From June 28 to July 7, Stephen Sirounian, an acolyte and Sunday School student at Holy Martyrs, attended the Deacons' Training Program at St. Nersess Seminary. Stephen was part of a group of 32 young men who gathered together to learn the music and rituals of the Badarak and other services of the Armenian Church, as well as, their meaning and importance. The participants came from 12 states and the Republic Armenia. With great enthusiasm, the altar servers and prospective deacons participated in daily practical workshops, classes, discussions, Bible Study and worship. Stephen received a scholarship from both Holy Martyrs and St. Nersess to attend the program.
