A choir from St. Vladimir’s Seminary participated in the virtual concert, Christmas Across the Continent: An Evening of Lessons and Carols, Saturday, December 19.
The concert was a joint production between Ancient Faith Radio and Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, East Meadow, NY. It featured pre-recorded performances by singers from St. Vladimir’s, St. Tikhon’s, Holy Trinity, and Holy Cross Orthodox seminaries; St. Michael’s Orthodox Church (Louisville, Kentucky); and the ensemble, Psaltikon (based in Massachusetts). The male choir from St. Vladimir’s, directed by Harrison Russin, included Seminarians Dn. John Black, Nicholas Fong, Bogdan Manga, Blake Cohen, Steven Roberts, Nicholas Fine, and Mark Sultani.
Saint Vladimir’s Seminary participated in “Lessons and Carols” concerts with Holy Trinity, East Meadow, in previous years, including in 2019. The format is modeled on the 1918 Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King’s College, Cambridge, still held to this day.
Watch the entirety of Christmas Across the Continent below.
During St. Vladimir's Seminary's 2020 Fall Semester and the summer preceding it, five new priests were added to the ranks of our student body and alumni fellowship, as well as three new deacons. Another received ecclesiastical awards for his service in Christ.
We keep them all in prayer as they continue in their ministries. Axios!
HOLY PRIESTHOOD
Priest Elias Dorham (3rd-Year student, D.Min. Program) Jurisdiction: Melkite Greek Catholic Eparchy of Newton Holy Diaconate: Ordained NOV 2019 by the hand of His Grace, Bishop Nicholas Samra Holy Priesthood: Ordained 15AUG20 by the hand of His Grace, Bishop Nicholas Samra at Holy Transfiguration Church, McLean, VA Current Ministry: Serves as associate priest and co-coordinator of the Adult Education program at Holy Transfiguration Church, McLean, VA Educational and Professional Background: Professional experience includes active duty military service, federal service, and private sector cybersecurity; B.S. in Political Science from the United States Naval Academy; M.S. in Information Technology Management from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA; M.A. in Theological Studies from Christendom Graduate School
Priest John (Rassem) El Massih (Lecturer in Liturgical Music) Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 5MARCH17 by the hand of His Eminence, Metropolitan Joseph at St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral, Brooklyn, NY Holy Priesthood: Ordained 30AUG20 by the hand of His Eminence, Metropolitan Joseph at Ss. Peter & Paul Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, Potomac, MD Current Ministry: Attached to Ss. Peter & Paul Church, Potomac, MD; Works in music composition for the Department of Sacred Music of the Antiochian Archdiocese; Teaches Byzantine liturgical music at St. Vladimir's Seminary, the Sacred Music Institute, and the House of Studies of the Antiochian Archdiocese; Produces bilingual liturgical services for the Online Liturgical Guide (AOCANA) Educational and Professional Background: B.A. in Religious Studies from Hellenic College & M.Div. from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology; Appointed "First-Chanter" of AOCANA and served as an assistant for the late Metropolitan Philip
Priest Philip Maikkula (M.Div. '18) Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 13OCT18 by the hand of The Most Reverend Alexander, archbishop of Dallas, the South and the Bulgarian Diocese (OCA), at St. John of the Ladder Orthodox Church in Greenville, SC Holy Priesthood: Ordained 8SEPT20 by His Eminence, Archbishop Paul at St. Nicholas Church, Fort Wayne, IN Current ministry: Assigned as priest-in-charge of St. Makarios Mission, Hyde Park, IL Educational and Professional Background: B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Central Florida; worked in pool service business prior to seminary
Priest Peter Runyon (3rd-Year Seminarian, M.Div. Program) Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 20JULY14 by His Eminence, Archbishop Nikon at St. Sava parish in Allen, TX Holy Priesthood: Ordained 1NOV20 by His Grace, Bishop Alexis at Three Hierarchs Chapel, St. Vladimir's Seminary, Yonkers, NY Educational and Professional Background: Worked as a director in Information Technology prior to enrolling at seminary; B.A. in Management Information Systems from American Sentinel University
Priest John (Keith) Morris (3rd-Year Seminarian, M.Div. Program) Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 8AUG20 by His Eminence, Archbishop Michael at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, East Meadow, NY Holy Priesthood: Ordained 5DEC20 by His Eminence, Archbishop Michael at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, East Meadow, NY Educational and Professional Background: B.A. in Sociology; Worked as a detective in the NYPD before retiring to come to seminary.
HOLY DIACONATE
Deacon John Thetford (M.A., '20) Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA), Romanian Episcopate Holy Diaconate: Ordained 9AUG20 by His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon at the Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration, Ellwood City, PA Current ministry: Appointed as personal secretary to His Beatitude Educational and Professional Background: Graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University; worked as an elementary teacher and social worker prior to seminary.
Deacon Anthony Niqula (M.Div., '19) Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 15AUG20 by His Grace, Bishop John at St. George Orthodox Church of Boston, West Roxbury, MA Current ministry: Serves as pastoral assistant at St. George Orthodox Church of Boston Educational and Professional Background: Graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (B.S. in Physics, '16); currently studying Byzantine music at Hellenic College Holy Cross, Brookline, MA
Deacon Thomas Miller (2nd-Year Seminarian, M.Div. Program) Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 16AUG20 by His Grace, Bishop Basil at St. George Cathedral, Wichita, KS Educational and Professional Background: Graduate of Liberty University (B.S., '02) and the University of Florida (M.H.A., '07); Served as an officer in the US Air Force Medical Service Corps specializing in global supply chain management, separating from active duty status as a major in the summer of 2019 in order to attend seminary
ELEVATIONS & AWARDS
Priest Nicholas Roth (Seminary Staff; M.Div., '14) Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Ecclesiastical Awards: Granted the dignity of wearing the nabedrennik and kamilavka 1NOV20 by His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon through the hands of His Grace, Bishop Alexis at Three Hierarchs Chapel, St. Vladimir's Seminary, Yonkers, NY Current ministry: Spiritual formation director and ecclesiarch at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary
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Photo Credits: Antiochian.org (Priest John El Massih); Michael Uhr (Priest Philip Maikkula); OCA.org (Archpriest Michael Myers); Sarah Werner (Priest Nicholas Roth, Priest Peter Runyon); Matthew Ortiz, Nicholas Reeves (Priest John Morris)
New York Times bestselling author Rod Dreher will deliver the 38th Annual Father Alexander Schmemann Memorial Lecture, which will be held in an online format Saturday, January 30, 2021—the Feast of the Three Hierarchs—at 2 p.m. EST.
Dreher’s lecture, titled, “Living in Truth: How the Communist-Era Suffering Church can Prepare Us to be Dissidents,” will coincide with the release of the upcoming book, A Voice for Our Time: Radio Liberty Talks, Vol. 1, featuring an English translation of Schmemann’s broadcasts into the Soviet Union that began in 1953. This first volume of the two-part series, being published by St. Vladimir’s Seminary (SVS) Press, will feature a foreword by Dreher. In his lecture January 30, Dreher will define the challenges and explore the gifts the suffering church has for a complacent West.
Space for the online lecture is limited. To reserve a spot, register here. The fee for early registrants is $10. The early registration period ends January 15. Late registration is $15.
Rod Dreher is a senior editor and blogger at The American Conservative and author of several books, including How Dante Can Save Your Life, The Benedict Option, and the most recent, Live Not by Lies. He was received into the Orthodox Church in 2006.
Do you feel called to serve the Church, either in ordained ministry, academia, or another vocation? Explore that calling at St. Vladimir’s Seminary’s Online Open House, January 13-15!
Prospective seminarians are invited to take a closer look at the spiritual, academic, and residential life at St. Vladimir’s. Pray in the chapel, attend classes, and speak with Seminary leadership, faculty, and students—all virtually, of course.
2-4:45pm - St Paul and His Churches (class session) - Fr. George Parsenios
5:00pm - Vespers
Friday, January 15
9-11:30am - Academic Symposium (morning session)
12:00pm - Q&A and Closing Remarks
The Online Open House is a perfect way to experience the life of a seminarian before applying to study at St. Vladimir’s. The Seminary will begin accepting applications for the 2021-2022 Academic Year in February.
TheRegistration period for the Online Open House ends January 11, 2021.
Questions about the Online Open House or the application process? Email admissions@svots.edu.
The Institute of Sacred Arts (ISA) at St. Vladimir’s Seminary is asking for the public’s input as it shapes its programs and events. The ISA has launched a brief survey to help gather the feedback.
“Our Institute is posed to make a unique contribution—we’ve got several exciting activities and programs in store, and many more that are still at the idea stage,” said Professor Peter C. Bouteneff, the director of the ISA. “Now we need to hear from people who might draw on what we offer. Let us know your interests and needs so that we can serve you better.”
Since its founding in 1938, St Vladimir’s Seminary has fostered the study of icons, music and liturgy. The ISA serves to extend the Seminary’s mission in exploring the mutual relationship between theology and the arts through a curriculum infused with the arts, academic symposia and conferences, publications, and events.
Healing Humanity brings together a group of Orthodox Christian scholars and educators to offer responses to ethical and cultural paradigm shifts happening in western societies. The book elaborates upon various forms of the moral crisis our generation faces, facilitating a fuller understanding of some of its theological and philosophical foundations.
“I’m so pleased to have contributed to this book,” said Fr. Chad. “It should serve as an important resource for people trying to live as Orthodox Christians in these challenging and ever-changing times.”
“This volume represents a milestone: a robust Orthodox Christian contribution, centered on the person of Christ, to the conversation unfolding across our rapidly changing world about the shape and significance of human life,” said Gaelan, a first-year student in the Master of Divinity (MDiv) program. “In the face of contemporary crises of personal identity, technology, community, and much else, what does the Orthodox Christian tradition have to offer? More than we might think. I’m humbled to be a part of this exciting collection.”
Gaelan, a seminarian of the Antiochian Archdiocese, taught arts and humanities at the University of Saint Katherine, San Marcos, CA, and served as headmaster at Christ the Savior Academy in Wichita, KS before enrolling at St. Vladimir’s Seminary.
Father Chad and Gaelan plan to lead a presentation on Healing Humanity for the seminary community in October.
Seminarians at St. Vladimir’s are benefitting from renovations to one of the campus’s most important structures.
Major improvements were made over the summer in the historic Germack Building thanks to a generous lead gift by The Nicholas & Eleanor Chabraja Foundation and additional funding from the Ivan V. Koulaueff Educational Fund. The two large, double student bathrooms located on the second and third floors were completely gutted and upgraded. Colorful walls and floor tiles were installed with new showers, toilets, quartzite vanities, lighting, accessories, privacy partitions, and upgraded ventilation and heating systems. Additionally, old carpeting in the dormitory hallways and student rooms was replaced with new wall-to-wall carpeting.
The Germack Building—the oldest building on campus—houses many of the Seminary’s single male students, faculty offices, and common areas, including the refectory where students share meals together.
"It was great to return to campus and have our living spaces improved like this,” said second-year seminarian Njegoš Perković. “The better ventilation and heating in the bathrooms is especially important due to the current global pandemic."
“These are important student quality-of-life upgrades at the Seminary,” added Ted Bazil, St. Vladimir’s senior advisor for operations and planned giving. “This project was long overdue, so we are very grateful to both donors for the sanitary, functional, and aesthetic improvements for students living in the building.”
Calling all alumni of St. Vladimir’s Seminary! Join your fellow St. Vladimir’s graduates online for an evening of prayer, fellowship, discussion, and learn about exciting new developments in the works at the Seminary!
At the gathering, alumni will be joined by Seminary President Fr. Chad Hatfield, Academic Dean Dr. Ionut-Alexandru Tudorie, Chair of the Alumni Association Board Fr. David Barr, Academic & Recruitment Advisor Alexandru Popovici, Chief Marketing Officer Sarah Werner, and Seminarian Dn. Peter Runyon.
Get updates and talk with Seminary leadership about the current state of St. Vladimir’s and its future. Get a snapshot of Seminary life from a seminarian. Learn about a new way to stay connected with the Seminary and your fellow alumni around the world AND get access to a host of resources exclusively for graduates of St. Vladimir’s. And hear about new developments that will impact the “look” and “feel” of the Seminary moving forward.
The Alumni Gathering begins at 7 p.m. EST Sunday, October 18, 2020.
With faith in Christ and hope in the resurrection, we share news of the repose of Alumnus Subdeacon Dr. Nicholas (Bernard Albert) Montiegel. Subdeacon Nicholas, who was known as “Bert” by his classmates at St. Vladimir’s Seminary, fell asleep in the Lord September 15 at Providence Hospital at Anchorage, AK following an extended illness. He was 69 years old.
Subdeacon Nicholas enrolled at St. Vladimir’s Seminary in 2015 and graduated with a Master of Arts (MA) degree in 2017, with a commendation for service to the community. He was remembered by classmates and staff at St. Vladimir’s for his friendliness and kindness.
Prior to enrolling at St. Vladimir’s, Subdn. Nicholas attended and worked at St. Herman’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in Kodiak, AK. Before that, he worked for Alaskan Native Health Service organizations as a clinical psychotherapist and clinical supervisor, was a therapist in private practice, and taught psychology at a private Dominican college and state university in Michigan.
Subdeacon Nicholas has two adult children, a son and daughter.
Graveside service for Subdn. Nicholas was held September 22 at Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery in Anchorage.
St. Vladimir’s Seminary once again partnered with the Orthodox Christian Leadership Initiative (OCLI) to co-host the 4th Annual National Advanced Leadership Conference. The event took place online September 18-19, 2020 and drew around 150 participants representing five countries, thirty-five states, and twelve Orthodox jurisdictions.
"It was a blessing to gather clergy and laity to support and encourage one another in our responsibilities to serve the body of Christ," said Hollie Benton, OCLI's executive director. "As a doulos tou theou, like the faithful centurion in Matthew’s gospel, each serves as one under the authority of God’s commandment. We are grateful for these opportunities to center servant leadership development in scripture and to remember the accountability we have to its teaching by extending mercy to one another just as Christ our God extends mercy to us."
Over a dozen speakers—notable Orthodox executives, educators, philanthropists, and clergy—took part in the conference, themed, “United as the Body of Christ to Serve Those Divided by Pandemics, Politics, and Persecutions.” The list of speakers included Hierarchs Metropolitans Tikhon (Orthodox Church in America), Joseph (Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America), and Nicolae (Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas), and Archbishop Elpidophoros (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America).
“When we consider servant leadership from a biblical perspective, humility and authority are critical,” said Very Rev. Dr. Sergius Halvorsen, St. Vladimir’s assistant professor and director of the Doctor of Ministry program. Father Sergius, one of several seminary faculty members to take part in the conference, led a discussion regarding foundations of servant leadership to help kick off the conference.
"All of us need to go through this process of understanding that we are all servants, and are under the authority of the Father who is in heaven...,” His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicolae later added. "We need to go through this process again and again."
Other sessions during the two-day conference included “Building Effective Parish Leadership Teams” by Joe Kormos, “Solving Complex Problems with Diverse Teams” by Dr. Katherine Kahn, “Inspiring Generosity and Stewards” by Rev. Dr. Robert Holet, and other presentations and discussions. This year, OCLI also showcased the newly-developed Intensive Program in Servant Leadership.
“These servant leadership conferences have brought something very much needed to the table,” said St. Vladimir’s President Very Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield. I am pleased we were able to partner with OCLI to co-host again this year. May our combined efforts continue to bear fruit for the health of the Orthodox Church.”
The Orthodox Christian Leadership Initiative exists to nurture and empower Orthodox Christian servant leadership. It is a national initiative to increase generosity, servant leadership, and social outreach by clergy and laity of all jurisdictions working together nationally, regionally, and locally.
Originating from the Orthodox Vision Foundation and its annual Orthodox Advanced Leadership Conferences beginning in 2017 and hosted at St. Vladimir’s Seminary, the Orthodox Christian Leadership Initiative was established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in October 2018.
