The entire seminary community entered into the holy season of Great Lent by participating in Forgiveness Vespers on Sunday, February 18, and by gathering for worship and reflection during two full days of a Lenten retreat held Monday, February 19, and Tuesday, February 20.
This year’s retreat speaker was Priest Anthony Roeber, Ph.D., professor of Church History at St. Vladimir’s. Father Anthony presented four talks based on the “Great Farewell Discourse” of our Lord Jesus Christ, as recorded in the Gospel of St. John (John 14–17), and especially focused on the words, “That they may be one, as we are one” (John 17.21).
Offering rich scriptural and patristic resources, as well as commentary by contemporary writers, Fr. Anthony challenged Orthodox Christians to love, trust, and seek unity with others—whether they are inside or outside the borders of the faith:
- “That they may be one, as we are one” (John 17.21): love, trust, and unity within a local Orthodox household of faith
- “That they may be one, as we are one” (John 17.21): love, trust, and unity within the global Orthodox community
- “That they may be one, as we are one” (John 17.21): love, trust, and unity with non-Orthodox Christians
- “That they may be one, as we are one” (John 17.21): a “confident pluralism” within a secular and religiously diverse society
