His Grace the Right Reverend Irinej (Dobrijevic), a graduate of both St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary and St Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, was recently elected to serve as bishop of the Eastern American Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Currently, His Grace is bishop of the Metropolitanate of Australia and New Zealand, a diocese that, like the diocese to which he is newly elected, is under the authority of the Serbian Orthodox Patriarchate.

The announcement of the election was made in an official communiqué that recounted the proceedings of the regular meeting of the Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church, held in Belgrade, May 14-25, 2016. The communiqué further announced that the current bishop of the Eastern American Diocese, His Grace Dr. Mitrophan (Kodic) had been, at that same meeting, elected bishop of the vacant Diocese of Canada; and that Protosindjel Siluan (Mrakic), of the Pustinje Monastery in the Diocese of Valjevo in Serbia, had been elected to replace Bishop Irinej in Australia.

Both the CEO and Dean of St Vladimir’s Seminary, the Very Reverend Dr. Chad Hatfield and the Very Reverend Dr. John Behr, respectively, expressed their pleasure at hearing the announcement.

“His Grace has maintained his contact with, and support for, our seminary while serving in Australia and New Zealand,” noted Fr. Chad. “Now that he will be geographically close once again, I anticipate that our historically close ties to the Serbian Orthodox Church will become even stronger.”

Father John added, “I am thrilled to hear of Bishop Irinej’s election to the Eastern American Diocese, and look forward to welcoming him to his alma mater and working closely with him in the formation of our Serbian students."

The election of Bishop Irinej amounts to a “homecoming” for him, both as a U.S. citizen and as a native of Cleveland. Alex Machaskee, Executive Chair of the Board at St Vladimir’s Seminary and retired president and publisher of Cleveland’s major newspaper, The Plain Dealer, recalled his personal history with the new bishop, saying, “I have known Bishop Irinej for many years and see him every time he returns to Cleveland, as well as visiting him with my wife in Sydney several years ago. 

“I was very impressed with the work Bishop Irinej did as the External Affairs Officer for the Serbian Church in Washington D.C. years ago,” he further noted. “I had recommended to the Patriarchate in Belgrade several times that Bishop Irinej should return to the United States, and I am delighted that that is now going to happen.”

“I consider His Grace a wonderful spiritual leader, my dear friend, and an outstanding leader of the Serbian faithful,” Machaskee remarked.

Born in 1955, Bishop Irinej completed his elementary and secondary education in his hometown, and after attending the Cleveland Institute of Art from 1973–1975, he enrolled in St Tikhon's Seminary in South Canaan, PA, where he graduated with a Licentiate in Theology, with the academic distinction maxima cum laude. In 1980 he enrolled in St Vladimir's Seminary in Yonkers, NY, and graduated in 1982 with a Master of Divinity degree, with an Honorable Mention for his master's thesis, “Bishop Nicholai Velimirovich: A 1921 Mission to America.” Afterward, he studied at the Athens Center in 2000 and 2003, and received levels I and II certificates in contemporary Greek language.

He spent most of his professional career in the field of education, lecturing at Loyola University in Chicago, and as a member of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Belgrade, under the auspices of the Serbian Orthodox Church. For many years he was the co-editor of The Path of Orthodoxy, the official publication of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the USA and Canada.

Read more about Bishop Irinej’s life on the website of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Australia and New Zealand, from which biographical facts in this article were gleaned.

The Very Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield, St. Vladimir's Seminary CEO, and the Reverend Dn. Gregory Hatrak, Director of Marketing and Operations for SVS Press and Bookstore, will be attending the Parish Life Conference of the Dioceses of Los Angeles & the West, and Eagle River, for the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. A book launch will be hosted for the new Press release, The Ways of Childhood. Additionally, Fr. Chad is serving as a keynote speaker, and his topic will be "The Three Ways to Know the Lord."  

The Very Reverend Dr. Chad Hatfield, CEO of St. Vladimir's Seminary, will be a featured speaker at "Walk Through the Door to Holiness," an ecumenical conference that will explore the nature of Christian character in a post-Christian culture. The Most Reverend George Carey, 103rd Archbishop of Canterbury, and The Right Reverend Edward B. Scharfenberger, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, are also guest presenters as well.

• Download the Conference Schedule
• Download the flyer

Download the flyer
Download the revised schedule

Orthodox Education Day, the annual open house of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, will begin at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 1. The events of the day have been moved forward into the afternoon and evening, out of respect for a neighborhood fireman who was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday morning, September 27, during an explosion in the Bronx.

Battalion Chief Michael Fahy, of Battalion 19, died when he was struck by debris from the blast. He was a 17-year veteran of the FDNY, joining in 1999. Chief Fahy lived with his wife and three children in Crestwood, the section of Yonkers that also encompasses the Seminary property. His funeral, which will take place on October 1, at Annunciation-Our Lady of Fatima Parish just one block from the Seminary, is expected to draw up to 10,000 mourners, including firefighters from around the globe.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to Chief Fahy’s family at this time,” said Archpriest Chad Hatfield, CEO of the Seminary.

“We would not want our festivities and the crowds associated with our own Orthodox Education Day in any way to place an extra burden on them as they mourn their beloved husband and father, and as their friends and family, and fellow firefighters, gather to be with them,” he explained. “Therefore, we are readjusting our Ed Day schedule to accommodate them, as we cooperate with local authorities who are coordinating the funeral preparations for Chief Fahy.

“We will light a vigil candle for the Fahy family on that day in our own Three Hierarchs Chapel, and will keep them in prayer,” he added. “May our Lord Jesus Christ be their strength and comfort.”

“Finally,” said Fr. Chad, “We have been assured by local authorities that our Ed Day visitors will be welcome in the neighborhood by 2:30 p.m., and we hope they still will loyally support the Seminary by coming onto campus and enjoying the afternoon and evening with us.”

 Download the revised schedule for Orthodox Education Day, here.

(NOTE: In case you arrive earlier than 2 p.m. to the Yonkers/Crestwood area, please proceed to the Seminary via Central Park Avenue on to Alta Vista Drive. Then turn left on to Avondale Road, right on on to Pietro Drive, and then turn right on to Maria Lane. The Seminary entrance will be on the left hand side. Local authorities advise this would be the fastest route earlier in the day.)

His Beatitude the Most Blessed Tikhon, archbishop of Washington and Metropolitan of All America and Canada, of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), has announced that the Board of Trustees of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary has voted to implement a new model for governance at the Seminary. The new model, adopted by the Board at its semi-annual meeting on May 19–20, 2016, will be effective as of May 27, 2016, and will include a newly defined Chief Executive Officer (CEO) position at the top of its organizational structure. Components of the new model will be implemented over the next several months.

“As the President of the Board of Trustees at St. Vladimir’s, I am pleased to recognize the excellent work undertaken by the members of the Board over the past year, as they worked with the Administration of the Seminary to tackle the challenging issues that are changing the environment in which the crucial work of theological education takes place,” remarked Metropolitan Tikhon. “I am particularly impressed by the collaborative manner in which all constituencies of the school participated in this process, culminating in our recent productive Board meeting, which has set a more timely standard for navigating the changing world of theological education.”          

The new governance model reshapes the Seminary’s organizational structure from a bicameral system headed by a Dean and Chancellor/CEO to a team model of four executive officers responsible for Academic Affairs, Operations, Advancement, and Finances—all of whom report to a single Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Trustees made the decision to restructure the seminary Administration in this manner, partly in response to a new business plan also adopted by the Board at their semi-annual meeting, and partly in response to feedback from an Ad Hoc Committee on Leadership Structure formed to study and analyze the Seminary’s former organizational model; that committee was co-chaired by seminary Trustees Dr. Frank B. Cerra and Dr. Melody M. Thompson.

The Seminary is taking steps to formalize this change in its statutes and in due course, most likely in late summer or early fall, will be posting a job description for the CEO position, and will be welcoming applications for that position. As well, it will post job descriptions for other team member positions and welcome applicants, as is appropriate to the Seminary’s needs.

The new business plan mainly focuses on debt reduction, containment of operational costs to achieve a balanced budget annually, increased investment capacity, expansion of key profit-making sectors (e.g., SVS Press), and growth of the Seminary’s endowment. The main goal of both the new governance model and the new business plan, according to Trustees, is to ensure that the Seminary possesses a solid, sustainable financial base that will continue to support its greater mission to train clergy and lay leaders, far into the future. 

Additionally, the new governance model and the new business plan accord with twenty-first century “best practice” methods for non-profit educational institutions. Other seminaries, which, like St. Vladimir’s, are accredited by the Association for Theological Schools (ATS) and must adhere to its fiscal expectations and requirements, are adopting similar models and plans.

Alex Machaskee, Executive Chair of the Board at St. Vladimir’s, noted, “I want to make clear that the Board is indebted to both Father John and Father Chad for their hard and good work during these past nearly ten years, and we believe that the new ‘functional’ organizational model we’ve adopted will allow them—and any new administrators—to concentrate on areas best-suited to their individual gifts and talents, thus allowing them to blossom in their particular vocations.

Machaskee also said, “I am very pleased with the prudent, thorough process undertaken by the Board to make the change in the leadership structure. By providing the Seminary with economic ‘bedrock,’ we will allow it to advance what has always been its mission: academic excellence coupled with even more emphasis on spiritual formation.”

Machaskee added two more points: the new governance model has required a change in the Seminary’s statutes, which are being revised; and the seminary administration will be in a “year of transition” while implementing this model. In particular, he pointed out that the Very Reverend Dr. John Behr, formerly “Dean” in the bicameral system, will, during the year of transition, retain his title as Dean, continue in his role as Rector, and perform other duties within his current job description; while the Very Reverend Dr. Chad Hatfield, formerly “Chancellor/CEO” in the bicameral system, will immediately assume the position of Chief Executive Officer within the new structure while a search for the newly defined CEO position is conducted and until that search is concluded. Father Chad’s primary work during the year of transition will be to implement the newly adopted business plan.

Machaskee said, “Both of these men are not only welcome, but also expected, to apply for positions within the new organizational structure for when their current term—originally begun as ‘Dean’ and ‘Chancellor/CEO’—concludes June 30, 2017.”

In response to the new governance model, Fr. Chad remarked, “After much labor in trying to address the financial and spiritual challenges that constantly bombard the Seminary, and after due process, we administrators and the Board have come to the same conclusion regarding the need for a new business plan and the need for a new governance model, and here, I’m reminded of Father Alexander Schmemann’s cogent words: ‘The Church must change to remain the same’; in other terms, St. Vladimir’s must change to remain the same jewel it is among Orthodox seminaries.”

Father John Behr concurred, saying, “During my time as Dean, we have already responded to the vast and radical changes today’s seminaries must make in order to stay both viable and effective, for example, by engaging a much broader range of distinguished scholars willing and able to serve as extended faculty members at St. Vladimir’s Seminary, expanding and enriching in this way the opportunities for the education and formation of our students.

“At the heart of this change in the structure of leadership at the Seminary,” concluded Fr. John, “is the commitment to maintaining the reputation, nationally and internationally, our Seminary has for the quality of its theological education and spiritual formation, a precious legacy inherited from the luminaries of the twentieth century. I hope that the Church and our alumni stand by us—and monitor our progress—as we transition to a model and plan that we confidently believe will strengthen our school.” 

Read a summary of the Seminary’s new business plan here.

View the photo gallery

At its Commencement Ceremonies Saturday, May 21, 2016, St. Vladimir's Seminary awarded diplomas in three programs to 29 graduates: 13 Master of Divinity, 12 Master of Arts, and 4 Master of Theology degrees were conferred. Among the graduates were ten ordinands, who will join the ranks of alumni clergy serving the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox churches in the U.S. and around the world. (Read more about the newly ordained seminarians.)

On Saturday morning, His Beatitude the Most Blessed Tikhon, archbishop of Washington and metropolitan of All America and Canada, Orthodox Church in America (OCA) presided at Divine Liturgy. His Grace Bishop Ioan Casian of Vicina, vicar of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in the Americas, concelebrated with His Beatitude together with seminary and guest clergy and offered the homily. Prior to the beginning of the liturgy, His Beatitude tonsured graduating seminarians Andrew Cannon and Wesley Pulley to be readers, and ordained Wesley Pulley and second-year student Seth Earl to the subdiaconate. The Reverend David Rucker, father-in-law of Wesley, was elevated to the rank of Archpriest. Graduating seminarian John Mikitish was ordained to the diaconate by His Beatitude during the liturgy. At the conclusion of the liturgy, retiring professor Dr. Paul Meyendorff was awarded the silver St. Innocent Award by His Beatitude for his many years of service to both the OCA and the Seminary.

Following Divine Liturgy, lunch, and a Molieben, the Commencement began with the traditional processional from Three Hierarchs Chapel to the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium.  Seminary Dean John Behr greeted the graduating class with both encouragement and admonition, saying “The Fathers are very clear: life is always a transition, always moving on, always stretching. Whatever path lies ahead, never forget Christ's words: ‘You did not choose me, I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit.’”

Metropolitan Tikhon, president and chair of the seminary Board of Trustees, opened and closed the Commencement Exercises. In his remarks to graduates, Metropolitan Tikhon said, “Thank you for being who you are: fully grounded in the Church, aware that your goal as a Christian is to be grounded in Christ.”

The Commencement was was especially rich in the variety of Eastern and Oriental Orthodox students, clergy, and hierarchs represented. In addition to His Beatitude, hierarchs present for the graduation of their seminarians included seminary trustee His Grace, Metropolitan Zachariah Mar Nicholovos (Poothiyottu), metropolitan of the Northeast American Diocese, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church; seminary trustee His Grace, the Right Reverend David, bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of New York and New England; His Eminence, Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, archbishop and patriarchal vicar in the Patriarchal Archdiocese of Damascus; His Eminence, Mor Titus Yeldho, archbishop of the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church in North America; and His Grace, Ioan Casian of Vicina, vicar bishop of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in the America. Other honored guests were the Reverend Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary; and Dr. Vitaly Permiakov (SVOTS '04), instructor at Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary.

The highlight of the ceremony was the Commencement Address by retiring professor and seminary alumnus Dr. Paul Meyendorff (SVOTS ’75), who held the position as The Father Alexander Schmemann Professor of Liturgical Theology at the Seminary. Prior to Dr. Meyendorff’s address, Mr. Alex Machaskee, executive chair of the Board of Trustees, read a special resolution from the Board of Trustees with regard to the retirement of Professor Meyendorff, recognizing his 29 years of committed service to the Seminary and its students.

“It is an honor for me to stand before you one last time as, together with this year’s graduating class, I prepare to leave the cocoon that is St, Vladimir’s,” commented Dr. Meyendorff. “For most of you, that has been for the last two or three years; for me, it has been 29 years on the faculty, but 57 years if you count from the time I arrived in New York with my family in 1959.”

Drawing inspiration from St. Paul’s text about his “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor 12: 7–10), Dr. Meyendorff exhorted the graduates to be mindful that “God accomplishes his work not just despite, but through, our weakness.” He reminisced about his time at the Seminary as a young boy, as a seminarian, and as a professor, and closed by reminding the graduates to live their lives filled with the joy of our Lord’s Pascha. (Read the full text of Dr. Meyendorff's Address.)

Special honor was given to Valedictorians the Reverend William Ray Rettig and the Reverend Deacon John Mikitish and to Salutatorian Mark Chenoweth. Student Council President Abigail Dean presented the St. Macrina Award for Excellence in Teaching, selected by student vote, to Hierodeacon Herman (Majkrzak), Director of Chapel Music and Lecturer in Liturgical Music, who is departing the Seminary after six years of directing and teaching in order to pursue his monastic vocation.

Also recognized for his years of service to St. Vladimir’s was the Reverend Archdeacon Joseph Matusiak, Director of Admissions, Financial Aid, and Alumni Relations, who is leaving the Seminary to become Metropolitan Tikhon’s full-time personal secretary. Archdeacon Joseph greeted the Class of 2016 as new members of the Seminary Alumni Association, and encouraged them by saying that the friendships forged during their seminary years will continue throughout their lifetimes.

Listen to the Commencement Address on Ancient Faith Radio
View the Commencement program

Photos by Mary Honoré and Alexandru Popovici

The Reverend Dr. Philip LeMasters, a scholar of Christian ethics, has been appointed to the faculty of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) as Professor of Christian Ethics, effective for the academic year 2016–2017. Father Philip is Professor of Religion and Director of the Honors Program at McMurry University in Abilene, Texas, where he is also the pastor of St. Luke’s Orthodox Church. Additionally, he is a member of the SVOTS Board of Trustees.

“We are pleased to have Fr. Philip join our faculty,” said the Very Reverend Dr. John Behr, dean of St. Vladimir’s. “His work in the field of ethics—including bioethics, sexual ethics, and political ethics—is of utmost importance to our students, who will wrestle with ethical issues as clergy and lay theologians.”

In the 2016–2017 academic year, Fr. Philip will teach two hybrid courses at St. Vladimir’s: “Ministry in a Multi-Faith Context” in the fall, and “The Ethics of Marriage, Family, and Sexuality” in the spring. Enrollment in the courses will be open to degree candidates in one the seminary's degree programs or the M.Div. equivalency program.

These 12-week hybrid courses combine an online learning component with an onsite intensive. During the first eight weeks of the semester, students will engage course material through recorded lectures and online discussions. Students will be given weekly assignments, and the professor will be available for office hours via Skype and phone. The professor will join the students on campus for a weeklong intensive session that includes seminar-style presentations and class discussions.  

“Teaching courses at St. Vladimir’s Seminary provides a blessed opportunity to integrate my scholarly and priestly vocations,” remarked Fr. Philip. “Clergy and laity face so many pressing challenges today in our religiously and morally diverse society, and I am thrilled to play a role in forming our seminarians in responding faithfully to them. Having such profound respect for the Seminary’s faculty and academic program, I consider this appointment a highlight of my career as a professor.” 

Father Philip is the author of several books in the area of moral theology, most recently The Forgotten Faith: Ancient Insights for Contemporary Believers from Eastern Christianity (Cascade Books 2013). He has been an invited participant at recent international Orthodox consultations on peace ethics in Greece, Romania, and Syria. A graduate of Baylor University and Rice University, he holds a Ph.D. in Christian Theology and Ethics from Duke University and an M.A. in Applied Orthodox Theology from the University of Balamand.

“Our seminary has been blessed by Fr. Philip’s service and leadership on our Board of Trustees,” said the Very Reverend Dr. Chad Hatfield, SVOTS chancellor/CEO. “Our students can look forward to learning from a scholar who is not only an excellent teacher but also a dedicated minister to the flock of Christ.”

Enrollment for both courses is limited. Registration for the fall 2016 semester is now open. Please contact Dr. John Barnet, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Registrar, at jbarnet@svots.edu / (914) 961­-8313, x313, for more information on taking a hybrid course at St. Vladimir's Seminary.

Read Fr. Philip's blog
Listen to a podcast with Fr. Philip, "Orthodox Perspectives on Peace, War, and Violence"

Throughout the 2016 Lenten season, both the Dean and Chancellor/CEO of St. Vladimir's Seminary traveled far and wide to minister to the broader Church by serving liturgically, offering retreats, and presenting talks and lectures. The Very Reverend Dr. Chad Hatfield, SVOTS Chancellor/CEO said with a touch of humor, "When Great Lent begins, I feel a bit like St. Zosimas of Palestine, as I leave my 'monastery' to 'wander about' before returning!"

In early March, both Fr. John and Fr. Chad traveled to Chicago to offer presentations. Father Chad was the guest speaker for the 19th annual Mission Team Chicago benefit dinner on March 10, sponsored by the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC). Among other things, the event provided much needed scholarship funds that will enable seminarians to participate in short term mission teams.

A few days prior, Fr. John was one of three distinguished respondents at an important lecture offered by Metropolitan Kallistos Ware: "The Unchanging Gospel in an Ever-Changing Culture." The talk was presented on the campus of North Park University, and served as the inaugural event in the Engaging Orthodoxy Speaker's Series. North Park is an evangelical institution; as such, the lecture was offered to an audience made up people from a variety of Christian traditions. Metropolitan Kallistos and Fr. John presented the Eastern Orthodox understanding of the Gospel, and offered practical guidance on how parishes can keep the message of Christ in its rightful central place. (View the event on YouTube.)

Throughout the remainder of Lent, the Dean and Chancellor moved from one location to the next, offering a total of seven retreats in five different states, and visiting with alumni and seminary supporters from all jurisdictions. Father John Behr traveled to Carlsbad, California to lead a retreat, "Becoming an Icon of Christ," for alumnus Fr. Andrew Cuneo and the community of St. Katherine of Alexandria Mission (OCA). In Abilene, Texas, he presented a retreat to parishioners at St. Luke Orthodox Christian Church (Antiochian Archdiocese), pastored by SVOTS Trustee, the Reverend Dr. Philip LeMasters. While in Abilene, Fr. John also offered lectures to the students at McMurry University. On April 9, our Dean journeyed to Steelton, Pennsylvania to lead Parish Renewal Day with alumnus Fr. Christopher Rocknage and the community of St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church. (Listen to Fr. John's lecture, "Becoming an Icon of Christ.")

Also in Pennsylvania, Fr. Chad led a retreat titled "Sacerdotal Living" for the Wilkes Barre Deanery, and was encouraged to see the focus on clergy support that is developing in the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania under the leadership of an SVOTS alumnus, Archbishop Mark (OCA). In the same state he offered a Lenten retreat titled "Mary, Mysteries, & Mission" at St. Philip Orthodox Church in Souderton, where yet another alumnus, Fr. Noah Bushelli, is leading a thriving community within the Antiochian Archdiocese.

In early April, Fr. Chad led a retreat for the Carolina Deanery of the OCA's Diocese of the South. Many of the attendees were St. Vladimir's alumni, and he noted the supportive brotherhood of clergy that is forming there. Also in April, Fr. Chad journeyed to Bealton, Virginia to offer a Lenten Retreat at St. Patrick Orthodox Church, a Western Rite parish in the Antiochian Archdiocese. "It's one of the most creative parishes I have seen for many years," Fr. Chad said. "I was impressed with the setting, and by the parish that was built by the hands of its own parishioners."

"It's always a great joy and blessing to minister to the greater Orthodox world during this holiest of seasons," noted Fr. John. "Our alumni are leading the way as they build up the body of Christ through their pastoral leadership and teaching. We are thankful to see how God is guiding them and blessing their ministries greatly." Father Chad agreed, adding that Great Lent "is the key time for us to reconnect with parishes and people, to solicit feedback from our alumni and fellow clergy, and to offer mutual encouragement and support to one another."

On April 6, 2016, Pope Francis was personally presented a special gift by St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary Trustee His Grace the Right Reverend David, bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of New York and New England: a copy of The Life of Repentance and Purity. The book is the first in the groundbreaking Coptic Studies Series, published by St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press (SVS Press). Bishop David was in Rome on a personal trip with His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan, archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, when he presented the book, according to media outlet newsmaker.com.au.

Authored by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, 117th pope of Alexandria and the See of St. Mark, The Life of Repentance and Purity was first translated from Arabic in 1989 by Series Editor His Grace Bishop Dr. Anba Suriel (Guirgis), SVOTS alumnus and bishop of the Coptic Diocese of Melbourne and Affiliated Regions, Australia. This new translation by Bishop Suriel includes editions and patristic references, and is the first joint publication between SVS Press and St. Athanasius College (SAC) Press. St. Athanasius is the fledgling publishing house of St. Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Theological College in Donvale, Australia, where Bishop Suriel serves as Dean.

The Life of Repentance and Purity was officially launched at St. Vladimir’s Seminary campus on March 12, 2016, during a well-attended afternoon of reflection on the life of Pope Shenouda III. In the few weeks since its release more than 5,000 copies have been sold, making it the fastest selling SVS Press title in history.

Order your copy of The Life of Repentance and Purity here.

Listen to the presentations from the March 12 book launch here.

View a photo gallery of the March 12 book launch event here.