named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Acculturation Program
Program preparing Armenian clergy from abroad for ministry in the United States through training in American culture, pastoral care, and parish administration
Consolidated Master of Divinity Program
Joint theological program with St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary preparing seminarians for ministry in the Armenian Church, combining Orthodox theological training with specialized Armenian Church studies
Deacons’ Training Program
Program for altar servers and young men from the Eastern, Western, and Canadian Dioceses and abroad to learn liturgical music and rituals
Global Classroom
Distance learning platform offering public courses in Armenian Church studies accessible online
St. Nersess Theological Review
Scholarly journal dedicated to Armenian theology and Christian culture, established in 1996 as the only English-language publication of its kind
Summer Religious Study Program
Annual youth conference for high school and college-age Armenian-Americans featuring prayer, study of Armenian Church faith and culture, and fellowship with clergy
activities · 6 groups
What they do
-
Religious Education and Instruction 2 activities
- Expand access to Armenian religious education via digital platformsOperates a Global Classroom through an expanded website to offer distance learning opportunities for broader access to religious education and training.
- Offer continuing education and acculturation programs for Armenian clergyProvides continuing education opportunities for priests, including specialized training in pastoral care, American culture, ecumenical relations, youth ministry, and parish administration for Armenian priests from abroad preparing to serve in North American dioceses.
-
-
Youth and Young Adult Spiritual Engagement 1 activity
- Conduct youth and young adult formation programsHosts annual summer and winter conferences, deacons’ training programs, and youth choir workshops for adolescents and young adults aged 13–25 to explore faith, liturgical music, and Armenian Church heritage. More than 6,000 young people have participated since 1963.
-
-
Professional Conference & Symposium Organization 1 activity
- Host public lectures, academic presentations, and scholarly conferencesOffers live lectures and presentations accessible to the public, maintains a comprehensive archive of recorded academic presentations, and hosts international scholarly conferences such as “Sitting as a Stranger”: Evagrius in the Desert & Beyond, bringing together scholars at its Armonk campus.
-
-
Christian Leadership & Discipleship Training 1 activity
- Provide theological education and training programs for seminarians and clergyOffers academic programs, including a joint Master of Divinity program with St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, undergraduate programs integrating college study and seminary courses, and required extended study in Armenia or Jerusalem for all graduates. Provides education and training for seminarians, current clergy, and community members to support the Armenian Church.
-
-
Spiritual Development & Meditation Programs 1 activity
- Support spiritual growth through adult retreats and conferencesProvides adult conferences and retreats focused on spiritual nourishment and growth, including events honoring alumni vocations and fostering community engagement.
-
-
Uncategorized 1 activity
- Advance Armenian theological scholarship through research publicationsProduces the St. Nersess Theological Review, the only English-language scholarly journal dedicated to Armenian Church theology, and publishes AVANT: Treasures of the Armenian Christian Tradition, a scholarly monograph series. Offers research and educational opportunities for exchange faculty and students from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$2.72M
Contributions & grants$2.21M81%
Program service revenue$98K4%
Investment income$487K18%
Other revenue$-70K
expenses
Total expenses$1.44M
Program expenses54%
Admin / overhead43%
Fundraising3%
Salaries & benefits$599K
Grants paid out$41K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$21.47M
Cash$1.71M
Investments$10.29M
Liabilities$17K
Net assets$21.46M
Liquid reserves100.3 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2023 · YoY revenue +142.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| REV FATHER MARDIROS CHEVIAN | DEAN, ST. NERSESS ARMENIAN ACADEMY | 40 | $122K |
board members · 21
- DN ARA JEKNAVORIAN — DIRECTOR
- DN DIRAN JEBEJIAN — DIRECTOR
- MICHAEL A ZEYTOONIAN ESQ — DIRECTOR
- MR DAVID ONANIAN — ADVISOR
- MR DOUGLAS TASHJIAN — DIRECTOR
- MR GLENN A AJAMIAN — DIRECTOR
- MR GREGORY MELCONIAN — DIRECTOR
- MR KARNIG DURGARIAN — CHAIRPERSON
- MR MICHAEL KASPARIAN — DIRECTOR
- MR RAFFI V BALIAN — DIRECTOR
- MR RICHARD PAPALIAN — TREASURER
- MR ROBERT GEORGE — DIRECTOR
- MRS MARGARET MGRUBLIAN — DIRECTOR
- MRS MARIA STEPANIAN — ASSISTANT SECRETARY
- MS CAROL B ASLANIAN — SECRETARY
- MS KAREN DILIMETIN — ASSISTANT TREASURER
- PROFESSOR MARK MOVSESIAN — DIRECTOR
- REV FATHER KRIKOR SABOUNJIAN — ADVISOR
- REV FATHER SARKIS PETOYAN — DIRECTOR
- REV FATHER VART GYOZALYAN — DIRECTOR
- REV FATHER YEPREM KELEGIAN — DIRECTOR
relationships · 19
Who they work with
- Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan Partner — Founder of St. Nersess Seminary and composer of the prayer for the seminary
- Armenian Church Network — Prepares students for leadership roles within the Armenian Church.
- Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem Partner — Exchange of faculty and students for research and educational opportunities.
- Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem Partner — Partner institution from which the seminary draws inspiration and where graduates study before ordination
- Canadian Diocese of the Armenian Church of America Partner — Collaborates with the seminary in training altar servers and deacons through the Deacons’ Training Program.
- Diocese of the Armenian Church of Canada Government — Diocese brought under the seminary's auspices in 1986, with its Primate serving as ex officio Vice-President of the Board.
- Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America Government — One of the founding dioceses under whose auspices the seminary operates.
- Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America Government — One of two dioceses under whose auspices St. Nersess operates
- Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America Partner — Collaborates with the seminary in training altar servers and deacons through the Deacons’ Training Program.
- Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America Partner — Supports seminary fundraisers
- Lilly Endowment Funder — Awarded a competitive grant in 2023 through the Compelling Preaching Initiative to strengthen Armenian clergy’s preaching.
- Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Partner — Exchange of faculty and students for research and educational opportunities.
- Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Partner — Partner institution from which the seminary draws inspiration and where graduates study before ordination
- St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary Partner — Academic partner for graduate-level courses and degree granting
- St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary Partner — Collaborates on a joint Master of Divinity program where students earn a degree from St. Vladimir’s and a diploma from St. Nersess.
- Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of America Government — One of the founding dioceses under whose auspices the seminary operates.
- Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of America Government — One of two dioceses under whose auspices St. Nersess operates
- Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of America Partner — Collaborates with the seminary in training altar servers and deacons through the Deacons’ Training Program.
- Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of America Partner — Supports seminary fundraisers
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Experiential and Reflective Spiritual Formationmethodology: integrated_spiritual_formationBy integrating discussion, worship, and reflective practice—including through memorial music workshops—the seminary fosters deep spiritual development in young adults, because experiential engagement with liturgical traditions produces more durable faith formation than didactic instruction alone.
- Integrated Theological and Cultural Formationmethodology: integrated_theological_educationBy combining theological education with Armenian language, history, and culture, the seminary develops well-rounded church leaders who are rooted in both spiritual tradition and ethnic identity, because this integration strengthens communal continuity and deepens personal faith.
- Leadership Preparation Through Faith-Based Educationmethodology: theological_education_and_leadership_developmentBy providing theological education and formation grounded in the Armenian Christian tradition, the seminary prepares clergy and lay leaders for effective service in the Church, because spiritual and academic training together produce more capable and committed leaders.
- Partnership-Enhanced Clerical Credentialingmethodology: academic_partnershipBy partnering with accredited institutions to offer dual degrees—combining a Master of Divinity with specialized training in Armenian Church Studies—the seminary increases the academic and pastoral rigor of its programs, because integrated credentialing strengthens both ecclesial legitimacy and ministerial competence.