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
The beginning of the new academic year is always an exciting time at the Seminary. This year we are welcoming twenty-two new seminarians. They are from the United States, Canada, and India, which means a total of eight countries are represented in this year’s student body.
Those are numbers to give thanks to God for! By His grace and through these incredible, faithful men and women, the Seminary continues to have strong, positive impact on the world and the wider Church.
I can report that the standing of Saint Vladimir’s in the Orthodox world comes with high expectations—only the very best is expected from us. Earlier this year at the International Orthodox Theological Association (IOTA) conference in Romania (which is being called the largest gathering of Orthodox Christian theologians in modern times) no seminary, academy, institute, or pastoral school had a larger presence. Saint Vladimir’s was there with SVS Press (the largest English-language Orthodox press in the world) and many of our faculty, alumni, authors, administration, and current seminarians.
The Seminary’s past is still looked upon with great reverence, and rightly so. However, thanks to you, work continues so that SVOTS is the Orthodox seminary best positioned to take the lead as the twenty-first century rolls on. Saint Vladimir’s is a model of what many see as the future of Orthodoxy in America and the witness of the global Church in the world.
Our fall mailing, One Lord, One Church, One World, is hitting mailboxes soon. If you aren’t on our mailing list and would like to receive this amazing snapshot of Saint Vladimir’s Seminary and its work in the world, as well as receive other mailings about the Seminary, email advancement@svots.edu.
St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) welcomed twenty-two new seminarians to its campus Monday for the first day of the 2019-2020 Academic Year.
The incoming class hails from three countries—the United States, Canada, and India—and twelve different jurisdictions.
Orthodox Church in America (5)=22.5%
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (5)=22.5%
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (2), Patriarchate of Serbia (1), Armenian Apostolic Church (1), Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria (1), three jurisdictions of the Malankara Churches (4), Roman Catholic Church (1), Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch (1), Church of the Nazarene (1)=55%
Counting the incoming class, the Seminary’s current student body is 87 (including Doctor of Ministry, continuing, and non-degree seminarians).
May the intercessions of Mary the Theotokos, Great and Holy Prince Vladimir, and all the saints be with these seminarians as they begin their new year in service to Christ!
St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) has opened the 2019 edition of the annual St. Matthias Merit Scholarship Essay Contest. The competition is a small part of the school’s ongoing efforts to help its students afford the costs of theological education and formation.
The essay contest is open to current seminarians only. Past winners of the contest are not eligible to enter. The winning student will see $3,000 in award money added to his or her scholarship fund to help pay for tuition at SVOTS.
The St. Matthias Merit Scholarship Essay Contest award is offered each academic year, thanks to the generous contributions of a family of anonymous donors. These donors also select the topic of each essay contest.
Requirements for the contest are as follows:
Essay Topic: Not long ago it seemed most people valued privacy and disliked being watched or followed. Today there are many publicly exhorting to be viewed and followed on social media, etc. Consequently, the imperative sentence, "Follow me," has become common and no longer has much of an effect. Write about how Christ’s words, "follow me," should be heard and heeded in light of this modern trend.
Submission Instructions: Entries for the 2019 St. Matthias Merit Scholarship Essay Contest must have a title and may not exceed 750 words. Entries should be submitted in PDF format—double-spaced and conforming to SVS Press House Style—to Ann Sanchez at aks@svots.edu. Essays must be submitted by September 14, 2019, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
The contest is one of many offerings by the Seminary to help 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.
To help more seminarians receive their education and formation, consider making a donation by visiting the Seminary’s Give Now page and selecting “Seminarians Education Assistance Fund” as your designation.
For fifty years, St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) and St. Nersess Armenian Seminary have worked together to help build up the Body of Christ. This October, celebrate with us this milestone of fifty years of collaboration!
An evening of events at St. Vladimir’s Seminary on Friday, October 11 includes:
Armenian Vespers, Three Hierarchs Chapel, 6:30 p.m.;
Book sale (the Seminary bookstore will be open until the lecture begins at 7 p.m.);
The Father John Meyendorff Memorial Lecture, Metropolitan Philip Auditorium (John J. Rangos Family Building), ft. Bishop Daniel Findikyan, 7 p.m.;
Reception following the lecture.
The celebration is free and open to the public.
About the 2019 Meyendorff Lecture Speaker
Seminary Alumnus Bishop Daniel Findikyan, professor of Armenian studies at SVOTS and St. Nersess’ professor of liturgical studies, is the primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America. A noted international scholar of liturgics, Bishop Daniel is the first American-born primate in the history of the Eastern Diocese. He has published numerous articles in scholarly journals and books, and has and has lectured throughout the United States, as well as in Armenia, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Sweden, Slovakia and Russia. Bishop Daniel holds Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degrees from St. Vladimir’s and St. Nersess seminaries and a Master of Arts degree in Musicology from the City University of New York; he earned his doctorate in Liturgical Studies from the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome, where he studied under Robert Taft, S.J.
