His Holiness Zakka I Visits Vazkenian Theological Seminary of Sevan
On Tuesday October 22, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church, accompanied by bishops from both churches, visited the Vazkenian Theological Seminary of Sevan. The Very Rev. Fr. Bagrat Vartabed Galsdanian, Dean of the Seminary, greeted and received the entourage as they entered the complex.
On the final day of his visit to Armenia, His Holiness Zakka I was led on a walking tour of the seminary by His Holiness Karekin II, who introduced him to the clergymen, instructors and seminarians. Fr. Galsdanian presented brief remarks on the history of the ancient Monastery of Sevan, and the new seminary which was founded in 1990.
The seminarians presented a musical program for the enjoyment of the guests, upon conclusion of which, Patriarch Zakka I addressed his message to them. He stated in part, ?This seminary is not only the future of your Church, but also her hope. His Holiness Karekin II, when yet still Vicar General (of the Araratian Pontifical Diocese), had the foresight and wisdom to found this establishment on the banks of this serene lake, with the blessing of Catholicos Vazken I, after whom your seminary is now named. May you all learn well, heeding your dean and instructors, so that we may proudly look upon you one day as the leaders of the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church.?
Following their visit to the seminary at Lake Sevan, the two Pontiffs returned to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin for a farewell dinner. The dinner was the final event in a four-day schedule of activities during when His Holiness Karekin II and the entire Armenian Church hosted the Supreme Head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church on an official visit to Armenia. His Holiness Zakka I and his ecclesiastic delegation departed Armenia on the night of October 22.
