Fr. Michael Oleksa
St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary,575 Scarsdale Road,10707,Yonkers,NY,US

We have a very special event planned for the Ecclesiastical New Year. On Saturday, September 1, our student-led St. Herman’s Society is bringing SVOTS Alumnus and SVS Press author Archpriest Michael Oleksa to campus to headline a full day of events!

Fr. Michael, who has ministered and worked for decades in Alaska, will speak to "The Legacy of St. Herman and the Alaskan Mission Today." The special day will also include an Akathist and Supplication service for the New Year, a walking tour, and the planting and blessing of new trees. Here is the full schedule:

• 11 a.m. – Akathist & Supplication Service for the New Year
• Following Service – Lunch, Walking Tour
• 2-4 p.m. – Fr. Michael Oleksa Keynote (Bashir Auditorium)
• 4:15 p.m. – Planting & Blessings of New Trees
• 6:30 p.m. – Great Vespers

*The St. Vladimir's Seminary Bookstore will be open from 1 to 4 p.m.

Fr. Michael, now retired, has served as village priest, university professor, and consultant on intercultural relations and communications in Alaska. He has authored several books on Alaskan native cultures and history, including Alaskan Missionary Spirituality (SVS Press) and Orthodox Alaska(SVS Press). A 1969 graduate of Georgetown University, he earned his M.Div. at St. Vladimir’s in 1973, and went on to complete his doctoral degree at the Orthodox Theological Faculty in Presov, Slovakia, with an emphasis in Alaska Native History during the Alaska-Russian period (1741–1867). He is recognized as an “Elder” by the Alaska Federation of Natives, a “Distinguished Public Servant” by the Board of Regents of the University of Alaska, and has been honored by the Alaska State Legislature and the National Governors Association.

 The New Year event is free and open to the public.