In the context of the rapid changes in the modern world, it is essential for the clergyman to respond appropriately to the spiritual needs and demands of his flock. The Catholicos to the graduates of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary.
In the context of the rapid changes in the modern world, it is essential for the clergyman to respond appropriately to the spiritual needs and demands of his flock. The Catholicos to the graduates of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary.
30-06-2026 18:14 Armenia Social
On June 30, under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, a closing ceremony for the 2025-2026 academic year took place at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin for the Gevorgian Spiritual Seminary.
The event began with the Lord's Prayer, followed by the national anthem of the Republic of Armenia and the anthem of the Gevorgian Spiritual Seminary. After that, the attendees were welcomed by the Reverend Father Housik Abbot Smbatyan, the supervisor of the Gevorgian Spiritual Seminary and the Sevan Vazgenian Spiritual School.
The Holy Father, addressing the mission of the Gevorgian Spiritual Seminary, emphasized that for more than a century and a half, this educational institution has been an important center for the preservation and transmission of faith, knowledge, national self-awareness, moral values, and ecclesiastical tradition. Abbot Housik noted that in the face of contemporary moral, spiritual, and value challenges, the Church needs educated, prayerful, humble, and selfless servants more than ever, who will strengthen the believers through their service and witness the Gospel through their lives.
After performances by the Gevorgian Spiritual Seminary choir, Dr. Ashot Galstyan, Professor, spoke on behalf of the faculty, while the student body was represented by the sixth-grade student, the honorable Deacon Karlen Gasparyan, who shared heartfelt words.
During the ceremony, the Catholicos of All Armenians presented awards to students who had achieved high academic progress.
The event concluded with a paternal message and blessing from the Catholicos of All Armenians. In his speech, His Holiness emphasized that each academic year marks a new page of success in the history of the educational institution, filled with new hopes and expectations for everyone: “Under the roof of the sacred spiritual-educational institution, the spiritual servants of the Armenian Church are being prepared, who are called to serve our people living in various national and cultural environments in Armenia and the Diaspora, to nurture love for the homeland and the Holy Church among them, and to guide them along the path of God-given salvation. The activities of the seminary are directly related to the spiritual life and national self-awareness of every Armenian child, and to the value system of our believers. In this sense, our expectations and demands from our spiritual institutions are always high.”
“In the context of the rapid changes in the modern world, it is essential that the clergy, firmly attached to the sacred traditions of our fathers and national roots, remain in touch with the developments and challenges of the times and respond appropriately to the spiritual needs and demands of their flock,” the Catholicos of All Armenians noted, adding that only in this way can the mission of the Holy Church be effectively realized in the face of current imperatives and illuminate and beautify Armenian life through the preaching of the Word of Life.
Then, addressing the faculty, the Catholicos of All Armenians urged them to remain faithful to the traditions of the Sahak-Mesrop school and to continue their diligent and fruitful work in imparting knowledge to the students, strengthening them with spiritual character and national consciousness, and inspiring them with the enlightening examples of our great spiritual figures: “Bring forth new zealous servants to the national-ecclesiastical community and, like our Lord Jesus Christ, be ‘good shepherds’ so that they can inspire, comfort, and provide beneficial service to the children of our people with the words of the Gospel.”
His Holiness encouraged the seminary students to eagerly accumulate the knowledge offered to them, preparing with prayer and diligence for the great calling of being a servant of Christ. The Supreme Patriarch also emphasized that serving the nation and the Church requires a courageous spirit, unwavering will, and, when necessary, a readiness for all sacrifices.
“Remain steadfast in your commitment to enter the spiritual realm with faith and unwavering loyalty to the true teachings and life-giving messages of our Savior. ‘Whoever abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit, for without Me you can do nothing,’ says the Lord (John 15:5). Be guided by this message of the Lord and the awareness of the vital importance of the mission of the Armenian Church in national life, so that as future leaders and shepherds, you may be worthy successors of our holy ancestors and through your service, bring forth light and love abundantly in the souls of our people’s children. The Most High has granted you grace to serve and dedicate your faith, knowledge, dedication, and entire life for the love of God, for the love of our Holy Church and nation,” said the Catholicos of All Armenians.
On the occasion of the closing ceremony, His Holiness expressed his blessing and gratitude to the supervisory and teaching staff of the Gevorgian Spiritual Seminary, led by the Reverend Father Housik Abbot Smbatyan.
At the end, Karekin II raised a prayer to God, asking the Lord to keep and protect everyone under His most careful Holy Hand, and with God’s support, may the important activities of the spiritual educational institutions of the Mother See be adorned with new successes for the glory of God, for the welfare and progress of the nation and homeland, and for the glory of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church.
In the 2025-2026 academic year, the seminary graduated 11 students.
The Information System of the Mother See
* This text was automatically translated by Artificial Intelligence (AI).
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