On Sunday 13 October 2013, Rev. Housig Mardirossian the new Dean of the seminary celebrated the Holy Liturgy at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias. Old and new students and the faculty took part in the liturgy and received Holy Communion.
In his sermon Rev. Housig welcomed the new seminarians to the community of future spiritual leaders of the Armenian Church. He told them that they were now embarked on a new journey of sharing knowledge and of service. Quoting from the ancient historian Gorun, he said that they were blessed because St. Mesrob Mashdotz had given the nation the gift to praise God in the Armenian language.
On Monday, before the beginning of classes, the students and faculty attended a thanksgiving ceremony with prayers, songs and messages. Archbishop Nareg Alemezian transmitted the blessings of His Holiness Aram I, and greeted the new leadership of the seminary. He then urged the students to read and discover the Bible and learn from the Armenian Church Fathers. He also spoke of the importance of knowing the culture and religious traditions of others in order, as future clergy, to be able to dialogue with the world.