PRELACY’S DATEV INSTITUTE HOLDS REUNION PROGRAM
The Eastern Prelacy’s Department of Christian Education sponsored a two-day Datev Reunion Program on January 11-12, at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City. The event, featuring a sleepover at the church, brought together participants from the past three years of the St. Gregory of Datev Institute Summer Program.
Twenty-eight students from five parishes attended the Reunion: seven from St. Illuminator’s Cathedral (New York), two from St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church (Philadelphia, PA), 14 from Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church (Ridgefield, NJ), two from St. Stephan’s Armenian Church (Watertown, MA), and three from St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church (North Andover, MA). The Reunion resembled a miniature version of the weeklong Datev Summer Program for youth ages 13-18, with its three core objectives: Christian education and formation, fellowship and recreational activities, and prayer and worship.
Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, Pastor of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, warmly welcomed everyone and provided an overview of the Cathedral’s rich history, highlighting its historic altar dedicated to the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide of 1915, making it a pilgrimage site. Dn. Shant Kazanjian, Director of Christian Education of the Eastern Prelacy, led a Bible study and presented a lecture on the Nicene Creed (Havadamk) as 2025 marks the 1700th anniversary of the Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (325 AD). Yn. Maggie Kouyoumdjian, a teaching staff member of the Datev Institute, taught and reviewed three Christmas hymns (sharagans). Taleen Lakissian and Anna Tekeyan, Datev staff members, rehearsed several patriotic songs with the students and organized a trivia game based on the program’s educational component.
The students visited the Eastern Prelacy headquarters and then went on to explore several iconic New York City landmarks, including Grand Central Terminal, Bryant Park, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Rockefeller Center.
In addition to a brief evening service on Saturday, Datevatsis participated in the morning service and the Divine Liturgy (Soorp Badarak) celebration on Sunday, presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan, Prelate.
After the services, the students moved the community with their heartfelt renditions of hymns and patriotic songs. The Prelate addressed the students, their families, and the community, expressing gratitude to the parents for encouraging their children’s participation in this faith-building and identity-shaping program. He also commended the Datev staff members for their dedication and extended heartfelt thanks to Fr. Mesrob and the Board of Trustees of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral for their generous hospitality, steadfast support, and partnership in this ministry for the youth.
The two-day program concluded with a lavish luncheon graciously hosted by St. Illuminator’s Cathedral.
The Eastern Prelacy extends its deepest gratitude to the following for their generous support: St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, Ladies Guild, and parishioners ($2,500); Rev. Fr. Vahan and Yn. Maggie Kouyoumdjian (for Datev Reunion souvenir mugs); Bedros and Lisa Yessaian (for Saturday lunch); and Taleen Lakissian (for Saturday dinner). Special thanks are also extended to the program’s dedicated supervisors: Dn. Hovig Chapanian (PA), Yn. Maggie Kouyoumdjian (NJ), Taleen Lakissian (NY), Tamar Lakissian (NY), and Anna Tekeyan (NJ).
We look forward to welcoming our Datev students to the 39th annual St. Gregory of Datev Institute Summer Program, scheduled to take place from June 29 to July 6, at St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania.
