Solemn Convocation Dedicated to 20th Anniversary of Revival of Kyiv Theological Seminary Held

On Sunday, December 13, commemoration of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called,  the solemn actions were held at the Kyiv Theological Schools on the occasion of the 20^th anniversary celebrations of the Kyiv Theological Seminary.  

Following the Divine Liturgy the Solemn Convocation dedicated to the jubilee was held at the Refectory (Sts Anthony and Theodosius) Church of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

First those present were suggested to view the documentary "Kyiv Theological Schools", shot by TV-channel "Glas". Among the others, some pages from the history of the Kyiv Theological Schools were depicted in the movie.  

Thereafter the high guests occupied their places in presidium which included: the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr, Deputy Abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Archbishop Pavel of Vyshgorod, Rector of the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary Archbishop Anthony of Boryspil, the first rector of the revived seminary archpriest Petro Vlodek (in the office - 1988-1991), the previous rector - archpriest Mykola Zabuha (1994-2007).

The solemn assembly was opened by the introductory word of Rector of the Kyiv Theological Schools Archbishop Anthony of Boryspil, in which he touched upon certain episodes of the history of the educational establishment and presented some statistical data. Also Vladyka Rector marked the constant patronage and parental care of His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr over the Theological Schools and gave him an ancient icon of the Mother of God of the Kyiv Caves.  

In his turn the Archpastor, addressing those present, noted that 20 years from the moment of revival of the capital seminary had been a period of constant labor, care and patronage on the part of those who had studied in its walls.  Also His Beatitude distinguished the work of all the rectors who headed the educational establishment all that time and wished all those present to feel always the presence of God, and whished that the spirit of love, assistance and unity always rested between them.    

Then Archbishop Anthony read the greeting word of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and stated that the greetings were sent also by the other Primates of he Orthodox Churches.   

The greetings by the Primate of the Orthodox Church in America were read by its representative to the Patriarch of Moscow archimandrite Zaccheus Wood, who also passed to the Theological Schools a piece of the honorable relics of the Venerable Herman of Alaska, Enlightener of America.

Then the floor was given to the first rector of the revived Seminary archpriest Petro Vlodek, who was conferred on the cross of the Doctor of Theology for the deserts in the church field and was handed the diploma of conferment of the academic degree "Honoris Causa".

Also the deserts of the previous rector Mykola Zabyha were distinguished by the order of the Pochayiv Icon of the Mother of God.

At the end of the official section the Rector of the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary handed the diploma on conferment of the academic degrees. In particular, the professor diplomas were handed to Vice-rector for Education archimandrite Clemet (Vecharia) and Ivan Mykhalko  (teacher of the Holy Scripture of the New Testament and Liturgical Theology), and the associate professor diplomas were handed to archpriest Dionysius Martyshyn (Soteriology, Eschatology, Religious Ethics), Liudmila Dunina (Church singing), Andriy Derkach (Church State Relations), Volodymyr Bureha (History of Western Confessions and Comparative Theology).

Upon completion the guests were presented the concert of spiritual music performed by the Choir of the Kyiv Theological Schools under the guidance of hegumen Roman Pidlubniak.    

Maxim Sydorenko
photos by deacon Maxim Brusnyka