Fr Elias Dorham (D.Min. ‘23) will present his doctoral research in a webinar entitled “The Good Wine: Strengthening Marriage through Mutual Forgiveness,” at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. Director of the Doctor of Ministry program, the Very Rev. Sergius Halvorsen will give introductory remarks.

Fr Elias introduces his research as follows:

Many married couples experience challenges in the areas of communication and navigating conflict.  Over time these challenges can lead to the breakdown of marriages and families.  To better help the people I serve, my D.Min. project focused on creating a model of ministry that helps couples understand and navigate the everyday challenges in the areas of communication and conflict within the context of an Orthodox Christian vision of marriage as mutual martyrdom/mutual sanctification. Seen this way, challenges in marriage can help couples to grow spiritually and personally, and can serve as an applied marital mystagogy for couples, strengthening marriages and families.

Join us for this thought-provoking and edifying presentation on the Orthodox Christian approach to communication within marriage.

This webinar will be open to the public for online attendance. To attend the webinar, register at the link below. There is no entrance fee, but donations are much appreciated and will directly benefit St Vladimir’s Seminary.

 

Registration for this event is closed.

About the Speakers

Fr Elias Dorham

Fr Elias Dorham serves as the Associate Pastor and Adult Education coordinator at Holy Transfiguration parish in McLean, VA. He and Khouria Sylvia have been married for 30 years and have 10 children and three grandchildren. Prior to ordination his professional experience encompassed coaching and leadership development across the military, federal/local government, and technology sectors.  He holds a Doctor of Ministry (D. Min.) from St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, as well as an M.A. in Theological Studies from Christendom College, an M.S. in Information Systems Technology from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a B.S. in Political Science from the United States Naval Academy.
 

The Very Rev. Sergius Halvorsen

The Very Rev. Sergius Halvorsen (M.Div. ‘96; Ph.D., Drew University, 2002) is Assistant Professor of Homiletics and Rhetoric at St Vladimir's Seminary and serves as director of the Doctor of Ministry Program. In addition to teaching homiletics and preaching, he also teaches courses in apologetics, faith and science, and Christian education. Fr Sergius is a priest of the Orthodox Church in America and is attached to Christ the Savior Church in Southbury, CT. He is an accomplished liturgical musician and has contributed to a number of "Archangel Voices" recordings. He currently lives in New Haven, CT with his wife and three children. He loves gardening, hiking, biking, and reading biographies and fiction.

About the Doctor of Ministry Program

The Doctor of Ministry degree at St Vladimir's Seminary enhances the practice of ministry for ordained and lay ministers in the Orthodox Church. The program integrates enhanced competencies in pastoral analysis with skills necessary to lead students to an advanced understanding of the nature and purposes of ministry. Working in communities of teachers and learners, the students gain deeper knowledge about the practice of serving others in Christian love as they grow in spiritual maturity as ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The D.Min. program at St Vladimir's Seminary provides priests, chaplains, and other pastoral professionals with advanced knowledge and skills in order to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering. Integrating doctoral-level academic work with pastoral spirituality, this program will help you to acquire and refine the skills to minister to those whom God has called you to serve. Please consider joining us in a doctoral program that will give you an opportunity to foster deep and lasting friendships as we engage in work that contributes to authentic spiritual and pastoral renewal. The next D.Min. cohort will commence in Fall 2024.