First graduates of the Smolensk teachers’ seminary

The Smolensk teachers’ seminary is an unofficial name of the courses for qualification upgrading of ‘The History of Orthodox Culture of the Smolensk Land’ teachers. The two-year course was organized by the Smolensk diocese and the Smolensk regional department for education and held at the Diocesan Youth Centre at the Church of St. Barbara the Great Martyr.

The work was completed with the Ss Cyril and Methodius Readings during which the results of the course were summed up. Taking part in the Readings were Rt.Rev.Ignaty, vicar bishop of the Smolensk diocese, deputy head of the regional department for education T.Dovgy, rector of the Smolensk regional institute for teachers’ final course V.Petrulenkov and the diocesan secretary P.Stepkin.

The choir of the Smolensk theological college opened the Readings. The guests of the Readings addressed the graduates and spoke about the importance of the work undertaken in keeping with a new direction made known by the Russian President in his address to the Federal Assembly.

93 teachers of Smolensk and the region graduated from the course. The diocese and the department for education will propose proper methods to help them in their work. Those wishing to enhance their professional level can enroll into the teachers’ seminary next autumn.