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!
“This new resource will greatly aid students in both the research and thesis-writing process,” said Earl.
This summer, Earl has also been overseeing a project to assess the Library’s materials and catalog, with the help of Backstage Library Works. Backstage’s Inventory Plus project will allow students to find and access materials more easily, as well as enjoy the large breadth of the Library’s collection.
“This is made possible by BackStage’s extensive work on our collection, which totals 190,000 volumes. With a collection of this size, it is inevitable that items become missing, outdated, and need review,” Earl explained. “For these reasons, Backstage’s technicians are inventorying every single item to give us a clear picture of our collection.”
The technicians are barcoding the collection, repairing records, and making sure that the access points of the book in hand match the Library’s online catalog. They will also weed, shift, and ensure the collection is in call number order.
“These are labor-intensive tasks that require attention to detail and a care for patron accessibility. Students, faculty, and staff should be excited to see a completely transformed library by the end of October, one that demonstrates our commitment ‘to form and cultivate future leaders and servants in the Orthodox Church and the academy.’”
Efforts to further transform the Library won’t stop there, and another improvement at the Florovsky Library is already on the horizon. Earl said a dedicated space will be created for the Library’s archives in the near future.
“Much of the materials we have are from Frs. Schmemann and Florovsky. Giving the documents, photos, and writings of these great thinkers their due place will enhance the Library’s accessibility for both our local and global communities."
Check back at SVOTS.edu as more improvements at the Florovsky Library unfold soon.
The Father Georges Florovsky Library at St. Vladimir’s Seminary is a pan-Orthodox resource serving all levels of St. Vladimir’s institutional mission and vision, as well as scholars and researchers worldwide. It is dedicated to providing for the multifaceted research needs of its local and international community—academic, liturgical, pastoral—in order to form and cultivate future leaders and servants in the Orthodox Church and the academy. The Library currently holds 190,000 volumes and hundreds of periodicals.
Saint Vladimir’s seminarians have a shot at $3,000 in scholarship money as the annual St. Matthias Merit Scholarship Essay Contest opens for 2021.
The Essay Contest is offered each year at St. Vladimir’s thanks to the generous contributions of a family of anonymous donors. The winner of the contest—open to current seminarians only—will have the award money added to his or her scholarship fund to help pay for tuition at the Seminary.
The donors select the essay topic each year. Here are the details for this year’s contest.
Essay Topic & Question:
Unlike wild dogs, domestic dogs have a long, steady history of loyalty and service to the peoples that took them in. One such dog was from Ithaca. An anecdote from “The Bow of Ulysses” by Eleanor Farjeon is as follows:
So he [Ulysses] disguised himself in rags and went up to the palace, and nobody knew who he was. Only his old dog, Argus, knew him. Argus had been a puppy when he [Ulysses] sailed away for Troy, and had waited twenty years, watching for his master's return.
(Farjeon also explores their bond in her poem, “Argus and Ulysses.”)
How does the perspective of cultures familiar with domestic dogs help the Syrophoenician woman in Mark 7:24-30, and how does it help us "watch" as advised in Mark 13:33-37? Write an essay on this topic in 750 words or less.
Submission Instructions:
Entries for the 2021 St. Matthias Merit Scholarship Essay Contest should be submitted in PDF format—double-spaced and conforming to SVS Press House Style—to Ann Sanchez at aks@svots.edu. Entries must be submitted by September 14, 2021, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
The contest is one of many offerings by the Seminary to help seminarians graduate tuition-debt free as they go forth to serve the Church. Saint Vladimir’s also administers need-based tuition grants, need-based scholarships, merit scholarships, continuing education grants, and matching grant opportunities for seminarians. These are made possible thanks to many benefactors who have graciously given funds to the Seminary.
To help more seminarians receive their education and formation, consider making a donation by visiting the Seminary’s Give Now page and selecting “Financial Aid for Current Students” as your designation.
With faith in Christ and hope in the resurrection, we share news of the repose of Mitered Archpriest Michael Koblosh, an alumnus of St. Vladimir’s Seminary (’68). Father Michael fell asleep in the Lord in Alexandria, VA on the morning of August 18, 2021, following a battle with cancer.
The Very Rev. Michael Kobloshgraduated from St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in 1964 before pursuing a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree from St. Vladimir’s Seminary. He taught at St. Tikhon's in liturgical theology for many years during the 1970s.
Father Michael and his wife, Matushka Nadia, most recently served the mission parish ofAll Saints of North America, Alexandria, VA, and were integral to the beginning of the mission in 2008. They also served in a number of other parishes including Holy Trinity in East Meadow, NY; Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church in Terryville, CT; Holy Ghost Church in Bridgeport, CT; Christ the Savior Mission in Southbury, CT; and St. Nicholas Church in Whitestone, NY. During his time in Connecticut, Fr. Michael was dean of the Connecticut Deanery.
“He was a deeply faithful priest, who loved the Church with all his heart, and he served his flock selflessly until the very end,” said St. Vladimir’s Trustee Wesley J. Smith, J.D., who served at the altar as a subdeacon with Fr. Michael for more than four years. “As he slowly declined from cancer, he modeled how Christians can face the end of their earthly sojourn with good humor, steadfast courage, and deeply committed faith. He was a priest to the very last!”
Days before he reposed, when Fr. Michael could no longer attend church, he still insisted on writing the bulletin, in which he also included short reflections. Fr. Michael’s final bulletin reflected on the Feast of the Dormition, and fittingly looked toward the Kingdom:
On The Dormition—or “Assumption”—of The Mother Of God Scripture is silent about the death of the Mother of God. The story of that death is found in various apocryphal writings of the Early Church. There, we learn that upon her death she was “assumed” by God into the heavenly kingdom of Christ in the fullness of her spiritual and bodily existence. The silence of Scripture, however, is a “noisy silence.” The death and physical glorification of the Theotokos is the fulfillment of the whole Biblical story and of the death and resurrection of Christ. For what other reason did Christ come than to save us and to bring us, bodily, into His Kingdom? In His Mother, His suffering and victory find completion. And, because she is as human as we are, her glorification gives us a true and living icon of our own destiny in Christ. In Him and through His spirit, the resurrection and transfiguration of the world has begun. In the great Feast of the death of the Mother of God, the final resurrection of all and everything finds glorious and incomparably beautiful prefiguration. Her death has been described by a writer stepping outside of a dirty elevator and into a world full of nothing but joy, beauty, and infinite love. May such be the description of our deaths.
Father Michael is survived by his wife Nadia, and their daughters Larissa Chapin (Christopher) and Rebecca Edwards (Dr. Steven), as well as his grandchildren Jacob, Alexa, Noah, Zachary, and Andrew. He is also survived by his sister, Matushka Lydia Koblosh Westerberg (Mitered Archpriest Michael), as well as numerous close relatives, nieces and nephews, and loving parishioners and friends.
