Seminarians from St. Vladimir’s, St. Tikhon’s, and Holy Cross seminaries gathered on the campus of St. Vladimir’s Seminary March 8-11 for the Spring 2019 Conference of the Orthodox Inter-Seminary Movement (OISM).

Founded in the 1960s and revived in 2003, the OISM fosters fellowship and cooperation among Orthodox seminary and theology students. The group meets every year at one of North America’s Orthodox theological seminaries. St. Vladimir’s Seminary (SVOTS) was selected as the host for 2019.

“I joined OISM because I wanted to actively foster a deep brotherhood between Seminarians of every jurisdiction. We also had in mind how isolated and lonely the clerical vocation can be,” said St. Vladimir’s Seminarian Evan LeDoux, who helped organize this year’s conference.

“God-willing, when we are all ordained priests or are serving Christ's Church in another capacity, we will have true friends to support us who understand our shared challenges and can work together with us.”

The weekend-long event began with a Western Rite Divine Liturgy celebrated by Archpriest Edward Hughes of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Lawrence, MA. Father Edward, the Vicar General of the Antiochian Western Rite Vicariate, also spoke and led discussions at the conference regarding the Western Rite and Orthodox unity.

“For me, the Liturgy was an amazing event,” said Seminarian David McReady, who assisted Fr. Edward at the Liturgy. “The Western Rite is very small and not well-known in Orthodoxy, so it was wonderful to share this treasure with our brothers and sisters.”

McReady, a native of Belfast, was raised in the Church of Ireland and served as an Anglican priest before coming to SVOTS as a student of the Antiochian Archdiocese. He hopes to serve as a Western Rite priest.

Following Divine Liturgy, seminarians gathered for the talks led by Fr. Edward as well as SVOTS Professor Dr. John Barnet. Professor Barnet delivered a lecture on Christian unity in the New Testament. The conference concluded with Sunday’s Divine Liturgy at Three Hierarchs Chapel.

**Registration is now closed. Please visit SVOTS.edu/events over the next several months for information about next year's Diaconal Liturgical Practicum.

The 13th Annual Diaconal Liturgical Practicum of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) will be held July 16–19, 2019 at St. Seraphim Cathedral in Santa Rosa, CA. The four-day program will offer intense practical liturgical training for deacons and lay diaconal candidates. Supper, prayer, and an opening session will launch the Practicum at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16.  The last day of the Practicum will conclude with hierarchical Divine Liturgy and feast day lunch.

During the program, practical liturgical training will be centered on the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and other services.  Intensive workshops will provide each participant with skills needed to serve effectively as an attentive server, deacon, or priest. In addition, focused presentations will augment the deacon’s understanding of his place in the liturgical life of the Church and his broader vocation as a symbol to the faithful of the diakonia (ministry) of Jesus Christ.

“This practicum is highly recommended by the Holy Synod of Bishops for participants in the Church’s Diaconal Vocations Program and other programs of diaconal formation,” said Archpriest Kirill Sokolov, director of Diaconal and Late Vocations, and leader of the practicum’s liturgical workshops. “In addition to liturgical practice, sessions will also cover chanting and vocal technique and address teaching about our faith.”

• Online registration is now open. Click here for registration info.
• Click here for more information about the program.
• Questions? Email Archpriest Kirill at dvp@oca.org.

Accommodations: Located 1.5 miles and only minutes away from the Cathedral, the newly-built Oxford Suites Sonoma County - Rohnert Park is well-equipped to handle all of your travel needs. With 163 non-smoking suites and our on-site restaurant, the Oxford Suites Sonoma County - Rohnert Park is your home away from home.  Hotel web site:https://www.oxfordsuitessonoma.com/.  To get the group rate, call 844-584-0333 and state that the reservations are for the “Diaconal Liturgical Practicum."

 Download the flyer.

Academic Dean Dr. Ionut-Alexandru Tudorie presented his research into the legacy of Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos at the latest installment of St. Vladimir’s Seminary’s monthly academic seminars. On March 5, Dr. Tudorie delivered the lecture, “New Constantine or New Judas? The Afterlife of an Excommunicated Emperor: Michael VIII Palaiologos (1258-1282),” in the Seminary’s Gerich Boardroom.

“My research topic—in general terms, the consequences of an excommunication on the body and soul of an individual and the question of whether Michael VIII Palaiologos was a potential saint or an outcast—is one that I have been developing for years now,” said Dr. Tudorie.

Dr. Tudorie has had the opportunity to discuss his findings on several occasions, including at the Sorbonne in Paris and the Spring Symposium of the Society for the Promotion of Byzantine Studies at the University of Edinburgh.

“As interesting as the subject is, this topic has received surprisingly little attention from scholarly circles,” Tudorie added. “The one who took Constantinople back from the Latins ended this life as an excommunicated individual, both by the Greek and Latin Churches.”

“The legend about the repulsive appearance of his uncorrupted, swollen body erupted a century after his death and endured until the fall of Constantinople. This strong image of the so-called ‘New Constantine,’ provided and discussed by several authors, can be easily connected with a peculiar image of Judas in Hell in Byzantine and post-Byzantine iconography.”

The Seminary’s Monthly Seminar series—initiated by Dr. Tudorie himself—is meant to operate as a kind of academic laboratory for scholars, allowing each month’s presenter to share their latest findings to their peers, engage in discussion, and receive feedback.

“I got several questions, and it seems that the audience really enjoyed the topic,” Tudorie said. “Both students and faculty were engaged in the discussion.”

Related: Lecturer Dn. Evan Freeman explores art and liturgical reform

St. Vladimir's Seminary hears you. You want to know what the Seminary is doing to make sure the next leader at your parish is being formed and educated the right way, because their future ministry will affect you, your family, and your church. That's why we want you to hear face-to-face how we are raising up servants for the Orthodox Church—and why we have "doubled down" on our commitment to residential life for our seminarians. Of course, YOU are the reason this commitment to your future church leaders is possible. Consider becoming a sponsor, and let's take on this important work together.

Join the party in Fort Worth Texas, as St. Vladimir’s Seminary rolls out western-inspired food stations and music by Uptown Drifters to help raise support for the next generation of Church leaders. The River Ranch Stockyards will host the Big Hats & Cocktails fundraiser, which will also feature inspiration from Seminary President Archpriest Chad Hatfield, Trustee Priest Philip LeMasters, and Priest Jason Foster. Alumnus Priest Photius Avant will serve as emcee.

The evening kicks off at 5 p.m. Tickets and sponsorships may be purchased below. Questions? Email events@svots.edu.

• Download the flyer

On a wintry Monday, St. Vladimir’s Seminary welcomed dozens of guests to campus: His Grace Bishop Ignatije of Branichevo, the dean of the Orthodox theological seminary in Belgrade, Serbia; Mother Christophora, the abbess of The Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration in Ellwood City, PA; and more than 40 others visiting for the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC) board certifications.

Hierarch visit

Bishop Ignatije met with faculty and Serbian Orthodox seminarians, and was joined by Seminary board member His Grace Bishop Irinej of the Diocese of Eastern America. Seven seminarians and a Doctor of Ministry student from the Serbian church are currently enrolled at St. Vladimir’s Seminary. The Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Belgrade has shared much in common with St. Vladimir’s Seminary over their long histories, including dozens of mutual alumni and professors.

Chaplain certifications

For the second year in a row, St. Vladimir’s Seminary campus hosted certification meetings for the Board of Chaplaincy Certification Inc. (BCCI), the national certifying body affiliated with the Association of Professional Chaplains. More than twenty-five certified chaplains of different faiths convened March 4 and 5 to assess fifteen candidates seeking to be certified as clinical health care chaplains.

Sarah Byrne-Martelli, a Board Certified Chaplain endorsed by the Antiochian Archdiocese and a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) student at St. Vladimir’s, chaired the event. Sarah serves as the Palliative Care Chaplain at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA.

“This event was an excellent way for chaplains of various denominations to visit the Seminary and to learn about the Orthodox faith," said Sarah. "The attendees remarked on the beauty of the campus and the hospitality of the SVOTS community."

Sarah added that several attendees came to Vespers at Three Hierarchs Chapel—the first time many of them had been to an Orthodox service.

Since 2012, all Master of Divinity (M.Div.) students at St Vladimir’s have been required to complete one unit of ACPE-accredited Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). Under the directorship of Priest Adrian Budica, the Seminary’s program was expanded to offer introductory CPE sessions to all students as part of first-year prison ministry. Additionally, in becoming a satellite CPE center accredited through ACPE—the gold standard for CPE in the U.S.—the Seminary has begun offering (and will eventually require) parish-based CPE.

St. Juliana Society

On Monday evening, the Seminary’s St. Juliana Society (SJS) welcomed Mother Christophora, who spoke to women of the Seminary community about Great Lent.

“Mother Christophora shared with us that humility is knowing yourself and knowing God, and she encouraged us as women and mothers to be ourselves,” said Kh. Anna Fields, whose husband, Fr. Herman Fields, is in his third year at Seminary. “She gave us a lot of practical advice about navigating fasting and long church services for those of us with young children.”

“Her talk was refreshing…” added Seminarian Asha Mathai, who said Mother Christophora reminded priest wives and mothers not to feel guilty if they can’t follow the practices of a fast as strictly as others. “She reminded us that these practices were created by single young monastics in the desert. She told us of her mother who couldn't prostrate after injury. She reminded her mother that her pain is her prostration.”

Mother Christophora also shared with the group that wives of clergy are the priests of their family while the husband attends to needs of his parish. While the father is away, the mother teaches a child how to cross oneself and pray. Additionally, the wife of a priest cares for her husband, who will be giving so much of himself to his parish.

The Wives’ Program on campus was formalized in 2007 to help strengthen the formation of clergy families. In 2010, the fellowship took the name of the St. Juliana Society. Women’s fellowship events and programs on campus also include women seminarians. Read more about women’s fellowship on campus and past events here.

The board of the Orthodox Christian Leadership Initiative (OCLI) convened in Houston, TX in February to discuss the mission and future of OCLI and its work in the Orthodox Church.

Sponsored by the Orthodox Vision Foundation and graciously hosted at The Saint Constantine School, the gathering allowed for fruitful discussion, establishment of purpose, and preparation for the third annual Advanced Leadership Conference. The conference will be hosted over the weekend of September 20-22, 2019, at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in Yonkers, NY. Dedicated to nurturing and empowering Orthodox Christian servant leadership, OCLI plans to expand its ministry in the coming years by hosting seminars throughout the United States.

St. Vladimir’s Seminary is playing a key role in OCLI’s efforts. The meeting in Texas was attended by Seminary President Archpriest Chad Hatfield, Seminary Trustee Dr. Frank B. Cerra, and Trustee Emeritus Protodeacon Peter Danilchick.

“The mission of St. Vladimir’s fits well with that of OCLI,” said Fr. Chad. “Both organizations are invested in raising up leaders for the Church, so I am pleased we are able to contribute the Initiative’s efforts.”

The most recent Orthodox Advanced Leadership Conference in September 2018 drew more than eighty people, including bishops, priests, deacons, monastics, and lay leaders from several Orthodox Christian jurisdictions and diverse professional backgrounds.

In September of 1794, a group of ten monks from the Valaam Monastery in Russia arrived on Kodiak Island, Alaska to begin what would become one of the greatest missionary endeavors in the history of Orthodox Christianity. This year is the 225th anniversary of that mission to North America, and St. Vladimir’s Seminary is co-sponsoring a special event with Mother of God Orthodox Church, Princeton, NJ to mark the occasion.

The anniversary celebration May 11 and 12 includes services, speakers, and a banquet. The celebration culminates with Divine Liturgy Sunday morning at Mother of God Church concelebrated by His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon and His Eminence Archbishop Michael, followed by a banquet at the historic Nassau Inn in Princeton featuring St. Vladimir’s Seminary Professor Emeritus Dr. Paul Meyendorff as guest speaker. See below for the full schedule of events.

All events of the 225th Anniversary Celebration are free and open to the public, with the exception of the Sunday banquet. Banquet reservations are $55 per person. Attendees have a choice of Chicken Saltimbocca, Grilled Atlantic Salmon, or Penne Primavera. To reserve seats and indicate choice of meal, contact Teresa Filippini.

225th Anniversary Celebration Schedule
Saturday, May 11 (at Mother of God Orthodox Church)

• 10 a.m. – Akathist to All Saints of North America
• 11 a.m. – Welcome by Archbishop Michael, Address by Archpriest Chad Hatfield
• 12:30 p.m. – Lunch
• 2 p.m. – Address by Metropolitan Tikhon
• 3 p.m. – Response to presentation by Jim Winkler  
• 3:30 p.m. – Q&A
• 5 p.m. – Vespers
• 6 p.m. – Reception

Sunday, May 12 (at Mother of God Orthodox Church; Banquet to be held at Nassau Inn 10 Palmer Square Princeton, NJ 08542)

• 9:30 a.m. – Greeting of Metropolitan Tikhon, Vesting, and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy
• 1:30 p.m. – Banquet featuring Guest Speaker Dr. Paul Meyendorff

Download the flyer.

Registration for the webinar is now closed. Please check SVOTS.edu/events for information on future D.Min. webinars

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An opportunity to transform your ministry for the better might sound too good to be true, but that is exactly what St. Vladimir’s Seminary’s Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) program was set up to be. And its most recent graduates want you to see fruits of the D.Min. program for yourself.

On Thursday, February 28, we are continuing our latest round of webinars featuring D.Min. graduates presenting their final projects. These webinars—free and open to the public—are meant to give people a taste of what the D.Min. program offers and what it can do for your ministry.

Registration ends at 12 a.m. Monday, February 25, so register soon if you plan on joining us!

• Webinar Registration – Rev. Alcuin Kellerhouse, D.Min. (Register here)
  Thursday, February 28, 2019 12 PM - 1 PM EDT

This latest webinar presentation will feature Rev. Alcuin Kellerhouse, D.Min., and his project, titled, “Responding to Substance Use Disorders.”

“We read of the impact of the opioid epidemic on our society, and in the ministries our clergy encounter Substance Use Disorders (SUD) in a variety of settings,” explains Fr. Alcuin. “This presentation will explore how Orthodox clergy perceive the adequacy of their preparation, their readiness to recognize SUD and respond appropriately. Implications for the larger Church and theological education will be explored.”

Registrants will be emailed a link to join the webinar via computer or phone.

On Monday, the St. Juliana Society (SJS) welcomed to campus His Beatitude the Most Blessed Tikhon, archbishop of Washington, metropolitan of All America and Canada, and chair of St. Vladimir’s Seminary.

His Beatitude met with the group, comprised of women seminarians and wives of seminarians, at the home of Archpriest Chad and Matushka Thekla Hatfield. Matushka Thekla coordinates SJS. Metropolitan Tikhon discussed a number of topics proposed by the group, including his own journey from childhood to primate of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), his mother, the role of youth in the OCA, the March for Life, and humility.

The Wives’ Program on campus was formalized in 2007 to help strengthen the formation of clergy families. In 2010, the fellowship took the name of the St. Juliana Society. Women’s fellowship events and programs on campus also include women seminarians. Read more about women’s fellowship on campus and past events here.

It’s New York’s turn to experience Tenebrae: Music of Holy Week from East & West. After a performance in Washington D.C., the St. Vladimir’s Seminary Chorale will bring the spectacular evening of music to New York City’s beautiful St. John Nepomucene Church on Friday, April 5.

The concert takes its name from a candlelit Holy Week service from the Western Christian tradition (tenebrae means “darkness” in Latin). The evening’s program will immerse listeners in the solemn Lenten journey to the cross and the empty tomb.

The concert is a fundraiser that helps the Seminary educate and form the future leaders of the Orthodox Church. There is no admission fee to attend the event. Tickets are available at the door, or you may reserve your seat in advance (see below). A reception will follow for the first 100 people to RSVP with a donation. Donations made before the concert, by April 1, of over $100 will be listed in the event program.

• Download the flyer
• Download Social Media flyers (.zip)

 *Choose the sponsorship level of your choice below. No matter what level you select, you may contribute to any area of need of your choosing. Simply indicate your preference on your check, or if paying by credit or debit card email advancement@svots.edu to let us know.