Three hierarchs from the Syriac Orthodox Church (SOC) visited their seminarians on campus and met with Seminary leadership Thursday: His Eminence Mor Dionysius John Kawak, archbishop and patriarchal vicar of the Archdiocese of the SOC for the Eastern United States of America; His Eminence Mor Titus Yeldho, archbishop and patriarchal vicar of the Malankara Archdiocese of the SOC in North America; and His Eminence Ayub Mor Silvanos, archbishop of America, Canada, and Europe Regions of the Malankara Syriac Knanaya Archdiocese.
Each hierarch has visited the Seminary previously—His Eminence Mor Titus is also an alumnus of the Seminary (’03)—but Thursday marked the first time all three bishops, each representing different jurisdictions within the SOC, visited St. Vladimir’s together. There are currently seven seminarians from the SOC enrolled at the Seminary.
The hierarchs’ visit began with meetings with Seminary President Fr. Chad Hatfield and Academic Dean Dr. Alex Tudorie, followed by the observance of third and sixth hour prayers according to the Syriac rite in the Seminary’s chapel for its Syriac/Malankara students. The hierarchs then met with their seminarians and others during the Seminary’s midday meal.
