In recent months, the St. Thomas Malankara Chapel at St Vladimir's Seminary has undergone a number of upgrades. Most recently, thanks to the generosity of several donors, new icons for the chapel were installed and blessed.
On Monday, January 24, Seminary President Fr. Chad Hatfield joined the Malankara seminarians for Vespers and led the blessing of the icons with Seminarian Fr. Geevarghese Mathew.
The new icons include Christ the Pantocrator; the Theotokos; St. John the Forerunner; St. George the Martyr; St. Ephrem the Syrian; Ss. Peter and Thomas; the Three Hierarchs (the patrons of the Seminary's primary chapel); and St. Gregorios of Parumala, India. Devotion to Ss. George, Ephrem, and Gregorios of Parumala is particularly strong among Orthodox Christians in Malankara*. The icon of Ss. Peter and Thomas is a unique one commissioned specifically for the St. Thomas Malankara Chapel—it represents the fellowship at St. Vladimir's of Malankara seminarians from the jurisdiction governed by the Syriac Patriarchate of Antioch (a See of Peter) and those seminarians under the Catholicate of the East in India (the See of Thomas).
The Seminary's Malankara community continues to raise funds in order to purchase new rugs, service books, and liturgical items for the chapel. To help, donate at svots.edu/give/donate and select "Malankara Chapel Renovation Fund", or send a check to St. Vladimir's Seminary (575 Scarsdale Road, Yonkers, NY 10707) with "Malankara Chapel Renovation Fund" in the memo.
Each year tens of thousands of people join the March for Life in the nation's capitol in defense of life and to condemn the tragic reality of abortion. As His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon affirmed in his annual statement released in January, “The Orthodox Church continues to hold fast to its ancient belief that all human life, from conception in the womb to our very last moment, is sacred to God. For the Holy Scripture tells us that ‘God did not make death, and He does not delight in the death of the living. For He created all things that they might exist’ (Wis 1:13–14).”
The St. Vladimir's Seminary community is celebrating the great blessings bestowed upon two of its own over the weekend: the elevation to archpriest of Alumnus Fr. Charles Baz and the ordination to the diaconate of Seminarian Andrew Salvia. The elevation and ordination took place Sunday, January 16 atSaint John the Baptist Antiochian Orthodox Churchin Levittown, NY, by the hand of His Eminence, Metropolitan Joseph.
Archpriest Charles Baz graduated from St. Vladimir's Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program in 2000, and he returned years later to his alma mater as faculty to teach Byzantine Liturgical Chant Theory and intensive courses in the Arabic language for liturgical use. He currently serves as pastor of St. John in Levittown.
Following the elevation of Fr. Charles, His Eminence said that wearing the cross of the archpriest is a big responsibility, as the prayer of elevation says he must set a good example for his fellow servitors in the priesthood.
“The priesthood is not an employment, but a sacrifice,” said His Eminence.
Attending the elevation of Fr. Charles and ordination of Dn. Andrew were several fellow Antiochian Orthodox seminarians from St. Vladimir's and Seminary professor Fr. Bogdan Bucur.
At the conclusion of the diaconal ordination, His Eminence said that this lowest degree of the major orders is no less important than the priesthood and episcopacy.
“Our being in church counts a lot in the eyes of God,” His Eminence said. “If you are obedient to God, people will respect you regardless of your degree. People will respect you because you are godly, not because you are smart or eloquent.
“We said many times, ‘axios,’ ‘he is worthy,’ ‘moustahiq.’ If we think about who is worthy, then no one is worthy next to God. But God, with His grace and with His love and with His mercy, makes us worthy.”
The Rev. Dn. Andrew Salvia is in his second year studying in the M.Div. program. He and his wife, Alethia, are parents of Giuseppe, Romano, Costa, and Giovanni.
May God grant Fr. Charles, Dn. Andrew, and their families many years! AXIOS!
Saint Vladimir’s Seminary (SVS) Press has released the fourth volume of Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev’s landmark Jesus Christ: His Life and Teaching.
This fourth book explores the most distinct aspect of Jesus' teaching ministry: his parables. The parables are explored from multiple angles, giving due consideration both to modern biblical scholarship and the insights it can give, as well as the ancient tradition of the Church and the extensive commentaries of the Church Fathers.
"This study is detailed and thorough, while still remaining accessible to readers. This volume is a must-have resource for the preachers and teachers of Christ’s Church, as well as anyone ready and willing to be taught by the Master himself," said biblical scholar and popular podcast host The Rev. Stephen De Young, Ph.D.
SVS Press plans to release the remaining two installments of Metropolitan Hilarion’s multi-volume work on the life and message of Jesus as they are translated into English.
Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev is the chairman of the Department of External Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate. He has authored numerous works on theology and church history, and is an internationally recognized composer of liturgical music. Several of his works are available through SVS Press, including his multi-volume Orthodox Christianity, Prayer: Encounter with the Living God, and Christ the Conqueror of Hell.
These books and more can be purchased online, at SVSPress.com, or by calling 1-800-204-BOOK (2665).
This fall St. Vladimir’s Professor of Systematic Theology Dr. Peter Bouteneff flew to Laulasmaa, Estonia, where he experienced a productive, eventful, and joyful ten-day residency at the Arvo Pärt Centre.
The residency marked a return to the Centre for Bouteneff, the director of St. Vladimir’s Seminary’s Arvo Pärt Project. He had previously traveled to Estonia with Seminary President Fr. Chad Hatfield for the Arvo Pärt Centre’s opening ceremonies in 2018, and was in residence there again for a week in November 2019.
On this latest trip to the Centre, Bouteneff was honored with a newly published Estonian translation of his book, Arvo Pärt: Out of Silence(SVS Press). The book examines the powerful interplay between Pärt’s music and the composer’s own deep roots in the Orthodox Christian faith—a relationship that has borne much creative fruit and won the hearts of countless listeners across the globe.
“Having the book available now in the composer’s native language, accessible to his own beloved fellow-citizens, means a great deal to me. I submit this book now to their judgment, not without a little fear,” said Bouteneff.
During his residency, Professor Bouteneff also chaired a panel and delivered a paper at an international conference on Pärt’s music, delivered a theological lecture at the Centre, and recorded two episodes of the Institute of Sacred Arts (ISA) podcast Luminous: Conversations on Sacred Arts. (Dr. Bouteneff also directs the ISA at St. Vladimir’s Seminary.) One of those episodes, a discussion with photographer Kaupo Kikkas, is Luminous’s latest release.
“The Arvo Pärt Centre is an academic, artistic, and spiritual home for me,” said Bouteneff. “Whenever I visit this architectural gem nestled in the Estonian forest, I am blessed with the fellowship of the Centre’s staff, visitors, and fellow devotees to Pärt’s music. And of course I cherish my encounters with Arvo and Nora Pärt, who are my dear and esteemed friends. Here, one is touching greatness.”
Professor Bouteneff with renowned composer Arvo Pärt (Photo: Birgit Püve)
Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church in Salem, MA was the site of a joyous celebration Sunday, bringing together St. Vladimir's seminarians and an alumnus for the baptism of a baby boy. On January 9, The Rev. Theophan Whitfield presided over the baptism of Luca Raffaele, son of Seminarian Paul and Sarah Patane.
At Sunday's baptism, the Patanes were joined by fellow seminary families Andrew and Amber Prather and Ronald and Rebeckah Austin. The Austins are godparents of the newly illumined Luca.
Paul, Andrew, Amber, and Ronald are all in their second year of studies in the Seminary's M.Div. program. Father Theophan, the rector of St. Nicholas, holds two degrees from St. Vladimir's: an M.Div. (2010) and a D.Min. (2019).
Paul and Sarah have a special relationship with Fr. Theophan and St. Nicholas, their home parish.
"Father Theophan chrismated us and brought us into the Church, he sent us to seminary, and now he has baptized our son into the Church," Paul explained. "It's a wonderful lineage that our family is so blessed to be a part of!"
Orthodox writer Jim Forest, author of several popular children's books published by St Vladimir's Seminary (SVS) Press, fell asleep in the Lord January 13, 2022, at the age of 80.
Forest lived in Alkmaar, The Netherlands, with his wife, Nancy Forest-Flier.
Priest Anthony is in his third year studying in St. Vladimir's Seminary's Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program. He holds a B.A. in psychology from the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada. Before coming to seminary, Fr. Anthony worked in trades doing residential constructions and renovations, and he served as a homebuilding coordinator for Project Mexico and St. Innocent Orphanage’s summer volunteer program from 2013-2014.
May God grant many years to the newly ordained Fr. Anthony, Matushka Mary, and their children! AXIOS!
During St. Vladimir’s Seminary’s 2021 Fall Semester and the summer preceding it, one new bishop, five new priests, and four new deacons were added to our student body and alumni fellowship. Another eight were elevated in rank or bestowed an ecclesiastical award.
We keep them all in prayer as they continue in their ministries. AXIOS!
HOLY EPISCOPATE
Bishop Gerasim (Eliel) (M.Div., ’12) Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Episcopal Consecration: Consecrated as bishop by the hands of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon and members of the Holy Synod of Bishops 29JUNE21 at St. Seraphim Cathedral, Dallas, TX Current ministry: Bishop of Fort Worth and auxiliary to His Eminence, Archbishop Alexander and the Diocese of the South
HOLY PRIESTHOOD
Priest Haroutiun (Michael) Sabounjian (M.Div., ’18) Jurisdiction:Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America Holy Priesthood: Ordained 4–5June21 by His Grace, Bishop Daniel Findikyan at Holy Resurrection Church, New Britain, CT Current ministry: Assigned as pastor of Holy Resurrection Church, New Britain, CT Educational and Professional Background: B.A. in Philosophy, minoring in Music and French, from Boston College; served a pastoral internship at the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of Providence, RI, under the tutelage of Fr. Shnork Souin
Priest Thomas Miller (3rd-Year Seminarian, M.Div. Program) Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 16AUG20 by His Grace, Bishop Basil at St. George Cathedral, Wichita, KS Holy Priesthood: Ordained 13JUNE21 by His Grace, Bishop Basil at Holy Ascension Antiochian Orthodox Church, Norman, OK Educational and Professional Background: Graduate of Liberty University (B.S., '02) and the University of Florida (M.H.A., '07); Served as an officer in the US Air Force Medical Service Corps specializing in global supply chain management, separating from active duty status as a major in the summer of 2019 in order to attend seminary
Hieromonk Basil Paul(M.A., ’21) Jurisdiction: Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church Holy Diaconate: Ordained 23June21 by His Eminence, Mor Aphrem Mathews at St. Jacob Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church, Allapra, Kerala, India Holy Priesthood: Ordained 25June21 By His Eminence, Mor Aphrem Mathews at St. Mary’s Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church, Krariyeli, Kerala, India Monastic Tonsure: Tonsured 14July21 By His Eminence, Mor Aphrem Mathews at St. Mary’s Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church, Kuruppampadi, Kerala, India Educational and Professional Background:Bachelor of Engineering from Nagpur University, India; Bachelor of Divinity from United Theological College, Bangalore; Internship in the National Council of Churches in India’s Youth Department
Priest Kosmas (Mitchell) Morfas (M.Div., ‘21) Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America Holy Diaconate: Ordained 17MARCH21 by the hand of His Grace Bishop John at St. George Orthodox Church, West Roxbury, MA Holy Priesthood: Ordained 11JULY21 by the hand of His Grace Bishop Basil at St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral, Wichita, KS Current ministry: Pastor of Holy Ascension Orthodox Church, Norman, OK Educational and Professional Background:B.A. in Religious Studies from Hellenic College Holy Cross, in Boston, MA; previous work includes camp counseling at Camp St. Thekla in Cleveland, SC and serving on staff for the CrossRoad Summer Institute at Hellenic College Holy Cross
Priest Silouan (Blake) Cohen (3rd-Year Seminarian, M.Div. program) Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America Holy Diaconate: Ordained 25MARCH21 by the hand of His Grace Andrei, Auxiliary Bishop of the Romanian Episcopate, at Three Hierarchs Chapel, St. Vladimir’s Seminary, Yonkers, NY Holy Priesthood: Ordained 12Dec21 by the hand of His Eminence Archbishop Alexander at Holy Nativity of the Lord Orthodox Church, Shreveport, LA Educational and Professional Background: Bachelor’s degree in general studies from Louisiana State University, Shreveport, LA; Before coming to seminary Dn. Silouan worked in sales for a wholesale flooring company and as a barista for a large coffee corporation
HOLY DIACONATE
Deacon Nicholas Fine (2nd-Year Seminarian, M.Div. Program) Jurisdiction:Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 12SEPT21 by His Eminence, Metropolitan Joseph at St. Mary’s Antiochian Orthodox Church, Brooklyn, NY Educational and Professional Background:B.A. in Bible and Theology from Multnomah University, Portland, OR
Deacon Vitaly Permiakov (SVOTS Faculty; M.Div., ‘04) Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 14SEPT21 by His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon at St. Vladimir’s Seminary’s Three Hierarchs Chapel Current ministry: Ecclesiarch and assistant professor of liturgical theology at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, Yonkers, NY Educational and Professional Background: B.A. in Russian culture from the Latvian Academy of Culture (Riga, Latvia); M.A. in humanities from the University of Texas at Dallas; Ph.D. in theology/liturgical studies from the University of Notre Dame; taught at Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary, Jordanville, NY from 2011 to 2020
Deacon Anthony (Gaelan) Gilbert (2nd-Year Seminarian, M.Div. Program) Jurisdiction:Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 24OCT21 by His Grace, Bishop Basil at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Cathedral, Wichita, KS Educational and Professional Background: Adjunct professor of literature and history at Hellenic College-Holy Cross, Brookline, MA; department chair and associate professor of arts and humanities at the University of Saint Katherine, San Marcos, CA; headmaster at Christ the Savior Academy in Wichita, KS; Ph.D. in English and medieval literature and culture from the University of Victoria; M.A. in English language and literature from San Diego State University
Deacon Joseph Thornburg (2nd-Year Seminarian, M.Div. Program) Jurisdiction:Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 31OCT21 by His Eminence, Metropolitan Joseph at St Anthony Antiochian Orthodox Church, Bergenfield, NJ Educational and Professional Background: B.A. in Christian studies with a minor in philosophy from California Baptist University; youth director and developer of Sunday school curriculum for High School-age youth; served as adult catechist for a number of years
ELEVATIONS & AWARDS
Archpriest Basil Biberdorf (M.Div., ’05) Jurisdiction:Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Elevation to Archpriest: Elevated to the dignity of archpriest 29JUNE21 atSt. Seraphim Cathedral, Dallas, TX Current ministry:Priest-in-chargeof St. Nektarios Mission Waxahachie, TX
Archpriest Marcus Burch (M.Div., ’97) Jurisdiction:Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Ecclesiastical Awards: Awarded the jeweled cross 29JUNE21 atSt. Seraphim Cathedral, Dallas, TX Current ministry: Rector of St. John of the Ladder Church, Greenville, SC; chancellor of the Diocese of the South
Priest John Cox (M.Div., ’11) Jurisdiction:Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Ecclesiastical Awards: Awarded the gold cross 29JUNE21 atSt. Seraphim Cathedral, Dallas, TX Current ministry: Rector of Holy Ascension Church, Mount Pleasant/Charleston, SC; dean of the Carolina Deanery
Archpriest Nikolay Miletkov (M.Div., ’06) Jurisdiction:Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Elevation to Archpriest: Elevated to the dignity of archpriest 29JUNE21 atSt. Seraphim Cathedral, Dallas, TX Current ministry: Rector of All Saints of North America Church, Albuquerque, NM
Archpriest Thomas Moore (M.Div., ’99) Jurisdiction:Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Ecclesiastical Awards: Awarded the jeweled cross 29JUNE21 atSt. Seraphim Cathedral, Dallas, TX Current ministry: Rector of Holy Apostles Church, West Columbia, SC
Archpriest Christopher Eid (M.Div., ’10) Jurisdiction:Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA) Elevation to Archpriest: Elevated to the dignity of archpriest 12SEPT21 by the hand of His Grace, Bishop Thomas at Holy Ascension Antiochian Orthodox Church, West Chester, PA Current ministry: Priest of Holy Ascension Antiochian Orthodox Church, West Chester, PA
Archpriest Aaron Warwick (M.Div., ‘09) Jurisdiction:Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA) Elevation to Archpriest: Elevated to the dignity of archpriest 12SEPT21 at St. Mary Orthodox Christian Church, Wichita, KS Current ministry: Pastor of St. Mary Orthodox Christian Church, Wichita, KS
Protodeacon Andrei Psarev (Th.M., ’04) Jurisdiction:Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) Elevation to Protodeacon: Elevated to the dignity of protodeacon 19DEC21 at the Cathedral of Holy Trinity Monastery, Jordanville, NY Current ministry:Professor of Russian Church history and canon law and director of Undergraduate Studies at Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary, Jordanville, NY
A seminarian's daughter picks up some of her family's presents gifted through FOCA
The Fellowship of Orthodox Christians in America (FOCA) brought the spirit of St. Nicholas to campus this Nativity season for seminarians and their families. FOCA helped fulfill wish lists for married seminarians and their children in the month of December.
The gift-giving is part of the St. Nicholas Wish List Project that FOCA has sponsored for more than fifteen years. The Project matches chapters and parishes from all over the country with seminary families from both St. Vladimir's and St. Tikhon's seminaries. Over the years, FOCA has helped over 450 seminary families with presents for their children at Christmas, household items, and money for food, bills, and gas.
FOCA is an official organization of the Orthodox Church in America. Fulfilling wish lists is one of many ways FOCA supports seminaries and a number of other causes around the country and abroad. Learn more about FOCA and how to get involved on the organization’s website, here.
