Partipants included His Grace Suriel, bishop of Melbourne and chancellor and dean of St. Athanasius College; the Very Reverend Dr. John Behr, dean of St. Vladimir's Seminary and the Metropolitan Kallistos (Ware) Chair in Orthodox Theology at VU; the Reverend Dr. Ioan Lena, lecturer at ACOT; Fr. Michael Bakker, director of ACOT; and Olle Westberg, chancellor of Sankt Ignatios Theological Academy and Michael Hjälm, dean of Sankt Ignatios Theological Academy.
"Our meeting was unique in that all four of our respective institutions include Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Christians in their student bodies, faculty and/or governance structures," noted Fr. John Behr. "I would hope that this commonality among us will allow us to develop academic resources that will continue to highlight the source of the historic divide between Chalcedonian and non-Chalcedonian Christians, and to add to the knowledge of it."
St. Vladimir’s Seminary is pleased to announce that in January 2017 it received an unprecedented major monetary gift to support St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press (SVS Press), its renowned publishing house. The gift, made by Bronson and Kathleen Eden, will be used to establish “The Mr. & Mrs. Bronson B.T. Eden Endowment for St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press,” which will promote the educational work of the Press by providing funds for acquisitions and translations, editorial and managerial support, and marketing and other activities that further the growth and financial success of the Press.
Since its founding the Press has been instrumental in supporting the Seminary’s mission in spreading the gospel of Christ and the teachings of the Orthodox Christian faith. Benefactor Kathleen Eden shared that she had been actively acquiring and reading SVS Press books since 1988, even before she entered the Orthodox Church, and that the Seminary’s publications had had a significant influence on her. Her husband, Bronson (†), who reposed in the Lord one month following the couple’s generous gift, also was an enthusiast of the Press.
“The Edens have decided to make this major gift to increase the work of the Press and to help insure its growth and its ability to reach new markets in fulfilling its mission,” remarked the Very Reverend Dr. Chad Hatfield, president of the Seminary. “In so doing, they have also helped us complete one of the short-term goals of our new business model put into place by our Board in May 2016, which is: ‘to manage and grow SVS Press and its program quality.’ We express an enormous debt of gratitude to the Edens for their confidence and belief in St. Vladimir’s Seminary to enlarge the ongoing missionary work of the Press.”
Over the years the Press has grown from a small enterprise that published and distributed its faculty’s class lectures (using a mimeograph machine) to an internationally recognized first-class academic publication house. Its volumes—including works on spirituality, Christian biography, contemporary issues in religion, church history, doctrine, patristic studies, biblical studies, sacred arts, and even children’s books—have been translated into 16 languages; its music and spoken word collection includes more than 15 compact disk recordings.
In the past two years the Press has achieved record-breaking marks: $1M in sales in fiscal year 2016, and a combined total of 41 new volumes released in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (projected by June 2017). Among the most recent releases are:
“I have been informed by our accrediting agency, The Association of Theological Schools,” said Fr. Chad, “that our Press is the only seminary publishing house—among all the other seminaries they accredit—to earn an annual net profit without requiring a subsidy from the operations budget of its school.
“Rather than requiring funds from our Seminary’s operations budget,” he explained, “SVS Press annually contributes to our operations budget. So, besides being a blessing to so many around the globe, SVS Press is essential to our ability to run the Seminary. In fiscal year 2016 SVS Press contributed its net profit of $415,740 to the Seminary’s operations budget, and this is nothing short of amazing.
“Truly,” Fr. Chad ended, “God has blessed this ministry, and we are profoundly grateful to Bronson and Kathleen Eden for granting us the means not only to continue it but also to expand it for the benefit of the Seminary and to the glory of God.”
Despite Winter Storm Stella dumping nearly 2 feet of snow and ice on our campus on the first day of our Spring Open House, eight prospective students were able to brave the weather and attend the event, March 15–17, 2017.
During their 3-day stay, our visiting inquirers were fully integrated into our seminarians’ regular routine—attending classes and chapel services and sharing meals with the seminarians and their families. They also met with our President, Dean, administrators, and faculty (discussing everything from degree programs to financial aid to spiritual life), and had special tours of the library and chapel. View the full schedule here.
One of the highlights of their stay was hearing from first-year Seminarian Deacon Larry Soper, who candidly, humorously, and soberly shared his seminary experience with them.
“I didn't have a ‘rehearsed’ speech in mind,” said Dn. Larry, but I decided I would tell them what my previous 24 hours were like. As I recounted my schedule for them, I realized that ‘for as much as is given to us here at Saint Vladimir's, much is required,’ to paraphrase the Gospel! (Luke 12.48)
“I detailed my day, which started early with morning Matins and then proceeded to a scheduled class (typically, with assignments due or testing to be done), to afternoon study, to evening Vespers, and then to choir rehearsal, and finally, to my community service chore,” he explained. “Of course, not every day is that packed, but often, a day at St. Vladimir's can be rigorous.”
Deacon Larry further emphasized to the visitors that “a ‘calling’ to seminary requires commitment,” which necessitates a daily personal examination to assure authenticity and integrity in approaching that commitment.
“By no means do I ever have a perfect day with perfect effort,” he told the would-be seminarians. “But, as I long as I am true to the commitment of the journey, each day becomes an opportunity for spiritual and personal growth, not only in the classroom but also in my everyday life.
“You must be prepared to be tested, to face adversity and to be fully committed to serve Christ and your peers if you come to Saint Vladimir's,” he told prospective students. “And, being part of a community that serves and is responsible to one another, while employing Christian principles, certainly helps.”
Resources For Prospective Students
“Are you called to study at St. Vladimir’s Seminary?” 1st-year seminarian Dn. Larry Soper talks about the decision-making process that led him to St. Vladimir’s and tells about his first semester at St. Vladimir’s.
“What’s it like to study at SVOTS?” Subdeacon Shawn Thomas engages in a discussion about the priesthood, with his professor, Archpriest Alexander Rentel, in his Canon Law class.
“Tell Me a Story,” Read about our students’ experiences in our Annual Report FY2015: women and men, clergy and lay, scholars, pastors, iconographers, missionaries, diplomats, and educators included!
On November 29, 2016, St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary received $126,580 in donations for its annual #GivingTuesday campaign, and on March 13, 2107, the Seminary gave one-tenth of it away. In keeping with its annual custom of giving away a tithe of whatever donations it receives on #GivingTuesday, the Seminary presented a a check for more than $12K to a select partner with a special need, in thanksgiving to God for the bounty it had received.
The Seminary's #GivingTuesday partner this time around is IEIRA, an online university in Guatemala that is educating 300 students from Central and South America, including Orthodox Christian young men and women who once resided at Hogar Rafael Ayau and San Miguel del Lago orphanages. During a visit to IEIRA headquarters, Archpriest Chad Hatfield, president of St. Vladimir’s, personally presented a check for $12,658 to Dr. Igumeni Inés Ayau García (aka Mother Inés), who is both Abbess of the Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Trinity and overseer of the Rafael and San Miguel orphanages, as well as Vice-Chancellor of the Senate governing IEIRA.
“This check for $12,658,” said Fr. Chad, during the presentation ceremony, “comes with the love and respect of your sister Orthodox institution in New York.
“I followed what you were doing with IEIRA,” continued Fr. Chad, “and I thought: ‘What’s the best way that we can assist you?’ ... and so, we decided, on #GivingTuesday, to use our own large internet communications capabilities from St. Vladimir’s, which literally go around the world—currently, we have students on campus from 12 countries!”
The presentation happened just two days following a horrific tragedy at a state-run orphanage in Guatemala, the Virgen de la Asunción. A fire within that institution killed (by latest count) 40 teenage girls, and a subsequent investigation uncovered issues of abuse and neglect in the institution’s management.
During Fr. Chad’s visit, Mother Inés not only expressed her gratitude for the funds for the university, but also asked that Orthodox Christians globally begin praying for a change in the laws that govern orphanages in Guatemala, in light of the recent tragedy. Additionally, Fr. Chad, Mother Inés, and another monastic from her monastery, Mother Ivonne, were able to attend a public commemoration on March 14 for the 40 young women. At that commemoration the two monastics presented a formal petition to their government, which included a call to their Congress to enact changes in their country’s present laws, in order to help protect the abandoned children of Guatemala.
“This loss of young life,” Mother Inés stated in an open letter accompanying her petition, “has shone a bright light on the darkness that exists regarding the situation faced by orphans and underprivileged youth in Guatemala, where the laws are completely against them and anyone who desires to help them…Pray for our country. Pray for us.”
This concert is part of an international conference that focuses on the sonic effect of the music of Estonian composer and Orthodox Christian, Arvo Pärt. Stemming from the conference's theme, “Sounding the Sacred,” the performances of this concert will focus on how Pärt's music conveys its sacred content.
The concert venue is a stunning Byzantine-revival church renowned for its excellent acoustics and its exquisite Létourneau pipe organ. Among the concert's unique features will be the Goeyvaerts ensemble's performance of Pärt's "Stabat Mater" in just intonation, which renders acoustically pure intervals and allows for an experience that may alternately sound either utterly serene or oddly dissonant.
This concert, together with the conference, aims to present Pärt's music within a context that explores the relationship between human hearing and the holy.
His Grace the Right Reverend John (Abdalah) St. Vladimir's Seminary,575 Scarsdale Road,10707,Yonkers,NY,US
The Trustees, Faculty, and Students of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary request the honor of your presence at the Commencement of the Class of 2017 on
Saturday, May 20 2:00 p.m. Prayer of Thanksgiving in Three Hierarchs Chapel 2:30 p.m. Commencement Exercises with Commencement Address given by
His Grace the Right Reverend John (Abdalah) Bishop of Worcester and New England Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America
St. Luke’s Social Hall,13261 Dunklee Avenue,92840,Garden Grove,CA,US URL: https://support.svots.edu/20sGala
On Saturday, June 3, 2017, St. Luke Orthodox Church, Garden Grove, CA, will host a benefit gala on behalf of the Seminary: “The Roaring Twenties: A Jazz Age Party.” Archpriest Michael Tassos, an alumnus of St. Vladimir’s Seminary and parish rector, is coordinating the event.
The gala, which includes dinner, will be held in St. Luke’s Social Hall and will begin immediately following a Vespers Service at 5 p.m. in the church. Archpriest Chad Hatfield, president of St. Vladimir’s Seminary, and seminary alumnus Gregory Abdalah, youth pastor at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Phoenix, AZ, will be offering brief remarks during the banquet.
Tickets for the event are priced at $50 for adults, $40 for teens, and $25 for children (10 and under). Please purchase tickets or become a sponsor for the gala by visiting this website. RSVP by May 25, 2017.
For more information, contact 714.971.2244 or events@svots.edu Sponsor an Alumni Event in your area.Call Matushka Robyn Hatrak at 914.961.8313 x330 or email events@svots.edu. .
St. George’s Events Center,4667 Applegrove St. NW,44720,North Canton,OH,US URL: https://support.svots.edu/nc
On Sunday, April 30, 2017, His Grace Irinej, bishop of the Eastern Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church, will celebrate the “Slava” (Patron’s Saint’s Day) of St. George’s Serbian Orthodox Church, North Canton, OH.
The celebration is being hosted by the parish at St. George’s Event Center, and is being coordinated by the parish rector, Priest Aleksa Pavichevich, with the blessing of Bishop Irinej. Proceeds from the Slava will benefit St. Vladimir’s Seminary, the alma mater of both Bishop Irinej and Fr. Aleksa.
The event will begin with a reception at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m., with performances by the Gracinica Folklore Society Dancers and violinists Cornel and Anna Zotta. Both His Grace and Archpriest Chad Hatfield, president of St. Vladimir’s Seminary, will be offering brief remarks during the banquet.
Tickets for the event are priced at $50 for adults, $10 for pre-teens and teens, and $5 for children (10 and under). Sponsorships for the event include banquet tickets and/or program listings, and range in price from $100 to $1,000.
To purchase tickets or become a sponsor, or to ask about banquet seating: contact 330.494.2712, download and send in a sponsorship form, or visit the Seminary’s website for online tickets and sponsorships.
If you have questions about sponsorships, call 914.961.8313 x330 or email events@svots.edu. RSVP by April 23, 2017
Krista Tippett St. Vladimir’s Seminary Campus,575 Scarsdale Road,10707,Yonkers,NY,US URL: https://support.svots.edu/krista
Public engagement is a vital component of the Seminary’s work within the field of Sacred Arts. The Arvo Part Project at St. Vladimir’s Seminary, through its concerts, lectures, discussions, and publications, has sought to engage a diverse public—with or without religious affiliation—in themes related to faith. And the Seminary’s Sacred Arts Initiative, initiated through a $250K grant from the Henry Luce Foundation in 2015, seeks to explore the intersection of human creativity and holiness.
On May 25, 2017 at 7:30 p.m., the Seminary will host author and syndicated radio host Krista Tippett for a public lecture that will bring out her own experience in seeking and finding spiritual wisdom in unexpected places, most notably through the core value of beauty. A 1994 graduate of Yale Divinity School, Ms. Tippett saw a black hole where intelligent coverage of religion should be. As she conducted a far-flung oral history project for the Benedictines of St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota, she began to imagine radio conversations about the spiritual and intellectual content of faith that could open imaginations and enrich public life. Those experiences led to her celebrated on-air program, On Being.
Ms. Tippett is a Peabody Award-winning broadcaster and New York Times best-selling author. In 2014 she received the National Humanities Medal at the White House for “thoughtfully delving into the mysteries of human existence. On the air and in print, Ms. Tippett avoids easy answers, embracing complexity and inviting people of every background to join her conversation about faith, ethics, and moral wisdom.”
Before her lecture, Ms. Tippett will speak to the seminary community about intentional engagement with the wider public on spiritual and religious themes.
St. Vladimir’s Seminary Campus,575 Scarsdale Road,10707,Yonkers,NY,US URL: mailto:rhatrak@svots.edu
Are you called to study at St. Vladimir’s Seminary?
To help you discern, we warmly welcome you to our campus Open House March 15–17, 2017, for an immersion experience into seminary life: attend chapel services and classes, meet the President and select faculty, share community meals, and spend time with seminarians and their families.
Our student body this Academic Year represents 76 souls (9% are women) from 12 countries and 13 Eastern Orthodox and 5 Oriental Orthodox jurisdictions (and 2 students from non-Orthodox churches): 38 are in the Master of Divinity program, 2 are in the Master of Divinity Equivalency program, 16 are in the Master of Arts program, 4 are in the Master of Theology program, and 16 are in the Doctor of Ministry program.
Have you heard “the Call” (Jn 15:16)? If so, we warmly welcome you. We want you to become part of our diverse community!
REGISTRATION
Contact Matushka Robyn Hatrak by Friday, March 10, 2017 email: rhatrak@svots.edu, phone: 914.961.8313 x330
DAILY SCHEDULE
Arrive Wednesday afternoon, March 15th and leave Friday afternoon, March 17th Meet with President, Dean, & Faculty; attend classes & chapel services; share meals with seminarians and experience community life! View the full schedule here.
RESOURCES
“Are you called to study at St. Vladimir’s Seminary?” 1st-year seminarian Dn. Larry Soper talks about the decision-making process that led him to St. Vladimir’s and tells about his first semester at St. Vladimir’s.
“Tell Me a Story,” Read about our students’ experiences in our Annual Report FY2015: women and men, clergy and lay, scholars, pastors, iconographers, missionaries, diplomats, and educators included!
