With an official ceremony, presided by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, the Armenian Theological Seminary opened its 2022-2023 academic year on Sunday, September 9th, 2022, in the atrium of the Catholicosate, in Antelias.

Hymns and poems were recited and bible passages were read by students during the ceremony, followed by the Dean’s message delivered by V. Rev. Fr. Barouyr Shernezian. In his message Fr. Barouyr underlined that the Armenian Theological Seminary does not limit its mission to teaching the theology of the Armenian Church, but continues to walk on the path of our forefathers who dedicated their lives to maintain the Armenian spirit and identity alive through generations, despite systematic attempts to erase our nation from the face of the earth. 

He then invited the Catholicos to offer his message and blessing. His Holiness Aram I stated that the Feast of the Holy Translators is considered a religious feast but it is also an opportunity to celebrate our culture and education. Their monumental work in translation rendered the fifth century in Armenia to a Golden Age, through which they instilled the value of education and literacy, which is why we continue until this day the custom of building the church and the school contiguously.

Speaking about the Theological Seminary, His Holiness mentioned that it prepares our leaders of tomorrow, by teaching them to serve God, the church and the nation. The religious and educational formation that a student undergoes in the seminary is unique in many ways, especially regarding the preservation of our centuries-old identity.