Opening of the Etchmiadzin Seminary (1945) and its Cooperation with the Moscow Theological Academy (in 1947–1953): Based on Archival Documents and Letters from Catholicos Gevorg VI

• Published in: Vestnik Volgogradskogo gosudarstvennogo universiteta. Serii͡a︡ 4, Istorii͡a no. 4
• Main Author: Blokhin, Vladimir
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.09.2025
• ISSN: 1998-9938
• DOI: 10.15688/jvolsu4.2025.4.3

The introduction shows the role of interchurch ties in the history of relations between the peoples of Russia and Armenia. After the Great Patriotic War, the Russian Orthodox and Armenian churches entered a period of closest rapprochement, which began with the establishment of cooperation between the Etchmiadzin Seminary and the Moscow Theological Academy (MTA). The research methods used are historical-genetic, which made it possible to identify the circumstances of the opening of the Etchmiadzin Seminary; a synchronization method, with the help of which the forms of cooperation between Echmiadzin and the MTA in the specified period were determined; and an updating method, which helps to understand the current level of relations between the Russian and Armenian churches, taking into account historical experience. The materials used include information from the reports of the Council for Armenian Church Affairs for 1949, a number of telegrams, and personal sources – letters from Catholicos Gevorg VI addressed to his students who studied at the Moscow Theological Academy in 1951–1953. The letters were published in Armenian in the science magazine “Etchmiadzin.” The author of the article translated the letters into Russian and introduced them into scientific circulation. Analysis. The circumstances that led to the opening of the Etchmiadzin Seminary, the highest theological school of the Armenian Apostolic Church, in 1945 are explored; the role of the Catholicos of All Armenians, Gevorg VI (Cheorekchyan), in this process was revealed. The prerequisites that influenced the establishment of cooperation between Etchmiadzin and the Moscow Theological Academy are outlined. The forms, content, and results of interaction between two theological schools in the first post-war years (1947–1953) are revealed. Results. The cooperation between the Echmiadzin Seminary and the Moscow Theological Academy in 1947–1953 was mutually beneficial. There are two forms of cooperation in this process: scientific and student exchange and supplying the Etchmiadzin Library with theological publications of the Russian Orthodox Church. Adding to this the factor of official and private friendly meetings between Catholicos Gevorg VI and Moscow Patriarch Alexy I, the period under review served as the beginning of bilateral inter-church relations, the development of which continues to this day, including the sphere of spiritual education and theological science.