Start Of The Academic Year At Turpanjian Seminary

Beginning with the 2012-2013 academic year, the Turpanjian Theological Seminary has been utilizing an academic curriculum in accordance with the requirements of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Armenia. In addition to the subjects instructed at the high school level, the seminary’s curriculum also includes scriptural studies, liturgical hymns, and classical Armenian (Krapar).

Thanks to the generosity of Diocesan Benefactors Gerald and Patricia Turpanjian, the dilapidated seminary building once in dire need of renovation has undergone intense renovation and will be completed entirely in the summer of 2017. The seminary has been named Turpanjian Theological Seminary – Harichavank by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

During his trips to the Motherland, the Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian regularly visits the seminarians offering pastoral guidance and support to the young men who have embarked on a God-pleasing journey of one day serving flock of Christ as priests. Hundreds of books and compact discs have been donated to the seminary at the Primate’s initiative. The religious, liturgical and historical collection of bilingual books have become valuable additions to the seminary’s library and have been made widely available to the seminarians wishing to further their knowledge in religious studies and become more proficient in the English language.

Presently, the Turpanjian Theological Seminary Library contains over 12,000 books.

Reflecting on the dedicated service of the seminarians, Archbishop Derderian noted that the young men are committed to continuing their religious education and are steadfast in their ancestral Christian Faith. “I have been deeply impressed and delighted by the level of alertness of the minds and the depth of the seminarians as it pertains to spiritual life. The sense of courage in these seminarians and their willingness to answer to God’s calling was most reassuring. We commend the God-pleasing mission which is being realized within these walls and extend our wholehearted gratitude to the supervisors and the administrative staff for their Christian spirit in instilling the divine love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the hearts of the future leaders of the Armenian Apostolic Church,” said His Eminence.

This year 22 young men have been accepted to the seminary which has a current enrollment of 38 seminarians. Nineteen seminarians graduated from the Turpanjian Theological Seminary in 2016 of which 16 were admitted to the Gevorkian Theological Seminary in Etchmiadzin and the Vazkenian Seminary in Sevan.

The Monastery of Harich or Harichavank is 7th century Armenian monastery located near the village of Harich in the Shirak Province of the Republic of Armenia.  Harichavank was known as one of the most famous monastic centers in Armenia and it was especially renowned for its school and scriptorium. Archaeological excavations of 1966 indicate that Harich was in existence during the 2nd century BC, and was one of the more well-known fortress towns in Armenia.