Духовная Академия Васкененьян
| Духовная Академия Васкененьян | |
| Vaskenenian Theological Academy |
Vaskenenian Theological Academy.Vaskenenian Theological Academy
History
The Vaskenian Theological Academy of Sevan was re-established in 1990 on the picturesque peninsula of Lake Sevan. The Academy 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 Academy 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 Academy in honor of His Holiness, Vasken I.
During the first stages of its existence the Academy 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) after over half a century of silence. They have regained their former importance and have taken the newly-built Seminary under their protection.
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) and Reverend Father Garegin Haroutjunnian (2003-2004) Currently, the Dean of the Seminary is Reverend Father Mkrtich Proshian.
Since its foundation the program and schedule of the Seminary has undergone various changes and improvements and gradually it emerged with a clear direction, clarifying the main objectives of the Seminary. Many wonderful traditions have been founded at the Vaskenian Seminary, among them are events and programs held during various feasts and pre-holiday evenings. The Seminary has also hosted several symposiums and will continue to do so in the future.
The Vaskenian Seminary has established itself as the crown of Lake Sevan, and each year hundreds of pilgrims make the arduous task of climbing the stairs to see her churches, always rewarded with site of the beauty of the church and a view of the magnificent lake.
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 can now house 80 students, in addition to the 150 students at the Gevorkian Seminary. 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.
The seminary consists of two buildings, academic and dormitory. There is a smaller building connecting the two that served as the old dining hall. Above the seminary at the top of the hill is a pair of churches, the St. Karapet and the Church of the Holy Apostles, which are depicted in numerous works of art, both modern and classic in scenes of Lake Sevan.
Within the academic building are an auditorium, 5 lecture halls, the library and offices.
The auditorium is a large room which is embellished with two large collages that have been compiled over the last two years. The collage is devoted to current news events; the return of the relics of St. Gregory the Illuminator to the Armenian Church, the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the re-opening of the seminary, celebrations and events surrounding the feasts of St. Vardan, Holy Easter, and discovery of the Holy Cross. There is also a monument dedicated to the commemoration of the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide. Within this memorial is a container of soil from Der Zor along with scenes of the 2001 pilgrimage to Der Zor conducted by the Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Karekin II. Near this memorial incense is burned and prayers are raised up to God in memory of the victims of 1915.
Annual traditional programs are presented in the auditorium, for both the students and the public. Each year there are presentations for the opening of the academic year, the celebration of the New Year, the Feast of St. Vartan the Warrior and his Companians, the closing of the academic year, as well as various feast days recognized on the liturgical calendar and celebrated by the Armenian Church.
As the seminary is isolated on the peninsula and not located near any major cities or towns, there is an atmosphere of family and closeness among the students and the staff. Within the auditorium, the students grow and tend to a wide variety of plants and flowers, ensuring that they survive the harshness of the cold winters experienced at Lake Sevan.
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 library also serves as a teachers meeting room during class sessions.
Between the academic buildings and the dormitory there is a walkway with seating areas. It serves as an alternate study room during the hot summer months. Many late evening discussions and debates are held in this outdoor venue.
The original dormitory building was constructed by the Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness
Mkrtich I Khrimian of Van (Khrimian Hayrik). It was built with 7 bedrooms, each meant to house 5 to 10 beds, along with a room for the dormitory supervisor. With the completion of the new 3 story dormitory, the original dormitory will soon be converted into academic space. The newly built dormitory has large bedrooms and numerous common areas; large meeting hall, a sports gym, office space for the supervisory staff, and various small rooms for after school activities.
Churches
The St. Garabet and the Church of the Holy Apostles are used by the students as well as the nearby residents of the town of Sevan. In addition to these two ancient churches, a small chapel has been built within the complex walls of the seminary. The St. James chapel has been built to allow for services to be conducted during times of inclement weather. It will be consecrated late in the year of 2005.
The St. Garabet and the Church of the Holy Apostles are frequented often by visitors to Lake Sevan. It is viewed as a pilgrimage to climb the long flight of stairs to the top where the visitors are greeted with two beautiful churches and a magnificent view of Lake Sevan.
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 can now house 80 students, in addition to the 150 students at the Gevorkian Seminary. 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.
The seminary consists of two buildings, academic and dormitory. There is a smaller building connecting the two that served as the old dining hall. Above the seminary at the top of the hill is a pair of churches, the St. Karapet and the Church of the Holy Apostles, which are depicted in numerous works of art, both modern and classic in scenes of Lake Sevan.
Within the academic building are an auditorium, 5 lecture halls, the library and offices.
The auditorium is a large room which is embellished with two large collages that have been compiled over the last two years. The collage is devoted to current news events; the return of the relics of St. Gregory the Illuminator to the Armenian Church, the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the re-opening of the seminary, celebrations and events surrounding the feasts of St. Vardan, Holy Easter, and discovery of the Holy Cross. There is also a monument dedicated to the commemoration of the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide. Within this memorial is a container of soil from Der Zor along with scenes of the 2001 pilgrimage to Der Zor conducted by the Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Karekin II. Near this memorial incense is burned and prayers are raised up to God in memory of the victims of 1915.
Annual traditional programs are presented in the auditorium, for both the students and the public. Each year there are presentations for the opening of the academic year, the celebration of the New Year, the Feast of St. Vartan the Warrior and his Companians, the closing of the academic year, as well as various feast days recognized on the liturgical calendar and celebrated by the Armenian Church.
As the seminary is isolated on the peninsula and not located near any major cities or towns, there is an atmosphere of family and closeness among the students and the staff. Within the auditorium, the students grow and tend to a wide variety of plants and flowers, ensuring that they survive the harshness of the cold winters experienced at Lake Sevan.
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 library also serves as a teachers meeting room during class sessions.
Between the academic buildings and the dormitory there is a walkway with seating areas. It serves as an alternate study room during the hot summer months. Many late evening discussions and debates are held in this outdoor venue.
The original dormitory building was constructed by the Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness
Mkrtich I Khrimian of Van (Khrimian Hayrik). It was built with 7 bedrooms, each meant to house 5 to 10 beds, along with a room for the dormitory supervisor. With the completion of the new 3 story dormitory, the original dormitory will soon be converted into academic space. The newly built dormitory has large bedrooms and numerous common areas; large meeting hall, a sports gym, office space for the supervisory staff, and various small rooms for after school activities.
Churches
The St. Garabet and the Church of the Holy Apostles are used by the students as well as the nearby residents of the town of Sevan. In addition to these two ancient churches, a small chapel has been built within the complex walls of the seminary. The St. James chapel has been built to allow for services to be conducted during times of inclement weather. It will be consecrated late in the year of 2005.
The St. Garabet and the Church of the Holy Apostles are frequented often by visitors to Lake Sevan. It is viewed as a pilgrimage to climb the long flight of stairs to the top where the visitors are greeted with two beautiful churches and a magnificent view of Lake Sevan.
