Members of the renowned Tronos Psaltic Group from the Romanian Orthodox Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest performed Byzantine chant live from St. Vladimir’s Seminary on Wednesday, September 15, 2021. The concert at Three Hierarchs Chapel also included performances by the Seminary's Byzantine choir and sextet.
"We were enveloped in prayer through your incredible, incredible way of presenting the Byzantine tradition," Seminary President Fr. Chad Hatfield said as he addressed the members of Tronos following their performance. He also praised the seminarians who performed during the evening, speaking of how proud their performance makes the Seminary community.
The Seminary's Byzantine Choir was led by Seminarian Dn. Nicholas Fine, and Dr. Harrison Russin, assistant professor of liturgical music, conducted the sextet.
Tronos Psaltic Group is among the most well-known Byzantine choirs in Romania. Tronos was created in 1997 at the initiative of Archdeacon Mihail Bucă, the protopsaltis of Bucharest’s Patriarchal Cathedral of Saints Constantine and Helena. The name “Tronos” was given to the group in 2007 by His Beatitude, Patriarch Daniel. Over its more than twenty-year history, the choir has recorded several albums and performed Byzantine sacred music at venues throughout the world.
Members of the renowned Tronos Psaltic Group from the Romanian Orthodox Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest will offer a special performance of Byzantine chant live from St. Vladimir’s Seminary! The concert—free to attend online—takes place on Wednesday, September 15, 2021, at 7 p.m. EDT.
Tronos Psaltic Group is among the most well-known Byzantine choirs in Romania. Tronos was created in 1997 at the initiative of Archdeacon Mihail Bucă, the protopsaltis of Bucharest’s Patriarchal Cathedral of Saints Constantine and Helena. The name “Tronos” was given to the group in 2007 by His Beatitude, Patriarch Daniel. Over its more than twenty-year history, the choir has recorded several albums and performed Byzantine sacred music at venues throughout the world.
Giving thanks to God, the St. Vladimir's Seminary community is celebrating the ordination of Dr. Vitaly Permiakov, the Seminary's ecclesiarch and assistant professor of liturgical theology, to the rank of deacon in the Orthodox Church. The Rev. Dn. Vitaly was ordained through the hand of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon at Three Hierarchs Chapel on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, September 14, 2021.
Dn. Vitaly joined St. Vladimir's as a full-time faculty member in August 2020, following an extensive search for a gifted scholar to fill the liturgical theology professorship, a historically prominent position at the Seminary. Already in his short tenure at the Seminary, he has become an integral part of the Seminary's academic and spiritual life, also taking on the role of ecclesiarch at Three Hierarchs Chapel and co-editing the new-look St. Vladimir's Theological Quarterly.
Dn. Vitaly Permiakov was born to a Russian family in Riga, Latvia, and relocated to the United States in 1999 after completing his undergraduate studies at the Latvian Academy of Culture in Riga. He went on to earn a masters degree in humanities from the University of Texas at Dallas, then entered St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary with the blessing of late Archbishop Dmitri (Royster) of Dallas (OCA) (d. 2011). After finishing seminary, Dn. Permiakov enrolled in a doctoral program in Liturgical Studies at the University of Notre Dame, where in 2012 he defended his dissertation on the history and origins of the Byzantine rite for the consecration of churches.
Dn. Permiakov taught at Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary (Jordanville, NY) from 2011 to 2020 before joining St. Vladimir's Seminary as assistant professor of liturgical theology.
He was tonsured to the ecclesiastical rank of reader in 2002 and ordained subdeacon on the Feast of Annunciation in 2021; both took place also at three Hierarchs Chapel.
May God grant the Rev. Dn. Vitaly many years! AXIOS!
His Eminence, Metropolitan Joseph of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA) has appointed The Right Rev. Archimandrite Jeremy Davis as His Eminence's new hierarchical assistant. Father Jeremy, an alumnus of St. Vladimir's Seminary, began his new position September 1, 2021, and will assist the metropolitan with archdiocesan administration and overseeing its offices in Englewood, NJ.
Father Jeremy succeeds another St. Vladimir's alumnus as hierarchical assistant, Rev. Nicholas Belcher, a current member of Seminary faculty. His Eminence thanked Fr. Nicholas for his years of diligent service upon announcing Fr. Jeremy's new appointment.
Achimandrite Jeremy was born in Iowa in 1976 and raised in Wichita, KS. He and his family were active members of Evangelical Protestant churches. During his high school years, he felt a calling to Christian ministry and subsequently enrolled as a religion major at Friends University in Wichita. In his final year of college, Fr. Jeremy attended Divine Liturgy at St. George Orthodox Cathedral in Wichita at the suggestion of a friend. Though he knew next to nothing about Orthodoxy, he was left in wordless wonder by the experience of its rich theology and genuine spirituality, as they came to life in the piety and love of this parish community. After a period of catechism he was chrismated on Holy Saturday in 1998. Father Jeremy enrolled at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in 2001 and graduated as class valedictorian with a Master of Divinity degree in 2004.
Archimandrite Jeremy was ordained deacon by His Grace, Bishop Basil at St. George Cathedral on January 1, 2006. He worked fulltime at the Cathedral until being ordained priest there (also by Bishop Basil) on July 16, 2006, at which time he was reassigned to St. Elijah Church in Oklahoma City. On March 13, 2016 Fr. Jeremy was assigned as pastor of Holy Ascension Church in Norman, OK. On March 19, 2017, he was elevated to the rank of Archimandrite by His Grace, Bishop Basil. Father Jeremy is a tonsured monk, belonging to the Monastic Brotherhood of St. Silouan the Athonite within the Diocese of Wichita.
May God grant The Right Rev. Archimandrite Jeremy many years!
Hurricane Ida brought torrential rain Wednesday evening to the New York metropolitan area on the heels of a tornado warning and fierce winds, and the deluge that followed caused severe flooding unlike anything in recent memory.
The campus of St. Vladimir's Seminary wasn't spared the storm's wrath. The waterfall on the north side overflowed into the front lawn, ripping up pavement, trees, the community garden, the rock wall, and the fence. Troublesome Creek lived up to its name—both bridges over the Creek were uprooted and carried downstream. Meyendorff Hall sustained some roof damage, and flood waters also damaged a professor's home on campus. A flood-damaged transformer later caused power outages in most of the buildings on campus and had to be repaired.
In the wake of Hurricane Ida, the Seminary faces steep costs to repair all the damage. Yet, thanks be to God, no one was injured.
Clean up will take a while, and if you are able, please make a gift to the Seminary to help support the work to repair our beloved and beautiful campus. Every gift makes a difference, no matter what the size.
Building an Orthodox Marriage: A Workbook Companion, by Gregory J. Abdalah, serves as a helpful supplement to Building an Orthodox Marriage: A Practical Commentary on the Eastern Orthodox Marriage Rite, authored by Bishop John (Abdalah) and Nicholas G. Mamey. The Workbook enables pastors and couples to get more out of Building an Orthodox Marriage, and helps them see more clearly how to apply the theological principles and teachings of the Church in the particular circumstances of their own lives.
With faith in Christ and hope in the resurrection, we share news of the repose of Archpriest Sergei Glagolev, a beloved, pioneering English-language composer who was immensely influential in music and parish life in North American Orthodoxy. Father Sergei fell asleep in the Lord on the morning of September 1 at age 93.
The Very Rev. Sergei Glagolev was born on August 13, 1928 in Gary, IN, the son of Fr. Andrew and Magdalena Glagolev. Father Sergei attended St. Vladimir's in the late 1940s after World War II, when the Seminary was still located in Manhattan. He was also educated at Oberlin, Juilliard, and New York University. In 1951, he married Genevieve Brunarsky and was ordained a deacon the same year. He entered the ranks of the Holy Priesthood the following year.
Father Sergei contributed enormously to North American church hymnography, especially through the creation of English-language musical compositions with a uniquely American sound and the introduction of those pieces into Orthodox Christian parishes. He also taught music at St. Vladimir's, St. Tikhon's, and St. Herman's seminaries.
In honor of Fr. Sergei's profoundly impactful life and ministry, David Drillock, emeritus professor of liturgical music at St. Vladimir's, penned a beautiful tribute:
From the mid-50s of the last century when Fr. Sergei Glagolev was called to organize the first English-speaking Orthodox mission to the present day, he has pioneered the use of the English language in Orthodox liturgical services. This has often required that he compose music for those services.
Although not a few church composers and musicians have produced traditional ethnic church music set to English words, so many times the result has been a hybrid product that when used in worship services can be described as Greek or Russian services in English, but not English services. Father Glagolev pioneered the way for the composition of church music in English that truly sounds “English.” In his teaching he has always stressed the importance of the union of text and melody; music must not conflict with the syntax and rhythm of the language; and, on the other hand, the syntax of the text must not deny what the musical phrase is trying to say.
At his lectures of liturgical music at St. Vladimir’s Seminary, St. Tikhon’s Seminary, St. Herman’s Seminary; at liturgical institutes and at workshops presented all over the country, his teaching of Orthodox liturgy, worship, and liturgical singing has informed and inspired thousands of Orthodox faithful. In those lectures and talks he has always stressed the importance of sacred song, encouraging all to participate in liturgical singing, for, as he would say: “There is no more exalted activity human beings can engage in than to stand in the presence of the living God and to life up their voices to Him in prayerful, musically elevated utterance.”
Music that is used in Orthodox worship must also be able to reflect its liturgical use. Liturgical components—litany, psalmody, hymnody—in many ways dictate their musical form and function. I had the distinct pleasure and honor to have collaborated with Fr. Glagolev and Fr. Alexander Schmemann in creating and organizing the first summer Liturgical Institute of Music and Pastoral Practice at St. Vladimir’s Seminary in 1978. It was for several of these institutes that Fr. Sergei composed music that was based on considerations of both its poetic form and its liturgical function: the Vesperal Psalm Bless the Lord, Praise the Name of the Lord sung at Matins, and the Communion hymn The Righteous Shall be in Everlasting Remembrance, to name just a few. These compositions, using easily distinguished melodies, consonant harmonies, and rhythms that reflect spoken English, capture the spirit and joy of Orthodox worship and invite the assembled faithful to “join in.” Such settings employ the sound and the cadence of the English language as their starting point, yet remain true to the historic musical tradition of our faith. These are the models for congregational participation in Orthodox worship.
A person that God indeed has blessed with so many gifts and talents, Fr. Sergei has always used these gifts as a glorification of God Himself through his service to the Church—as singer, choral director, composer, and pastor. His love for people, his compassion and generosity that he was so capable of giving to all those who crossed his path, were a manifestation of his ability to see in each individual the face of Christ. Father Sergei Glagolev was truly a man of God and an inspiration to all of us who have been personally touched by his life, his teaching, and his love.
Father Sergei's priestly ministry took him across the United States. He served at Ss. Peter and Paul Church, Detroit, MI; Ss. Peter and Paul Church, Lorain, OH; Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, East Meadow, NY; St. Innocent Church, Tarzana, CA, which he helped found in the 1950s; and Holy Trinity Cathedral, San Francisco, CA, where he served as dean. Father Sergei also served as chancellor of the Diocese of the West.
Father Sergei and Matushka Gerry have three children and five grandchildren.
Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) is inviting applications for a faculty position in biblical studies. The Seminary is looking to hire a full-time faculty member at the rank of assistant, associate, or full professor, on a tenured or tenure-track position, depending on the candidate’s qualifications and record, and in accordance with the Seminary’s criteria for tenure and promotion.
The successful candidate will be a scholar and teacher committed to the Orthodox theological and spiritual tradition, with a solid track record of scholarship, teaching, and service, and, going forward, a solid research and publishing agenda and a desire to become part of our collective endeavor of student education and formation. In addition to having a particular area of expertise, the ideal candidate will approach Scripture within the Tradition of the Church. As such, s/he will be competent in both Old and New Testament and possess good knowledge of extra-canonical literature (OT Pseudepigrapha, NT Apocrypha) and interest in the major strands of Christian and Rabbinic reception history of the Bible.
Applications should be sent via email to ApplicationScripture@svots.edu and include the following: letter of intent; curriculum vitae; statement of research agenda; two syllabi for graduate-level courses; and contact information for three references. Applications will be reviewed beginning December 1, 2021, and the search will remain open until the position is filled. Questions should be directed to Academic Dean Dr. Ionuț-Alexandru Tudorieat IATudorie@svots.edu.
Seminarian Paul Patane (second from left) on the first day of classes with his fellow seminarians
Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) welcomed twenty-five new seminarians and forty-four returning students for the start of the 2021-2022 academic year. Monday, August 23 marked the first day of classes.
Seminarian Paul Patane, a second-year student in the Master of Divinity program from the Orthodox Church in America, said his second year already feels different than his first at the Seminary—which can come with unique challenges as first-year seminarians adjust to leaving old lives and careers behind and transition to lives as seminarians.
“This morning I was singing in the choir, matins was very enjoyable and reflective, and classes were really good. I feel like I’m starting to get my feet under me, and that’s a good feeling. I’m really happy to be back.”
Anastasia Colchester joined St. Vladimir’s from the UK, and attended orientation sessions with her fellow first-year seminarians in the days leading up to the start of the fall semester.
“I was keen to come to St. Vladimir’s as a result of its emphasis on both academic and spiritual excellence. I had heard good things about several different seminaries, but St. Vladimir’s was said to stand out for the rigor of its scholarship,” she said. “I am very grateful to have been accepted and am happy to see that the Seminary’s reputation as a place of deep learning—both in the classroom and in the chapel—is well deserved.”
The UK is one of eight countries represented among the twenty men and four women of the incoming class, also including the United States, Albania, Australia, the Republic of Georgia, India, Poland, and Romania. The new seminarians come from eleven different Eastern and Oriental Orthodox jurisdictions:
Orthodox Church in America
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia
American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the U.S.A.
Georgian Apostolic Church
Romanian Orthodox Church
Orthodox Church of Albania
Polish Orthodox Church
Coptic Orthodox Church
Syriac Orthodox Church (Knanaya Archdiocese)
Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
Twelve of the new students are enrolled in the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program and thirteen in the Master of Arts (M.A.) program. Additionally, one of the Seminary's 2021 M.A. program graduates has enrolled in the Master of Theology (Th.M.) program.
Counting the incoming class, the Seminary’s total student body is 78 (including continuing and non-degree seminarians).
May the intercessions of the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, our patron Great and Holy Prince Vladimir, and all the saints be with our seminarians as they begin their new academic year in service to Christ!
