Nearly eighty people from across the United States and Canada—and one from Norway—sang, learned, and worshipped together at this year’s Summer Music Institute, held at St. Vladimir’s Seminary June 14–18. About half of the participants took part in person on campus, with the others joining workshops, lectures, and chapel services online.

“The Summer Music Institute is a wonderful and vibrant expression of true Christian community: learning and teaching, leading and serving, and earnestly working for the beauty of the Liturgy,” said Institute participant Simeon Acker.

The hybrid event, with its theme of “Music in the Service of Liturgy,” was co-hosted by the Seminary’s Institute of Sacred Arts (ISA) and the International Society for Orthodox Church Music (ISOCM). Additionally, music faculty from St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary—Benedict Sheehan and Talia Maria Sheehan—were also instrumental in putting on this year’s Summer Music Institute.

“The spirit of collaboration contributed immensely to the great joy we all felt during this event,” said ISA Director Dr. Peter Bouteneff. “And significantly, some of the real movers and shakers of Orthodox church music in America over the past decades participated in the Summer Music Institute along with younger musicians in their twenties and thirties.”

This year’s Summer Music Institute accommodated church musicians from both Slavic and Byzantine traditions and brought a practical focus to its participants. Instructors Benedict and Talia Sheehan, John Michael Boyer, and Juliana Woodill provided skills and resources to help the participants choose the best repertoire for their choir and services and maximize their choir’s talents, whatever its size and skill.

“Church musicians have so many new and unique problems. But together we also have so many new and unique skills and strengths,” said Talia Maria Sheehan. “We wanted to share these skills and strengths by making a place for church musicians to learn from each other, across traditions, across generations, and across the world. But that sharing was coupled with hands-on workshops and coaching, so that participants could learn how to use those new skills and strengths! And the effect was both inspiring and encouraging!” 

Music Institute participants were also treated to three wonderful keynote lectures—which will be made available to the public at a later date—delivered by ISOCM Chairman Archpriest Ivan Moody, Chairman of the Finnish Society for Byzantine Music Hieromonk Damaskinos Olkinuora, and St. Vladimir’s Seminary Assistant Professor of Liturgical Music Dr. Harrison Russin.

In keeping with the theme of “Music in the Service of Liturgy,” Fr. Ivan discussed the importance of carefully selecting music that is not only appropriate for the skill-level of a choir but also beautiful and engaging for everyone worshipping.

"If...we make decisions to enable our chanters and choir members to sing beautifully and serve the liturgy while continuing to respect traditions, both church-wide and local, we will be genuinely participating in Christ's missionary imperative of baptizing all nations,” said Fr. Ivan, who delivered his keynote lecture remotely from Portugal.

The Summer Music Institute concluded with Divine Liturgy on Saturday, June 18.

Details regarding next year’s event will be announced in the coming months.

"The renewal of the Summer Music Institute shows how vibrant church music is in North America, in the OCA, and at St. Vladimir's Seminary,” said Dr. Russin. “We were happy this year to focus on making music for modern parish realities, and giving students the tools to take back to their communities. The Institute serves as a wonderful meeting space for people to sing together, exchange ideas, and support each other as we engage in singing for liturgy."

The 2022 Diaconal Liturgical Practicum of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) will be held June 21–24, 2022 on the campus of St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in Yonkers, NY. 

The four-day program will offer intense practical liturgical training for deacons and lay diaconal candidates. In addition to liturgical practice, sessions will also cover chanting and vocal technique and address teaching about the Orthodox faith. Sessions will begin Tuesday evening, June 21, and the Practicum will conclude following hierarchical Divine Liturgy with His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon.

The Practicum is a collaboration of the OCA's Diaconal Vocations Program (DVP) and St Vladimir’s Seminary, and is highly recommended by the Holy Synod for participants in the Church’s program and other diaconal formation programs.

Learn More

Questions? Email Archpriest Kirill Sokolov at dvp@oca.org.

ABOUT THE DIACONAL VOCATIONS PROGRAM
The Diaconal Vocations Program (DVP) of the Orthodox Church in America is a program of theological study providing academic preparation for men who may be called to ordination to the Holy Diaconate but unable to attend a seminary. It is also designed to address specific academic and pastoral preparation of non-Orthodox clergy—who may have already earned a theological degree such as an M.Div.—who are seeking entry into the Orthodox Church and may eventually be called to holy orders. The goal of the DVP is to use a process of clergy-guided and mentored reading and studying to teach candidates a fundamental foundation of Orthodox theology and prepare them for the practical liturgical service of the Holy Diaconate.

A new book from Saint Vladimir’s Seminary (SVS) Press, Money & Salvation: An Invitation to the Good Way, explores the deeper spiritual meaning—and necessity—of financial giving.

Buy Money & Salvation

"Today many Orthodox Christians, including bishops and priests, feel acutely uncomfortable discussing financial issues in church for a variety of valid historical and pastoral reasons," writes Money & Salvation author Dr. Andrew Geleris. 

"In contrast to our extreme reluctance to discuss money in church, the Gospels record Jesus teaching far more frequently and intensely about the 'unspiritual' topic of finances than all the 'spiritual' topics that dominate our teaching. Why has such a stunning divergence developed between
our teaching priorities and those of the gospel?" 

This book is an effort to describe why restoring a soul-centric scriptural and patristic phronema to the Church is important and what it might look like. Geleris has included with each chapter a series of discussion questions designed for book clubs, family reading, and church small groups.

Buy a copy online at SVSPress.com or by calling 1-800-204-BOOK (2665).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andrew Geleris, M.D., is a neurologist in Southern California and a member of St. Raphael of Brooklyn
Antiochian Orthodox Church in Palm Desert. He also serves on the boards of FOCUS North America
and the Orthodox Christian Leadership Initiative.

Saint Vladimir’s Seminary (SVOTS) Alumna Katherine Karam McCray is representing Eastern Orthodoxy in the field of disability theology. As recognition of her promising scholarship into Orthodox Christian ethics and disability, McCray has been awarded two prestigious—and highly competitive—dissertation fellowships for the upcoming year: the NEH Dissertation Fellowship at Fordham University and the Louisville Institute Dissertation Fellowship.

McCray graduated from St. Vladimir’s Seminary with a Master of Theology (Th.M.) degree in 2014. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the University of St. Michael's College, University of Toronto, in religious ethics.

“I’m very proud to be representing Eastern Christianity in unexpected spaces,” said McCray, adding, “Many Christian ethicists overlook the robust Eastern moral tradition, and we have rich alternatives to contribute to conversations about human nature and responsibility.”

McCray’s dissertation investigates how the development of individual autonomy in early modern Christianity disenfranchised persons with disabilities and presents alternative models for autonomy from Eastern Orthodox anthropology.

“Most Orthodox work on ethics, particularly virtue ethics, positions our tradition as lacking, as though we are late to the game of asking difficult questions. I believe this puts young Orthodox scholars on the backfoot, obligating us to compare and contrast with Western models instead of representing what Orthodoxy offers from inside our own contexts. I hope my work on disability serves as a milestone. Orthodox ethics is not a new field, and we are continuing to make important ongoing contributions to modern discourse.”

McCray is making other academic contributions on the topic of disability in addition to her dissertation. She has presented two papers at the Orthodox Christian Association of Medicine, Psychology and Religion (OCAMPR), one about bipolar disorder and another about complex-PTSD, both with attention to how the community can provide support. Most recently, she penned a forthcoming book chapter on Orthodox anthropology and disability for the Templeton Foundation grant, Science and Orthodoxy Around the World (SOW), entitled “Dependency as Ontology.” Other SVOTS faculty members contributing to this project include Dr. Peter Bouteneff and Dr. Ana Iltis.

McCray also serves on the Mental Health Task Force of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops and contributed research for the new Peace of Mind Training Pilot Program, which offers training in Mental Health First Aid to clergy and community leaders with an Orthodox theological approach. Together with St. Vladimir’s own Dr. Albert Rossi, McCray speaks with fellow SVOTS graduate Bp. John (Abdalah) about Orthodox approaches to mental health care in the video series Mental Health and Orthodox Christianity.

“I think that the area Kate is working on is unfortunately neglected, and so I commend her on her scholarship and promising academic career,” said St. Vladimir’s Academic Dean Dr. Ionuţ-Alexandru Tudorie.

The entire St. Vladimir’s Seminary community congratulates Katherine Karam McCray on her two fellowship awards! May God grant her many fruitful years in her scholarly ministry!

Effective Christian Ministry held its cohort training on the campus of St. Vladimir's Seminary from June 4–8, 2022. 

Effective Christian Ministry (ECM) is a program offered through Y2AM, the Youth and Young Adult Ministries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. ECM offers training and resources for individuals and parishes to help them transform their youth ministry. The event at St Vladimir's was part of ECM's intensive nine-month Cohort Program.

"We’ve spent years refining and articulating a Christ-centered, Kingdom-oriented vision for ministry," said Steven Christoforou, the director of Y2AM. "It’s the vision these ECM Coaches are carrying forward. They’re such a blessing to the Church. And can be such a blessing to your parish."

To learn more and apply for the 2022–2023 Cohort, visit the Effective Christian Ministry website.

A new children's board book from Saint Vladimir’s Seminary (SVS) Press tells the story of a Russian hermit who has to solve a problem: he has run out of food! In the end, and with a little help from some friendly fishermen, he manages to fill his cups.

Saint Eleazar Fills His Cups is the latest children's title from author Melinda Johnson and illustrator Kristina Tartara. The pair previously teamed up to produce Saint Ia Rides a Leaf  (SVS Press, 2020).

Buy a copy online at SVSPress.com or by calling 1-800-204-BOOK (2665).

Buy Saint Eleazar Fills His Cups

About the Author and Illustrator:

Melinda Johnson is an Orthodox Christian, wife, and mother. She loves writing for children and has authored several books, including the Sam and Saucer series and Saint Ia Rides a Leaf. 

Kristina Tartara is an Orthodox mother, children's book author, and illustrator. She has illustrated several books and also created the board books, What Do You See at Liturgy, What Can I Do at Divine Liturgy, and Saint Ia Rides a Leaf.

The Board of Trustees of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) continues to move forward with its plans to relocate the seminary campus away from its current location in Yonkers, NY. (See previous press release.)

At its most recent meeting last month on campus (May 2022), the board decided to conduct more due diligence before selecting the relocation site. It also reached consensus on a multi-phase approach, which will include additional data gathering and needs assessments, along with pre-architectural development, design, bidding, contracting, construction, and plans for post-relocation operation.

The board’s Planning Committee and seminary staff have accomplished a significant amount of work since the board met last November, including the creation and approval of a five-year vision document.

“We’re excited about the future, and our plans to expand represent a monumental undertaking,” said Dn. Michael Hyatt, the board's executive chair. “We believe careful planning is essential if we’re going to be successful in educating enough clergy to meet the future needs of the Church. Therefore, it’s important we measure twice and cut once.”

At the meeting, the trustees also discussed the need for continued transparency and involvement of the seminary’s key constituents, including hierarchs, clergy, alumni, faculty, staff, and donors. The trustees expressed gratitude for the many communications they have already received from the seminary's constituents and welcome those in the future.

As the process continues, the trustees and administration will make presentations to the various Orthodox jurisdictions represented in the student body. This includes a commitment to keeping the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) fully apprised of its plans as they unfold.

SVOTS President Fr. Chad Hatfield asked the public for its continued prayers for the seminary and the relocation project.

“This is not simply about ‘relocation’,” said Fr. Chad. “This is about expansion. The Church—and the world—need more from St. Vladimir’s: more clergy, more teachers, more choir directors, more writers, more chaplains, and so many other vocations; more Orthodox publications and resources, more academic programs, and more ways to accommodate SVOTS’ incredibly diverse, pan- and inter-Orthodox student body.”

SVOTS will release more information to the public about the campus expansion project in the coming weeks.

Fr. Bogdan Bucur (standing) speaking at the special session honoring Archbishop Alexander (seated, middle)

Saint Vladimir’s Seminary Alumnus The Most Rev. Dr. Alexander (Golitzin) was honored at the 2022 Annual Meeting of the North American Patristics Society (NAPS) in Chicago. On His Eminence’s birthday, May 27, the recently published book Jewish Roots of Eastern Christian Mysticism: Studies in Honor of Alexander Golitzin—a collective volume edited by Professor Andrei Orlov (Marquette University), containing articles by colleagues, academic collaborators, and former doctoral students of the honoratus—was presented officially at a special session.

Professor Susan Ashbrook Harvey (Brown University), Professor Robin Darling Young (Catholic University of America), The Rev. Dr. Silviu Bunta (University of Dayton), and The Rev. Dr. Bogdan Bucur (St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary) spoke about Archbishop Alexander’s work on Dionysius the Areopagite, on major ascetical and mystical texts in the patristic and later Byzantine tradition, on Syriac patristics, the Theophaneia School, and Archbishop Alexander's place in Orthodox theology.

After being presented with the Festschrift, Archbishop Alexander was invited to take the floor for a cordial and enriching session of questions and answers, which gave him an opportunity to remember the priest and parish of his youth (Fr. Sergei Glagolev at St. Innocent in Tarzana, CA); his time at St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (1970-1973); his fond memories of his academic mentor, Fr. John Meyendorff; his doctoral studies at Oxford under (now Metropolitan) Kallistos Ware; his stay on Mount Athos, where he found, in Elder Aimilianos of Simonos Petras, “the holy man, not as a distant ideal or a literary topos ... but as a reality”; and his over two decades as professor of theology at Marquette University.

In the introduction to the volume, Andrei Orlov notes that his former professor "established himself as a leading expert on Jewish and Christian mysticism. Although widely known for his groundbreaking scholarship, he also became an exceptional teacher who was able to mentor a large cohort of doctoral students during his time at Marquette. He was particularly helpful to those students who came to Marquette University from the Eastern Orthodox tradition, by giving them a clearer understanding of their own theological and spiritual legacy.”

May God grant His Eminence, Archbishop Alexander many years!

Saint Vladimir’s Seminary (SVS) Press has published A Voice for Our Time: Radio Liberty Talks, Vol. 2, featuring an English translation of Fr. Alexander Schmemann’s broadcasts into the Soviet Union that began in 1953.

The new release, in hardcover and ebook format, completes the set of Radio Liberty Talks. The first volume was published in February, 2021. 

Buy A Voice for Our Time, Vol. 2

Buy the Radio Liberty Talks Set

In his broadcasts on Radio Liberty, Fr. Alexander Schmemann (1921-1983) spoke to men and women behind the iron curtain who had endured the deprivation, persecution, and state-enforced propaganda of the Stalin years. But his words do not belong to that era alone. They are addressed just as urgently to our own time. He exposes the roots of the lies and misperceptions that abound in our age, and brings all to a proper perspective in light of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Father Alexander's son, Serge Schmemann, wrote in the forward of the first volume of A Voice for Our Time that his father's broadcasts "were never propaganda; they could not be. They were literally 'besedy,' conversations in which he spoke as a Russian to Russians, sharing truths and knowledge that he knew, instinctively, they hungered for.”

A Voice for Our Time: Radio Liberty Talks, Vol. 2 and the complete Radio Liberty Talks set may be purchased online at SVSPress.com or by calling 1-800-204-BOOK (2665).

Father Jeremy Davis, an alumnus of St. Vladimir's Seminary ('04) is protosyngellos of the Antiochian Archdiocese and assists Metropolitan JOSEPH at the archdiocese headquarters in Englewood, NJ. He is the author of Welcoming Gifts: Sacrifice in the Bible and Christian Life, due to be released early this summer by Ancient Faith Publishing.

Father Jeremy's reflection, Embracing the Sacrifice of the Priesthood, was originally published in the Antiochian Archdiocese's May/June 2022 edition of  The WORD magazine.