Home ›

Alumni News

Dn. Ezras Tellalian reflects on ‘unceasing prayer’ in Artsakh war zone

Author: 
SVOTS

After fighting erupted between Azerbaijan and Armenia in Nagorno-Karabakh in the fall of 2020, Dn. Ezras (Ryan) Tellalian felt compelled to travel to the war-torn land and “offered myself to the people.”  

Deacon Ezras, an alumnus of St. Vladimir’s Seminary and member of the Armenian Apostolic Church, arrived in the region (known as “Artsakh” by Armenians) in mid-October. He travelled there with Michael Krikorian, a journalist who had worked for the Los Angeles Times for several years. 

“I came not only as a photographer, but with my other identities as a psychologist and deacon….” Dn. Ezras wrote on the Fordham University blog, Public Orthodoxy. “I offered myself to the people, to help in whatever way I could, and am confident that God was leading me.” 

Archbishop Pargev leads prayer in the shelter, with Dn. Ezras on leftArchbishop Pargev leads prayer in the shelter, with Dn. Ezras on left

While in the warzone, Dn. Ezras stayed in a shelter near a church with other civilians and clergy, including Archbishop Pargev, who ministered to them. At the shelter, clergy and laity prayed daily offices according to the Armenian Rite.

“What else could they do in such circumstances, but pray unceasingly?”

Deacon Ezras recounted on Public Orthodoxy how the people daily prayed for their suffering brethren as well as their enemies. 

“We prayed prayed for our people in Azeri captivity, but also for Azeris, Turks, Syrian mercenaries—our malefactors, enemies, those who hate us and would torture us, those who might kill us at any moment. Can you imagine this?

“This is our faith. This is what we do as Christians.”

Deacon Ezras Tellalian is a Ph.D. student in clinical psychology at The New School for Social Research. He holds an M.A. in psychology from the same institution, an M.Div. from St. Vladimir’s Seminary (’09), and a certificate in Armenian Studies from St. Nersess Armenian Seminary. Deacon Ezras also worked as a staff member in various capacities at St. Vladimir’s, including IT. He is a fourth-generation Armenian-American, the great-grandson of genocide victims. His photography is available at rezras.com.

  • Printer-friendly version

Previous Alumni News:

Title Authorsort icon Date
Dr. Paul Meyendorff represents OCA at Faith and Order Commission gathering in China *This story has been reprinted from OCA.org July 9, 2019
SVOTS Chancellor and Two Alumni Speak at Fordham Symposium Alexandru Popovici April 27, 2016
Honored for service as West Point Chaplain Alumnus Archpriest Joseph Frawley February 21, 2018
Third edition of Divine Liturgy book available Alumnus Archpriest Steven Kostoff, Class of 1981 (Master of Divinity) March 5, 2018
Alumnus Interviews Seminary President on Michigan Radio Station Archpriest Dimitrie Vincent March 24, 2017
Alumnus Archpriest Eric Tosi Gives Bird’s-eye View of Boy Scout Jamboree Archpriest Eric Tosi August 7, 2017
Alumna is Commissioned as Chaplain Beryl Knudsen February 17, 2016
Deacon Nicholas Denysenko Appointed Director of the Huffington Ecumenical Institute Deborah (Malacky) Belonick March 25, 2011
Two Seminary Alumni Fall Asleep in the Lord: Fr. Theodore Ziton and Annette Milkovich Deborah (Malacky) Belonick April 28, 2011
Professor Kesich Gives His "View from 90" as He Celebrates Birthday Deborah (Malacky) Belonick April 28, 2011
Memory Eternal: Archpriest Michael Kovach (1918-2013), member of first graduating class Deborah (Malacky) Belonick July 13, 2013
Alumni Association Honors Dean Emeritus Deborah (Malacky) Belonick December 6, 2013
Alumni and Seminarians Uncover Jesus' World in Bethsaida Deborah (Malacky) Belonick July 8, 2014
Alumnus Elected Metropolitan of Finnish Diocese Deborah (Malacky) Belonick December 1, 2014
Alumnus Deacon Joseph Gall Ordained to Priesthood Deborah (Malacky) Belonick February 23, 2016
Alumnus is Enthroned as Bishop of Dallas and the South Deborah (Malacky) Belonick June 14, 2016
Bishop Basil (SVS '73) Elected Secretary to Episcopal Assembly Deborah Belonick July 24, 2010
Alumnus Archpriest Paul Shafran Honored on 65th Anniversary of Ordination Deborah Belonick December 31, 2012
Seminary Alumnus Nominated to See of Dallas and the South Deborah Belonick February 26, 2015
Alumni to speak at Pan-Orthodox Conference on Diaconate Deborah Belonick April 20, 2017
Alumnus Prepares for Home-Building Teams in Tijuana Deborah Belonick May 4, 2017
Alumnus Facilitates Performance to Support People with Dementia Deborah Belonick January 4, 2018
SVS Press books sent to 3,000 Ethiopian seminarians Deborah Belonick February 12, 2018
Norway’s first Orthodox military chaplain Deborah Belonick February 26, 2018
Archpriest John Matusiak (SVOTS ’75) Speaks at Christian Education Conference in Poland Deborah Belonick, Web Editor October 7, 2010
Fr. Michael and Mat. Lydia Westerberg Celebrate 30 Years in New Haven Parish Deborah Belonick, Web Editor October 12, 2010
Archpriest Alexander Atty Installed as Dean of St. Tikhon's Seminary Deborah Belonick, Web Editor November 10, 2010
In Memoriam: + Archpriest Thomas Succarotte Deborah Malacky Belonick August 11, 2015
Alumnus Delivers Address at Orthodox-Evangelical Dialogue in Finland Dr. Bradley Nassif September 29, 2015
Alumnus publishes article in Christianity Today Dr. Bradley Nassif December 19, 2017
Fayette County Jail: A ‘Womb’ of Transformation Dr. Nancy Holloway August 21, 2017
Alumnus remembers Dean Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko († 18 March 2015) Father John Parker March 24, 2017
Planting Grant Missions: Digital tools for the "Modern Fishermen" Fr Andre Paez September 12, 2016
"A Living Bible": Alumnus Fr. Aaron Warwick Reflects on Dr. Nicolae Roddy Fr. Aaron Warwick, Alumnus, '09 February 9, 2016
Fr. Andrew Cuneo's Parish Receives Planting Grant Fr. John Matusiak, Oca.org June 16, 2014
Parish of Alumnus Receives OCA Mission Grant Fr. John Matusiak, Oca.org September 27, 2014
Ministering in a University Town Fr. John Matusiak, Oca.org September 27, 2014
Archpriest Paul Gassios (SVOTS '94) Nominated for Chicago See Fr. John Matusiak, Oca.org October 7, 2014
Alumni Bless Site of Future Church Fr. John Matusiak, Oca.org June 10, 2015
Alumnus' Parish Receives Planting Grant Fr. John Matusiak, Oca.org November 24, 2015
Alumnus Leads Mission Parish in "Manifesting the Love of God" Fr. John Matusiak, Oca.org March 24, 2016
Alumnus Leads Mission Parish in Establishing Orthodox Presence Fr. John Matusiak, Oca.org April 19, 2016
Alumnus Speaks on the Growth of Mayan Orthodoxy in Guatemala Jesse Brandow May 27, 2014
"You are bread": Jesse Brandow, Missionary to Guatemala Jesse Brandow (SVOTS 2013) December 13, 2015
Devotion to Orthodox history leads Malaysian priest to Mount Carmel Julie Hagenbuch August 10, 2016
A Tiny Powerhouse of Prayer Kevin Gullufsen February 5, 2018
Alumnus Archpriest Sergei Glagolev Receives Miter, and Recognition at Music Conference Mat. Deborah Belonick June 22, 2017
Alumnus Archpriest Kirill Sokolov Leads 11th Annual Diaconal Practicum Mat. Deborah Belonick June 28, 2017
Father Gregory Brent Gilbert Featured in Baltimore Sun Mat. Deborah Belonick July 10, 2017
Alumnus Counsels Houston Survivors of Hurricane Harvey Mat. Deborah Belonick September 12, 2017
Alumnus Archimandrite Warsonofiusz (Varsonufry) Ordained Bishop of Siemiatycze, Poland Mat. Deborah Belonick October 11, 2017
Miter granted to Alumnus Protopresbyter Leonid Kishskovsky Mat. Deborah Belonick November 12, 2017
Celebrating a saint, remembering his footsteps Mat. Deborah Belonick December 6, 2017
Alumnus Assumes “Emil and Elfriede Jochum Professor and Chair” at Valparaiso University Mat. Deborah Belonick December 27, 2017
In Memoriam: Archpriest Aaron Archer OCA / SVOTS November 16, 2012
New Building for Fr. Justin Patterson and Parish Community Oca.org July 30, 2014
Newly Graduated Alumni "Engage the World" Pdn Joseph Matusiak August 31, 2012
In Memoriam: Ludwig Djaparidze (SVOTS '90) Pdn Joseph Matusiak December 13, 2012
In Memoriam: Khouria Joanne Bitar Pdn Joseph Matusiak December 31, 2012
Listen! Lenten Services during Protopresbyter John Meyendorff's Tenure as Dean Pdn. Joseph Matusiak April 3, 2012
SVOTS Alumni Gather in Chicago Area Pdn. Joseph Matusiak May 1, 2012
Alumnus Deacon Andrew Cannon ordained to priesthood; Alumnus Priest Peter Robichau named parish’s first rector Pradeep Hatcher March 13, 2018
Alumnus Archpriest Andrew Tregubov’s iconography featured by local media Pradeep Hatcher April 10, 2018
Alumnus Thomas Zaid Totonchy ordained on historic occasion for Syriac Church Pradeep Hatcher April 23, 2018
Alumnus honored for contributions to liturgical music Pradeep Hatcher May 2, 2018
Alumnus and faculty member Fr. Daniel Findikyan elected Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church Pradeep Hatcher May 7, 2018
Alumnus Bishop Basil: ‘Seminaries are like the heart of the Church’ Pradeep Hatcher June 11, 2018
Alumnus Archpriest John Parker named Dean of Saint Tikhon’s Seminary Pradeep Hatcher July 10, 2018
Alumnus Dr. Brandon Gallaher ordained to the Holy Diaconate Pradeep Hatcher July 24, 2018
Alumnus Dn. Gregory Potter ordained to the Holy Priesthood Pradeep Hatcher August 1, 2018
A conversation with Ghana’s Fr. Joseph Kwame Labi Pradeep Hatcher August 8, 2018
Retired OCA Military Chaplains awarded pectoral crosses during 19th AAC Pradeep Hatcher August 9, 2018
Alumnus Archpriest Michael Westerberg receives miter Pradeep Hatcher August 14, 2018
Alumnus Dn. Daniel Greeson ordained to the Holy Priesthood Pradeep Hatcher August 27, 2018
Serving to Heal: A conversation with Alumnus Rev. (Maj.) Sean Levine Pradeep Hatcher September 6, 2018
Alumni clergy work to help parishioners after Hurricane Florence Pradeep Hatcher September 18, 2018
Priest David Lee Bozeman (’12) makes cover of Living Church magazine Pradeep Hatcher October 14, 2018
Alumnus Dn. George Katrib ordained to the Holy Priesthood Pradeep Hatcher November 13, 2018
Priest Chris Moore to begin ministry in South Korea Pradeep Hatcher December 6, 2018
Malankara Church ordains five SVOTS alumni Pradeep Hatcher January 9, 2019
Alumna Clio Pavlantos pens article in Caring for the Human Spirit Magazine Pradeep Hatcher January 22, 2019
Archpriest John Erickson honored by Catholic University of America Pradeep Hatcher February 6, 2019
Alumnus helps provide healing along Kansas City’s ‘dividing line’ Pradeep Hatcher February 15, 2019
Alumnus Dimitrios Nikiforos tonsured and ordained in Istanbul Pradeep Hatcher March 19, 2019
Alumnus Dn. Kuriakose Abraham ordained to the priesthood Pradeep Hatcher April 2, 2019
Carolina clergy come together for beautiful choral concert Pradeep Hatcher April 16, 2019
Alumnus Fr. Daniel Findikyan consecrated as bishop for Armenian Church Pradeep Hatcher May 13, 2019
Alumnus Dn. Stefan Djoric ordained to the priesthood Pradeep Hatcher June 7, 2019
A Chaplain's Reflection: Finding God while struggling with mental illness Pradeep Hatcher June 17, 2019
Alumna Sister Margarete becomes Mother Macrina Pradeep Hatcher June 21, 2019
Alumnus Dn. Narek Garabedian ordained to the Holy Priesthood Pradeep Hatcher July 1, 2019
Deacon Larry Soper ordained to the holy priesthood Pradeep Hatcher July 9, 2019
Alumnus Archpriest Andrew Tregubov awarded miter Pradeep Hatcher July 29, 2019
Deacon Simon Menya ordained for Orthodox Church in Uganda Pradeep Hatcher July 31, 2019
In Memoriam: Tenth Anniversary of the Repose of Bishop Boris (SVOTS '46) Protodeacon Joseph Matusiak December 29, 2010
Father Rauno Pietarinen (SVOTS '80) Begins One Year Ministry to the Skolt Sami People in Northern Finland Protodeacon Joseph Matusiak June 2, 2011
SVOTS ALUM AWARDED FULBRIGHT FELLOWSHIP Protodeacon Joseph Matusiak June 24, 2011
Fr Vladimir Misijuk (SVOTS '91) Defends Doctoral Dissertation Protodeacon Joseph Matusiak July 5, 2012
In Memoriam: Reverend Deacon Richard Howrilka Protodeacon Joseph Matusiak January 8, 2013
Alumni Lead Inaugural Catechist and Diaconal Institute Protodeacon Joseph Matusiak August 27, 2014
Seminary Alumnus Elected Bishop for Ukrainian Catholic Epharcy of Parma Protodeacon Joseph Matusiak September 11, 2014
Alumnus Fr. Jerome Cwiklinski Honored for Distinguished Service Protodeacon Joseph Matusiak September 27, 2014
Archpriest Peter Baktis, Ch (COL) USA, Honored for 25 Years of Service Protodeacon Joseph Matusiak March 9, 2015
He's There for You Ralph Toss October 22, 2015
In Memoriam + the Reverend Dr. John T. Tavlarides Robin Freeman September 29, 2015
Dn. Marek Simon named executive director of OCF SVOTS August 9, 2019
Alumnus Dn. David McCready ordained for Western Rite parish SVOTS August 13, 2019
Priest Benedict Churchill awarded Gold Cross SVOTS August 19, 2019
Alumnus Bobby Varghese ordained to the Holy Priesthood SVOTS September 16, 2019
Alumnus Dn. Dorde Tomic ordained to the priesthood SVOTS September 30, 2019
Alumnus Hierodeacon Aetios (Nikiforos) ordained to the priesthood SVOTS November 4, 2019
Alumnus Archpriest Michael Koblosh receives miter SVOTS January 8, 2020
Alumnus Archpriest Thomas Soroka is new host of popular AFR show SVOTS January 20, 2020
Alumnus Dn. Basil Crivella ordained to the priesthood SVOTS March 16, 2020
Archpriest Thomas Soroka appointed to oversee OCA department work SVOTS March 31, 2020
COVID-19 changed this hospital chaplain SVOTS May 8, 2020
Holy Synod Elevates Bishop Paul to Archbishop SVOTS June 2, 2020
Alumnus Seraphim O’Keefe details iconography project in South Carolina SVOTS June 4, 2020
Alumna Clio Pavlantos on ministering to cancer and COVID-19 patients SVOTS June 26, 2020
“Learning to dance in the rain”: Building up Orthodoxy in Uganda during pandemic SVOTS July 28, 2020
Newly ordained Dn. John Thetford named Met. Tikhon’s personal secretary SVOTS August 17, 2020
Alumnus Angelo Niqula ordained to the diaconate SVOTS August 21, 2020
Building Orthodoxy in the “Desert” of Norway SVOTS September 2, 2020
Alumnus, daughter create ministry to deaf Orthodox Christians SVOTS September 16, 2020
Priest Alessandro Margheritino begins duties at OCA Chancery SVOTS September 28, 2020
Alumnus priest of Western Rite Vicariate talks ‘transubstantiation’ SVOTS October 27, 2020
Alumnus Fr. Daniel Greeson starts blog on social issues SVOTS November 16, 2020
The Work of Reconciliation in Kansas City: An Interview with Fr. Justin Mathews SVOTS November 23, 2020
Alumnus Botros Sadek earns doctorate after successful dissertation defense SVOTS December 7, 2020
Dn. Ezras Tellalian reflects on ‘unceasing prayer’ in Artsakh war zone SVOTS December 31, 2020
Alumnus Fr. Mardiros Chevian Appointed Dean of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary Virginia Nieuwsma December 11, 2012
Alumni Participate in First "Holy Conversation" Virginia Nieuwsma March 8, 2013
Alumnus Chaplain Earns Highest Army War College Degree and Certification Virginia Nieuwsma August 13, 2013
The Very Rev. Dr. Steven Voytovich Named Dean of St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary Virginia Nieuwsma August 13, 2013
Alumni Scholar Offers Keynote at International Conference Virginia Nieuwsma September 27, 2013
Alumnus Publishes Book with Oxford University Press Virginia Nieuwsma December 17, 2013
Seminarians Past and Present Reflect on Orthodox in the Military Virginia Nieuwsma December 20, 2013
Memory Eternal! The Very Rev. Dr. Alexander Atty Virginia Nieuwsma March 27, 2014
Memory Eternal! +Metropolitan Philip, Class of 1965 Virginia Nieuwsma March 27, 2014
A Decade Hence: Dr. Brandon Gallaher Interview (SVOTS '03) Virginia Nieuwsma April 29, 2014
Alumnus Installed as Bishop of Eastern Pennsylvania Virginia Nieuwsma May 20, 2014
Two Alumni Selected as Candidates for Metropolitan of the Antiochian Archdiocese Virginia Nieuwsma June 10, 2014
Video Highlights Alum's Work with YES Virginia Nieuwsma June 26, 2014
In Memoriam + The Very Rev. Macarius Targonsky (SVOTS '55) Virginia Nieuwsma July 8, 2014
Fr. Thomas Soroka and Community Celebrate 100 Years Virginia Nieuwsma October 24, 2014
Gathering in the Northwest Virginia Nieuwsma December 18, 2014
Memory Eternal! + Fr. N. Constantine Masood (SVOTS '78) Virginia Nieuwsma January 21, 2015
Fr. Christopher Eid (SVOTS 2010) Named Cathedral Dean Virginia Nieuwsma February 3, 2015
Memory Eternal! + Dn. David George Daumit (SVOTS '84) Virginia Nieuwsma February 4, 2015
Alumnus Reaches Ministry Milestone: Metropolitan Elias of Beirut Virginia Nieuwsma November 23, 2015
A Conversation with Mat. Amy Bozeman (Fr. David, SVOTS 2012) Virginia Nieuwsma December 10, 2015
Alumnus Featured in Chaplain Residency Story Virginia Nieuwsma December 22, 2015
"Raising up Leaders": Alumna Directs National Youth Service Program Virginia Nieuwsma January 12, 2016
"We Become Who We Are": Interview with Dr. Will Cohen ('02) Will Cohen July 16, 2014
Former student is Ambassador to the Vatican World Council of Churches September 27, 2014
Syndicate content Subscribe