The official dedication ceremony of the Turpanjian Theological Seminary – Harichavank will take place on June 19, 2017. The spiritually uplifting ceremony will be attended by the benefactors’ immediate family members and grandchildren. The ceremony, which will be presided by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, will be attended by the Diocesan Primate as well as fifty guests from the Western Diocese.

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

The seminary operates under the auspices of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the full-fledged support of the Western Diocese.

In his remarks, the Primate noted the unwavering Christian spirit of the Turpanjian family. “Mr. and Mrs. Gerald and Patricia Turpanjian, among the numerous missions, consider 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,” stated His Eminence. “We are truly grateful for their generosity, and their vision has touched our hearts,” he continued.

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 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.

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.