St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) has announced Seminarian Andrew Kayaian as the winner of the 2019 St. Matthias Merit Scholarship Essay Contest.
“Following on social media does not carry with it any incumbent real life consequences….,” he wrote in his essay. “Contrarily, Christ's command to his disciples, ‘Follow me,’ is substantive, carries obligations, and involves the whole person without reservation. The command is significant enough that the same story in which Christ says, ‘Follow me,’ is recorded similarly in all four Gospels.”
Andrew Kayaian is a second-year seminarian in the Master of Arts (M.A.) program. As a seminarian of the Armenian Church in America, he is also studying concurrently at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, Armonk, NY. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in history from Fordham University. Kayaian’s home parish is St. Gregory the Enlightener Armenian Church in White Plains, NY.
The St. Matthias Merit Scholarship Essay Contest is offered annually, thanks to the generous contributions of a family of anonymous donors. These donors also selected the topic of the 2019 essay contest and developed thorough and thoughtful criteria to determine the winner.
The contest is one of many offerings by the Seminary to help its seminarians graduate tuition-debt free as they go forth to serve the Church. SVOTS 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.
Saint Gregory of Nyssa’s Catechetical Discourse is now available through St. Vladimir’s Seminary (SVS) Press. The new entry in the Popular Patristic Series (PPS) features the original Greek text along with an English translation by Seminary Alumnus and SVS Press Editor Rev. Ignatius Green.
Saint Gregory of Nyssa wrote the Catechetical Discourse as a handbook for his catechists, to help them defend and articulate the foundations of the faith, the Trinity, creation and the image of God, the fall and the nature of evil, the saving work of Christ, and the sacraments of baptism and the Eucharist. The Discourse draws upon the previous tradition—especially Origen, St. Methodius of Olympus, and, above all, St. Athanasius' On the Incarnation (PPS 44)—and influences later fathers like St. John of Damascus in his On the Orthodox Faith (new translation coming soon from SVS Press).
This complex work is also known for its ambiguous relationship to Origen's universalism, perhaps including the idea that the devil himself will be saved. The translator's introduction places this question, and a clear understanding of the Catechetical Discourse in general, in the context of St. Gregory's use of rhetoric, his other writings and the broader patristic tradition.
Catechetical Discourse is available in paperback at SVSPress.com or by calling 800-204-BOOK (2665).
About the Popular Patristic Series
The Popular Patristics Series is comprised of more than 50 volumes. The series aims to mine the riches of early Christian literature and provide readable and accurate translations of a broad range of these writings to a wide audience—from students of Christian history and theology to lay Christians reading for spiritual benefit. Texts include classics of Christian literature, thematic volumes, homily collections, letters, spiritual guidance, and poetical works from a wide variety geographical contexts and historical backgrounds. Patristic authors include Athanasius, Gregory the Great, Basil the Great, Gregory of Nazianzus, Ephrem the Syrian, Tertullian, and many more. Recognized patristic scholars provide short but comprehensive and clear introductory essays according to their specializations for each volume.
All 54 volumes currently available in the PPS series may be purchased individually, or as a complete set at a discounted price.
Three hierarchs from the Syriac Orthodox Church (SOC) visited their seminarians on campus and met with Seminary leadership Thursday: His Eminence Mor Dionysius John Kawak, archbishop and patriarchal vicar of the Archdiocese of the SOC for the Eastern United States of America; His Eminence Mor Titus Yeldho, archbishop and patriarchal vicar of the Malankara Archdiocese of the SOC in North America; and His Eminence Ayub Mor Silvanos, archbishop of America, Canada, and Europe Regions of the Malankara Syriac Knanaya Archdiocese.
Each hierarch has visited the Seminary previously—His Eminence Mor Titus is also an alumnus of the Seminary (’03)—but Thursday marked the first time all three bishops, each representing different jurisdictions within the SOC, visited St. Vladimir’s together. There are currently seven seminarians from the SOC enrolled at the Seminary.
The hierarchs’ visit began with meetings with Seminary President Fr. Chad Hatfield and Academic Dean Dr. Alex Tudorie, followed by the observance of third and sixth hour prayers according to the Syriac rite in the Seminary’s chapel for its Syriac/Malankara students. The hierarchs then met with their seminarians and others during the Seminary’s midday meal.
A large group of Orthodox Christian leaders—including well-known authors and speakers Fr. Barnabas Powell and Kh. Frederica Mathewes-Green and successful entrepreneurs Gabriel Otte and Calee Lee—once again gathered at St. Vladimir’s Seminary (SVOTS) for the annual Orthodox Christian Leadership Initiative (OCLI) Conference.
The Orthodox Vision Foundation (OVF) has hosted the conference on campus each year since its inaugural event in 2017. The 2019 OCLI Conference, titled, “For the Life of the World,” began Friday, September 20 and concluded following Divine Liturgy at Three Hierarchs Chapel Sunday, September 22.
The leadership conference’s pre-selected attendees included bishops, priests, deacons, monastics, and lay leaders from several Orthodox Christian jurisdictions and across North America.
“I'm excited to be one of the speakers,” said Fr. Barnabas Powell of Faith Encouraged Ministries, as he recorded a live message Saturday to his followers on Facebook. “And I'm also very excited about what's going to come next...continued discussion about how we escape being irrelevant in this society and start being what normal Orthodoxy has always been: a society- and culture-shaping influence that makes men and women [become] like Jesus Christ by grace."
Dedicated to nurturing and empowering Orthodox Christian servant leadership, OCLI plans to expand its ministry in the coming years by hosting seminars throughout the United States. Members of St. Vladimir’s Seminary, including President Archpriest Chad Hatfield, Seminary Trustee Dr. Frank B. Cerra, and Trustee Emeritus Protodeacon Peter Danilchick, have played key roles in OCLI’s efforts.
About the Orthodox Vision Foundation
The Orthodox Vision Foundation was founded by Charles and Marilee Ajalat, whose son, Richard Ajalat, is an alumnus of SVOTS (’13). The organization funds a broad range of issues and organizations that tackle everything from feeding and equipping the homeless and working poor, to spreading the Orthodox Church’s worldview, to church governance and policy issues, to ongoing education for our clergy and lay leaders, and launching new ministries.
St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) Professor and former dean Very Rev. Dr. John Behr is joining the faculty at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. Father John has been appointed as a professor in divinity at the University’s School of Divinity, History and Philosophy.
Father John, the Seminary’s Father Georges Florovsky Distinguished Professor of Patristics, will continue to teach at St. Vladimir’s Seminary for the remainder of the 2019-2020 Academic Year before departing to take up his new post at the University of Aberdeen. In the meantime, the Seminary is beginning a search for a new patristics professor to succeed Fr. John. More information will be posted over the coming weeks on the Seminary’s website, SVOTS.edu.
“Over the years, Fr. John’s classes have been immensely popular with seminarians,” said Seminary President Very Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield. “His high academic standing and renowned scholarship have benefitted the Seminary significantly in his time here at St. Vladimir’s, and we will be forever grateful for the impact he has made in the education of so many clergy and lay leaders of the Church.”
Archpriest John Behr began teaching at St. Vladimir’s in 1993 as a visiting lecturer while working on his doctorate. He has been a permanent faculty member since 1995, was tenured in 2000, and was ordained in 2001. Father John served as dean of the Seminary for ten years, from 2007 to 2017. He is currently the editor of St. Vladimir’s Seminary (SVS) Press’s Popular Patristics Series.
On Wednesday and Thursday, eight hierarchs from three Orthodox churches visited St. Vladimir’s Seminary (SVOTS) to get a closer look at the Seminary’s operations, curriculum, and future plans: Metropolitan Tikhon, Archbishops Benjamin, Melchisedek, Michael, and Alexander, and Bishop Paul from the Orthodox Church in America (OCA); Bishop John from the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA); and Bishop Saba of the Georgian Apostolic Orthodox Church in North America.
The hierarchs were officially invited to campus by His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon at the request of the Seminary. The group met with Seminary President Archpriest Chad Hatfield and other faculty and staff over the two days.
“We are very much interested in working closely with hierarchs to give them a better sense of how seminarians from their respective jurisdictions are being trained, as well as to give them a platform for their essential input and cooperation,” said Fr. Chad.
Due to scheduling conflicts, not all hierarchs invited were able to be present for the discussions. The Seminary plans to continue working with them, however, as well as all hierarchs who have seminarians at St. Vladimir’s or who are interested in sending students in the future.
“These two days,” added Fr. Chad, “were further evidence of something so wonderfully stated recently by one of the bishops visiting: ‘Pan-Orthodoxy is not just a dream at St. Vladimir’s, it is lived here.’ May that long continue!”
It has been a busy and blessed summer! Since the end of the 2018-2019 Academic Year in May to the beginning of the 2019 Fall Semester, eight new priests have been added to the ranks of our student body and alumni fellowship, as well as three new deacons. More seminarians and alumni are scheduled to be ordained later this fall and winter, God-willing.
We keep them all in prayer as they continue in their ministries. Axios!
HOLY PRIESTHOOD
Priest Stefan Djoric (M.A., ’18; Th.M., ‘19)
Jurisdiction: Eastern American Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church Holy Diaconate: Ordained 23DEC18 by the hand of His Grace Bishop Irinej at Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Ellwood City, PA Holy Priesthood: Ordained 2JUNE19 by the hand of His Grace Bishop Irinej at Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Church in Steubenville, OH Current Ministry: Assigned as parish priest of Holy Resurrection Church, Steubenville, OH. Educational and professional background: B.A. studies in Theology from the University of Belgrade
Priest Andrew (Narek) Garabedian (M.Div., ‘16)
Jurisdiction: Eastern Diocese of America of the Armenian Church Holy Diaconate: Ordained 23JAN06 by the hand of His Eminence Bishop Bagrat (Galstyan) at St. Vartan Armenian Church, Vancouver, British Columbia Holy Priesthood: Ordained 28&29JUNE19 by the hand of His Grace Bishop Daniel (Findikyan) at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church, Chicago, IL Current Ministry: Assigned as pastor of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church, Chicago Educational and professional background: B.A. in Philosophy and Political Science from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Vancouver, British Columbia; Assistant youth and Christian Education director in Montreal, Quebec for the Armenian Diocese of Canada; In addition to St. Vladimir’s Seminary, Fr. Andrew is a graduate of St James’ Armenian Seminary, Jerusalem (2013) and St. Nersess Armenian Theological Seminary, Armonk, NY (2016)
Priest Lavrentia (Lawrence) Soper (M.Div., ‘19)
Jurisdiction: Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Eastern America Holy Diaconate: Ordained in SEPT 2015 by His Grace, Bishop Mitrophan Holy Priesthood: Ordained 7JULY19 by the hand of His Grace, Bishop Irinej at St. John the Baptist Serbian Orthodox Church, Patterson, NJ Current ministry: Assigned as priest at St. John the Baptist Serbian Orthodox Church, Patterson, NJ Educational and professional background: Former house manager for drug and alcohol treatment and rehabilitation center, the Interval Brotherhood Home in Akron, Ohio, OH; B.S. in General Studies from Charter Oak State College, New Britain, CT; Associate of Arts from Kent State University, Kent, OH
Priest Simon Menya (M.Div., ‘18) Jurisdiction: Patriarchate of Alexandria, Diocese of Uganda Holy Diaconate: Ordained by His Eminence, the Most Reverend Jonah (Lwanga), Metropolitan of Kampala and all Uganda, in St. Basil Orthodox Church, Gulu, Northern Uganda, 13AUG17 Holy Priesthood: Ordained 31JULY19 by the hand of His Grace, Bishop Silvester at St. Lavrentios Orthodox Cathedral, Gulu, Uganda Current ministry: Assigned to assist at three parishes in Uganda: St. Lavrentios, Archangel Michael, and St. Basil Educational and professional background: Former head teacher at Archangel Michael Orthodox Church, Lapainate village, Gulu District
Priest Christopher Dillon (3rd-year Seminarian, M.Div. program)
Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church of North America (AOCANA) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 30SEPT18 by the hand of His Grace John, bishop of the Diocese of Worcester and New England (AOCANA), at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Danbury, CT Holy Priesthood: Ordained 3AUG19 by the hand of His Eminence, Metropolitan Joseph at St. Barnabas Orthodox Church, Costa Mesa, CA Current ministry: Student parish assignment at St. Stephen the Protomartyr Antiochian Orthodox Church, South Plainfield, NJ Educational and professional background: B.A., UC Davis, History; M.Ed., UC Santa Barbara; CA Teaching Credential in Social Science, St. Stephen's Certificate in Theology from the Antiochian House of Studies; taught High School and Middle School History for eleven years; attends St. Vladimir's with wife, Claire, and children, James, Alexander, Peter, and Isaiah
Priest David Winn (3rd-year Seminarian, M.Div. program)
Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 23SEPT18 by the hand of His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph, archbishop of New York and metropolitan of all North America (AOCANA, at St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral, Brooklyn, NY Holy Priesthood: Ordained 4AUG19 by the hand of His Eminence, Metropolitan Joseph at St. Barnabas Orthodox Church, Costa Mesa, CA Current ministry: Student parish assignment at St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church, Bridgeport, CT Educational and professional background: B.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies from Biola University; deputy sheriff in Orange County, CA
Priest David McCready (Non-degree track, completed 2019)
Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 25APRIL19 by His Grace John, Auxiliary of the Diocese of Worcester and New England (AOCANA), at St. George’s Orthodox Church, Lawrence, MA Holy Priesthood: Ordained 11AUG19 by His Grace John, Auxiliary of the Diocese of Worcester and New England (AOCANA), at St. Columba Orthodox Church, Lafayette, CO Current ministry: Assigned as pastor of St. Columba Orthodox Church, under the Western Rite Vicariate of the Antiochian Archdiocese Educational and Professional Background: Former Anglican priest; Holds a number of degrees, including a Ph.D. from Trinity College, Dublin
Priest Symeon Halsell (3rd-year Seminarian, M.Div. program)
Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 8JULY18 by His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph, archbishop of New York and metropolitan of all North America (AOCANA), at the Antiochian Diocese of the West 2018 Parish Life Conference in Portland, OR. Holy Priesthood: Ordained 11AUG19 by the hand of His Eminence, Metropolitan Joseph at St. Peter the Apostle Antiochian Orthodox Church, Pomona, CA Current ministry: Student parish assignment at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, Danbury, CT Educational and professional background: B.A. in Sociology from California State University of Los Angeles; worked as supervisor for UPS for seven years and as Facilities Manager for his home parish for four years; served the Church before coming to seminary as an Orthodox middle-school teacher on Sundays, an altar server, and as an adult catechist to inquirers and catechumens
HOLY DIACONATE
Deacon Charalambos (Charles) Youngblood (2nd-year Seminarian, M.Div. program)
Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 7JULY19 by His Grace, Bishop Basil at St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral, Wichita, KS Current ministry: Student parish assignment at St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral, Brooklyn, NY Educational and professional background: Worked as a police detective with the City of Waco Police Department prior to enrolling at seminary; Active and reserve service in the United States Navy for the past sixteen years; B.A. in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia Southern University
Deacon Armen Terjimanian (3rd-year Seminarian, M.Div. program)
Jurisdiction: Eastern Diocese of America of the Armenian Church Holy Diaconate: Ordained 14JULY19 by His Grace Bishop Daniel (Findikyan), primate of the Eastern Diocese, at St. John Armenian Church in Southfield, MI Current ministry: Completing a Summer CPE internship at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA Educational and professional background: B.A. in Film & Video Studies and Political Science from the University of Michigan; M.S. in Journalism from Columbia University; worked as a Sports Online Producer at USA TODAY in McLean, VA, for five years and as a Web Content Producer for Georgetown University in Washington, DC, for four years. Served as volunteer for Birthright Armenia; worked part-time at the Eastern Diocese as a communications consultant; served as central council member of the Armenian Church Youth Organization of America (ACYOA).
Deacon Dorde Tomic (M.A., ’19)
Jurisdiction: Eastern American Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church Holy Diaconate: Ordained 18AUG19 by the hand of His Grace Bishop Irinej at St. Eleftherios Greek Orthodox Church, New York, NY Current Ministry: Awaiting assignment Educational and professional background: B.A. in Divinity from St. Sava Serbian Orthodox School of Theology, Libertyville, IL
His Eminence, the Most Reverend Nikon, Archbishop of Boston, New England, and the Albanian Archdiocese (Orthodox Church in America), fell asleep in the Lord on Sunday, September 1, 2019 in Southbridge, MA.
Born to a pious Orthodox family in 1945 in New York, Archbishop Nikon graduated from St. Vladimir’s Seminary in 1966. He was ordained to the diaconate on July 5, 1969, and to the priesthood the following day, July 6. His Eminence served at St. Nicholas Church, Southbridge, MA, and St. Thomas Church, Farmington Hills, MI.
On Friday and Saturday, May 24 and 25, 2002, Archbishop Nikon was consecrated Bishop of Baltimore and Auxiliary to His Beatitude, Metropolitan Theodosius in conjunction with the annual Memorial Day Weekend pilgrimage to St. Tikhon Monastery.
Archbishop Nikon was nominated as Bishop of Boston at the Albanian Archdiocesan Assembly on October 10, 2003, and the Holy Synod elected him as Bishop of Boston on October 22, 2003. He served as administrator of the Diocese of New England and was elected ruling bishop during the fall session of the Holy Synod in October 2005. He was installed with the title Bishop of Boston, New England, and the Albanian Archdiocese by His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Boston, MA on December 16 and 17, 2005. In addition to his archpastoral leadership of his own dioceses, he served as locum tenens of the Diocese of the South from February 2011 until March 2015.
Archbishop Nikon was elevated to the rank of Archbishop on May 9, 2012.
The Trisagion of Repose for His Eminence will be celebrated at St. George Albanian Orthodox Cathedral, 523 East Broadway, South Boston, MA, on Wednesday, September 4, at 7 p.m., with Calling Hours from 4 to 8 p.m. On Thursday, September 5, the Funeral Service for a Hierarch will be celebrated at Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral, 165 Park Drive, Boston, MA, at 6:30 p.m. The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Friday, September 6, by His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, at 9:30 a.m. with the Trisagion for the Departed immediately following.
After more than thirty years of faithful service in Christ to St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS), Eleana Silk is retiring from her position as librarian of the Seminary’s Father Georges Florovsky Library.
"So many students, so many graduating classes, the internet and library database have helped to catalog more than 175,000 volumes…” Silk reflected. “I have especially appreciated meeting and working with the many people who have donated materials to the library over the years."
Silk began working for SVOTS in September, 1985. In addition to her work for the Seminary, she remained an active member at all levels of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), serving on the OCA’s Metropolitan Council and Department of History and Archives, co-editing the book, The Legacy of St. Vladimir (SVS Press, 1990), and writing articles for The Orthodox Church, The FROC Journal and the OCA's Resource Handbook for Lay Ministries. Silk also served as secretary of the Orthodox Christian Education Commission (OCEC) She earned a B.S. in Zoology from Michigan State University, a B.S. in Geology from George Washington University, a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and Master of Arts (M.A.) from St. Vladimir's Seminary, and a Master of Science in Library Science from Columbia University.
“Eleana was one of my primary go-to people whenever I needed to tap the vast ‘institutional memory’ of this place,” said Seminary President Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield. “She has presided over numerous transitions in the history of our Seminary library, and we thank God for her many years of service.”
The Seminary is planning a celebration to honor Silk’s many years of service later this fall.
The Seminary has also launched a search to find Silk’s replacement as head of the Father Georges Florovsky Library, considered one of the richest resources available in North America for research in Eastern Christianity. Information on how to apply may be found on the Seminary’s Employment Opportunities page.
Saint Vladimir’s Seminary (SVS) Press has released On the Ecclesiastical Mystagogyby Saint Maximus the Confessor (c. 580-662). The new book, the latest title in SVS Press’s highly-praised Popular Patristic Series (PPS), features the original Greek text of St. Maximus’ work along with an English translation by Jonathan J. Armstrong.
In On the Ecclesiastical Mystagogy (PPS Volume 59), St. Maximus beautifully expounds the meaning of the Divine Liturgy, which had a profound influence on the subsequent tradition, beginning with St. Germanus of Constantinople (PPS Volume 8). Maximus' vision of the liturgy contemplates the interpenetrating relationships of all things with each other and with Christ, in whom all things cohere. The church building, the human being, and the cosmos are all mutually related and symbolically reflect each other. Further, in the liturgy we enter into the mystery of Christ. As St. Maximus puts it, "Let us not be absent from the holy Church of God because she contains such great mysteries of our salvation according to... and she reveals the gift of adoption that is given through holy baptism in the Holy Spirit and that perfects each one into the image of Christ."
On the Ecclesiastical Mystagogy is available now in paperback at SVSPress.com or by calling 800-204-BOOK (2665).
About the Popular Patristic Series
The Popular Patristics Series is comprised of more than 50 volumes. The series aims to mine the riches of early Christian literature and provide readable and accurate translations of a broad range of these writings to a wide audience—from students of Christian history and theology to lay Christians reading for spiritual benefit. Texts include classics of Christian literature, thematic volumes, homily collections, letters, spiritual guidance, and poetical works from a wide variety geographical contexts and historical backgrounds. Patristic authors include Athanasius, Gregory the Great, Basil the Great, Gregory of Nazianzus, Ephrem the Syrian, Tertullian, and many more. Recognized patristic scholars provide short but comprehensive and clear introductory essays according to their specializations for each volume.
All 54 volumes currently available in the PPS series may be purchased individually, or as a complete set at a discounted price
