Agreement Signed Between the Theological Seminaries of the Armenian and the Russian Orthodox Churches

On May 16, with the blessings of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; and His Holiness Kirill I, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia; an agreement of cooperation was signed between the Gevorkian Theological Seminary and the Moscow Theological Academy of the Russian Orthodox Church.  The signing ceremony was held in the auditorium of the Gevorkian Seminary. On this occasion the a delegation from the Moscow Theological Academy visited Armenia, under the leadership of His Eminence Archbishop Eugene of Vereya, Chairman of the Academic　Committee of the Russian　Orthodox　Church and Rector of the Moscow Theological Academy.

The ceremony was opened with the Lord’s Prayer followed by the hymns of the Republic of Armenia, Russia, and the Gevorkian Theological Seminary.  His Grace Bishop Gevorg Saroyan, Dean of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary and Rector of the Religious Educational Institutions of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin; gave his opening remarks. “This day signifies yet another crucial juncture in the spiritual relations of a lifelong history between our nations, connected by faith, history, culture and a pure worldview. It is of utmost importance for us to educate the faithful servants of our church, as those are the people who will greatly contribute to the revival and prosperity of our Christian world through their devotion, faith and patriotism. We are positive that the agreement between the two institutes will contribute to the reinforcement and development of the relations between the seminaries and will open new horizons for future cooperation”, His Grace stated in part.

His Eminence Archbishop Eugene, Rector　of the Moscow Theological Seminary, stated in his remarks that the agreement was an important step towards forging stronger relations between the two Churches. He highlighted the importance of educating the youth and training the clergy, and reflected on reformations in education and the necessity of cooperation and exchanges of experience between the theological seminaries for accomplishing those goals.

Within the scope of the agreement, collaboration is planned in the disciplines of humanitarian sciences, theological and spiritual education, as well as publications on education, science, and methodologies, and informational activities for advancing the field of humanitarian education. A mutual agreement was reached with the signed document for cultivating and investing complementary educational projects which will benefit from the experiences of the respective faculties, involving them in the process of planning and implementing educational projects within the individual disciplines or educational programs.

Scientific events and research studies are planned to be held, an exchange of experiences on methodologies will be organized, as well as fostering the enhancement of qualifications of the faculties and educational technology. Also joint publications of scientific and educational literature will be prepared. After signing the agreement the choruses of the Moscow Theological Academy and Gevorkian Theological Seminary performed religious songs.

The event came to a close with blessings from His Eminence Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan, Director of the Publishing Department of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, and Chairman of the Monastic Council of the Catholicosate of All Armenians.

Present at the event were members of the brotherhood of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the faculty, staff, and students from the Gevorkian Theological Seminary; Mr. Victor Krivopuskov, Advisor to the Russian Embassy in Armenia, Mr. Yuri Rodionov, First deputy of　the Russian Border Guard Services in Armenia, and Lieutenant General Alexander Gvozdev, Assistant to the President of the Educational Committee of the Russian Orthodox Church.

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