The beginning of the 2008-2009 academic year at Holy Trinity Seminary was marked by a supplicatory molieben following Divine Liturgy on Monday, September 8th. Led by Archimandrite Luke, the newly-appointed Rector of Holy Trinity Seminary, seminarians, teachers and all the faithful prayed for a blessed and prosperous school year.

The following day, Archimandrite Luke and Protodeacon Vladimir Tsurikov greeted the student body in the seminary hall.In his welcoming speech, Fr. Luke spoke about the fact that in ancient times people who wanted to be educated, and the "god-seekers" among them, always centered their attention on the acquisition of wisdom and truth. When Our Lord was incarnate those among them who understood the significance of this event knew that they no longer needed to look for the Truth, and ancient philosophy became Christian Philosophy. In studying all of the subjects in the Seminary we should always look for Wisdom and Truth, that is, Christ.The goal of our lives should be the enrichment of our souls. We should acquire as much wisdom and truth in Christ for our own sake and for the salvation of our neighbor. In conclusion he emphasized the need for caution and circumspection in gleaning knowledge from the world around us, so that our souls may indeed become filled with true riches and not a wasteland.

After the singing of "It is truly meet", Fr. Luke blessed the new seminarians to wear the cassock and belt.

This academic year Holy Trinity Seminary once again welcomed students from all parts of the globe. From the United States,  Stephen Prokopienko and Matthew Romanchak. From Russia, Alexander Korolev, Ivan Denisenko, Daniil Melnikov, Maxim Abroskim, Vladislav Naumkin and Evgenii Pozniak. Finally, from Costa Rica, Rodion Aragon.


On that evening, the students gathered in the seminary dormitory for a talk with the new Dean of Students, Hieromonk Cyprian. In his talk, Father Cyprian emphasized that leading a spiritual life and struggling against the passions should be our main concern in life, stressing that without prayer and without reliance in God's help, all our personal efforts will be in vain. He also urged the students to avoid worldly distractions, for these lead many away from the spiritual life. The students were inspired by Fr. Cyprian's words, and at this gathering they also had the opportunity of getting better acquainted with their new inspector, as well as with one another.

A new year of study, obedience and prayer thus began at Holy Trinity Seminary.