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December 29, 2010
20th Anniversary of the Vaskenian Theological Seminary Celebrated in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
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From left: His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, AGBU Council of Trustees member and benefactor Karnig Yacoubian and his wife Anahit, and AGBU President Berge Setrakian's wife Vera Setrakian at the 20th Anniversary of the Vaskenian Theological Seminary event.
On November 4, 2010, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, presided over a celebration dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Vaskenian Theological Seminary at Lake Sevan. The celebration was held in the Pontifical Residence of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Attendees included AGBU Council of Trustees member and benefactor Karnig Yacoubian and his wife Anahit; AGBU President Berge Setrakian’s wife Vera Setrakian; Vahram Nersissian of the Araratian Pontifical Diocese of Armenia; a member of the Supreme Spiritual Council; state representatives; members of the Brotherhood of the Mother See; and students of the Gevorkian and Vaskenian seminaries.
Over the past 20 years, the Seminary has produced 142 graduates, including two bishops, four archimandrites, 11 reverend fathers, 50 priests, and 75 deacons. "The Seminary is one of the great victories of the 20th century in our national life. For us, the Seminary is the past, the present and the future," stated Reverend Father Gevorg Saroyan, dean of the Vaskenian Seminary. During the ceremony, there was a concert presented by the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia, led by artistic director and conductor Robert Mlkeyan. The choir of the Academy performed spiritual songs in honor of the occasion. A film called "Vaskenian Academy-20: The History of the Soul," produced by Shoghakat TV Studio, was also presented to the audience.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Armenian Pontiff extended his message of blessing. He expressed his words of appreciation to the administrative and academic staff, to the seminarians and to the graduates of Vaskenian, saying, "The mission of each spiritual institution is to train and educate the God-loving, Church-loving and patriotic offspring. I should pray, ask, and wish that our spiritual seminaries nurture priests who will justify the hopes of our nation and realize the oath which will glorify the name of His Holiness Vasken I of blessed memory. May God send His blessings that the seminary keep the name and sacred memory of our beloved Pontiff vibrant." His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, also extended his gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Karnig Yacoubian, benefactors of the Academy, who believed in the mission of the institution and took on the responsibilities of financing the reconstruction of the campus.
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