St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) has signed an agreement of partnership with New Georgian University, the Seminary’s first-ever agreement with an academy in the Republic of Georgia.
Archpriest Chad Hatfield, SVOTS president, represented the Seminary at the Solemn Signing Ceremony of Partnership. The agreement was signed May 2, 2019 at the University campus in Poti. Also at the ceremony was His Eminence, Metropolitan Grigoli of Poti & Khobi, the rector of New Georgian University and the chairman of the Georgian Orthodox Patriarchate's Department of Publishing and Reviewing.
“Through this partnership agreement, we could potentially see new Georgian seminarians at St. Vladimir’s and new publications and translations,” said Fr. Chad. “This is also a good sign of exchange between the Orthodox Church in America and the Georgian Orthodox Church.”
Father Chad traveled to the Republic of Georgia at the invitation of Metropolitan Grigoli. First-year Seminarian Priest Giorgi Tskitishvili, a native of Georgia, accompanied Fr. Chad on the trip.
"Much can be said, as this agreement has many benefits. To mention one, it really opens avenues for Georgian students,” said Fr. Giorgi. “What has been observed through the prism of books now has become touchable. Now they can experience and be partakers of the tradition that St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary has been building for years. These Georgian seminarians will be given opportunity to share what they will learn, and they can become a bridge between past and present which will bear fruit in the future."
During the trip to the Republic of Georgia, Fr. Chad also received an honorary doctorate from New Georgian University, delivered an inaugural lecture, and took part in a full-day conference on the topic of "Church and Modernity" with faculty and theologians.
The St. Vladimir’s Seminary community came together for another beautiful celebration of Holy Week and Pascha on campus. Seminarians, faculty, staff, and other members of the community participated in services throughout the week at Three Hierarchs Chapel. His Beatitude Tikhon, archbishop of Washington and metropolitan of All America and Canada (Orthodox Church in America), presided over Divine Liturgy on Lazarus Saturday.
To view scenes from Holy Week at St. Vladimir’s Seminary, see the gallery
Dr. John Barnet, associate professor of New Testament, delivered a meditation on Great and Holy Friday. Listen to the message in its entirety below.
Since the conclusion of Fall Semester 2018 in December, one bishop, four new priests, five new deacons, and one Stavrophore have been added to the ranks of our Student Body and Alumni fellowship.
Ordinations, receptions, and elevations from Fall Semester 2018 can be viewed here.
We keep them in prayer as they continue in their ministries. Axios!
HOLY EPISCOPACY
Bishop Daniel (Findikyan), Alumnus (M.Div. '89) Jurisdiction: Armenian Church of America, Eastern Diocese of America Holy Priesthood: Ordained to the Holy Priesthood by His Eminence Archbishop Khajag, eleventh primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America in 1997 in New York, NY Elevation to Doctor of the Church: Elevated to the rank of Vartabed (doctor of the church) in 2006 in Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin), Armenia Elevation to Primate: Elected twelfth diocesan primate by 116th Diocesan Assembly of Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America 4MAY18 IN West Harrison, NY; Confirmed as primate 8May18 by His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; Enthroned 8May18 at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral, New York, NY Holy Episcopacy: Consecrated bishop 12MAY19 by His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, at Holy Etchmiadzin, Armenia Current Ministry: Primate of Eastern Diocese of America of the Armenian Church of America Education and Professional Background: Doctor of Liturgical Studies, Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome, Italy; Master of Arts degree in Musicology, City University of New York, Master of Divinity, St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, Armonk, NY; Master of Divinity, St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, Yonkers, NY. Currently the director of the Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center of the Diocese of the Armenian Church (Eastern), New York, NY; professor of Liturgical Studies at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, Armonk, NY; professor of Armenian Studies, St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, Yonkers, NY; president of the Society of Oriental Liturgy; visiting pastor of St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Charlotte, NC, from 1998 to 2005; author of more than 60 scholarly articles and books.
HOLY PRIESTHOOD
Priest George Ninan Manampuram, Alumnus (M.Div. ’17) Jurisdiction: Diocese of South-West America of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (MOSC) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 21DEC 18 by His Grace, Zacharias Mar Aprem, Metropolitan of Adoor-Kadampanad Diocese (India) and Auxiliary of South-West American Diocese, at St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, Kuttemperoor, Mannar, India Holy Priesthood: Ordained to the Holy Priesthood 21DEC18 at St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, Kuttemperoor, Mannar, India by the hand of His Grace Dr. Zacharias Mar Aprem, Assistant Metropolitan of the Diocese of South-West America (MOSC) Current Ministry: Awaiting assignment Education and Professional Background: Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Widener University’ Masters in Counseling Psychology from Rosemont College; Counseling and Case Management Supervisor for victims of domestic violence at Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County, PA
Priest Givargis (Abu) Koshy George (M.Div. ‘08) Jurisdiction: Diocese of Northeast America of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (MOSC) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 2June12 by the hand of His Grace Geevarghese Mar Ivanios of Kottayam Diocese (MOSC), at St. Basil's Monastery (Mor Baselios Dayro), Njaliakuzhy, Kottayam, Kerala, India. Holy Priesthood: Ordained 23DEC18 at St. George Orthodox Church of Westchester, Port Chester, NY, by the hand of His Grace Zachariah Mar Nicholovos, Metropolitan of the Diocese of Northeast America (MOSC) Current ministry: Awaiting assignment Education and Professional Background: MBA from Fordham University, NY; MS Computer Science candidate at Fordham University; Financial and Compliance Auditor for Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)
Priest Kuriakose (Alex) Abraham (M.Div., ’16)
Jurisdiction: Diocese of Northeast America of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (MOSC) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 23OCT18 by the hand of His Grace Metropolitan Youhanon Mar Dioscorus at St. George Orthodox Church of Parampuzha, Kerala, India. Holy Priesthood: Ordained 30March19 at Sts. Baselios & Gregorios Orthodox Church, Plainfield, NJ, by the hand of His Grace Zachariah Mar Nicholovos, Metropolitan of the Diocese of Northeast America (MOSC) Current ministry: Assigned as spiritual adviser for annual Winter Summit conference for Malankara Orthodox college students; awaiting parish assignment Educational and professional background: B.A. in Psychology from Rutgers University
Priest Thomas (Shawn) Thomas (M.Div., ’16; Th.M. ‘17) Jurisdiction: Northeast American Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (MOSC) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 27OCT18 by the hand of His Grace Metropolitan Zachariah Mar Nicholovos at St. Thomas Chapel, Diocesan Metropolitan’s Residence (Aramana), Muttontown, NY Holy Priesthood: Ordained 27April19 at St. Gregorios Orthodox Church, Elmhurst, IL, by the hand of His Grace Zachariah Mar Nicholovos, Metropolitan of the Diocese of Northeast America (MOSC) Current Ministry: Awaiting Assignment Educational and professional background: B.S. in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
HOLY DIACONATE
Deacon Geevarghese (Bobby) Varghese (M.Div., ’17)
Jurisdiction:Diocese of Northeast America of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (MOSC) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 21December18 by the hand of His Grace Metropolitan Zachariah Mar Nicholovos at St. Thomas Chapel, Diocesan Metropolitan’s Residence (Aramana), Muttontown, NY Current ministry: Chaplain at Brooklyn VA Hospital, under the VA NY Harbor Healthcare System; assigned as spiritual advisor for diocesan youth association Missions Board Educational and professional background: Chaplain at Brooklyn VA hospital, under the VA NY Harbor Healthcare system
Deacon Stefan Djoric (M.A., ’18, Seminarian, Th.M. Program)
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 Educational and professional background: B.A. studies in Theology at the University of Belgrade
Patriarchal Hierodeacon Aetios (formerly Dimitrios) Nikiforos (M.Div., ’18)
Jurisdiction: Ecumenical Patriarchate Monastic Tonsure: Tonsured 16March19 by the hand of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Venerable Patriarchal Church of St George, Istanbul, Turkey. Holy Diaconate: Ordained 17March19 by the hand of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at at the Venerable Patriarchal Church of St George, Istanbul, Turkey. Current ministry: Working at the Chief Secretariat of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate; 1st Patriarchal Office. Educational and professional background: LLB (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki School of Law); LLM in Public Law & Political Science (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki School of Law); LLM in Legal Theory (NYU School of Law); PgCert in Canon Law (Cardiff School of Law & Politics); Attorney-at-law.
Deacon Nathaniel Trembley (2nd-year Seminarian, M.Div. program)
Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 31March19 by the hand of His Eminence JOSEPH, Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of All North America (AOCANA), at St. George Orthodox Cathedral, Worcester, MA Educational and Professional Background: Before seminary, Dn. Nathaniel was an affiliate philosophy instructor at Highline College, teaching philosophy, ethics, world religions, and atheism and philosophy; he holds degrees in philosophy and comparative religion from Washington State University, where he also earned a Master’s degree in philosophy.
Deacon David McCready (Seminarian, Non-degree track)
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 Current ministry: Deacon David and his wife, Andrea, will be moving to Colorado in June 2019 to pastor a small Western Rite parish in Lafayette, just outside Denver. Educational and Professional Background: Former Anglican priest; Holds a number of degrees, including a Ph.D. from Trinity College, Dublin
MONASTIC TONSURE
Mother Macrina (Roeber) (formerly Sister Margarete) (M.A., ’16; Th.M., ’17) Jurisdiction:Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Monastic Tonsure:Tonsured to the rank of Stavrophore 19DEC18, by the hand of His Eminence Benjamin, Archbishop of San Francisco and the West, at Holy Assumption Monastery, Calistoga, CA. Current ministry: Member of Holy Assumption Monastery, under Abbess Melania; obediences as cantor and bookeeper Educational and professional background:Joined St. Barbara Orthodox Monastery, Santa Paula, CA as a novice in 2009; transferred at the blessing of bishop to Holy Assumption Monastery, Calistoga, CA, in October, 2009; tonsured to the rank of Rassophore at Holy Assumption Monastery in 2012.
Archpriest John Behr, the Seminary’s Georges Florovsky Distinguished Professor of Patristics, discussed his major new work on John’s Gospel at the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Chancery Friday, April 19. The talk followed Presanctified Liturgy, presided over by Fr. John, and a meal on the Sixth Friday of Lent.
Listen to Archpriest John Behr’s talk (Part 1, Part 2), courtesy of the OCA Chancery
Follow along with the Lecture Notes, courtesy of the OCA Chancery
“It is rather an attempt to put into dialogue various readers of John, ancient and modern—Fathers, especially from the second and third centuries but also later figures, and modern scriptural scholars, theologians, and philosophers—with, ultimately, a theological goal: that of understanding what is meant by Incarnation and how it relates to the Passion, how this is conceived of as revelation and how we speak of it, that is, the relationship between scriptural exegesis and theological discourse.”
In order to bring those three strands together in dialogue—the Fathers, modern scriptural scholars, and philosophers (namely, Michel Henry, a French phenomenologist)—and produce such a high-level academic work, Fr. John spent nearly ten years working on the project.
“Each of them is done in the canons of their own discipline—it’s not just me dabbling,” Fr. John said in an interview about the new book. “I had to learn how to do scriptural scholarship, write philosophy, and so on, and then try and bring them into dialogue with each other as an act of theology.”
Work on John the Theologian was borne out of his previous works on Christian writers of the first centuries, especially Irenaeus and Origen, which Fr. John has produced over his career as a renowned patristics scholar. He traces his steps in the Preface:
recommended that I read I Am the Truth by Michel Henry; fascinated by this work, I found myself going even further back, this time to my initial studies in continental philosophy, to retrace the path that led to Henry and his work. It is these threads that are brought together in this present volume.
Father John said there were many surprises along the way.
“I think it’s going to take me another five or six years to digest what I’ve done in that book—to actually digest it, think about it and mull it over, and produce other works coming out of that book, just as my previous works The Way to Nicea and The Nicene Faith resulted thereafter in The Mystery of Christ and Becoming Human.”
Over the coming years, Fr. John hopes his readers engage with important questions raised and addressed in John the Theologian.
“What do we mean when we say John’s is a ‘Paschal Gospel’? Why do we read the Prologue on Easter night, when on the surface it doesn’t say anything about the Passion? But, in fact, it does!”
“It is only more recently that the Prologue has come to be read as the Christmas reading, reinforcing the idea that ‘Incarnation’ can be separated from the Passion...in the Eastern tradition (in which I stand), it is the Paschal reading, read at the midnight liturgy, the transition from darkness to light—a Paschal hymn and a prologue to theology.”
Physical copies of John the Theologian & His Paschal Gospel are expected to be available in North America in May through Oxford University Press. The book is already available in a Kindle edition through Amazon.
St. Vladimir's Seminary offices will be closed on Holy Thursday, April 25; Holy Friday, April 26; and Bright Monday, April 29. Additionally, there will be no evening hours at the library during Holy Week and Bright Week (April 29-May 3).
Parallel Love: The Story of a Band Called Luxury is the story of a band from Georgia, a band with three members who went on to study at St. Vladimir's Seminary and are now Orthodox priests. On the verge of success in the 1990s, the band suffered a devastating accident—an accident that led Priests Christopher Foley (’06), James Bozeman (’12), and David Lee Bozeman (’12) to Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
Meet the band members at the theatrical premiere of the documentary in New York City, May 15-19. Director Matt Hinton and members of Luxury will take part in a Q&A session each evening following the screening of Parallel Love.
The screening on Friday, May 17, will feature special guest Seminary Professor Dr. Peter Bouteneff, director of St. Vladimir’s Sacred Arts Initiative.
Saint Vladimir’s Seminary (SVS) Press partnered with Mars Hill Audio to produce the audio book edition. Mars Hill’s Ken Myers is the reader. The new, Classics Series edition of For the Life of the World was used for the recording.
For over half a century For the Life of the World has challenged, illumined, and inspired readers from many backgrounds. For some it is an introduction to the Orthodox Church, while for others it is a call to plunge more deeply into the life of the Kingdom, both manifested and anticipated here and now in the liturgy of the Church. The updated edition of Schmemann’s classic text includes a new foreword by Dr. Edith M. Humphrey, along with new explanatory notes and an index.
A documentary set to release later this year will explore God and nature, faith and climate change, and the experience of Orthodox communities around the world.
The Face of God: The Orthodox Church on Climate Change, produced by The Orthodox Fellowship of the Transfiguration, and written and directed by Fr. Kaleeg Hainsworth, will be released worldwide September 1, 2019. The documentary will showcase Orthodox clergy—including St. Vladimir’s Seminary President Fr. Chad Hatfield and Alumnus Fr. Michael Oleksa—scientists, politicians, lay leaders, theologians, and communities around the world in an attempt to gather the witness of the whole Church on a defining issue of our time.
“This is a unique project in modern Orthodox history, and our times need just such a bold venture,” the Fellowship said in its press release announcing the project. “We are making this film with love, prayer, personal sacrifice, and with integrity.”
The group also plans to launch an educational campaign to coincide with the release of the film.
To learn more about the film and support the project, click here.
A clip from The Face of God’s interview with Seminary Alumnus Fr. Michael Oleksa
Giving thanks to God, the trustees, faculty, and students of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) invite the public to the Commencement of the Class of 2019, Saturday, May 18. Ceremonies will begin at 2:00 p.m., with a “Prayer of Thanksgiving” in Three Hierarchs Chapel, followed at 2:30 p.m. by Commencement Exercises in the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium of the John G. Rangos Family Building.
The commencement speaker this year is Archpriest Alexander Rentel, SEOD, chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA).
About the 2019 Commencement Speaker
The Very Rev. Dr. Alexander Rentel has served for many years as ecclesiarch, assistant professor in canon law and Byzantine studies, and the John and Paraskeva Skvir lecturer in practical theology at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary.
A faithful priest of the OCA for seventeen years, Fr. Alexander possesses a wealth of experience and knowledge as a professor, liturgist, pastor, and confessor. His expertise in canon law is not only academic, but practical. On many occasions, he has provided canonical guidance and opinions to the Holy Synod on a variety of subjects, and he has been called upon to consult in this area by Orthodox churches around the world. Fr. Alexander is widely known and respected by the many seminarians who have studied under him.
Father Alexander, an alumnus of St. Vladimir’s Seminary (SVOTS), received his B.A. in English from The Ohio State University in 1990. He received his M.Div. from SVOTS in 1995, and finished his doctoral dissertation under the direction of Fr. Robert Taft, SJ, at the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome in 2004.
Prior to Fr. Alexander becoming an instructor at St. Vladimir’s Seminary in 2002, he was a Junior Fellow in Byzantine Studies at Dumbarton Oaks, Washington, D.C. in 2000-2001. He was ordained to the priesthood in July 2001. In October 2018, the Holy Synod of Bishops confirmed Fr. Alexander as Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America.
With faith in Christ and hope in the resurrection, we share news of the repose of Seminary Alumnus and noted Church musician Walter Shymansky, who fell asleep in the Lord on Sunday, March 31, 2019.
Born on July 29, 1928, the son of Archpriest Walter (later Bishop Peter) and Matushka Emily Shymansky, he enlisted in the United States Air Force after graduating from Olyphant, PA High School in 1946. He served as a control tower operator in the Pacific, primarily in Guam. After his honorable discharge, he received a Bachelor of Science degree from Stroudsburg, PA State Teachers College. He also earned a Master’s degree in School Administration and Guidance from Pennsylvania State University. A gifted instructor, he taught biology in New Jersey schools, including a 26-year tenure at Teaneck High School.
He and his beloved wife Mary, who fell asleep in the Lord May 31, 2017, were married in August 1966.
Walter attended Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, where he pursued evening classes in music and conducting, after which he served various parishes in northern New Jersey and southern New York. He also was a member of the Capella Russian Male Chorus for 29 years and served as its conductor for a decade. Upon retirement, he and his wife relocated to Cohoes, NY, where he was asked by local clergy to organize the Saint Andrew’s Brotherhood Choir. In addition to serving Saint Nicholas Church, Cohoes, NY, he also directed the choir at Saint Nicholas Church, Pittsfield, MA and taught at Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, South Canaan, PA. He maintained an extensive repertoire of liturgical music, much of which is available on the Podoben website. In September 2014, he was awarded the Orthodox Church in America’s Order of Saint Romanos.
Walter is survived by his younger brother, Russell; nieces Arlene DeWitt and Donna Moyer; and nephews William and Gary Rusen.
Visitation will begin at Saint Nicholas Church, 67 Saratoga Street, Cohoes, NY at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 5. At 7 p.m., His Eminence, Archbishop Michael will celebrate a Requiem. Funeral services will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 6, followed by interment in Saint Nicholas Cemetery.
May Walter’s memory be eternal!
This article has been adapted from OCA.org PHOTO: OCA.org
