 2025 SUMMER PROGRAM CONCLUDES WITH GRATITUDE

The Eastern Prelacy’s St. Gregory of Datev Institute successfully completed its 39th annual Christian Educational Summer Program for youth ages 13-18, thanks to the collaborative efforts of many partners—including clergy and lay instructors and staff, parishes and parents, and the many friends and supporters of the Institute.    

Sponsored and organized by the Department of Christian Education of the Eastern Prelacy, this faith-based program brought together 58 teenagers from 12 communities. It was held at the Shiloh Bible Camp and Retreat Center in Hewitt, New Jersey, from July 6 to 13, 2025.   

The daily schedule reflected the Institute’s three main goals: prayer, fellowship, and instruction. Each day included morning and evening Church services, giving our youth a special opportunity to experience the rich tradition of Armenian Church services. Afternoons were set aside for sports and recreational activities that built camaraderie and fostered a sense of community. Students attended three 50-minute classes each morning, with all five levels of classes held concurrently. In the evenings, they participated in two additional hours of educational sessions. 

While meals were provided by the center, students also enjoyed a variety of traditional Armenian snacks lovingly prepared by the Institute staff, including mamounia, zaatar bread, homemade cheese, choreg, and a generous assortment of fruits—creating a warm and familiar environment that made them feel at home away from home. 

This program was made possible by a community-wide effort. The Institute extends its heartfelt thanks to all who supported and contributed to the program’s success. Special appreciation goes to the instructors and counselors of the Datev Summer Program for their dedicated service to our youth as a labor of love. They taught, counseled, supervised—and generously shared their time, talent, and resources. 

This year’s instructors and counselors were: Very Rev. Fr. Boghos Tinkjian (Director), Very Rev. Fr. Vache Balekjian, Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian, Rev. Fr. Stephan Baljian, Rev. Fr. Taniel Manjikian, Rev. Fr. Vahan Kouyoumdjian, MD, Archdeacon Shant Kazanjian, Dn. Garabed Balian, Yn. Maggie Kouyoumdjian (also served as counselor), Nayiri Baljian Bell, and Anoosh Kouyoumdjian (also served as counselor).

The counselors included: Dn. Harout Takvorian, Dn. Hovig Chapanian, Dn. Hagop Ketchedjian, Nishan Kouyoumdjian, Taleen Lakissian, Tamar Lakissian, Anna Tekeyan, and Marina Tekeyan.

The Institute is grateful to the many parishes that helped subsidize a portion of the expenses by providing scholarships to church servers. Sincere appreciation is also extended to the following supporters for their generous contributions: St. Illuminator’s Cathedral (New York City), Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church (Ridgefield, NJ), Soorp Khatch Armenian Church (Bethesda, MD), National Association of Ladies’ Guilds (NALG), St. Illuminator’s Ladies Auxiliary, Ladies’ Guild of Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church (New Jersey), Ladies’ Guild of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church (Philadelphia), Armenian Relief Society “Mayr” Chapter (New York), Armenian Relief Society Agnouni, Armenouhi, and Shakeh Chapters (New Jersey), Armenian Relief Society Artemis Chapter (Pennsylvania), Very Rev. Fr. Boghos Tinkjian, Rev. Fr. Stephan and Yn. Alice Baljian, Rev. Fr. Vahan and Yn. Maggie Kouyoumdjian, Dn. Hovig Chapanian, Honorable David and Mrs. Susan Erickson, Mr. James and Mrs. Nayiri Bell, Ms. Tamar Lakissian, Leckie Bus Company, Dr. Alta Mekaelian, Mr. Bedros and Mrs. Liza Yessaian. 

And a special thank you is also due to Very Rev. Fr. Vache Balekjian, pastor, and the Board of Trustees of Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church in Ridgefield, NJ, for their warm hospitality on July 13.  

The Institute also gratefully acknowledges that the Datev Fund helped defray program expenses and provided several scholarships. Those wishing to contribute to the Datev Fund may send their donations to Eastern Prelacy, 138 East 39th Street, New York, NY 10016. Checks should be made payable to “Datev Institute.”  

To read students’ impressions, click here.

To view the Program photo album, click here.