Future clergymen study at the Gevorkian Theological Seminary. In this spiritual educational institution, students are prepared to carry out a God-pleasing, spiritual service, achieving deep knowledge through studying the Armenian rich spiritual and cultural heritage.
The primary goal of the Gevorkian Seminary is to provide quality religious education and training to shape the body, mind and soul of the future clergymen and leaders of the Armenian Church. It is this goal that has constantly driven our Church leaders and lay alike to focus on the needs of the seminaries. Even during times of oppression and closure, the need for religious training and education has never been far from the everyday thoughts of the leaders of the Armenian Church, in particular, the Armenian Patriarchs.
Since its foundation, the Gevorkian Theological Seminary has provided clergymen, as well as, secular teachers, intellectuals, scientists and cultural figures, who made a significant contribution to the progress of the scientific and educational life in Armenia.
Over the years, the Seminary has united many faithful Armenian sons, who made the programs of the Seminary to be in line with the requirements of the time and improved the level of education.
In 1991, after the declaration of the Independence of Armenia, the former building of the Gevorkian Seminary taken by the Soviet Government, was given back to the Armenian Church. In 1996, during the reign of the Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Karekin I, of Blessed Memory; the intensive restoration works of the Seminary building began, which were completed in 1997.
In 1999, under the supervision of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians; large-scale organizational and construction works began. The curriculum of the Seminary was completely changed, the living conditions of the students were improved, courses were added, the curriculum was expanded.
In 2002, the Gevorkian Theological Seminary acquired the accredited status of a Higher Educational Religious Institution. On the initiative of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; taking into account the updated educational programs, the RA Ministry of Education and Science granted the Seminary the status of a Theological University. From 2004 to 2007, the Gevorkian Theological Seminary received the right to implement educational programs in accordance with the Bachelor and Master's degrees standards by receiving licenses for the relevant credentials; and passed to the two-level education system adopted in the Universities of the Republic of Armenia. Now, students study according to the new curriculum; receiving Bachelor's (in the 4th grade) and Master's (in the 6th grade) degrees in theology.
In 2012, the chairs of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary were reopened, which were called to raise the quality of the education in the Seminary to a higher level. In 2014, in the Master's program, education became narrowly specialized due to the newly opened professional streams (Bible Studies, Historical Theology, Theology, Practical Theology).
In 2016, the Seminary received the right to open a postgraduate course by the RA Ministry of Education and Science. In 2018, the first postgraduate students were admitted; the first academic year of the postgraduate course started. From now on, the Seminary is the only University in the Republic of Armenia that can award the degree of Candidate of Theology.
Dean: Very Rev. Fr. Archimandrite Shahe Ananyan
Address: Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Vagharshapat
Tel.: (010) 517-324
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.gevorgianseminary.am/