Environmental Project launched in Vaskenian Academy
On June 24, at the Vaskenian Theological Academy, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians presided over an opening ceremony for one of the first new environmental initiatives being undertaken by the Armenian Church. A solar water-heater system has been installed to supply the entire seminary with hot water. Present for the ceremony were His Grace Bishop Markos Hovhannisian, Primate of the Diocese of Gegharkunik, Mr. Simon Papian, Deputy Environmental Protection Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Mr. Dirk Boberg, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Armenia, Dr. Karen Nazarian, Executive Director of the Armenia Round Table Foundation of the World Council of Churches, members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin, seminary students and guests.
Hot water in the Academy will now be supplied through a system of solar water-heater collectors totaling 60 square surface meters, installed on the grounds of the seminary. The system will provide 1500 cubic meters of 45 C. hot water annually. The planning, ecological evaluation and work commenced in 2008, through a project jointly undertaken by the church and the Armenia Round Table Foundation. The system was installed by the Solaren Company of Armenia.
Opening remarks were given by Reverend Father Gevork Saroyan, Dean of the Vaskenian Academy who welcomed the guests to witness this important achievement. Deputy Minister Papian, Mr. Boberg and Dr. Nazarian also gave remarks reflecting on the importance of a solar system.
Prior to the ribbon cutting ceremony, the Pontiff of All Armenians extended his blessings and appreciation to those who worked to implement the important project. His Holiness welcomed the new “Green” initiatives noting that they were a compliment to the “Green Theology” program already in place at the Academy. He reflected on the great significance of environmental issues in the educational program of future clergy, and the importance of teaching people to care for God’s creation, especially nature. His Holiness noted that this project should serve as an example to other institutions and organizations for promoting ecologically sound technology.
Following the remarks, Mr. Boberg and Dr. Nazarian cut the ceremonial ribbon. The seminarians of the Academy presented a brief musical performance in honor of the occasion.
In recent years, the Vaskenian Theological Academy, with the support of the Armenian Round Table Foundation, has increased their focus on ecological and environmental issues. In 2006, summer conferences were held on climate change and current ecological problems. The professors of Yerevan State University and Vaskenian Theological Academy have collaborated on a series of special lectures on “Green Theology” and published a guidebook. Environmentalists from Armenia and abroad regularly give lectures in the Academy.
