Official Dedication Of The Turpanjian Theological Seminary Of Harichavank

The official dedication ceremony of the Turpanjian Theological Seminary of Harichavank was held on June 19, 2017. Presided by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, members of the Turpanjian family including Lori Muncherian, Paul and Harry Turpanjian and others as well as high-ranking clergymen of the Armenian Church including the Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian and provincial leaders participated in the ceremonial rite.

The dedication commenced with the unveiling of the plaque after which the Catholicos of All Armenians led a procession to St. Mary Church for a prayer of thanksgiving.

In the courtyard of the monastery, the Pontiff of the Armenian Church and the guests were greeted with exciting song and dance performances by students of cultural centers in Yerevan and Gyumri which operate under the auspices of the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin and the AGBU.  

The Blessing and Dedication service followed in the renovated seminary building after a tour of monastery complex.

The Primate has continually stressed the unwavering Christian spirit of the Turpanjian family. “Mr. and Mrs. Gerald and Patricia Turpanjian, among the numerous missions, have considered the mission of the Turpanjian Seminary of Harichavank a vital undertaking for the Armenian Apostolic Church. The seminary is a noble institution where young priesthood-candidates are being trained to become future servants of Christ and the Armenian Apostolic Church. We are truly grateful for their generosity, and their vision has touched our hearts.” Archbishop Derderian expressed his wholehearted gratitude to His Holiness Karekin II for the vision of the noble endeavor of renovating the seminary building through the gracious generosity of the benefactors.

Words of gratitude to the Turpanjian family were also addressed by provincial governor of Shirak Mr. Artur Khachatryan who stressed the importance of preparing the next wave of educated youth which is presently being realized within the walls of the seminary.

Following the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, His Holiness reflected on the restoration process of the historic monastic center of Harichavank which was made possible through the kind-hearted generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald and Patricia Turpanjian years ago. The Catholicos of All Armenians reassured that the once thriving monastery will flourish once again giving way to the reinstatement of the monastic life in the Armenian Church.

His Holiness informed the Turpanjian family that the next phase of construction will be focused on the renovation of the monastery, the improvement project of the courtyard as well as the expansion of the seminary complex, which will increase seminarian enrollment.

His Holiness commended the members of the Turpanjian family and extended his blessings to the Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, the seminary’s director and all clergymen and laity involved in the noble undertaking.

The ceremony concluded with the blessing prayer of His Holiness.

The Turpanjian Harichavank Seminary throughout the years

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.