Saint Ia Rides a Leaf, a board book for children, is now available from St. Vladimir’s Seminary (SVS) Press. SVS Press has published a number of children’s books over its history, but Saint Ia Rides a Leaf is the Press’s first in a board book format.
The book tells a charming story from the life of St. Ia, an Irish missionary to England in the fifth or sixth century. The town and parish of St. Ives in Cornwall, England, are named for her, and she is commemorated on February 3 in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Join St. Ia and her animal friends on an adventure to spread the Gospel!
To celebrate the book’s launch, SVS Press is also offering a free download of sheet music for “Saint Ia’s Song” on its website. This original song is written for children to sing along to as they read about St. Ia!
Buy Saint Ia Ridesa Leaf at SVSPress.com or by calling 1-800-204-BOOK (2665)
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.
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 and What Can I Do at Divine Liturgy.
With faith in Christ and hope in the resurrection, we share news of the repose of Archpriest Ernesto Rios, 79, who fell asleep in the Lord on December 15, 2020. Father Ernesto died of pneumonia after contracting COVID-19.
Father Ernesto was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico on January 28, 1941. His family moved to New York City, where he would eventually attend Eckerd College and serve in the Air Force. During this time he married his wife, Marta Gladys (Rosado). He would work as an air-traffic controller after leaving the Air Force.
Raised as a Roman Catholic, Fr. Ernesto converted to the Orthodox Faith and attended St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) from 1978-79. He was ordained to the Holy Priesthood in 1979 by His Beatitude, Metropolitan Theodosius at St. Andrew Church in Dix Hills, NY, where he briefly served.
In 1980, Fr. Ernesto was installed as rector of St. James the Apostle Church in Port St. Lucie, FL, by His Eminence, Archbishop Dimitri. His work expanded the community, and they moved from a small geocentric sanctuary to beautiful facilities completed in 2011. In 1995, Fr. Ernesto was appointed as the dean of the South Florida Deanery. Father Ernesto served at St. James for thirty-three years and was loved and respected by a diverse congregation including many converts to the Orthodox faith. He retired in 2014 but continued to serve the Church tirelessly, traveling from Port St. Lucie over 200 miles to Pine Key to help plant a mission church there. After a hurricane wiped out Pine Key, he continued to serve as a fill-in priest for the various Orthodox jurisdictions of South Florida.
“Father Ernesto had a ‘bigger than life’ personality and a warmth of soul, depth of compassion, and joy that radiated the beauty of Christ and the Kingdom,” said Diocese of the South Chancellor Fr. Marcus Burch (SVOTS Class of ’97). “He embraced all those whom he met with the fullness of that joy. He will be missed.”
Father Ernesto will be remembered for his warm affection, kindness, sense of humor, and selfless love which he had for his spiritual children and all who came across his path. He labored tirelessly for over thirty years, building up his beloved St. James the Apostle Orthodox Church and faithfully serving God in the Orthodox Church of America.
He is survived by his wife, Madracita Martha, three sons, one daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
The Burial Service for a Priest will take place Friday, December 18 at 7 p.m. at St. James the Apostle Church, Port St. Lucie, FL. His Eminence, Archbishop Alexander will preside at the Divine Liturgy on Saturday, December 19 at 10 a.m. Both services will be live-streamed on the parish’s Facebook page.
This spring, St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary will host a delegation from the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) as the Seminary seeks to reaffirm its accreditation status. The ATS Commission on Accreditation (COA) will make a comprehensive evaluation visit April 12-15, 2021 in order to verify that the school meets all applicable CommissionStandards of Accreditation.
As part of the evaluation process, ATS invites members of the public to submit comments regarding how well the school meets those standards and/or generally demonstrates educational quality. Comments may sent to the ATS Director of Commission Information Services at least two weeks prior to the visit via email to accrediting@ats.edu or by calling 412-788-6505. Comments may also be sent in writing to St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, 575 Scarsdale Road, Yonkers, NY 10707 (ATTN: Ann Sanchez). All comments will be shared with the onsite evaluation committee.
The comprehensive evaluation visit will be followed by a COA review for reaffirmation of accreditation in June 2021. The Seminary’s current period of accreditation expires July 31, 2021.
Saint Vladimir's Seminary is currently “Accredited in Good Standing,” meaning the school meets all applicable COA Standards of Accreditation. The school demonstrates educational quality and financial stability and provides evidence that its student learning outcomes are appropriate, rigorous, and being achieved. The Seminary also has no public sanctions (notation/warning, probation, or show cause), and is approved to offer four degrees: Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.), Master of Divinity (M.Div.), Master of Arts (M.A.), and Master of Theology (Th.M.).
Saint Vladimir’s has been accredited by ATS since 1973. The school’s accreditation was last reaffirmed in February 2014, based on an institutional self-study report and an onsite evaluation visit by a committee of peer and public reviewers.
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(Note: New guidelines for accrediting visits conducted during the current health crisis allow for visits either to be postponed or to be conducted entirely virtually with a follow-up visit in-person when it is reasonable and safe to do so.)
A choir from St. Vladimir’s Seminary participated in the virtual concert, Christmas Across the Continent: An Evening of Lessons and Carols, Saturday, December 19.
The concert was a joint production between Ancient Faith Radio and Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, East Meadow, NY. It featured pre-recorded performances by singers from St. Vladimir’s, St. Tikhon’s, Holy Trinity, and Holy Cross Orthodox seminaries; St. Michael’s Orthodox Church (Louisville, Kentucky); and the ensemble, Psaltikon (based in Massachusetts). The male choir from St. Vladimir’s, directed by Harrison Russin, included Seminarians Dn. John Black, Nicholas Fong, Bogdan Manga, Blake Cohen, Steven Roberts, Nicholas Fine, and Mark Sultani.
Saint Vladimir’s Seminary participated in “Lessons and Carols” concerts with Holy Trinity, East Meadow, in previous years, including in 2019. The format is modeled on the 1918 Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King’s College, Cambridge, still held to this day.
Watch the entirety of Christmas Across the Continent below.
During St. Vladimir's Seminary's 2020 Fall Semester and the summer preceding it, five new priests were added to the ranks of our student body and alumni fellowship, as well as three new deacons. Another received ecclesiastical awards for his service in Christ.
We keep them all in prayer as they continue in their ministries. Axios!
HOLY PRIESTHOOD
Priest Elias Dorham (3rd-Year student, D.Min. Program) Jurisdiction: Melkite Greek Catholic Eparchy of Newton Holy Diaconate: Ordained NOV 2019 by the hand of His Grace, Bishop Nicholas Samra Holy Priesthood: Ordained 15AUG20 by the hand of His Grace, Bishop Nicholas Samra at Holy Transfiguration Church, McLean, VA Current Ministry: Serves as associate priest and co-coordinator of the Adult Education program at Holy Transfiguration Church, McLean, VA Educational and Professional Background: Professional experience includes active duty military service, federal service, and private sector cybersecurity; B.S. in Political Science from the United States Naval Academy; M.S. in Information Technology Management from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA; M.A. in Theological Studies from Christendom Graduate School
Priest John (Rassem) El Massih (Lecturer in Liturgical Music) Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 5MARCH17 by the hand of His Eminence, Metropolitan Joseph at St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral, Brooklyn, NY Holy Priesthood: Ordained 30AUG20 by the hand of His Eminence, Metropolitan Joseph at Ss. Peter & Paul Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, Potomac, MD Current Ministry: Attached to Ss. Peter & Paul Church, Potomac, MD; Works in music composition for the Department of Sacred Music of the Antiochian Archdiocese; Teaches Byzantine liturgical music at St. Vladimir's Seminary, the Sacred Music Institute, and the House of Studies of the Antiochian Archdiocese; Produces bilingual liturgical services for the Online Liturgical Guide (AOCANA) Educational and Professional Background: B.A. in Religious Studies from Hellenic College & M.Div. from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology; Appointed "First-Chanter" of AOCANA and served as an assistant for the late Metropolitan Philip
Priest Philip Maikkula (M.Div. '18) Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 13OCT18 by the hand of The Most Reverend Alexander, archbishop of Dallas, the South and the Bulgarian Diocese (OCA), at St. John of the Ladder Orthodox Church in Greenville, SC Holy Priesthood: Ordained 8SEPT20 by His Eminence, Archbishop Paul at St. Nicholas Church, Fort Wayne, IN Current ministry: Assigned as priest-in-charge of St. Makarios Mission, Hyde Park, IL Educational and Professional Background: B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Central Florida; worked in pool service business prior to seminary
Priest Peter Runyon (3rd-Year Seminarian, M.Div. Program) Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 20JULY14 by His Eminence, Archbishop Nikon at St. Sava parish in Allen, TX Holy Priesthood: Ordained 1NOV20 by His Grace, Bishop Alexis at Three Hierarchs Chapel, St. Vladimir's Seminary, Yonkers, NY Educational and Professional Background: Worked as a director in Information Technology prior to enrolling at seminary; B.A. in Management Information Systems from American Sentinel University
Priest John (Keith) Morris (3rd-Year Seminarian, M.Div. Program) Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 8AUG20 by His Eminence, Archbishop Michael at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, East Meadow, NY Holy Priesthood: Ordained 5DEC20 by His Eminence, Archbishop Michael at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, East Meadow, NY Educational and Professional Background: B.A. in Sociology; Worked as a detective in the NYPD before retiring to come to seminary.
HOLY DIACONATE
Deacon John Thetford (M.A., '20) Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA), Romanian Episcopate Holy Diaconate: Ordained 9AUG20 by His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon at the Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration, Ellwood City, PA Current ministry: Appointed as personal secretary to His Beatitude Educational and Professional Background: Graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University; worked as an elementary teacher and social worker prior to seminary.
Deacon Anthony Niqula (M.Div., '19) Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 15AUG20 by His Grace, Bishop John at St. George Orthodox Church of Boston, West Roxbury, MA Current ministry: Serves as pastoral assistant at St. George Orthodox Church of Boston Educational and Professional Background: Graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (B.S. in Physics, '16); currently studying Byzantine music at Hellenic College Holy Cross, Brookline, MA
Deacon Thomas Miller (2nd-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 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
ELEVATIONS & AWARDS
Priest Nicholas Roth (Seminary Staff; M.Div., '14) Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Ecclesiastical Awards: Granted the dignity of wearing the nabedrennik and kamilavka 1NOV20 by His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon through the hands of His Grace, Bishop Alexis at Three Hierarchs Chapel, St. Vladimir's Seminary, Yonkers, NY Current ministry: Spiritual formation director and ecclesiarch at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary
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Photo Credits: Antiochian.org (Priest John El Massih); Michael Uhr (Priest Philip Maikkula); OCA.org (Archpriest Michael Myers); Sarah Werner (Priest Nicholas Roth, Priest Peter Runyon); Matthew Ortiz, Nicholas Reeves (Priest John Morris)
New York Times bestselling author Rod Dreher will deliver the 38th Annual Father Alexander Schmemann Memorial Lecture, which will be held in an online format Saturday, January 30, 2021—the Feast of the Three Hierarchs—at 2 p.m. EST.
Dreher’s lecture, titled, “Living in Truth: How the Communist-Era Suffering Church can Prepare Us to be Dissidents,” will coincide with the release of the upcoming book, A Voice for Our Time: Radio Liberty Talks, Vol. 1, featuring an English translation of Schmemann’s broadcasts into the Soviet Union that began in 1953. This first volume of the two-part series, being published by St. Vladimir’s Seminary (SVS) Press, will feature a foreword by Dreher. In his lecture January 30, Dreher will define the challenges and explore the gifts the suffering church has for a complacent West.
Space for the online lecture is limited. To reserve a spot, register here. The fee for early registrants is $10. The early registration period ends January 15. Late registration is $15.
Rod Dreher is a senior editor and blogger at The American Conservative and author of several books, including How Dante Can Save Your Life, The Benedict Option, and the most recent, Live Not by Lies. He was received into the Orthodox Church in 2006.
Do you feel called to serve the Church, either in ordained ministry, academia, or another vocation? Explore that calling at St. Vladimir’s Seminary’s Online Open House, January 13-15!
Prospective seminarians are invited to take a closer look at the spiritual, academic, and residential life at St. Vladimir’s. Pray in the chapel, attend classes, and speak with Seminary leadership, faculty, and students—all virtually, of course.
2-4:45pm - St Paul and His Churches (class session) - Fr. George Parsenios
5:00pm - Vespers
Friday, January 15
9-11:30am - Academic Symposium (morning session)
12:00pm - Q&A and Closing Remarks
The Online Open House is a perfect way to experience the life of a seminarian before applying to study at St. Vladimir’s. The Seminary will begin accepting applications for the 2021-2022 Academic Year in February.
TheRegistration period for the Online Open House ends January 11, 2021.
Questions about the Online Open House or the application process? Email admissions@svots.edu.
The Institute of Sacred Arts (ISA) at St. Vladimir’s Seminary is asking for the public’s input as it shapes its programs and events. The ISA has launched a brief survey to help gather the feedback.
“Our Institute is posed to make a unique contribution—we’ve got several exciting activities and programs in store, and many more that are still at the idea stage,” said Professor Peter C. Bouteneff, the director of the ISA. “Now we need to hear from people who might draw on what we offer. Let us know your interests and needs so that we can serve you better.”
Since its founding in 1938, St Vladimir’s Seminary has fostered the study of icons, music and liturgy. The ISA serves to extend the Seminary’s mission in exploring the mutual relationship between theology and the arts through a curriculum infused with the arts, academic symposia and conferences, publications, and events.
Healing Humanity brings together a group of Orthodox Christian scholars and educators to offer responses to ethical and cultural paradigm shifts happening in western societies. The book elaborates upon various forms of the moral crisis our generation faces, facilitating a fuller understanding of some of its theological and philosophical foundations.
“I’m so pleased to have contributed to this book,” said Fr. Chad. “It should serve as an important resource for people trying to live as Orthodox Christians in these challenging and ever-changing times.”
“This volume represents a milestone: a robust Orthodox Christian contribution, centered on the person of Christ, to the conversation unfolding across our rapidly changing world about the shape and significance of human life,” said Gaelan, a first-year student in the Master of Divinity (MDiv) program. “In the face of contemporary crises of personal identity, technology, community, and much else, what does the Orthodox Christian tradition have to offer? More than we might think. I’m humbled to be a part of this exciting collection.”
Gaelan, a seminarian of the Antiochian Archdiocese, taught arts and humanities at the University of Saint Katherine, San Marcos, CA, and served as headmaster at Christ the Savior Academy in Wichita, KS before enrolling at St. Vladimir’s Seminary.
Father Chad and Gaelan plan to lead a presentation on Healing Humanity for the seminary community in October.
Seminarians at St. Vladimir’s are benefitting from renovations to one of the campus’s most important structures.
Major improvements were made over the summer in the historic Germack Building thanks to a generous lead gift by The Nicholas & Eleanor Chabraja Foundation and additional funding from the Ivan V. Koulaueff Educational Fund. The two large, double student bathrooms located on the second and third floors were completely gutted and upgraded. Colorful walls and floor tiles were installed with new showers, toilets, quartzite vanities, lighting, accessories, privacy partitions, and upgraded ventilation and heating systems. Additionally, old carpeting in the dormitory hallways and student rooms was replaced with new wall-to-wall carpeting.
The Germack Building—the oldest building on campus—houses many of the Seminary’s single male students, faculty offices, and common areas, including the refectory where students share meals together.
"It was great to return to campus and have our living spaces improved like this,” said second-year seminarian Njegoš Perković. “The better ventilation and heating in the bathrooms is especially important due to the current global pandemic."
“These are important student quality-of-life upgrades at the Seminary,” added Ted Bazil, St. Vladimir’s senior advisor for operations and planned giving. “This project was long overdue, so we are very grateful to both donors for the sanitary, functional, and aesthetic improvements for students living in the building.”
