Military chaplains, solemn and dignified in crisp dress uniforms, were honored guests at our annual open house, Orthodox Education Day, this year with the theme, “For God and Country.” The seminary, recognizing the "double Cross" Orthodox Christian chaplains bear in their obedience to the Church and military authorities, filled the day with special presentations and exhibitions, all of which paid homage to our military service men and women, and especially to the "fathers in the field" who serve as pastors to them.
The excellent keynote by The Rev. Dr. Philip LeMasters, "Orthodox Perspectives on Peace, War, and Violence," and the especially moving workshop by Dr. Stephen Muse, "Listen, Witness, and Weep: What Can the Church Offer Service Men and Women?," may be heard as podcasts on Ancient Faith Radio, here: Fr. LeMaster's talk will be available October 5th; Dr. Muse's talk will be available October 19th.
Also, notably, a commendation was given by seminary Chancellor/CEO Archpriest Chad Hatfield to Archpriest Michael Kovach, the oldest living alumnus of our school, and the second Orthodox Chaplain ever to be commissioned by the U.S. military.
Watch a video of Fr. John Perich, curator of the Metropolitan Museum at St. Tikhon's Monastery, describing memorabilia of Orthodox Chaplains, here.
Other highlights of the day were captured in photos (by Deborah Belonick, David Lucs, and Kim Piotrowski):
See full photo gallery by Kim Piotrowsky here:
