Admissions

Admission to Sumy Theological Seminary

Sumy Theological Seminary is an orthodox ecclesiastical educational establishment of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of higher vocational and religious education.

Applicants with complete secondary education (from 18 to 35 years) are admitted to the seminary. Preference is given to applicants who have higher education, have served in the army, and are married.

Forms of studying are – full-time and extramural. Only priests are accepted to the extramural sector. Studying at the full-time sector is free of charge. Full-time students are provided with accommodation at the hostel and three meals a day.

Applicants are to take the following examinations:

1)    Knowing the basic prayers by heart;

2)    Church Slavonic reading;

3)    Sacred Biblical History of the Old and New Testament (on separate programme);

4)    General overview of Orthodox church service;

5)    Testing basic skills of church music and vocal;

6)    Writing an essay;

7)    History of Ukraine (on the secondary school curriculum).

The following documents are required for entrance examinations:

1)    The request addressed to the Rector;

2)    Two photos 2 x 3cm;

3)    Certificate of Family Status;

4)    Certificate of Education;

5)    Certificate of Baptising;

6)    Certificate of Wedding (if married);

7)    Autobiography;

8)    Medical examination certificate for people entering educational establishments (necessarily marked by a psychiatrist and a drug therapist);

9)    Recommendation from the parish priest or confessor, approved by the diocesan bishop;

10)   Photocopies of military identification card or assigned license, passport.

 

Applicants should have good skills in reading in Church Slavonic, and know the following prayers firmly and deliberately:

1. Initial :

"Glory to Thee, our God, Glory to Thee"

"Heavenly King";

"Holy God";

"To the Holy Trinity";

"The Lord’s Prayer"

"Come, let us worship."

1. Morning prayers:

“From Sleep Waking”;

"God Cleanse me the Sinner";

“To the Angel Guardian”.

1. Evening prayers:

“God Eternal”,

"Almighty, Word of the Father";

“Good King, Good Mother”,

“To the Angel Guardian”.

1. To Mother of God

“Hail, O Virgin, Birth-Giver of God”

“It’s Truly Meet to Bless Thee, O Theotokos”;

“Thee the Champion Leader";

"Mercy Door";

“Not Having Other Help”.

1. Nicene Creed, St Yefrem Sirin’s Prayer, Prayer before Holy Communion, the Commandments of Moses, the Beatitudes, troparia of the twelve feasts, Psalm 90, Psalm 50.

 Applicants should know the basic events of the Gospel and of the Old Testament and the events described in the book of the Law of God by Seraphim Slobodskoy, and the troparion and the life of his patron saint.

Admission of all documents is after the holiday of the Holy Trinity in the office of the Sumy diocesan administration.

All enrolled students should have a black inner rason of Russian style by the beginning of the school year.