Solemn Meeting on Occasion of Regular Graduation of Kyiv Theological Schools Held

On June 15, at the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra the festivities dedicated to the 14th graduation of the Kyiv Theological Academy and the 18th graduation class of the Seminary began. After the Divine Liturgy, celebrated at the refectory church, the solemn act dedicated to the regular graduation was held t the session hall of the Kyiv Theological Academy (block No.45 of Lavra).

The session was opened by the introductory word of the Rector of the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary Archbishop Anthony of Boryspil.

First Vladyka Archbishop greeted those present on the commemoration of the Kyiv-Bratsk Icon of the Mother of God, marked that day. Archbishop Anthony noted that this icon was glorified at the Kyiv-Bratsk monastery, where the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy had been once founded, as a predecessor of the Kyiv Theological Schools.

Also His Eminence the rector focused attention of those present at the complexities and peculiarities of the education process of the future pastors.

“We have to give a future clergyman the maximal knowledge he will require, but more important is to bring up a developed personality, to educate a good Christian, who will be good pastor in future”, said His Eminence.

Thereafter the vice rector for education archimandrite Clemet (Vecheria) presented some statistical data on the graduation year and the schools in general.

Then the floor was given to His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr, who addressed with a word of instruction to the graduates and the students who were to continue their studies.

“I’d like to wish you what you need in our ministry – the personal example. A priest can do nothing without personal example, it will be not ministry but artistic impression, which embitters both the heart of the priest and of those standing for a prayer and are going to decide their life problems with him. Personal example is an exponent of one’s education, spiritual essence and the strength of one’s faith. Receive the blessing of God and the wish to be worthy servants of the Lord God and our nation”, said the Archpastor.

Thereafter, the main event of the solemn meeting took place – the graduates received the diplomas together with the theological literature and new issues of the print editions of the KTA&S.
Finally, the wardens of the graduate years of the Seminary and Academy thanked His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr, Archbishop Anthony and the course tutors for the many-year pedagogical work with them, and presented each of them with a bunch of live flowers.

For the record. This year the number of the students of the Seminary counts 163 persons, Академії – 129. 5 students completed their studies with the degree of a Candidate of Theology, 19 students of the daily department defended their diploma theses.

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