New academic year begins in UOC theological seminaries

UOC seminarians at the event marking the start of the new academic year. Photo: Synodal Information and Educational Department of the UOC

On September 1, 2025, UOC theological seminaries held celebrations marking the beginning of the new academic year, reports the UOC Information and Educational Department.

In the Odesa Theological Seminary, after a common prayer, teachers and students gathered in the assembly hall. The solemn event was headed by Metropolitan Agafangel of Odesa and Izmail, who congratulated the leadership, faculty, and students, blessing them for successful studies and spiritual growth.

In the Volyn Theological Seminary, the celebration began with the Divine Liturgy led by Metropolitan Nathaniel of Volyn and Lutsk. Prayers were offered for peace in Ukraine, for its defenders, and for all those affected by the war. After the service, the hierarch sprinkled the teachers and students with holy water and congratulated them on the start of the new school year.

With the blessing of Metropolitan Philip of Poltava and Myrhorod, a moleben was served in the Poltava Missionary Theological Seminary before the start of classes. It was led by Archbishop Benjamin of Novosanzhary, concelebrated by the seminary teachers. In his address, the hierarch urged the students to be “the light of the world” and an example to others. For first-year students, an excursion was organized around Horishni Plavni, where the seminary is located.

In the Kharkiv Theological Seminary, the new academic year began with the Divine Liturgy in the Ozeriansky Church of the Pokrovsky Monastery. The service was led by the first vice-rector, Archpriest Valentyn Kovalchuk, together with teachers and students. Prayers were offered for peace, for the soldiers, and for all who help the Ukrainian people in this time of trial. The hymns were sung by a joint choir of seminarians and students of the choir-conducting department.

On the eve of the new academic year, August 31, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Pokrovsky Holosiiv Monastery, where students of the capital’s theological schools also prayed. Special prayers were raised for peace in Ukraine and for the students beginning the school year. After the service, the Primate sprinkled the youth with holy water and blessed them for their studies.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Primate celebrated the Liturgy in the Holosiiv Monastery of Kyiv.

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