The training of seminarians is provided by the seminary, and the recognition of diplomas - by UCU, Fr. Roman Ostrovsky in an interview

Recently, the Kyiv Three Saints Theological Seminary has become a branch of the UCU Faculty of Philosophy and Theology. "Affiliation with UCU will help our seminaries to obtain a level of education that is no worse than that of educational institutions abroad." This opinion was expressed in an interview with the UGCC Information Department by Fr. Roman Ostrovsky, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs of the Seminary.

According to him, the initiative to accredit the Kyiv Seminary through an affiliation to the UCU Faculty of Philosophy and Theology, belongs to the current Head of the UGCC: “After the seminary came under the care of His Beatitude Sviatoslav, he said that the seminary should have accredited diplomas."

“The process of accreditation began in 2017. Finally, in June 2019 we submitted the whole package of documents, and in July we received confirmation of our affiliate status and signed a cooperation agreement with the dean Fr. Dr. Yuriy Shchurko.”

Starting this year, the graduates will receive two diplomas: from the Seminary and from the UCU Faculty of Philosophy and Theology. The diploma of the faculty is recognized by Catholic and Papal educational institutions. "Thus," explains the vice-rector, "the training of seminarians is provided by the seminary, but the recognition of diplomas - by UCU."

Father Roman explained that among Catholic educational institutions, “affiliation” means that the UCU Faculty of Philosophy and Theology helps and advises us on the educational process, but it does not interfere in the internal order of the Seminary and in the educational process.

The priest stressed that the second diploma received by the graduates of the Seminary is not a state diploma. "There is no concordat between the state and the Vatican in Ukraine yet.” Fr. Roman added that in the future they plan to work towards the state recognition of diplomas: “This is a new process which requires compliance with relevant state requirements."

It should be mentioned that this year, for the first time, the Seminary graduates were awarded a diploma of the UCU Faculty of Philosophy and Theology together with a diploma from the Seminary. From now on, interested  seminarians will be able to participate in UCU summer schools on the same terms as UCU students. They will also be able to apply for courses during the semester at the UCU Faculty of Philosophy and Theology, and participate in UCU academic exchange programs with Catholic universities.

The UGCC Department for Information