On Saturday, September 7, 2013, fifteen members of the St. Vladimir's Seminary community participated in the third annual “One Conference,” a gathering of Eastern Christians, this year held in Jersey City, NJ. Faculty, staff, students, and alumni from the Seminary comprised presenters and conference-goers.
The “One Conference” was created when a core group of young adults brainstormed around a kitchen and came up with an idea that they hoped would inspire and connect youth in their faith communities. Included in this core group were three St. Vladimir’s graduates, John Malek ('00), Fr. Vijay Thomas ('09), and Dn. Ryan Tellalian ('09).
At first, the conference was open to young people from Oriental Orthodox churches. By 2012 the conference was welcoming youth from all Eastern Christian traditions: Oriental, Byzantine Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox backgrounds.
Members of the St. Vladimir’s community who attended this year's conference included: Episcopal Trustee Member, His Grace Zachariah Mar Nicholovos; Protodeacon Joseph Matusiak, director of Admissions; Dr. Albert Rossi, director of Field Education; Dn. Ryan Tellalian, Systems support specialist; and seminarians that led group discussions during the conference. Protodeacon Joseph gave a presentation on St. Vladimir's Seminary and theological education to the entire gathering.
“It is always inspiring to see so many young adults gathering to discuss, worship, and participate in fellowship," said Pdn Joseph. "And it is awesome to watch those young men and woman who have been formed here at St. Vladimir's go out and create something as special as this ‘One Conference.’ "
For more information on the “One Conference” click here, or for information on SVOTS’s own upcoming “For the Life of the World Conference” for young people click here.
