Event Honoring Gevorkian Theological Seminary Faculty
24.05.2016
On May 24, in the Auditorium of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary, under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; an event honoring several professors of the Gevorgian Theological Seminary was held: Rev. Fr. Egishe Sargsyan, Mr. Pargev Shahbazyan and Professor Peter Bedirian, PhD.
The meeting was opened with the Lord’s Prayer, then the national anthem of Armenia and Seminary hymn were performed. Rev. Fr. Karekin Hambardzumyan, Dean of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary gave opening remarks.
“We are pleased to welcome you in the Gevorkian Theological Seminary, on this joyous feast of St. Gayane and her nuns. This spiritual place, which has more than 140 years of history and many professors throughout its existence, who have made their contributions in creating Armenian clergy and intellectuals who have achieved notable success. However, it should be noted that during the past decades there have been individuals who have not only been distinguished by their academic skills and knowledge, but also through their outstanding ability to inspire, motivate, and impart a burning love in the hearts of the seminarians towards the Armenian Church”, noted Father Karekin.
A film dedicated to the honorees was shown, made by Shoghakat TV.
His Eminence Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan, Director of the External Relations and Protocol Department of the Mother See; Rev. Fr. Asoghik Karapetyan, Director of Museums and Archives of Mother See; and Rev. Fr. Adam Makaryan, Secretary of the Pontifical Office; gave remarks on the merits of the teachers who have made great contributions to the religious educational institutions of the Armenian Church.
During the event, the Light Quintet, led by director and soloist Ms. Hasmik Baghdasaryan-Dolukhanian, performed songs by Komitas.
One of the seminarians gave recitations, and the Gevorkian Theological Seminary choir, led by Mr. Harutyun Topikyan, Honored Artist of the Republic of Armenia; performed Komitas songs.
Rev. Fr. Egishe Sargsyan, Mr. Pargev Shahbazyan and Professor Petros Bediryan made their heartfelt remarks.
Expressing gratitude for being honored, they reflected on their life history, the love towards armenology and as well as the ministry in the education field. The remarks of the distinguished pedagogues turned into a unique and instructive lecture, during which the intellectuals shared their thoughts about faith, spiritual values and patriotic upbringing, as well as about serving the Homeland and the Church, dedication in work, and responsibility and zeal.
The event was concluded with the blessings and prayers of His Holiness. Expressing his appreciation to the Gevorkian Theological Seminary staff for organizing the event, His Holiness stressed that it is a memorable and educative day for all the attendees.
The Catholicos of All Armenians through his prayers, recalled all lecturers in the spiritual institution during his years of study, particularly Mr. Shahbazyan, who inspired and energized him through their through personal examples and who had made important contributions to his life. His Holiness also spoke about his collaberation with the honorees in the Mother See, and the Gevorkian and Vaskenyan Seminaries; in subsequent years and during his Pontificate.
“We, as students of the Seminary, express our gratitude to Mr. Pargev Shahbazian, Fr. Egishe and Professor Petros Bediryan, who were professional and inspired us with their kind example, as representatives of the senior generation.
As the Patriarch, I am grateful for the seeds they have sown: seeds, which according to the words of the Evangelists, have yielded good crops today… We are reaping those benefits today, establishing and building our visions’ structure on them, the brightness of the Mother See”, said His Holiness.
At the conclusion His Holiness offered his prayers for the honorees, urging them to continue inspiring the students of the educational institutions, and the professors and clergy, through their presence and activities, kind example and devoted life.
