he Very Rev. Dr. Alexander Atty, a distinguished alumnus of the Class of 1979 at St. Vladimir's Seminary, reposed in the Lord early Sunday morning, March 23, 2014. Father Alexander was most recently the Dean and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary in South Canaan, PA, which posted a eulogy on its Website remembering him "as a dedicated churchman, a husband, a father, a friend, and a leader."

"Father Alexander was known for his primary concern of meeting the pastoral needs of his seminarians, above all else," noted The Very Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield, chancellor/CEO of St. Vladimir's Seminary. "We were honored to have him present at a retreat here on our campus in 2009, during which he focused on priestly and parish ministry, using the theme, 'Good and Faithful Servant.'"

Father Alexander held a B.S. in engineering from Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science. After earning his M.Div. at St. Vladimir's Seminary, he was ordained a priest on December 9, 1979, at St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral, Brooklyn, NY, and was elevated to the rank of archpriest in 1988. He served as the rector of St. Michael Orthodox Church in Louisville, KY for several years, under the Self-Ruled Antiochian Christian Archdiocese of North America. He went on to earn a Doctor of Ministry degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 2008, prior to assuming his role at St. Tikhon's Seminary, where he served from 2010 until his retirement due to health issues in 2013.

LINKS

 View the announcement and funeral arrangements on St. Tikhon Seminary's Website

St. Vladimir's Director of Field Education Dr. Al Rossi interviews Fr. Alexander

The Good and Faithful Priest talks by Fr. Alexander

• Part I  
• Part II 
• Part III
• The Good and Faithful Parishioner
• The Good and Faithful Parish 

One St. Vladimir's seminarian and three alumni have written about their military experiences in the December, 2013 issue of Wonder, the monthly on-line journal of the Orthodox Church in America’s Department of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry. To commemorate the celebration of the 70th Anniversary of Orthodox Chaplaincy in the US Armed Forces, the blog features the theme “For our Armed Forces.”

In “Walking Through the Valley of Death," veteran and third-year student Dn. Nicholas Roth notes the omnipresence of death in the lives of military personnel, and the ways in which they cope with with this. He concludes that “the reality of death gives us a great opportunity to maintain focus on the only things that matter—our relationships with God and with each other.” His former classmate Fr. James Parnell (SVOTS ‘13), also a veteran, and rector of All Saints Church in Hartford, CT, writes of “The Memory of War.” “For good and for ill, the constant rhythm—the beating of the war drum—remains in our ears long after the banners have stopped flip-flapping, the plane has landed, and the weapons are locked away,” he reflects.

A graduate of the Class of 2003, The Very Rev. Dr. Oliver Herbel also earned a doctorate in Historical Theology from Saint Louis University. He is the author of Sarapion of Thmuis: Against the Manichaeans and Pastoral Letters as well as multiple articles and book chapters, many of which concentrate on Orthodox Christianity in America. He serves as the priest of Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church (Orthodox Church in America) in Fargo, ND, and is also a chaplain in the North Dakota Air National Guard. His newly-released book with Oxford University Press is titled Turning to Tradition: Converts and the Making of an American Orthodox Church.

Can you give us a snapshot of your spiritual and academic journey?

I graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, went on to earn an M.A. in the history of Christianity from Luther Seminary, an M.Div. from St. Vladimir's Seminary, and a Ph.D. from Saint Louis University (SLU). Though I was not church-shopping outside of the Lutheran church, I learned about Orthodoxy from professors at Concordia College and became Orthodox while yet a student at Luther Seminary.

What's this new book about, and why did you write it?

Recent years have seen increasing numbers of Protestant and Catholic Christians converting to Eastern Orthodox Christianity. In this book I examined Christian converts to Orthodoxy who served as exemplars and leaders for convert movements in America during the twentieth century. These convert groups included Carpatho Rusyns, African-Americans, and Evangelicals.

Religious mavericks have a long history in America—a tradition of being "anti-tradition," if you will. Paradoxically, American converts to Orthodoxy have exemplified this independence by choosing their own religious path, yet have rejected individualism by embracing an ancient form of Christianity. Drawing on archival resources including Rusyn and Russian newspapers, unpublished internal church documents, personal archives, and personal interviews, my book presents a close examination of the theological reasons for these conversions, and outlines the reasons others have been persuaded to follow them. I've attempted to offers the first serious investigation of this conversion trend in American religion, including the first in-depth investigation of African-American Orthodoxy.

How did your time at St. Vladimir's Seminary shape the work you are doing today?

I am very appreciative of my time at SVOTS. My thesis work with Dr. Bouteneff and my classroom work with Fr. John Behr both helped further my research and writing skills,Click on image to order Turning to Tradition from Oxford University Press
Click on image to order Turning to Tradition from Oxford University Press
 which led me to pursue a Ph.D. Director of Field Education Dr. Rossi has been (and continues to be) an inspiration to Lorie and me. Indeed, he has been one of those people in my life that has helped me think through some pastoral situations and for that I am quite grateful.

Initially, when I went to Saint Louis University (SLU) for my doctorate, I plunged into Patristics, building upon work I had started at St. Vladimir's. After a year at SLU, however, I came to realize that American Orthodoxy was much more interesting to me. I had begun researching Fr. Nicholas Bjerring, the first convert priest in America (1870) and after a couple of lively conversations with former St. Vladimir's Dean Fr. John Erickson (who visited St. Louis in order to speak at Eden Seminary), I realized I needed to make Patristics my secondary area and American Christianity my primary area of research. It worked out well. I published a book on a fourth century Egyptian bishop, St. Sarapion, and wrote a dissertation on American converts.

I became increasingly interested in the larger pattern of conversions and believed a work that investigated the leaders of our larger convert movements could help place Orthodox conversions in their American theological context. The dissertation led to this book, Turning to Tradition.

In order to develop the monograph, I had to do quite a bit post-doc editing as well as additional research. The sources were not always easy to acquire but for the first time, we are now able to situate the phenomenon of American Orthodox conversions within the history of American Christianity. This is not to say this book "explains" any and all converts. It does not do that and, in fact, I do not entirely find myself in my own book (for I am a convert too), but I do think it fairly assesses our larger movements.

Tell us a bit about the hats you wear: Rector of Holy Resurrection, Chaplain in the Air National Guard, author, and academic.

Being an academic, priest, and chaplain certainly forces one to triangulate one's time; serving as a mission priest in a small parish has allowed for this. To a large degree, in fact, it has required it. Mission priests generally subsidize their parishes by working secular jobs and/or their spouses subsidize the parishes by working secular jobs.

In my case, Lorie's job keeps the bread on the table, but I have also been blessed to have taught some courses at two local colleges as an adjunct, and I also dedicate some free time to pursue research and writing. The amount of time I can commit to such academic work can vary quite a bit, especially as I am also a volunteer fencing coach, and that tends to eat up most of what free time I do have outside of parish and chaplaincy duties.

A couple years ago, I revisited the topic of military chaplaincy with Lorie, something I had felt drawn to since seminary. Together, we determined that God did seem to be calling us there. It turned out to be providential in many ways: lower enrollment had cancelled my adjunct work and I was desiring additional ministry and counseling training. I have been blessed to be able to benefit from military and chaplaincy training and have acquired skills useful for parish ministry.

All three dimensions have even begun to overlap, as the next book project I am working on is an examination of Orthodox Christianity and religious freedom in America. This will include some discussion of military chaplaincy and include some comparison to the Roman Catholic experience, helping to highlight how it is Orthodox Christians have engaged (and been shaped by) our American context on this issue.

More than 70 family members, friends, parishioners of local churches, and alumni of St. Vladimir's turned out to honor Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko at St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Allison Park, PA, on Sunday, October 27, in celebration of "Father Tom's" 50th Anniversary of ordination to the priesthood. The event, which was sponsored by St. Vladimir's Seminary Alumni Association and hosted by the parish community at the cathedral, began with a Molieben of Thanksgiving served by Cathedral Dean The Very Rev. Michael Senyo, with choir responses led by The Very Rev. Thomas Soroka, rector of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, McKees Rocks, PA.The Very Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield, chancellor/CEO of St. Vladimir's, as Master of Ceremonies for the event, made two significant announcements. First, the "Father Thomas Hopko Scholarship Fund," which provides seminary scholarship aid for sons and daughters of priests, was recently fully funded with $100,000 in total donations; and second, a faculty–staff duplex on the seminary campus will henceforth be known as "The Hopko House."

Other notable participants in the celebration included The Right Rev. Melchisedek, bishop of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania; The Most Blessed Theodosius, former Archbishop of Washington and Metropolitan of All America and Canada; The Rev. Dr. John Jillions, chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America; The Very Rev. Dr. John Behr, dean of St. Vladimir's; Catherine Hopko Mandell, daughter of Fr. Thomas; and members of The Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration, Ellwood City, PA, where Fr. Thomas and his wife Anne often attend services. Additionally, Fr. Thomas Soroka made a presentation of an icon of Christ on behalf of Ancient Faith Radio, a media outlet for which Fr. Thomas Hopko has done 300+ podcasts.

Father Thomas served as Dean of St. Vladimir's Seminary from 1992–2002, and retired with the distinction Dean Emeritus. From 1968–2002 he taught courses in Dogmatic Theology, Practical Theology, Homiletics, and Spirituality at the Seminary. He served as pastor of churches in Warren, Ohio (1963–68)), Wappingers Falls, NY (1968–1978), and Jamaica Estates, NY (1978–1983). Married to Anne Schmemann in 1963, the Hopkos have five married children (a son and four daughters), 16 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Father Thomas and his wife Anne now live in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania. 

Antiochian scholar and author Dr. Bradley Nassif (SVOTS '85), professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at North Park University, recently participated in an international meeting between Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Evangelical church leaders held in Albania during the first week in September, 2013. Convened at the invitation of Archbishop Anastasios Yannoulatos of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania, the conference gathered 46 Eastern and Oriental Orthodox and Evangelical leaders from 20 different countries at St. Vlash Monastery in Albania, for the first international consultation of the Lausanne-Orthodox Initiative.

Addressing the topic "Tradition, Catholicity and the Mind of the Church," Dr. Nassif reminded his audience that when Orthodox Christians say one thing, Evangelical Christians often hear something completely different. In frank discussion and a spirit of respect and hospitality, participants wrestled with the challenging issues of proselytism, canonical territory, salvation, justification, and theosis, resolving to continue to journey together with a second international gathering already being planned for the early autumn of 2014.

"One aspect of my scholarly work has been devoted to building bridges between the Orthodox and Evangelical worlds in North America and around the world," notes Dr. Nassif. "I was in Albania to continue my work in this area." He adds that Fr. John Meyendorff, former Dean and Professor at St. Vladimir's, and his Fordham University doctoral advisor and seminary mentor, profoundly influenced the direction of his academic career.

"He showed me how an Orthodox theologian must bear witness to the Church while also embracing all that is good, right, and holy in the wider Christian world," explains Dr. Nassif. "I first met Fr. John when I was a student at St. Vladimir's. His greatness was everywhere evident, so I determined to follow him around like a little puppy, learning everything I could from every class he taught. If I didn't take the class for credit, I audited it."

Dr. Nassif continued to learn from Fr. John, right up to the year of his repose. "A few months before he died, Fr. John introduced me to the Moscow Patriarchate, in an effort to build bridges between the Russian Orthodox Church and western missionaries from the Protestant evangelical tradition," remembers Dr. Nassif. "Our last conversation was held over the crackling telephones of Moscow, as he guided me on how to proceed with the dialogue. I continue this work today, along with my main research on the classical theology and spirituality of the early and Byzantine Church."

In 1996, Dr. Nassif served as the general editor and contributor for a memorial volume for Fr. John, titled New Perspectives on Historical Theology: Essays in Memory of John Meyendorff (Eerdmans, 1996) Contributing scholars for the book included Jaroslav Pelikan, Geoffrey Wainwright, Veselin Kesich, and Robert Taft, S.J.; Dr. Nassif's essay in the book was pulled from a revised chapter from his doctoral dissertation under Fr. John Meyendorff, and was titled "Spiritual Exegesis in the School of Antioch."

The theme of ecumenical engagement with evangelicals has been the backdrop for several of Dr. Nassif's recent publishing projects. Bringing Jesus to the Desert, with Evanglical publisher Zondervan, and The Philokalia: A Classic Text of Orthodox Spirituality, with Oxford University Press, introduce Western Christians to Eastern spirituality. 

Dr. Nassif is currently Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at North Park University in Chicago. He has been a teacher for the Antiochian House of Studies, and the Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute in Berkeley, California. He serves as a consultant for Time and Christianity Today magazines. In addition to his Ph.D. from Fordham University and M.Div. from St. Vladimir's, he hold two Masters degrees, one in New Testament Studies from Denver Seminary, and one in European History from Wichita State University. He is a member of Holy Transfiguration Antiochian Orthodox Church in Warrenville, Illinois. 

The Very Rev. Dr. Steven Voytovich, a licensed professional counselor who spent many years of his career in the field of pastoral care and education, has been named dean of St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary, effective August 18.

He succeeds The Very Rev. Dr. Alexander Atty, who retired for health reasons after serving as dean for the past three years.

Father Steven has earned three advanced degrees from St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in Crestwood, NY, including a Doctor of Ministry degree in 1999. His thesis was "Orthodoxy and CPE: Education for Ministry Beyond the Liturgical Setting." He holds two masters degrees from St. Vladimir's, including a Master of Divinity Degree, with Commendation for Thesis, in 1990. His thesis topic: "The Ministry of Those Who Suffer." In 1991, he earned a Master of Arts Degree in Liturgical Music and served as choir director of the St. Vladimir's Seminary octet.

He also earned a Master of Arts Degree in Community Counseling from Fairfield University, in Fairfield, CT, in 2005, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Minnesota in 1986.

Father Steven brings to this position years of experience as a parish priest, an educator, a presenter at seminars and retreats, a contributing writer for various religious publications, and a frequent presenter at OCA events.

His Grace, Bishop Michael, Ph.D., Rector of St. Tikhon's Seminary and Bishop of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey, stated, "I am well pleased that Fr. Steven will be joining St. Tikhon's Seminary as our Dean. His pastoral, leadership, academic and work related credentials are superb and we look forward to Fr. Steven moving St. Tikhon's to new heights. On behalf of the board of trustees, faculty, staff and students we welcome him and offer our prayers for his new ministry."

In 2007, Father Steven represented the OCA and was plenary presenter at the Ninth International Congress for Pastoral care and Counseling held in Krzyzowa, Poland. He served as communications and public relations officer from 2004 to 2007. He also represented the OCA at International Congresses held in Accra Ghana in 1999 and Bangalore, India, in 2004.

Father Steven serves as Director of the OCA's Department of Institutional Chaplaincies, for which he cocreated and coordinated the OCA Seminarian Internship Program. The Department supports Orthodox Christian men and women serving in institutional chaplaincy roles. From April 2010 until joining Saint Tikhon's Seminary, he worked as director of Clinical Pastoral Education at Episcopal Health Services, Long Island, NY. During that time, he was attached to Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in New Britain, CT, as a supply priest for the Connecticut Deanery, but continued serving in multiple capacities within the OCA.

Father Steven was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by His Beatitude Metropolitan Theodosius in 1991 and was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by His Grace, Bishop Job, then of the Diocese of New England.

Over the years, he has served as pastor of Three Saints Orthodox Church in Ansonia, CT; Holy Virgin Mary Orthodox Church in Waterbury, CT; St. Alexis Orthodox Church in Clinton, CT.

Father Steven, 50, and his wife, Matushka Cindy, live in Guilford, CT. Matushka Cindy is choir director at Three Saints Church in Ansonia, CT, and is a marketing representative for Stony Creek Urgent Care facilities in Branford and Orange, CT.

Of his appointment as Dean of St. Tikhon's Seminary, Father Steven said: "In accepting this position I look forward to supporting St. Tikhon's mission of providing quality theological education including personal, spiritual, and pastoral formation to those whom God has called to serve His vineyard." 

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!