The Most Blessed John X (Yazigi), Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, will be visiting St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary on Monday, July 27, 2015, to receive an honorary doctoral degree conferred by the seminary Board of Trustees and Faculty Council. The degree will be awarded at a public academic convocation at 6:00 p.m. in the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium of the John G. Rangos Family Building, during which His Beatitude will also give a presentation about the current circumstances of Christians in the Middle East. A public reception will follow.
“As Executive Chair of the Board of Trustees of St. Vladimir’s Seminary,” said Alex Machaskee, “I am extremely pleased that we are conferring an honorary doctorate on His Beatitude John X, patriarch of Antioch and All the East.”
Seminary Dean, the Very Reverend Dr. John Behr, added, “It is our joy to welcome Patriarch John to our campus, and it is our honor that he is willing to accept a Doctor of Divinity honoris causa from our school.” Father John also mentioned that His Beatitude is known to him through a personal connection: he is a fellow monk at the Monastery of St. Paul on Mount Athos (Agiou Pavlou), the same monastic community at which Fr. John’s brother, Fr. Evdokimos, resides.
At the ceremony Dr. Obren B. (Brian) Gerich, a parishioner of St. Steven’s and a Trustee Emeritus of St. Vladimir’s Seminary, who underwrote funding for the book, paid tribute to Fr. Nick and his ministry, saying, “I wanted to honor Fr. Nick’s dedication to our cathedral and his unrelenting willingness to spend his free time serving and contributing to the Serbian Church and the Holy Orthodox Church.”
“According to the Holy Fathers of the Orthodox Church,” Dr. Gerich continued, “our gifts are meant to be used for the benefit of others, which, according to the Church’s teaching, turns them into virtues, which is the ‘entrance fee’ into heaven—and this is what our Fr. Nick has spent his life doing for us.” (Read Dr. Gerich’s full remarks here.)
Archpriest Chad Hatfield, chancellor/CEO of St. Vladimir’s Seminary, presented Fr. Nick with beautifully framed artwork depicting the cover of the children’s book. He remarked, "This book by Jim Forest has been illustrated by iconographer Vladislav Andreyev, who also illustrated our press’s Saint George and the Dragon book, which won the ‘Moonbeam Spirit Award for Preservation’ for children's literature."
Eight new spring and summer titles from SVS Press are being launched at major ecclesial, artistic, and academic venues. Some have already have made literary and scholarly news.
In May a major international doctoral and post-doctoral religion conference in Prague, “Ecumenical Reception and Critique of 20th-century Orthodox Theology in Exile and Diaspora,” featured the title The Ways of Orthodox Theology in the West. The book emerged from a larger overall project, “Symbolic Mediation of Wholeness in Western Orthodoxy,” which was financed by the Czech Republic and included prominent Protestant and Orthodox scholars—among them, St. Vladimir’s Seminary Dean, Archpriest John Behr, who wrote the Foreword to the book.
(+2013), at the 18th All-American Council of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), July 20–24, 2015. The release of the volume, published posthumously, was timed to coincide with the opening of the council and to complement its overall theme, “How to Expand the Mission.” SVS Press will feature the new title in a special section of its display, along with Archbishop Dmitri’s other six publications through SVS Press.
“Besides attracting thousands of Orthodox Christian readers annually, our titles fall into some of the most unusual but grateful hands,” said the Reverend Deacon Gregory Hatrak, director of marketing and operations at SVS Press and Bookstore. “For example, last year, the Salvation Army in Australia called to place a large order for our Popular Patristics title On the Human Condition, by St. Basil the Great, for a course they were offering!
“And, while most recently we have produced important scholarly volumes,” he went on, “we also published our other ‘staples,’ for example, the exquisitely illustrated and lively children’s book St. Nicholas and the Nine Gold Coins, and the spiritual biography To Open One's Heart: A Spiritual Path.
“Our newest eight titles represent the breadth and depth SVS Press typifies,” Dn. Gregory emphasized, “and the fine quality our readership expects.”
A concordat between representatives of the Arvo Pärt Centre and St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) was signed in Laulasmaa, Estonia, on June 18, 2015. The concordat agrees to continued cooperation between the Centre and SVOTS, above all in the fields of arts and theology, in mutual counseling, and in joint academic activities.
The signed document is a natural continuation of the existing cooperation between the Arvo Pärt Centre and St. Vladimir's Seminary. This collaborative relationship was begun in 2011 through the work of St. Vladimir's professors Peter Bouteneff and Nicholas Reeves, who founded The Arvo Pärt Project. The Project aims to explore the spiritual roots of the music of famed Estonian composer and conductor Arvo Pärt, who is a devout Orthodox Christian.
The high point of the Project thus far has been a series of performances of the maestro's music in May and June of 2014, both in New York City and in Washington, D.C. On May 31, a capacity crowd at Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall lauded the music and person of Arvo Pärt and listened to a stunning performance of five of his well-known works. Earlier that day the seminary's Board of Trustees and faculty presented an honorary doctorate to Arvo Pärt during St. Vladimir's Commencement ceremonies.
Another outgrowth of the Project is the SVS Press title Arvo Pärt: Out of Silence by Dr. Bouteneff, released early in 2015. Out of Silence examines the connections between Pärt's music and the traditions of Orthodox Christianity. St. Vladimir's is also the American distributor for the Arvo Pärt Centre publication In principio: The Word in Arvo Pärt's Music.
Seminary representatives who signed the concordat were President and Board Chairman His Beatitude the Most Blessed Tikhon, archbishop of Washington and metropolitan of All America and Canada; the Very Reverend Dr. John Behr, dean; and the Very Reverend Dr. Chad Hatfield, chancellor/CEO. Signatories from the Arvo Pärt Centre included Chairman of the Board Michael Pärt, and Anu Kivilo, managing director. Professor Peter Bouteneff and his wife Patricia, as well as Tatiana Lapchuk Hoff, a trustee of the seminary and an active supporter of the Arvo Pärt Project, were part of the delegation from St. Vladimir's Seminary.
The Concordat documents were created by the hand of a 2015 graduate in the Master of Arts program, Nikita Andrejev. They were made possible by the generosity of the Reverend Dr. Robert Saler, executive director of the Center for Pastoral Excellence at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, IN. In a raffle held by the Arvo Pärt Project, Robert won two tickets to the May 2014 Carnegie Hall concert featuring the composer and his music. He also journeyed from Indiana to New York in January of 2014 to attend Dr. Bouteneff's January term class, "The Music and Faith of Arvo Pärt."
Thirty-one seminarians, including nine ordained to Holy Orders, were granted degrees during Commencement at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary on May 30, 2015. Comprising the graduating class were 12 Master of Divinity, 13 Master of Arts, and 6 Master of Theology candidates, among which were included eight women.
"Today marks a transition point from being students to being alumni," noted seminary Dean, the Very Reverend Dr. John Behr, as he addressed the Class of 2015. "What you've received here isn't just the result of your effort; rather, what you've received here is a 'seed.'
"Seminary means 'a place where the seed is sown,' " he reminded the graduates, "but for a seed to bear fruit, the soil has to be turned over, raked, sifted, watered, and weeded. You've been working really hard, but in the midst of doing that, you've been worked over, stretched, pushed, and extended in ways that seemed to you to be incomprehensible.
"Yet all of that has made you more merciful, resilient, and loving, so that the seed that's been planted here can bear fruit," he explained.
In other remarks, Father John honored the memory of Dean Emeritus Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko (+ March 18, 2015), observing his incalculable impact on hundreds of alumni. He also recalled the invaluable, lasting contributions of two former Trustees, Attorneys Leon J. Lysaght, Jr. and Eric S. Namee, to their respective Board Committees—Statutes and Academic Oversight, and Interchurch Relations and Legal Affairs—as he welcomed them into the ranks of "Trustees Emeriti." He further congratulated faculty member Dr. Peter C. Bouteneff on his promotion to the rank of full Professor, and thanked him for his "outstanding work and service to this institution."
The highlight of the ceremony was the Commencement Address by His Eminence Metropolitan Elia of Oulu, Finland, a St. Vladimir's alumnus (M.Div., '03). He recalled his own days as a student and then addressed the graduates, saying, "You have spent time learning about the great gift that has been given to you: no less than Christ crucified, risen, and manifest in His Church.
"Hundreds of generations in the Church have come before you, ...and you are part of this community, seen and unseen, inspired by God Himself. I hope this realization will always bring you peace and comfort," he continued.
"God will never ask of you more than you can bear," he concluded, "but often He will ask no less."
More than a decade ago, His Eminence had missed his own Commencement ceremony due to the death of his mother, whose funeral had coincided with the day of his graduation. In a touching presentation Alumni Association Board Chair Gregory Abdalah gave Metropolitan Elia the customary gift for St. Vladimir's Seminary graduates: a cherry wooden frame for his diploma.
Other ceremonial high points included the Valedictory Address by Luke Perry Bullock, and the Salutatory Address by William Rettig. As well, this year's St. Macrina Award for Excellence in Teaching—an honor bestowed by the student body—was presented to Dr. George Parsenios, professor of New Testament, by Student Council President the Reverend Theodor Svane. Father Theodor attributed the award to Dr. Parsenios's "engaging teaching style, and his willingness always to go deeper into any subject," as well as "his apparent Orthodox faith, shining through his lectures."
might share that gift with a thirsty world." He further commended spouses of seminarians, calling them "hesychasts" and comparing their efforts to self-martyrdom, which, he said, "you have borne and will continue to bear."
Seven St. Vladimir's seminarians were ordained to Holy Orders during the second semester of the 2014–2015 Academic Year. Our newly ordained priests and deacons belong to three different church jurisdictions, and have rich cultural, educational, and professional backgrounds.
Student status and church affiliation Third-year, Master of Divinity; Archdiocese of Russian Orthodox Churches in Western Europe, Exarchate of the Ecumenical Patriarch
Ordination, Holy Priesthood January 14, 2015, St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Paris, France, by the hand of His Eminence Job (Getcha), archbishop of Telmessos and exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for the Archdiocese of the Russian Orthodox Churches in Western Europe; concelebrant: the Very Reverend Chad Hatfield, CEO/Chancellor, St. Vladimir's Seminary
Educational and professional background Bachelor of Civil Engineering, Bergen University College, Norway; Bachelor of Christian Studies and Master of Christian Studies, NLA University College, Norway; Civil Engineer consultant, Bergen, Norway
Biographical note Father Theodor has been married to Hanne Louise for 12 years. They have one son, Simon Johan, and are expecting their second child. He will be serving a year-long internship at St. Seraphim of Sarov Orthodox Christian Church, Santa Rosa, CA (Orthodox Church in America), under the mentorship of the Very Reverend Lawrence Margitich, rector, prior to returning to Norway to do missionary work.
Student status and church affiliation Third-year, Master of Divinity; Orthodox Church in America (OCA)
Ordination, Holy Diaconate March 15, 2015, St. Paul the Apostle Orthodox Church, Las Vegas, NV, by the hand of His Eminence Benjamin, archbishop of San Francisco and the West (OCA); concelebrants: the Very Reverend John Dresko, rector of St. Paul's, and Archdeacon Kirill Sokolov, of Holy Trinity Cathedral, San Francisco
Educational and professional background Bachelor of Arts in Music Composition, Instrumental, University of Nevada, Las Vegas; CEO of Taffer Computers: web design, consultation, and internet marketing
Seminarian parish placement Christ the Saviour Orthodox Church, Paramus, NJ (OCA), under the mentorship of the Very Reverend David Vernak
Biographical note At St. Vladimir's, Deacon Stephen served as the St. Herman Society Secretary and Student Council Class Liaison. After graduation the Osburns will return to Las Vegas to serve in their home parish, St. Paul the Apostle, but they hope to start a mission in St. George, UT in the near future. They have a very loving dog (Bently), which, during the family's years at the seminary, was "adopted" by all kids on campus (and will be sorely missed)!
Aside from his tech expertise, Dn. Stephen is an accomplished musician and composer of notable works, such as: Maeva Suite for Full Orchestra, 42 for String Quartet, and Twist of Fate 2.0 for Solo Horn in F. As well, he has co-written tunes for radio broadcast and has arranged movie scores for high school orchestras.
For his home parish's twentieth anniversary, Dn. Stephen performed his composition Orthodoxy for String Quartet, with himself on violin, his diocesan hierarch, Archbishop Benjamin, on second violin, and two friends on viola and cello.
Student status and church affiliation Second-year, Master of Divinity; Orthodox Church in America (OCA)
Ordination, Holy Diaconate March 2, 2015, Three Hierarchs Chapel, St. Vladimir's Seminary, by the hand of His Eminence Benjamin, archbishop of San Francisco and the West (OCA), on behalf of His Beatitude Tikhon, archbishop of Washington, metropolitan of All-America and Canada
Educational and professional background Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Indiana University of Pennsylvania;, employed in information technology sector, most recently, Software Development Manager for Amazon
Biographical note Born in Pennsylvania, Dn. Michael grew up as the son of an Orthodox Christian priest. Shortly after beginning the OCA's Diaconal Vocations Program in 2012, he, with his wife, Xenia (Tzila), decided to come to the seminary. After Dn. Michael finishes his studies, they will either return to their home in the Pacific Northwest or minister wherever God may call them.
Student status and church affiliation Third-year, Master of Divinity; Orthodox Church in America (OCA)
Ordination, Holy Priesthood Feast of the Annunciation, March 25 2015, Three Hierarchs Chapel, St. Vladimir's Seminary, by the hand of His Beatitude Tikhon, archbishop of Washington, metropolitan of All-America and Canada (OCA)
Educational and professional background Bachelor of Arts in Intercultural Studies from Houghton College, Houghton, NY; Language Surveyor for Wycliffe Bible Translators, (South Asia); 8th-grade English teacher, Dallas, TX
Biographical note While living and working in Dallas, Fr. Joshua, with his wife, Heather, attended St. Seraphim Cathedral. In 2013, the Trants welcomed the newest member of their family, Tabitha.
Student status and church affiliation Third-year, Master of Divinity; Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA)
Ordination, Holy Priesthood May 3, 2015, St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Little Falls, NJ, by the hand of His Grace Nicholas, auxiliary bishop of Brooklyn, on behalf of His Eminence Joseph, archbishop of New York and metropolitan of All North America (AOCANA); concelebrants: the Very Reverend Dimitri Darwich, rector of St. George; the Reverend Michael Ibrahim; and fellow Antiochian St. Vladimir's seminarians, the Reverend Gabriel Tannous, the Reverend Mark Vair, and Deacon Scott Miller
Educational and professional background Bachelor of Arts in English, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; high school English teacher with "Teach for America," St. Louis Public Schools; and director of nonprofit school garden program, Pittsburgh, PA
Seminarian parish placement St. Stephen Orthodox Church, South Plainfield, NJ (AOCANA), under the mentorship of the Very Reverend Stephen Tewfik
Biographical note Father Joshua and Kh. Meredith have four children: Katherine, Naomi, Isaiah, and Gideon.
Student status and church affiliation First-year, Master of Divinity; Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA)
Ordination, Holy Diaconate May 3, 2015, St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Little Falls, NJ, by the hand of His Grace Nicholas, auxiliary bishop of Brooklyn, on behalf of His Eminence Joseph, archbishop of New York and metropolitan of All North America (AOCANA); concelebrants: the Very Reverend Dimitri Darwich, rector of St. George; the Reverend Michael Ibrahim; and fellow Antiochian St. Vladimir's seminarians, the Reverend Gabriel Tannous, the Reverend Mark Vair, and Deacon Scott Miller
Educational and professional background Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Washington State University; Project Controls Professional at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Seminarian parish placement St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Little Falls, NJ (AOCANA), under the mentorship of the Very Reverend Dimitri Darwich
Biographical note Born in Jounieh, Lebanon, during a 15-year civil war, Dn. Paul left his home country (at about age 2) when his family fled to the island of Cyprus; eventually his parents made their way to the United States, where they raised three children. In 2011 Dn. Paul married his wife Dana (Thekla) at Holy Cross Antiochian Orthodox Church, Yakima, WA, and they were blessed with two children, a son and daughter: Elijah Michael and Ana Grace.
Student status Senior-year, Master of Arts; Orthodox Church In America (OCA)
Ordination, Holy Diaconate May 10, 2015, Three Hierarchs Chapel, St. Vladimir's Seminary, by the hand of His Eminence Irénée, archbishop of Ottawa and the Archdiocese of Canada, Orthodox Church in America (OCA)
Educational background Master of Divinity, Union Biblical Seminary, Pune India; Master of Theology, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ; Anglican priest, serving in Malaysia, and in the Episcopal Church in the United States; later employed by Catholic Charities
Seminarian parish placement Ss. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, Jersey City, NJ (OCA), under the mentorship of the Very Reverend Joseph Lickwar
Biographical note Deacon John converted to the Orthodox faith in 2014. He and his wife, Suja, have three children.
St. Vladimir's Seminary Press (SVS Press), the publishing house of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, has launched a new series highlighting the history and spirituality of the ancient Coptic Orthodox Church. The first book in the "Coptic Studies Series," titled, The Life of Repentance and Purity, was authored by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III and is scheduled for release by December 2015. His Grace Anba Suriel (Guirgis), bishop of the Coptic Diocese of Melbourne and Affiliated Regions, Australia, who studied at St. Vladimir's from 1998–1999, is Series Editor for the new line of books.
Pope Shenouda's book was first translated from Arabic in 1989 by Bishop Suriel and was published in 1991 by the Coptic Orthodox Publication and Translation Committee in Sydney. The new translation, also by Bishop Suriel, will include editions and patristic references and will be a joint publication between SVS Press and St. Athanasius Press, the fledgling publishing house of St. Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Theological College in Donvale, Australia, where His Grace acts as Dean.
"This is a big step for us," noted Bishop Suriel. "Being in cooperation with SVS Press, which is well known around the world—even outside of Orthodox circles—will provide more recognition of our own theological press.
"I am deeply indebted to Father Athanasius Farag, Father Bishoy Lamie, Phoebe Farag, and several others who worked tirelessly to prepare the manuscript that was presented to SVS Press," he continued. "I am also grateful to Father John Behr, dean of St. Vladimir's, and to Michael Soroka and Dn. Gregory Hatrak, who are employed at SVS Press, for their hard work in assisting in bringing this work to light once more—in a much better edition!
"We hope to be able to publish more works in the future, especially with the new series, which we are very excited about," he said. "We want not only to raise the profile of our school but also to emphasize the importance of Coptic studies."
One of the titles that His Grace will propose for the "Coptic Studies Series" is a book about the life and work of Archdeacon Habib Girgis, former dean of the Coptic Seminary in Cairo, Egypt, who was recently canonized by the Coptic Orthodox Church. St. Habib Girgis greatly influenced the Coptic community by urging its members to develop educational curricula that would revitalize their faith, which in the early 20th century was being challenged by foreign missionaries.
"The ties between St. Vladimir's Seminary and St. Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Theological College have been strengthening during the past few years," acknowledged Fr. John Behr. "Both Bishop Suriel and I, as the Deans of two theological institutions—who also happen to be close friends—highly value theological education and acknowledge the importance of rapprochement between the Oriental and Eastern Orthodox traditions in the 21st century."
In 2013 Bishop Suriel hosted Fr. John during an eventful trip to Egypt, where he was guest of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria. During his visit Fr. John delivered a paper titled, "Orthodox Theological Education in the Twenty-First Century," at the "Theological and Ecclesiastical Institutes Seminar," which explored the spiritual formation of theological students. Held at the Anaphora Institute, a retreat and training center near the desert road between Cairo and Alexandria, the seminar featured talks by eminent Coptic bishops, clergy, and scholars.
Bishop Suriel visited St. Vladimir's campus in 2013, at which time he met with Fr. John Behr to discuss greater collaborative efforts between the two theological schools, including exchanges of students and faculty. As a result Fr. John, professor of Patristics at St. Vladimir's and globally renowned in his field, will be teaching a Patristics course at St. Athanasius in the fall of 2015. Further into the future, both deans envision a Coptic House of Studies on the Yonkers campus, at which faculty from the Coptic Church may provide special liturgical and pastoral formation to students from that tradition.
The long-standing and close relationship between St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, New Rochelle, NY, and St. Vladimir's Seminary was especially highlighted during the Paschal season. In April, Armenian Christian students—who study on both campuses—warmly welcomed St. Vladimir's Chancellor/CEO, the Very Reverend Dr. Chad Hatfield, and his wife, Matushka Thekla, to a family-like dinner in the dining hall at St. Nersess.
The Reverend Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Nersess and graduate of St. Vladimir's (M.Div. '76), acted as host. He presented Fr. Chad and Matushka Thekla with an exquisitely carved, wooden paschal cross; in return, Fr. Chad presented Fr. Mardiros with newly published books from St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, as a gift to St. Nersess' library.
"As we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide," said Fr. Chad, "we stand firmly with our Armenian brothers and sisters, and we recognize rapprochement between Eastern and Oriental Orthodox as the most important ecumenical issue of our times." Father Chad also encouraged senior seminarians in their future ministries.
St. Nersess Armenian Seminary became affiliated with St. Vladimir's Seminary in 1967; at that time Armenian students enrolled in the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program at St. Vladimir's resided on its campus, while maintaining their own liturgical life and taking specialized courses bearing on priestly ministry within the Armenian Church. Upon completion of their joint program, Armenian students received their M.Div. degree from St. Vladimir's and a Diploma in Armenian Church Studies from St. Nersess. In 1971 the first Armenian student graduated from the joint program.
In 1977 St. Nersess purchased its present campus in New Rochelle. In 1982 the Reverend Arshen Aivazyan became the first St. Nersess alumnus to be appointed its Dean, and the Armenian seminary's affiliation with St. Vladimir's was formalized.
Seminary alumnus Fr. John Leonard (M.Div. '72, M.Th. '73) peacefully fell asleep in the Lord on Tuesday, April 28, 2015, in the late afternoon.
"Father John was a great friend and superlative representative of all that is best in our alumni," said Theodore Bazil, senior advisor for Advancement at St. Vladimir's Seminary.
Father John, who hailed from Grand Rapids, Michigan, was a former foreign-service officer for the U.S. government. After receiving his seminary education, he decided to enter the Melkite priesthood. He and his wife, Barbara, made their home for many years at the secluded Convent of the Annunciation-St. John the Baptist, in Israel, which was also home to several semi-cloistered nuns.
Father John's ministry as chaplain to this community of nuns in Nazareth for twenty-three years allowed him to add a rich component of books on Islamic, Jewish, and biblical archeological studies to his private library, which he carefully had collected over a span of 50 years. In 2011, he donated more than 3,000 books to the seminary's Father Georges Florovsky Library.
The collection attested to Fr. John's own mastery of languages, and included a book in the Samaritan language. The collection also was representative of his lifelong interest and reading in Eastern and Western theology, Christian art and literature, and biblical studies, as well as many other subjects—more than 900 titles of his donation to the seminary's library comprised a section on Christian art and architecture.
The entire seminary community offers prayer for Fr. John, and sends loving condolences to his wife, Barbara, and their family. Memory Eternal!
On April 18, the annual One Day Conference for G.R.O.W. (God Renewing Orthodox Women) Ministry convened on the campus of St. Vladimir's Seminary in Yonkers, NY. This was the fourth diocesan conference hosted by G.R.O.W., the young women's ministry of the Northeast American Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Women from Virginia to Boston attended the gathering.
The theme of the conference was "In God We Trust," based on Psalm 62:5: "For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from Him." As in previous years, we were once again extremely honored to have the Diocesan Metropolitan, His Grace Zachariah Mar Nicholovos, bless us with his presence and his words. His Grace, who formally established the young women's ministry and is an appointed member of the St. Vladimir's Board of Trustees, expressed his joy in the growth of the ministry and in the work God is doing through it. His Grace also encouraged the attendees to take an active role in the ministry.
The main speaker for this year was Ms. Katrina Bitar, a graduate of St. Vladimir's Seminary, and the Director of the Yes! Program of FOCUS North America. Katrina talked about how humans are motivated by fear and love, and said that our relationships grow through our struggles. She emphasized that trusting is more about self-forgetfulness, and that God uses pain to help us meet with Him.
In addition to the main speaker, two workshops were conducted. One workshop was titled "Christian Meditation" and was led by the Reverend Fr. M. K. Kuriakose, the vicar of St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Church, Unruh Avenue, Philadelphia. Father Kuriakose taught participants how proper meditation time can not only strengthen one's mind, but also the soul and body. Women learned how even in silence, God works in us. The other workshop was led by Protodeacon Joseph Matusiak, director of Admissions, Financial Aid, and Alumni Relations at St. Vladimir's. Using the iconography of the Three Hierarchs Chapel at seminary, Pdn. Joseph led the participants in a discussion designed to help them engage with the iconography and sacred space of the Orthodox Church.
Discussions were held in small groups where women met with other women of similar age and had real lively discussions. There was also an open forum where the women had an opportunity to ask the Metropolitan and the guest speaker any questions that they had. In addition, there was a digital scavenger hunt for all the women and an activity for high school, college, and the singles/professional groups.
One of the main highlights of the conference was a campus tour that included a visit to the bookstore, where the women were given some time to browse and purchase books, prayer ropes, CDs, seminary t-shirts, and other items. It was also a beautiful experience to conduct the noon prayers in the Three Hierarchs Chapel, adorned with paschal flowers after the Feast of Resurrection. Women enjoyed the fellowship during lunch time, and were especially blessed with a beautiful sunny day. All women were given journals that highlighted the theme, and there were theme-based t-shirts available on sale.
The conference came to a close as the women spent time in spiritual reflection. During this time, the participants were encouraged to think about the power of the God in whom we trust — the God who has the power to part the Red Sea. They were reminded that like the people of Israel, they were chosen and that each one of them is precious in the sight of God. The participants were given time to write down their own "Red Sea," i.e., their own obstacles in trusting God and the struggles they face in their lives. As they watched a video of the parting of the Red Sea, they were reminded that they can cast their burdens on the Lord. Each woman individually came up before the icon of Christ and was given an affirmation card with the theme verse and a prayer, as well as a prayer card based on this year's conference theme. The spiritual reflection ended with the women reading these prayers together.
Through the support of the clergy and seminarians present, the volunteers from various churches, and the prayerful support from all the various spiritual organizations and friends, the conference was fruitful and uplifting. We acknowledge the cooperation and support of St. Vladimir's Seminary in hosting this conference.
The mission of G.R.O.W. Ministry is to help women be active in their Orthodox faith and to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ, and to help them in their daily lives with the support and prayers of their sisters in the Church. Glory to God for a beautiful and blessed day!
