The 16th Annual Diaconal Liturgical Practicum of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) was held June 19–23, 2023 on the campus of St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) in Yonkers, NY. A multi-generational and multi-ethnic group of twenty-eight men from across the United States traveled to the Seminary to attend the intensive liturgical training course.
The five-day program offered intense practical liturgical training for deacons and lay diaconal candidates. In addition to liturgical practice, sessions also covered chanting and vocal technique and offered inspiring addresses on the Orthodox faith. Sessions began Monday evening, June 19, and the Practicum concluded following a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on Friday, June 23, with His Grace, Bishop Gerasim of Fort Worth (Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of the South) presiding at the invitation of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon.
The Diaconal Liturgical Practicum instruction was given primarily by the Very Rev. Dr Kirill Sokolov (M.Div. ‘07), Director of Diaconal and Late Vocations (OCA) and Dean of Holy Trinity Cathedral in San Francisco, CA. Archpriest Kirill has contributed as an instructor and organizer of the event each year since 2006. Reflecting on this year’s Practicum he remarked:
It’s such a blessing to gather deacons and diaconal candidates from all over North America to be with each other at St Vladimir’s Seminary. This year we added an additional day to the Practicum to increase the amount of material we can cover and services we can pray. I am hopeful that we are developing not only faithful liturgical practice but also camaraderie amongst the deacons of our Church.
Adding valuable practical expertise and theological understanding were the Rev. Dn Dr Vitaly Permiakov, Assistant Professor of Liturgical Theology, and the Rev. Dn Dr Harrison Basil Russin, Assistant Professor of Liturgical Music at St Vladimir’s Seminary.
The Rev. Dn Dr Sampson Nash, Associate Professor of Medicine for the St Vladimir’s Seminary Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) program, and Adjunct Professor of Christian Ethics at St Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (STOTS) expressed his gratitude for the instruction provided during the weeklong Practicum, saying,
It was a joy to gather with men dedicated to serving the Church. I attended the Practicum prior to my ordination but am grateful to have attended now that I have served for a few months. Fr Kirill has a unique ability to teach at various levels. He was able to correct some of my errors before they became habits and helped refine the skills I had acquired. I suggest the Practicum not only for diaconal candidates but also for serving deacons who would like to learn to serve better. Most of all, it was glorious to serve daily and to celebrate with and receive the blessing of Bishop Gerasim.
A collaboration between the Orthodox Church in America’s Diaconal Vocations Program (DVP) and St Vladimir’s Seminary, the Diaconal Liturgical Practicum is highly recommended by the Holy Synod of Bishops for participants in the Church’s program and other diaconal formation programs. To learn more about participating in the DVP, email dvp@oca.org.
ABOUT THE DIACONAL VOCATIONS PROGRAM
The Diaconal Vocations Program (DVP) of the Orthodox Church in America is a program of theological study providing academic preparation for men who may be called to ordination to the Holy Diaconate but unable to attend a seminary. It is also designed to address specific academic and pastoral preparation of non-Orthodox clergy—who may have already earned a theological degree such as an M.Div.—who are seeking entry into the Orthodox Church and may eventually be called to holy orders. The goal of the DVP is to use a process of clergy-guided and mentored reading and studying to teach candidates a fundamental foundation of Orthodox theology and prepare them for the practical liturgical service of the Holy Diaconate.
