DATEV’S 39th ANNUAL SUMMER PROGRAM DRAWS TO A JOYFUL CLOSE
On Sunday, July 13, the Prelacy’s St. Gregory of Datev Institute joyfully concluded its 39th annual weeklong Summer Program for youth ages 13-18 with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy (Sourp Badarak), followed by a graduation ceremony, and a festive luncheon, graciously hosted by the Pastor, Very Rev. Fr. Vache Balekjian, and the Board of Trustees of Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church in Ridgefield, New Jersey. The luncheon was lovingly prepared by the Ladies Guild and generously sponsored by the ARS Agnouni, Armenouhi, and Shakeh Chapters. Following Soorp Badarak, a requiem service was held in memory of the deceased Datevatsis and benefactors of the Institute. The celebrant was Rev. Fr. Vahan Kouyoumdjian, one of the Institute’s instructors.
Held at Shiloh Bible Camp and Retreat Center in Hewitt, New Jersey, this year’s program brought together 58 students and 19 instructors and staff members. The Datev Institute offers a structured four-year curriculum, with one week of sessions each summer totaling approximately 20 hours of instruction per year. The four-year curriculum covers essential aspects of the Christian faith, including Holy Scripture, the feasts and sacraments, the Nicene Creeds, Armenian Church history and saints, prayer, worship, and contemporary moral and ethical issues facing today’s youth.
But the program is much more than just a classroom experience. Each day included sports and recreational activities, as well as morning and evening church services. Instruction, fellowship, and prayer—these three core elements of the program are designed to foster strong friendships, promote a healthy community, and deepen faith, character, and Armenian Christian identity.
Upon completing the four-year program, some students choose to return for postgraduate-level classes, continuing their journey of faith formation. All five levels of study are conducted simultaneously.
This year’s enrollment consisted of 23 students in Level 1, 15 in Level 2, 6 in Level 3, 10 in Level 4, and 4 in postgraduate classes.
The 58 participants came from 12 different communities.
18 — Sts. Vartanantz (Ridgefield, NJ)
9 — St. Stephen’s (Watertown, MA)
8 — St. Illuminator’s Cathedral (NYC)
6 — Sts. Vartanantz (Providence, RI)
4 — St. Gregory’s (N. Andover, MA)
3 — St. Gregory’s (Philadelphia, PA)
2 — Holy Cross (Troy, NY)
1 — St. Gregory the Enlightener (NY)
1 — St. Leon (NJ)
1 — Texas
4 — Sourp Kevork (Canada)
1 — Sourp Asdvadzadzin (Canada)As the 39th Summer Program concludes, the Datev Institute eagerly anticipates its 40th anniversary, continuing its mission of fostering Christian discipleship and formation among our youth.
View the gallery of the week-long Datev Program by clicking below:
armenianprelacy.org
2025 Datev Photo Album - Armenian Prelacy
One of the most popular programs of the Armenian Prelacy is the St. Gregory of Datev Institute Summer Program for
