The Synaxis of the Three Great Hierarchs, Sts Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom on Monday, January 30, 2023 was celebrated at St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) with a hierarchical Divine Liturgy, officiated by His Eminence, the Most Reverend Daniel, Archbishop of Chicago and the Diocese of the Midwest. The patronal feast of the seminary Three Hierarchs Chapel was augmented by the ordination of seminarian Dr Mark Therrien (Th.M. ‘23) to the Holy Diaconate.
The 40th Annual Fr Alexander Schmemann Memorial Lecture was held in the evening of the feast day, with the Rev. Dr Hans Boersma, Professor of Ascetical Theology at Nashotah House, speaking on the topic “God as Embodied: Christology and Participation in Maximus the Confessor.” SVOTS President, the Very Rev. Dr Chad Hatfield, welcomed Dr Boersma and expressed appreciation for “yet another thread in a long line of historical exchanges and cooperation that runs through the history of both St Vladimir's Seminary and Nashotah House.”
Honored guests in attendance at the lecture included His Eminence Archbishop Daniel and His Eminence Metropolitan Antonios, Patriarchal Vicar of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. The talk was also attended by the student body, many faculty, staff, and community members, and almost 500 registrants signed up for the online live stream of the event. For those unable to attend the lecture live, the recording has been uploaded to the SVOTS Youtube channel.
Watch lecture recording
Following Dr Boersma’s presentation, the 2022-2023 Mid-Year Convocation took place. Mr William Rusk was awarded the Master of Arts (M.A.) diploma, having completed his M.A. thesis entitled Clarity of Vision: A Close Examination of the 16th Century Icon, the Vision of the Prophet Ezekiel on the Banks of the Chebar River. The Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree was awarded to the Rev. Elias Dorham, who presented his remarks on his experience as a D.Min. student at St Vladimir’s Seminary and the research he conducted for his final project, The Good Wine: A Parish-Based Brief Marriage Intervention.
The event was concluded with closing remarks given by His Eminence, Archbishop Daniel, and a festive reception for all in attendance.
