When Jesus chose his cadre of disciples, he selected them from quite a professional and social mix: fishermen, tax collectors, political zealots. And, just as those early disciples left all to follow him and become Apostles, so it is with our seminarians; coming from diverse professional and educational backgrounds, they answer a call to preach the gospel, and in so doing forever divert the course of their lives.
This past week, 3rd-year seminarian Dn. James Bozeman went from being a musician-carpenter-graphic designer to being a priest in the Orthodox Church of America (OCA). He was ordained by His Grace The Rt. Rev. Mark, bishop of Baltimore, at Holy Ascension Orthodox Church, in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. His Grace The Rt. Rev. Nikon, bishop of Boston, New England, and the Albanian Diocese, and locum tenens of the Diocese of the South, also attended the ordination.
The ordination took place during a Divine Liturgy held in conjunction with the clergy retreat for the Diocese of the South (OCA). Speakers at the retreat included Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko, dean emeritus of St. Vladimir's, and Dr. Albert C. Rossi, adjunct professor of Pastoral Theology at the seminary.
In reflecting upon his new path in life, Fr. James said, "It was awe-inspiring and humbling to stand in the sanctuary among so many people that played such prominent roles in my life and in my becoming Orthodox, some of whom I knew personally and some who will never know how much of an influence they had (and continue to have) on me. After I was ordained, I looked around at this group of men and had to marvel at the goodness of God, who had seen fit to draw this particular group together, at this particular time and place."
The entire seminary community wishes Fr. James and his family, wife Katie and children Alex and Gabriel, many blessed years!
