Feast of St. Gevork the Warrior Celebrated in the Gevorkian Theological Seminary
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin – September 2016
On September 24, under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; the Feast of St. Gevork the Warrior was celebrated with great solemnity in the Auditorium of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary. The Seminary, which was founded by the late Catholicos George IV, carries the name of St. Gevork the Warrior.
The event was attended by the members of the Brotherhood of the Mother See; administrative staff and lecturers of the spiritual and educational institutions of the Mother See; students of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary and other guests.
The event was opened with the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer following which the hymns of the Republic of Armenia and the Gevorkian Theological Seminary were performed. The graduation diplomas for the 2015-2016 academic year were presented during the event.
Rev. Fr. Karekin Hambardzumyan, Dean of the Gevorkian Seminary made opening remarks, and stated: “Very often we forget about the power of dreams and the great impact that a dream can have on our lives and others. Every seminarian dreams to graduate from the seminary and be called to service. So today that dream is realized. You have received such an education here that will give you the opportunity to offer your service in different divisions of our Church. We are confident that you will continue to build your bright future on the solid foundation that you received here.
We all know that today our mission is greater in our homeland and the diaspora. When we look around, we see a lot of problems; spreading of immoral behavior in society; broken families; hatred and wrath… Many people have lost their spiritual serenity, some even their faith in God and the power of will to do the righteous and the true.
Our spiritual seminary carries the name of the St. Gevork the Warrior, and there was a time, when it was called the Saintly Gevorkian Seminary. We couldn’t find a better example of a testimony of faith than the example of St. Gevork”.
On behalf of the administrative and faculty staff and the students, Father Karekin congratulated the eighteen graduate deacons, wishing that their diplomas become motivation for a new spiritual and self-educational journey.
Following the remarks of the Dean, the Semianry choir, led by Mr. Harutyun Topikyan, RA Honored Art Worker, performed the hymn dedicated to S. George the Warrior.
Then, Rev. Fr. Ghevond Mayilyan and Mr. Norayr Poghosyan, candidate of philological sciences, made remarks on behalf of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary professors.
The 18 graduates were handed the 2015-2016 Academic year diplomas by the Catholicos of All Armenians.
On behalf of the graduates, Dn. Samvel Poghosyan, expressed his word of gratitude to the attendees.
The “Inrok” string quintet performed musical numbers, following which His Holiness concluded the event with blessings and remarks.
“Years ago we established that the Feast of St. George the Warrior be celebrated under the roof of our facility, as the Founders Day of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary. Today we offer our glory and praise to God, that for 142 years this institution has been carrying out its mission in our national life. For 142 years the institution has produced prominent national figures, who offered their services to our people both in the secular and spiritual realms.
… Glorious people, that have left their luminous mark in our national history through their merits and unique works. Today, that tradition continues: 18 new graduates are sitting in front of us”, stated His Holiness.
Catholicos Karekin II expressed his appreciation to the Seminary professors and staff for their dedicated efforts and productive work.
His Holiness urged the graduates to be worthy workers in the Lord’s garden and care for the orchard so it will bare fertile fruit. His Holiness urged them to be the bearer of the glorious treasures, add new luster and vibrancy to the centuries-old history of the Seminary.
Noting that the young clergy, as servants of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, assume a difficult mission, His Holiness asked for God’s support, that they serve well and always uphold the reputation of the Armenian Church in the Armenian life. The Catholicos of All Armenians urged them to be strong in the Lord and with a strong faith and devotion implement their service inside the Church life.
The event was concluded with the ‘Protector’ prayer and Pontifical blessings of His Holiness.
