The Very Rev. Peter Baktis Ch (COL) USA, a military chaplain and member of St. Vladimir Seminary's Class of 1985 (M.Div.), recently earned the highest degree offered by The Army War College, the senior service school for that branch of the military. His graduation on Friday July 26 marks the first time an Orthodox chaplain has been selected to attend the Army War College and thus receive both a Masters in Strategic Studies plus the certification required for all senior assignments, the Joint Professional Military Education Level 1 (JPMEP1). Out of approximately 100 eligible chaplains, six per year are selected to attend the College.

A priest in the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), Fr. Peter has been assigned as the Command Chaplain for the United States Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM), the first Orthodox chaplain to receive this post. "This is a direct reporting unit to the Department of the Army," noted Fr. Peter. "My responsibilities are to supervise, mentor and coach 37 chaplains assigned to the Command all over the world. I will travel throughout the year to Asia, Europe, and Australia as well as various locations in the United States."

Father Peter will also be the advisor to the Commanding General of INSCOM on all religious matters. In addition to developing and implementing programs to help the soldiers and families throughout the Command, he'll also provide counseling and assistance to those assigned to INSCOM's headquarters in Ft. Belvoir, VA.

The Very Rev. Dr. Michael Kovach, the last surviving member of the first graduating class of St. Vladimir's Seminary in 1943, fell asleep in the Lord on Friday morning, July 12, 2013, at Mount Joy Hospice and Community Care, Mount Joy, PA. He was 94 years old.

After his marriage to the former Olga A. Hubiak (+2011), he was ordained to the diaconate and priesthood, going on to serve the Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church of North America (Metropolia) for 27 years and the Orthodox Church of America (OCA) for 42 years.  He also spent 26 years on the faculty at Millersville University, having earned his Ph.D. in American History from the University of Pittsburgh. Most recently, he was attached to Christ the Saviour Church, Harrisburg, PA.

Other community involvement included 20 years of service on Channel 12’s Board of Trustees, two terms on Governor Thornburg’s Pennsylvania Heritage Commission, and two years as president of the now defunct Cliosophic Society of Lancaster, PA. For 14 years, he served as spiritual advisor for the Orthodox Society of America and regularly wrote articles for the fraternal’s publications. He received numerous church-related honors, including the prestigious Saint Innocent Award in recognition of his outstanding ministry.

Father Michael was commissioned during WWII as a U.S. Army Military Chaplain. In 2010, he was honored at the Seminary's annual campus open house, Orthodox Education Day, which that year celebrated the theme, "For God and Country." The day honored Orthodox Christian serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, especially military chaplains.

In lieu of flowers, contributions for the establishment of a religious education fund may be sent to Christ The Saviour Church, 5501 Locust Lane, Harrisburg, PA 17109.

May his memory be eternal!

On March 1–2, Fr. Caleb (SVOTS '07) and Mtka. Nicole Abetti and the community of St. Jacob of Alaska Mission in Northfield, VT, hosted the first of a series of "Holy Conversations." The all-day discussions about contemporary moral issues are in the works for dioceses throughout the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) as part of the stated goals of the OCA's 2011 Strategic Plan adopted after the 16th All-American Council in Seattle, WA.  Titled "Holy Conversation on Marriage and Sexuality," the inaugural session in White River Junction, VT included two St. Vladimir's faculty members and several alumni who served as speakers and members of a panel. 

After the opening remarks by His Eminence the Rt. Rev. Nikon, archbishop of Boston, New England, and the Albanian Archdiocese, The Very Rev. Dr. John Behr, dean and professor of Patristics at St. Vladimir's, and The Very Rev. Andrew Tregubov (SVOTS '95), presented the patristic and iconographic perspectives in their talks. On Saturday morning a panel discussion commenced with participants Dr. Albert Rossi, adjunct professor of Pastoral Theology, educator and author Mtka. Jennifer Mosher (SVOTS '09), The Rev. Theophan Whitfield (SVOTS '10), and Sister Nonna Harrison. Lastly, attendees participated in workshops to process the day's information.

"On Friday evening," said panelist Mtka. Jennifer Mosher, "Fr. John spoke on how becoming human does not fully happen until we die, and how the creation of male and female is unique to humanity in the creation account. Father Andrew then spoke about iconography and how the creation of man and woman, the love of the Trinity, the love of the Theotokos and Child and the love of married couples such as Anna and Joachim, are depicted therein. After the talks there was some time for questions, and some stayed even later for further discussion."

Saturday's panelists continued the dialogue. Dr. Rossi described male/female differences in psychology and relationships, Sr. Nonna compared and contrasted monasticism and marriage, Mtka. Jennifer explored marriage as the context for children and family life, and Fr. Theophan outlined the pastoral response to the most difficult questions regarding marriage and sexuality. These presentations offered much content as grist for the workshops that followed the lunch break.

"People asked questions or made comments about homosexual relationships, contraception, how youth relate to one another and to adults in our quickly evolving and high tech culture, the influence of media on people's expectations for their relationships and their family life, among many other things," noted Mtka. Jennifer. "It was intimate and friendly, and people engaged in a positive way. New England is a small diocese; we know Archbishop Nikon well and he was very much in the midst of the event speaking, answering questions, and sharing insights."

"The purpose of these Holy Conversations is to better communicate Orthodox Christian teachings on these issues and to discuss how they can be applied faithfully, charitably and effectively," said The Rev. John Vitko when the Vermont pilot program was announced in February. Father John, who chairs the Strategic Plan Committee and is the rector at St. Luke Church in McLean, VA, also noted that "an implementation team led by Priest Caleb Abetti will continue to work on identifying an appropriate format for conducting such conversations." 

Alumnus Deacon Richard Howrilka (SVOTS '02) fell asleep in the Lord on Monday afternoon, January 7, 2013. Funeral services will be held at St. Gregory's Church, Seaford, New York, and St. Michael's Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church, Binghamton, New York. Viewing and service times at St. Gregory's will be Thursday, January 10, 2013, 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. (viewing); 7:30 p.m. Parastas. Divine Liturgy and interment will take place at St. Michael's on January 11 and 12 respectively. 

Father Deacon Richard Howrilka was raised in the Carpatho-Russian Orthodox community in Endicott, New York where he was active in the choir and singing the traditional "Prostopinije" music.  After graduation from S.U.N.Y. Binghamton, he received a Master of Business Administration from Columbia University in New York City, and worked in the financial industry of Wall Street. After years of contemplating his calling to the Holy Priesthood, and with the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas, he enrolled at St. Vladimir's Seminary, from which he graduated in 2002 with a Master of Divinity degree. He was ordained as a deacon by Metropolitan Nicholas on October 12, 2003. Deacon Richard is survived by his wife, Diana, and daughter, Lydia. 

May Deacon Richard's memory be eternal!

On Saturday, December 29, 2012, The Very Rev. Paul Shafran (SVOTS ’1945) celebrated his 65th anniversary of ordination to the Holy Priesthood by presiding at the Divine Liturgy in Three Hierarchs Chapel at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary, his alma mater, surrounded by family, friends, and fellow clergy. Father Paul, who briefly served parishes in the Byesville, Ohio area during his days as a young pastor, most recently is Pastor Emeritus of St. Vladimir Church in Trenton, NJ. His actual date of ordination is December 28, 1947; he was elevated to the Holy Priesthood by the hand of Archbishop Nikon (de Greve of Brooklyn) at the Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Protection, New York City.

The Right Reverend Michael (Dahulich), bishop of New York, and the New York and New Jersey Diocese, Orthodox Church in America, prayed on the solea during the service, thus giving Fr. Paul the honor of being the main celebrant at the altar for the occasion. Concelebrating were fellow clergy The Very Rev. Joseph Lickwar, chancellor of the New York and New Jersey Diocese; The Very Rev. Daniel Skvir, rector of Holy Transfiguration Chapel, Princeton, NJ; The Very Rev. Sergius Kuharsky, currently attached to Annunciation Church, Brick, NJ; and The Very Rev. Steven J. Belonick, rector of Holy Ghost Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church, Bridgeport, CT.

At the end of Divine Liturgy, His Grace Michael praised Fr. Paul’s ministry and likened his service to the Church to that of the Apostles John and Paul, who labored with “energy, commitment, and faith.” “In the seventh decade of his priesthood,” noted Bishop Michael, “Father Paul continues to go from place to place to serve tirelessly, fearlessly, and selflessly as a priest of God. In him, we get a glimpse of an imitation of the holy apostles.”

Bishop Michael mentioned the many faceted ministries that Fr. Paul exercised over the years, including his faithfulness as a concerned pastor; his ability to “think out of the box” and especially his forward thinking in building up an endowment for his former parish in New Jersey; his commitment to theological education, both as an instructor at St. Vladimir’s Seminary and as a long-time member of its Board of Trustees; his dedication to the care of the elderly as a Board of Trustees member at Ss. Cosmos and Damian Adult Home on Staten Island; and his more humble and less known ministry as a confidant to many clergy and hierarchs.

Acknowledging Fr. Paul’s long and broad church service, Bishop Michael presented him with a new vestment, a palitza, with an icon of the Incarnation depicted on one side and an icon of the Resurrection depicted on the other. “The icons are in recognition of the beginning and height of our salvation in Christ Jesus,” noted Bishop Michael.

His Grace also observed that people attending the celebratory Liturgy represented nearly every aspect of Fr. Paul’s ministry. In conclusion, Bishop Michael praised Fr. Paul’s wife, Matushka Mary (née Obletiloff) as an example of “full support” of her husband’s priestly ministry, and wished them both “many more years of health, in order to show forth the love of God in Christ Jesus.”

Recognizing Fr. Paul’s loyalty and dedication to St. Vladimir’s Seminary were The Very Rev. Dr. John Behr, dean, and The Very Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield, chancellor, who presented him with a gramata that paid homage to his accomplishments and exemplary service on behalf of the Seminary. During the deanship of The Very Rev. Dr. Georges Florovsky [1949–1955], Fr. Paul had served as Instructor of Liturgics at St. Vladimir’s, beginning in 1951. Now a Trustee Emeritus of the Seminary, Fr. Paul also accomplished much in his capacity as a Board of Trustees member over the decades. He was instrumental, for example in acquiring two important collections for the seminary library: part of Fr. Florovsky’s private collection and the personal library of Archimandrite Anthony Repella. Fellow seminary Trustees Thomas Zedlovich, Anthony Kasmer, and Tatiana Hoff were on hand to honor Fr. Paul on the occasion.

As an alumnus, Fr. Paul encouraged and energized his fellow graduates. In 1959, he organized and co-chaired the first “Liturgical Conference”—the precursor of the Seminary’s long-running annual “Liturgical Institute of Music and Pastoral Practice"—in order to provide ongoing education for seminary graduates. Father Paul’s charming correspondence to his fellow alumni about a similar subsequent conference that he organized—with his brother-in-law and fellow alumnus, The Rev. Alexander Warnecke—is captured in the Seminary’s archives, in a letter dated 1962:

The beautiful but complex Liturgical Tradition of the Orthodox Catholic Church requires the priest to have a thorough knowledge of not only the external rubrics of the divine offices, but also a full understanding of their history and theology as well. The theme of this year’s Liturgical Conference will be the Lenten Triodion and Lenten Worship, with four lectures: “Origin of Lenten and Paschal cycles”; “General structure of Lent”; “The Presanctified Liturgy”; and “Holy Week”. The Very Rev. Father Alexander Schmemann will be the lecturer. At the conference, expenses will be kept at a minimum—somewhere in the vicinity of $9. This will include all meals (good and plenty) and lodging (ditto). To cut travelling expenses, we suggest that priests organize car pools in their cities or localities, and travel together. We are also reminding every priest to bring his rasa, cuffs, epitrahilion, service book, and pectoral cross. Let’s have a large turnout. If you come, you won’t forget it; but, if you stay home, you’ll regret it.—The Very Rev. Paul Shafran, to all St. Vladimir’s Alumni

After the presentations, Fr. Paul thanked both Bishop Michael and Frs. John and Chad for their “eloquent and kind words.” He also expressed his gratitude to God for being able to serve, for the very first time, at the seminary chapel’s altar, which was a gift from Matushka Mary and him, in honor of Fr. Paul’s parents, Stephan and Rosalia Shafran. In so doing, he quoted the Psalm: “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for His mercy continues forever.”

Following the Divine Liturgy and presentations, the congregation and clergy enjoyed a brunch in the chapel undercroft, where Fr. Daniel Skvir acted as Master of Ceremonies. “Father Paul will serve as a model for generations of priests,” he said, noting Fr. Paul’s ready defense of the Orthodox Christian faith, pastoral care, knowledge of liturgics, and respect for concelebrants at the altar. “It is good for us to be here, in the words of the Apostles,” concluded Fr. Daniel, as he invited past parishioners and friends to fete Fr. Paul with further reminiscences and fond memories of his pastorate.

It is with hope in the Resurrection that we mark the repose of Khouria Joanne Bitar, who fell asleep in the Lord on Sunday morning, December 30th, after a long battle with cancer. Khouria Joanne is survived by her husband, Archpriest Elias Bitar (SVOTS '75 & '01), who retired as Lecturer in Liturgical Music at St. Vladimir's Seminary in 2011, after decades of service; and children, Katrina (SVOTS '09), Sister Ignatia, Martha, and Antony. 

Services with be held at St. George Anitohian Orthodox Church, Little Falls, NJ, as follows: Wednesday, January 2nd, Viewing and Trisagion Service from 5 to 9 p.m.; Thursday January 3rd, Funeral Service at 9:00 a.m. Interment will be at St. Nina's Monastery, Union Bridge, Maryland. 

May Khouria Joanne's memory be eternal!

Poughkeepsie, NY (SVS Alumni) -  Saint Vladimir's Alumnus Mr. Ludwig Djaparidze ('90), fell asleep in the Lord peacefully at Vassare Brothers Medical Center here on Monday, December 3, 2012 at the age of 55. 

Ludwig was born in Paris, France on January 1, 1957. He was married in 1997 to his wife Irina Kilasonia. Ludwig was a graduate of Wesleyan College, and St. Vladimir's Seminary. He was an avid musician and served at the Choir Director at St. John the Baptist Church, Spring Valley, NY. 

"Those who knew Ludwig will remember him as a unique and beautiful soul. Indeed a man hard to forget," said classmate and current SVOTS faculty Dr. Peter Bouteneff. 

In addition to his loving wife Irina, he is survived by his children Dina, Konstantine, Megi, David and Jason, daughter-in-law Candace, son-in-law Avtandil and grandchildren Giorgi, Mya and Alexander.

May Ludwig's memory be eternal!

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), recently appointed Fr. Mardiros Chevian (SVOTS Class of '76) to serve as the new Dean of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary in New Rochelle, New York. Father Mardiros will be returning to the institution in which he worked in 1981 as the Director of Recruitment and Programs, and then later, as the Seminary's Rector. "Although I have enjoyed immensely being the Dean of St. Vartan Cathedral for the past nineteen years, I am excited to return to St. Nersess and direct the expanded mission of the seminary at its new campus," said Fr. Mardiros.

The St. Nersess November 15 announcement noted that as the new Dean, Fr. Mardiros will oversee plans to expand the Seminary's mission by moving the community to a new campus location in Armonk, NY, in 2014. The new five–and–a–half–acre Armonk campus is about sixteen miles north of the existing seminary location, and will allow for St. Nersess to continue its historic and close relationship with St. Vladimir's.

The SVOTS Academic Catalog explains that for years, "students at St. Nersess Seminary have taken their M.Div. degree at St. Vladimir's Seminary. With the revision of St. Vladimir's M.Div. curriculum beginning in 2007, a further step towards greater collaboration was taken, whereby the courses offered by the faculty of St. Nersess count for credit at St. Vladimir's. In this way, students of St. Vladimir's can benefit greatly from the remarkable range of courses offered by the distinguished faculty of St Nersess."

The Very Rev. Dr. John Behr, dean and professor of Patristics at St. Vladimir's Seminary, expressed enthusiasm about the new St. Nersess Dean. "We have long valued our special relationship with St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, working together to enrich all of our students and their educational pursuits. We are very pleased with the appointment of Fr. Mardiros, an SVOTS alumnus, and look forward to many positive developments during his tenure."

The St. Nersess website outlined the goals of Fr. Mardiros and his administration as they move forward:

• Continuing education of current priests, through planned educational and training workshops
• Offering support & training for Armenian priests from abroad who need assistance with acclimation and acculturation and are destined to serve in the North American dioceses
• Transforming St. Nersess into a center for theological research for exchange faculty and students from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem
• Strengthening the Armenian education of our American born seminarians through longer study in our seminaries in Armenia and Jerusalem
• Introducing an undergraduate program that would combine local college study and courses, worship, and residence at St. Nersess Seminary
• Continuing and expanding the fifty year tradition of summer youth programs, retreats, and altar server programs

"I want to challenge and inspire students who want to pursue the Armenian priesthood," noted Fr. Mardiros. "Even if a young American–born Armenian does not have a good command of the Armenian language, he will learn it....he must be confident and comfortable in his ministry as an Armenian priest. In addition to academics, it is important for a priest to be able to transmit what he knows and demonstrate strong leadership skills." 

St. Vladimir's Alumnus The Very Rev. Aaron Archer ('97) fell asleep in the Lord on Thursday morning, November 15, 2012. Funeral services and the Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at Holy Transfiguration Church, Pearl River, NY, on Sunday evening and Monday morning, November 18 and 19. Visitation will begin at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, November 18; the Burial Service for a Priest will begin at 6:00 p.m. His Grace The Rt. Rev. Michael, bishop of New York and New York and New Jersey, will preside at the Divine Liturgy, Monday, November 19, at 9:30 a.m.

Born in Decatur, AL on December 23, 1943, Father Aaron was ordained to the diaconate and priesthood by His Eminence The Most Rev. Dmitri (Royster) in May 1995 and June 1996 respectively. Father Aaron graduated with his Master of Divinity from St. Vladimir's in 1997 and went on to serve in many parishes of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey, including St. John the Baptist Church, Spring Valley, NY, and St. Ireney Chapel at Saints Cosmas and Damian Adult Home, Staten Island, NY. In July 2001, he was attached to Three Hierarchs Chapel at St. Vladimir's Seminary while pursuing theological studies. 

Often we report here on the work of the alumni association and its work on behalf of and for our alumni. This month we would like to feature some of the great work of our alumni. When Fr. John Behr was installed as our dean he challenged the faculty, staff, students and alumni of St. Vladimir's to "Engage the World with Orthodox Christianity." Obviously here on campus we primarily supply our students with tools to engage the world; when they graduate and begin their work in the vineyard of Our Lord, this engagement begins. Our most recent graduating class definitely has taken up this call to engagement. Of our six graduating priests, four have gone straight into the mission field serving in existing or newly created missions in New York, South Carolina, Texas, and Florida. Below is a brief list of those parishes with links to their Web and Facebook pages. We encourage you to check out and support the work of these wonderful priests, their families, and their newly established Orthodox Communities. 

Father David Wooten and his family left St Vladimir's to found  Holy Apostles Mission in Miami Florida. Holy Apostles is the only OCA all-Spanish language parish outside the Diocese of Mexico. On July 1st, Fr. David chrismated over 30 adults and children. 

Father David Bozeman and his family moved to Waxahachie, Texas outside of Dallas, to found St. Nektarios Mission. St. Nektarios is presently without a permanent home, but already, Fr. David and his family, and their parish community worship in parishioners' homes for daily vespers during the week and for the full cycle of services on the weekend. 

Father David Poling and his family have stayed in the Yonkers area, but they travel each weekend to Oneonta, New York where they serve St. Innocent Mission. St. Innocent's is a community that has grown out of a group of faithful who have been worshipping at nearby Holy Myrrhbearers Monastery. In addition to regular services Fr. David has started a book study for the faithful and for students at the nearby by State College of New York—Oneonta. See a video of Fr. David, just after his ordination at the Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Protection in New York City, here.

Father James Bozeman and his family moved to Beaufort, South Carolina, seventy miles south of Charleston, to continue the work of the newly established St. James Mission. On July 1st, under the leadership of Fr. James, the parish held its first Divine Liturgy at the Beaufort Arsenal Museum. Prior to that, the mission community had met in homes. While their borrowed space is only available to the community on Sunday mornings, the mission already has a full schedule of services. 

Please join us in praying for all of our alumni, and especially those and their families who are serving missions throughout our Church.