Opening Ceremonies of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary
10.09.2002
The 2002-2003 academic year of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin officially opened on September 10, 2002. His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, presided during the opening ceremonies.
This year is a new beginning for the seminary, as the Government of the Republic of Armenia has recognized it as an accredited institution of higher learning, thus giving it university status. This reality opens new perspectives for the seminary, as well as greater possibilities for the graduating deacons.
During the opening ceremonies, the Pontifical Encyclical issued on the occasion of the Seminary?s accreditation was presented to the dean, faculty and students under the singing of church hymns. The encyclical of His Holiness states that the accreditation ?is the Armenian State?s true appreciation of the Seminary?s contribution to the Armenian nation in the spheres of spiritual education, science and culture, and its increasing activities and potential for the future.?
The Pontifical Encyclical records the names of those who have been instrumental in the foundation and success of the institution: His Holiness Gevork IV (Catholicos of All Armenians 1866-1882), and founder of the Seminary; as well as those Pontiffs, benefactors and teachers who continued and strengthened the work directed towards spiritual education, and to whose devoted service and credit, the seminary matured into an institution of excellence.
Dean of the Seminary, Rev. Fr. Yeghishe Sargisian, addressed his words of appreciation to His Holiness on behalf of the teaching staff and seminarians.
In his remarks, His Holiness prayed for the future servants of the Armenian Church ?to be the true shepherds of the Lord?s flock and together with knowledge, inspire the values of faith and love within the hearts of the people?Those values, thanks to which the Armenian nation has survived, lived and will continue to live?.
During this new academic year 124 seminarians will study at the Gevorkian Theological Seminary, 31 of them as freshmen. Among the new enrollees are students from Armenia, Russia and Egypt.
