Moscow Theological Academy Celebrates Graduation Day

The academic year has come to a close at the Moscow Theological Academy. Today, graduates are filled with a sense of joy, though it is mixed with the sadness of parting with their beloved theological school, dear mentors, professors, and classmates. Lifting up a prayer of thanksgiving to God for having been granted this wonderful time — their student youth — under the protection of St. Sergius, the graduates look toward the future with hope and inspiration, aspiring to new achievements for the good of Christ’s Church. 

On the morning of June 29, the graduates of the Moscow Theological Academy, their relatives and friends, and the entire academic community gathered in the MThA's house church to offer a prayer to God on the last day of the academic year and to partake of the Holy Body and Blood of the Lord at the Divine Liturgy. The service was led by the Rector of the Moscow Theological Academy and Abbot of the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra, Bishop Kirill of Sergiev Posad and Dmitrov. The archpastor was concelebrated by professors and graduates in priestly rank.

During the Liturgy, Bishop Kirill ordained Deacon Sergey Orlenko, a first-year master's student, to the rank of priest.

Before Communion, a sermon was delivered by master's graduate Priest Pyotr Pisarev. 

After the Liturgy, a solemn graduation ceremony was held in the Great Hall of the Moscow Theological Academy, where diplomas, insignia, and commemorative gifts were presented to the graduates of the postgraduate, master's, and bachelor's programs, as well as the faculties of Church Music and Icon Painting. The ceremony was led by Bishop Kirill.

Words of gratitude were offered to the Academy's administration, professors, and staff by the graduates:

• On behalf of the postgraduate graduates, a word of thanks was delivered by Pavel Ostrovsky, an assistant in the Department of Philology.
• On behalf of the master's graduates, a word of thanks was delivered by Denis Konstantinov.
• On behalf of the bachelor's graduates, a word of thanks was delivered by Dmitry Borodavko.
• On behalf of the graduates of the Faculty of Church Music, a word of thanks was delivered by Elena Yaltanskaya.
• On behalf of the graduates of the Icon Painting Faculty, a word of thanks was delivered by Ioanna Golotylets.

After the graduation ceremony, the graduates and professors of the Academy, led by Rector Bishop Kirill, proceeded in a solemn procession to the Trinity Cathedral of the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra to thank St. Abba Sergius for his help and care for the theological school.

Following the moleben, Bishop Kirill offered a word of farewell to the graduates.

Bishop Kirill of Sergiev Posad and Dmitrov's address on the occasion of Graduation Day 2025 on RUTUBE

Afterwards, a group photograph was taken at the Lavra's Refectory Church. 

At the end of the ceremonial events, the academic family held a funeral litany for the deceased teachers at the MThA necropolis.

Following the litany, professors, graduates, students, and guests of the Academy, together with their rector, headed to a celebratory meal.

On the eve of the Sunday, June 28, the Academy gathered for the All-Night Vigil to offer a communal prayer to God and to thank Him. The service was led by Archimandrite Platon (Igumnov), concelebrated by professors and graduates in priestly rank.

MThA Press Office