Yonkers, NY

On the weekend of October 31 and November 1, St. Vladimir’s Seminary was blessed by a visit from The Right Reverend Alexis (Trader), bishop of Bethesda and auxiliary to the metropolitan for Stavropegial Institutions (Orthodox Church in America). The visit culminated Sunday with the celebration of Divine Liturgy, the ordination to the priesthood of Seminarian Dn. Peter Runyon, and an honorary award for Rev. Nicholas Roth, the Seminary’s spiritual formation director and ecclesiarch.

"It has been many years since we had an ordination during a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy served outside,” said Seminary President Very Rev. Fr. Chad Hatfield. “It really was our joy to receive His Grace, Bishop Alexis for the joyous occasion of an ordination to the priesthood. We look forward to many returns to our Seminary, and we wish him many years!”

• View photo gallery

His Grace, Bishop Alexis was consecrated to the episcopacy earlier this year, and has since been instrumental in providing directives on behalf of Metropolitan Tikhon to help guide the Seminary through the COVID-19 pandemic. The visit marked His Grace’s first official visit to campus as auxiliary for Stavropegial Institutions.

The newly ordained Rev. Peter Runyon, a seminarian of the OCA’s Diocese of the West, is in his third year studying in the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program. Father Peter’s wife, Matushka Sophia, works in sales for SVS Press & Bookstore.

Father Nicholas Roth, who graduated from the Seminary’s M.Div. program in 2014, was granted the dignity of wearing the nabedrennik and kamilavka.

May God grant many years to Bishop Alexis and the Runyon and Roth families!

In Memoriam

With faith in Christ and hope in the resurrection, we share news of the repose of longtime St. Vladimir’s Seminary trustee His Eminence, Maximos, former Greek Orthodox metropolitan of Pittsburgh. His Eminence was 85 years old.

Metropolitan Maximos served on the Seminary’s Board of Trustees from 1989-2002. He also taught courses in patristics for a time at St. Vladimir’s following the repose of Fr. John Meyendorff in 1992.

His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) offered condolences on hearing of His Eminence’s repose, and said the late metropolitan was a “pivotal figure” in Orthodoxy in America.

“As a scholar, professor, and pastor, he was beloved by many both within the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and without. He had a special connection with the Orthodox Church in America, where he was particularly well regarded during the time he spent on the Board of Trustees of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, as well as the shorter period he spent teaching there,” wrote His Beatitude.

Born to Father and Presvytera Evangelos Aghiorgoussis in Chios on March 5 1935, the future Metropolitan Maximos attended the Patriarchal Theological School of Halki, where he received his degree in Orthodox theology in 1957. He was ordained a deacon at Halki on April 28, 1957, and ordained to the priesthood on his native island on July 26, 1959. He pursued graduate studies at the University of Louvain, Belgium, where he received a doctorate in theology and baccalaureate in philosophy in 1964. From 1966 to 1979 (his election as a bishop) he taught at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, Brookline, MA as professor of systematic theology. During his tenure at the school, he also served as vice president of Hellenic College and academic dean of Holy Cross. On April 11, 1978, the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate elected him bishop of Diokleia. Archbishop Iakovos consecrated him to the episcopacy on Pentecost Sunday, June 18, 1978, at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York City. He was as elected in March 1979 and enthroned as the first bishop of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis (then Diocese) of Pittsburgh on April 27, 1979. In 1997, he was elected metropolitan of the Throne of Constantinople to preside in Pittsburgh, and later in 2003 became metropolitan of Pittsburgh.

The late metropolitan retired due to failing health in August 2011, but continued to be a beloved and much respected figure in the Metropolis, which he served for over thirty years.

The funeral for Metropolitan Maximos will be held at the St. Nicholas Cathedral in Pittsburgh on Saturday, November 7, followed by the interment at St. Gregory Palamas Monastery in Perrysville, OH. 

May the memory of Metropolitan Maximos be eternal!

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(Many details for this article have been adapted and reprinted from goarch.org)

Yonkers, NY

Saint Vladimir’s Seminary (SVS) Press has published a new edition of St. John Chrysostom’s On Wealth and Poverty. This second edition of the work from the Popular Patristics Series features newly edited text, an updated cover, and a new foreword written by popular author and radio host Hank Hanegraaff, also known as the “Bible Answer Man.”

The sermons of St. John Chrysostom are some of the richest classical commentaries on the Christian life. Knowing well the realities of life in the world, the temptation of rich and poor alike, this great orator—"the golden-mouthed"—addresses the questions of wealth and poverty in the lives of the people of his day. And yet, as the modern reader is confronted with his words, it becomes apparent that he, too, is being addressed; Chrysostom's words are words proclaiming the truth of the Gospel to all people of all times. The message of the story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) is brought home to every person in these six sermons of Chrysostom with clarity, insight into the human dilemma, compassion, and judgment.

• Buy On Wealth and Poverty at SVSPress.com or by calling 1-800-204-BOOK (2665)

Related texts in the Popular Patristics Series include St Basil the Great's On Social Justice (PPS 38) and several other works by St John Chrysostom: On the Priesthood (PPS 1), On Marriage and Family Life (PPS 7), The Cult of the Saints (PPS 31), and Letters to Olympia (PPS 56).

Yonkers, NY

Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) has begun rolling out a new logo to accompany new branding for the Seminary.

“We are excited,” said SVOTS President Fr. Chad Hatfield. “There have been so many positive developments at St. Vladimir’s in recent years, and this new logo and branding reflect the encouraging direction our Seminary is moving in.”

The new logo features an artistic recreation of the cross and cupola of the Seminary’s Three Hierarchs Chapel and a new wordmark.  The cross and the image of the Chapel point not only to the Seminary’s Orthodox Christian confession and devotion to Christ, but also the centrality of chapel and prayer life in SVOTS’ training and formation of seminarians. The buildings/houses surrounding Three Hierarchs Chapel in the logo reflect the Seminary’s emphasis on residential life. Together, the Chapel and buildings also symbolize the Church at large, placed in the world within our neighborhoods and communities; the houses look toward the Church for guidance and leadership. The blue sky represents the protecting veil of the Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary.

The logo is the centerpiece of SVOTS’ new branding—the first complete branding process the Seminary has undertaken in its history.

“It’s important St. Vladimir’s has a well-designed and intentional brand that guides how we communicate and present ourselves,” said SVOTS Chief Marketing Officer Sarah Werner. “Even the best professors and academic programs or the most interesting events can be missed if the look and voice surrounding everything isn’t making an impact on people.

“Little by little over the next few months, you’ll start to see and feel the Seminary’s new branding on everything we do. And there’s still more to be revealed.”

Along with the new logo, the Seminary’s branding introduces the use of new colors, primarily violet and “panagia” blue, and includes an updated “Values, Purpose, & Mission” statement.

The familiar St. Vladimir’s Seminary academic seal, which has featured prominently in Seminary communications since 1960 and was updated in 2013, will continue to be used together with the new logo.

Yonkers, NY

The Institute of Sacred Arts (ISA) has been leading choir workshops in parishes across the country.

Dr. Peter Bouteneff, director of the ISA, is leading these Zoom workshops free of charge, beginning with a ten-minute talk about the Institute. At each workshop, participants are then led in vocal training by Seminary alumni choir leaders such as Dr. Gregory Abdalah (’08, ’18), Zachariah Mandell (’20), and Phillip Ritchey (’20).

“Keeping voices active, keeping our breathing healthy, is a great boost to our physical, mental, and spiritual health, and keeps us in shape for the day when we can sing together in church again,” said Bouteneff.

Professor Bouteneff and the ISA have led five workshops so far, in California, Washington State, Kentucky, New York, and Connecticut, and are poised to do more. Parishes interested in scheduling a workshop are encouraged to email sacredarts@svots.edu for more information.

“Our institute has a strong academic component with symposia and publications, but the sacred arts touch us first and foremost in the parishes, in the Liturgy. We need to be deeply plugged in to the life of the Church!” added Dr. Bouteneff, who also directs the choir at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Yonkers, NY.

The Institute is looking to spread the word about its activities, receive input on its work, and enlarge its contact list to build its base of prayerful and material support. Soon, the ISA will also launch an M.A. degree track at St. Vladimir’s Seminary with a concentration in Sacred Arts. It will continue to organize symposia, integrate further into the Seminary’s curriculum, and host artists-in-residence at St. Vladimir’s.

The Institute is supported in part by the Henry Luce Foundation and by larger and smaller donations from people who are stirred by the arts and who understand their crucial role in the life of the Church, the praise of God, and the preaching of the faith.

In Memoriam

With faith in Christ and hope in the resurrection, we share news of the repose of renowned iconographer Maria Struve, who fell asleep in the Lord Friday, November 13 in France. She was 95.

Struve painted the icons in the old chapel of St. Vladimir’s Seminary, which was in use until 1983 when the Seminary’s Three Hierarchs Chapel was constructed. Many of those icons now adorn the walls of the current chapel.

Maria Struve’s iconography adorned the iconostasis and walls of the old chapel at St. Vladimir’s Seminary (photo: ca.1960s) 

Maria Alexandrovna Struve, née Elchaninov, was born in Russia in 1925. She was the daughter of Fr. Alexander Elchaninov (1881-1934), the author of Diary of a Russian Priest (SVS Press), and Matushka Tamara (née Levandovskaya, 1897-1981), who was also a skilled iconographer. Struve was among the Russian émigré community that settled in France in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution of 1917. She became a student of famous iconographers Leonid Ouspensky and Sister Joanna (Julia Reitlinger), and is responsible for the first icons of the first Russian Orthodox saints of France. Struve painted many icons and iconostases for individuals and churches in France, Switzerland, and the United States. She also assisted her husband, author and translator Nikita Alexeyevich Struve (+2016), in his editorial work. Her life was filled with blessed encounters with figures such as Fr. Sergius Bukgakov, St. Maria Skobtsova, and many others. 

Many of Struve’s icons, including these icons of Christ and the Theotokos, now adorn the walls of the Seminary’s Three Hierarchs Chapel.

Struve is survived by her children, Blandine, Mélanie, and Daniel, their spouses, and grandchildren.

May her memory be eternal!

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(Many details and Struve’s photo for this article were obtained from Orthodoxie.com)  

In Memoriam

The community of St. Vladimir’s Seminary is offering prayers and condolences after the falling asleep of His Holiness, Irinej (Gavrilovic). His Holiness, the archbishop of Pec, metropolitan of Belgrade-Karlovci, and patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, reposed in the Lord Friday morning in Belgrade after contracting COVID-19. His Holiness was 90 years old.

Patriarch Irinej at Three Hierarchs Chapel in 2015.

“We mourn with our beloved Serbian Orthodox brethren during this difficult time,” said St. Vladimir’s President Fr. Chad Hatfield. “We remember fondly Patriarch Irinej’s visit to the Seminary not long ago, when His Holiness beautifully reminded us of the close ties between St. Vladimir’s and the Serbian Orthodox Church. I remember so well the delight in his eyes when he was presented with a copy of the famous ‘Fond du Lac Circus’ photo, which includes the Serbian saint, Sebastian Dabovich. 

“May he rest in peace and rise in glory!"

The historic “Fond du Lac Circus” photo was presented to Patriarch Irinej on his visit to St. Vladimir’s in 2015.

On Patriarch Irinej’s visit to St. Vladimir’s Seminary in 2015, the Seminary’s Board of Trustees and Faculty bestowed upon His Holiness a Doctor of Divinity degree, honoris causa. The Patriarch then delivered an address, titled, “Theology as a Hope for the Future of the Church." During the visit, His Holiness also praised the members of the Serbian Orthodox community for their board service to St. Vladimir’s, including Trustee Emeritus Alex Machaskee, who was then serving as executive chair of the Board of Trustees.

The Board of Trustees and Faculty of St. Vladimir’s Seminary bestowed a Doctor of Divinity degree, honoris causa, upon His Holiness, Patriarch Irinej on September 11, 2015.

“A year ago last July my wife Carol and I were graciously received by Patriarch Irinej,” Machaskee recalled, after learning of his falling asleep. “His demeanor belied his age as we discussed Kosovo and other issues. His eyes always reflected the warmth and pleasant humor I remembered just a few years earlier when I had visited the Patriarch with an International Orthodox Christian Charities delegation. 

“May his memory be eternal!” 

His Holiness, Patriarch Irinej was born in the village of Vidova, near the town of Cacak, Serbia, on August 28, 1930. He led of life of faithful service to the Church, and he helped navigate the Serbian Church through a difficult time for the region in the early years of his patriarchal ministry. A biography of His Holiness is available to read on the website of the patriarchate.

May the memory of Patriarch Irinej be eternal!

In a Kansas City neighborhood that has suffered from generations of racism and poverty, Reconciliation Services offers an Orthodox Christian approach to healing.

Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) plans to contribute to that healing mission. This Giving Tuesday, December 1, SVOTS is teaming up with Reconciliation Services and its executive director, St. Vladimir’s Alumnus Fr. Justin Mathews (Class of ’07). 

Fr. Justin with community members at Reconciliation Services (Photo taken pre-pandemic)  

Every year, the Seminary selects a nonprofit partner for its Giving Tuesday fundraising campaign and tithes 10% of the funds raised that day to the nonprofit. Seminary leadership was moved by the work being carried out by Fr. Justin and his colleagues at Reconciliation Services, and was excited to partner with the organization for Giving Tuesday 2020.

“The love that he urges others to share goes a long way toward healing hearts broken by poverty and lives traumatized by violence,” said Seminary President Fr. Chad Hatfield.

(Fr. Justin at work) 

Affiliated with St. Mary of Egypt Orthodox Church, Reconciliation Services provides to clients—99% of whom live below the federal poverty line—medical, mental health and dental services, classes, and mentoring programs. Part of their outreach is Thelma’s Kitchen, located in the same neighborhood as the parish and the nonprofit, a gathering place for delicious meals served up to neighbors, program volunteers, staff, and church people who, based on their ability, pay what they can or chip in with kitchen duties. Partnerships have been formed not only with concerned individuals but also the local corporate community.

“We all need to share what we can to reduce the most extreme disparities and alleviate the suffering in our city,” said Fr. Justin.

• LISTEN: Fr. Justin Mathews describes the hardship along Troost Avenue and what Orthodox communities everywhere can learn from it

Fr. Justin, Hieromonk Alexii (Altschul), and members of the Reconciliation Services team

Father Justin’s ministry is a perfect example of why supporting the education of seminarians is so important: they will be sent out—like Fr. Justin was—to be God’s hands in the world. So when you give to St. Vladimir’s Seminary this Giving Tuesday, you are giving twice: to help train and educate seminarians who will help bring Christ to a suffering world and toward those who are bringing Christ’s healing to others right now at Reconciliation Services. 

Yonkers, NY

Generous donors gave more than $127,000 to support seminarians through St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS)’s 2020 Giving Tuesday campaign. The campaign for Giving Tuesday, which fell on December 1 this year, raised more than $122,000 over the following week, with another $5,000 in pledges expected to arrive in the coming days.

This Giving Tuesday, the Seminary set a goal of raising $125,000—the cost SVOTS faces each year to educate just two of its many seminarians. While the cost to educate each student at St. Vladimir’s is the lowest among the three accredited Orthodox seminaries in North America, the amount still requires a significant amount of funds to be raised for the entire student body every academic year.

• Why does it cost so much to educate one seminarian?

“We are so grateful to everyone who stepped up in such a big way to support seminarians,” said SVOTS President Very Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield. “It was wonderful to see such generosity in spite of the difficult economic times people are living through.

“With the ongoing shortage of clergy and other vocations in the Orthodox Church in North America, your support for the education and training of future Church leaders at St. Vladimir’s is as important as ever.”

The Seminary is also paying forward some of donors’ generosity. Every year, SVOTS selects a nonprofit partner for Giving Tuesday and tithes 10% of whatever is raised to that partner. In 2020, SVOTS partnered with Reconciliation Services in Kansas City, MO, led by St. Vladimir’s Alumnus Fr. Justin Mathews (Class of ’07).

Saint Vladimir’s Seminary is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and is not funded by any church institution or by the government. The Seminary relies on the generosity of donors each year to raise funds to operate the Seminary and train seminarians.

To make a donation to St. Vladimir’s Seminary at any time, visit SVOTS.edu.

Yonkers, NY

A team of Saint Vladimir’s Seminarians took part in a two-day, virtual mission trip in December to assist the Orthodox Diocese of Gulu and Eastern Uganda.

The student-led St Innocent Mission Society had made plans last year to travel to Uganda as part of a mission team. But the pandemic forced the Society to pivot, volunteering as part of a virtual team this winter. The team, organized by the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC), included seminarians from St. Vladimir’s and Holy Cross (Brookline, MA) seminaries as well as lay people from various parishes.

The mission team joined participants in Uganda via Zoom

His Grace, Bishop Silvestros of Eastern and Northern Uganda proposed topics for the team, with the focus on youth leadership, and coordinated with thirty youth leaders in the Diocese of Gulu. On December 5 and 6, the virtual mission team offered multiple sessions each day for clergy and laity in the diocese via Zoom.

The first session December 5 focused on the question “What does it mean to follow Christ?” with a group of laypeople and clergy, including a team of twelve who joined from Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Jinja, a city in the Eastern Region of Uganda, and Alumnus Fr. Simon Menya (’18).

Saint Vladimir’s Seminarian Gaelan (Anthony) Gilbert, PhD, led another session on “the shocking things Christ did on earth.”

The Incarnation, Crucifixion, and Resurrection of Christ clearly take the cake as the most unexpected and impactful events,” said Gilbert, “but we also were able to openly discuss the challenging teachings of Jesus, the moments where we see our Lord's righteous anger or grief, and most of all His compassion for the suffering.

St. Vladimir’s Seminarians Philip McClanahan (pictured) and Dr. Gaelan Gilbert led sessions during the two-day virtual mission trip.

“It was a blessing for me to be involved in this OCMC virtual team to Uganda,” he added.

The mission team’s work will continue to serve as a resource for the Diocese of Gulu. All sessions were recorded, and Bishop Silvestros plans to use the videos in local communities and universities for Orthodox people and inquirers.