The Vaskenian Theological Seminary of Sevan was re-established in 1990 on the picturesque peninsula of Lake Sevan
. The Seminary was opened during the Pontificate and with the blessings of His Holiness Vasken I, of Blessed Memory, and by the direct initiative of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, who was then the Vicar of the Araratian Pontifical Diocese. As the re-opening of the Seminary was encouraged and approved by His Holiness Vasken I, it was decided in 1994 by His Holiness Karekin I, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenian of blessed memory, the Academy should be renamed the Vaskenian Theological Seminary in honor of His Holiness, Vasken I. During the first stages of its existence the Seminary was housed in the ancillary building that was constructed in 1897 by the Catholicos of All Armenians, Mkrtitch I Khrimian (1892-1907) as a building of the Seminary. However, it was never used for that purpose. In the early 1990’s it served both as classrooms and a dormitory building for the students of the Seminary, and a portion of the building was made into a dining room. As the seminary grew, the Seminary property was extended and a stone building was added, to be used as classroom.
The original building was converted to a complete dormitory. In addition to the two buildings, the complex encompasses two Churches that are on the Sevan peninsula adjacent to the seminary. These are the St. Karapet and St. Arakelots Churches — and they serve as the heart of the Sevan Seminary, filled with the murmurs of prayers and the musical sounds of Armenian hymns (sharakan)..During the course of its history the Vaskenian Seminary which was always headed and supervised by the Catholicos, has had several Deans. Each of them has left their mark on the Seminary. Reverend Father Khoren Martirossian (1990-1991), Sasoun Vardanian (1992-1995), Reverend Father Archimandrite Arakel Karamian (now Archbishop) (1995-1996), Reverend Father Minas Martirossian (1996-2000), Reverend Father Bagrat Galstanian (now Archbishop) (2000-2003), Reverend Father Garegin Haroutjunnian (2003-2004), Reverend Father Mkrtich Proshian (2004-2007) and Reverend Father Gevork Saroyan (2007-2010).Currently, the Dean of the Seminary is Reverend Father Shnorq Sargsyan. The Vaskenian Academy of Lake Sevan is situated on the peninsula of Sevan. The original seminary consisted of an ancillary building that was constructed in 1897 by the Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Mkrtitch I Khrimian (1892-1907). However, it was never used for that purpose. In the early 1990’s it served both as classrooms and a dormitory building for the students of the Seminary, and a portion of the building was made into a dining room. As the seminary grew, the Seminary property was extended and a stone building was added, to be used as classrooms. The original building was converted to a dormitory. A dining hall was constructed between the two buildings. In 2004, a newly constructed building was opened. The capacity of the seminary was increased with the addition of a new dormitory due to the sponsorship of Mr. and Mrs. Garnik and Ani Yacoubyan of Syria and Canada. The seminary now houses 69 students. Study areas, offices and efficient student bedrooms provide a welcoming environment for learning. The new dormitories were furnished through the endowment fund of Mr. and Mrs. Noubar and Anita Jessourian. The library was also furnished due to the sponsorship of brothers Sarkis and Avetis Demerjian of Lebanon. Within the academic building are an auditorium, 5 lecture halls, the library and The library which is relatively young, is continuously growing, being enriched with new publications that reach the library with the help of the friends of the seminary, now living in different corners of the world. Armenian publications are donated to the library by authors and by the publishing house of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. As mentioned above, the library was recently refurbished with new storage for the books and tables for research and study.The basic curriculum of the seminary is the study of theology, the Church Fathers, literature, history, art, new and old testament, patristics, liturgics and traditions of the Armenian Church. A newly added dimension of student life is the gym, giving the students the opportunity to ensure a healthy body for a healthy soul, which is also of utmost importance as the climate of Sevan is not suitable for those who are not fit and healthy. Each year the students are expected to create a vast array of writing works. It has become a tradition to compile these works into an annual yearbook or catalog of work, for archival and historical purposes.
Since its inception, the Vaskenian Seminary has promoted over 100 graduates who at present serve in the Dioceses of the Armenian Church. Many have been ordained and some have returned to the Seminary to teach.The main objective of the seminary is to prepare faithful men to serve the Armenian Church both in Armenia and the Diaspora, who will be able to lead the Church’s faithful flock to God and to salvation. Another goal of the seminary is to make the Armenian spiritual songs known to the nation. The students of the seminary recently completed two CDs which were produced for public distribution. The “Komitas Liturgy” and “Sunrise in Geghard” were both highly acclaimed and “Sunrise in Geghard” won for best liturgical album of the year at the Armenian Music Awards in 2002, held annually in Los Angeles, California.Also on june of 2010 there was opened the new classroom to improve the students Russian. The special program started at the Seminary is the introduction of Green Theology. As newer discipline among religious educational institutions, Green Theology is a pioneering method of addressing the ecological issues which face today’s society.
Dean and Staff of the Seminary
There are over 20 clergy and lay who teach at the Seminary in different capacities. The lay lecturers are Phd’s and Candidates of Science. They also deliver lectures at the different departments of Yerevan State University. The ecclesiastic Professors are members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin.
Dean
Reverend Father Shnorq Sargsyan
Vice Deans
Reverend Father Minas Martirosyan
Reverend Father Nshan Hmayakyan
Secretary
Deacon Karekin Soghomonyan
Superintendant.
Deacon Sargis Tovmasyan
Mr.David Samvelyan
E-mail. Vta 1897@yahoo.ie
