page_title: Gevorgian Seminary
section_title: 1945 reopening
hierarchical_section_title: Gevorgian Seminary / History / 1945 reopening
caption_attribution_description: English: Front space of Gevorgian Jemaran, the gate of Saint Gregory and the open-air altar
context_page_description: Gevorkian Theological Seminary, also known as Gevorkian Seminary, is a theological university-institute of the Armenian Apostolic Church founded by Catholicos George IV in 1874. It is located in the town of Vagharshapat within the complex of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Armenia.
  Gevorkian Seminary is considered the oldest university in modern Armenia.
context_section_description: On 1 November 1945, after closure for 38 years, the doors of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary were opened again for young Armenians to become priests in the Armenian Apostolic Church. However, times were difficult.  There were over 300 churches that were closed by the communist government.
  “On 1 November 1945, the reopening of the Theological Seminary took place. Well-known scientists and former graduates were present at the ceremony among them St. Malhasian, Ervand Shahaziz, Av. Isahakian, and many others. As witnesses claim the eyes of Catholicos Gevork Vl were streaming with tears of happiness while saying the opening prayer. Classes commenced on 2 November 1945.”
  Catholicos Gevork Vl received a great number of congratulation messages on this occasion. It is important to mention the congratulation telegram of a Gevorkian Seminary graduate, the Catholicos Karekin l of the Great House of Cilicia which says, “We direct our congratulations on the occasion of the Seminary reopening” (Etchmiadzin Monthly, November–December issue, 1945).
  On 6 September 1945 according to the decree and ratification by the Supreme Spiritual Council the position of director of the seminary was given to the experienced educator and English language specialist Minas Minasian.
  The Seminary entered new stage of its history with new pupils and new teachers. The  reopening was celebrated with great solemnity and splendour.  The newly opened Gevorkian Theological Seminary consisted of skilled teaching staff and students who were diligent and decent.  Catholicos Gevork Vl himself followed the students educational progress, the quality of their food and clothes, as well as other everyday circumstances of the students. In 1951 the dream of Catholicos Gevork Vl to reap the fruits of the seminary activities came true, when the Seminary had its first graduates.  Nine students completed six courses of the seminary, the majority of them with excellent and good marks.
caption: Front space of the Seminary
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