St. Vladimir's Seminary,575 Scarsdale Road,10707,Yonkers,US
This year’s Orthodox Education Day (OED) is a special one. Join us as we celebrate not one, but two fiftieth-year commemorations: fifty years of OED and fifty years of St. Vladimir’s Seminary (SVS) Press!
On Saturday, October 6, we are hosting activities and lectures all day, starting at 10am, to celebrate these two milestones in the history of St. Vladimir’s Seminary. Highlights will include a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with the relics of St. Innocent and the Boston Byzantine Choir, public lectures, children and teen’s activities, food, music, book sales, a Keynote Address by John Maddex of Ancient Faith Ministries, and a special first-hand look back at the history of SVS Press and OED led by former Press Director Theodore Bazil and Professor Emeritus David Drillock.
The address by Mr. Maddex will be particularly relevant as we celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of SVS Press, which was founded in 1968 and remains the most active publisher of Orthodox Christian literature in the English language. Maddex is CEO of Ancient Faith Ministries, which operates both Ancient Faith Radio and Ancient Faith Publishing, another major publisher of Orthodox works.
Admission to Orthodox Education Day is free. We hope you are able to celebrate with us! Please do spread the word and share the flyer at your parishes and with your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. May the mission of OED Day and SVS Press—spreading the Gospel—continue to bear much fruit for our Lord!
A new website is preserving and resurrecting hundreds of lectures delivered by illustrious teachers and brilliant theologians of the Orthodox Church in the twentieth century. St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) launched the new site, digi.svots.edu, this June.
The project is a combined effort by St. Vladimir’s Seminary and the Virginia H. Farah Foundation. The website makes available for the first time in digital format older, analog recordings of renowned professors and guest lecturers from SVOTS past and present, including Fr. Alexander Schmemann, Fr. John Meyendorff, Fr. Thomas Hopko, Metropolitan Kallistos Ware, Sophie Koulomzin, Jaroslav Pelikan, Veselin Kesich, Fr. Paul Lazor, Fr. John Erickson, Metropolitan Philip Saliba, Fr. John Breck, George Cronk, David Drillock, Fr. John Behr, Serge Verhovskoy, and many others.
“It is our dream to share with the world the voices of illustrious Orthodox Christian speakers and theologians who shed light on important aspects, historical moments, and even spiritual movements of the Orthodox Christian Church in the twentieth century, especially in North America,” said Seminary President Archpriest Chad Hatfield, who is also among the dozens of speakers whose recordings are featured on the new website.
Between the early 1970s and the late 1990s, cassettes of many class lectures, seminars, and institutes held on the campus of St. Vladimir's Seminary were often accessed by library patrons. However, as audio technology rapidly advanced and the public began to discard their cassette players, use of the library's cassette collection languished, and important voices once heard in the Orthodox Church were silenced.
Funding from the Virginia H. Farah Foundation for this digitization project brought to life and light the voices of these Orthodox Christian luminaries, helping to spread their ever-relevant words "to the ends of the world" (Ps 19.4). Moreover, the Foundation's funding for this initial project provided a solid basis for SVOTS library staff to build future digital collections—another important step in a continuing endeavor to keep pace with advancing technologies.
“We’re thrilled to be a part of this project,” said Eric Namee, president of the Virginia H. Farah Foundation. “Personally, I was deeply affected by a talk given by Fr. Alexander Schmemann when I was a young man. It’s a privilege to help make Fr. Alexander’s voice, and the voices of so many other great teachers, accessible to everyone.”
In partnership with the Foundation, SVOTS Web Services Director Alexandru Popovici converted around 500 cassettes held in the Seminary’s Father Georges Florovsky Library to digital format, making their contents accessible and portable not only to a new generation but also to a global audience.
“It was a long but very rewarding process,” Popovici explained. “I spent more than six months working to digitize the tapes and to build the online platform which hosts the recordings. It was worth it, knowing that those incredible resources will be available for many more people.”
Access to the recordings on digi.svots.edu is free but requires registering for a free account. To register and learn more about the project, visit digi.svots.edu.
About the Virginia H. Farah Foundation
The Virginia H. Farah Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private foundation dedicated exclusively to the work of the Orthodox Christian Church. The Foundation looks for creative projects and programs that serve as catalysts for progress in the Church and have a lasting impact. Its grant recipients are engaged in all areas of Church life, from humanitarian efforts and missionary labor to education and scholarly work. The Foundation’s goal is to facilitate the work of organizations and projects that will help spread the Orthodox Christian message while carrying out the work of the Church in the world.
Eight students have been accepted into the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) program at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) and will form the 2021 D.Min. Cohort.
Comprised of clergy, chaplains and ministry professionals from six different jurisdictions, this cohort brings a new level of diversity and pastoral experience to the program.
"One of the great strengths of the D.Min. program is the community of teachers and learners that come together to address the most pressing challenges facing the Church today,” noted Fr. Sergius Halvorsen, D.Min. program director. “The diversity and expertise of the students in the 2021 Cohort will foster an outstanding learning experience. I can't wait to begin working with this group!"
This is the third cohort of students that have entered the Doctor of Ministry since it was revived as a hybrid program in 2014. Combining online learning and brief onsite intensives, the hybrid program allows students to complete their studies while living and working at home. Financial aid is available through the generosity of the Danilchick Family Endowment for Pastoral Studies.
The 2021 Cohort will begin their work with a mandatory six-week orientation program starting in mid-July. Coursework will begin in September.
Limited space is still available in this cohort. Potential students who hold a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree and have at least three years of ministry experience are encouraged to apply for the D.Min. program. For additional information, contact D.Min. Program Director Fr. Sergius Halvorsen.
Will you be at the 19th All-American Council (AAC) this July? Or will you be in the St. Louis area around that time? Meet us there for an Alumni and Friends Reception!
The SVOTS event will be held from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday, July 24. at St Louis Union Station Hotel, the venue for AAC.
St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) has narrowed down the number of candidates for the position of Academic Dean, and a final decision is expected to be made soon.
The seminary’s Board of Trustees convened in May to discuss the final candidates.
“There is no doubt that the final candidates represent strong qualifications,” said Seminary President Archpriest Chad Hatfield. “They come with extraordinary gifts and achievements that would benefit the seminary greatly.”
“I want to thank His Beatitude and the members of the Academic Dean Search Committee for their labors in getting to this final stage in the process,” added Fr. Chad.
The Search Committee was tasked with finding a visionary and inspiring Academic Dean with the skills, energy, and experience to advance the academic mission and current programs of the Seminary as well as to develop new programs to meet the needs of the Church and the world in the 21st century. The new dean will serve as the Chief Academic Officer, whose primary responsibilities are to lead and supervise the faculty and to oversee all academic activities of the seminary, under the supervision of the seminary’s President. The Academic Dean is appointed by the Board of Trustees and reports directly to the President.
Eighth Day Books,2838 E. Douglas,67214,Wichita,KS,US
We’ve added another great event to the Seminary’s weekend in Wichita. After Jazz Night June 1, join us at a young adult gathering at Eighth Day BooksSaturday, June 2. The event will feature President of St. Vladimir’s Seminary Archpriest Chad Hatfield. Snacks and drinks will follow. Eighth Day Books has specialized in classic books across the disciplines of art, science, and the humanities since 1988, and has collaborated with SVOTS in the past. Most recently, Eighth Day hosted a book signing featuring SVS Press author Edith Humphrey. The young adult gathering begins at 7:30 p.m. Contact Matushka Robyn Hatrak for more information.
A Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) student is determined to help strengthen the commitment of Orthodox Christians to compassionate ministry to the poor and suffering, and is looking for input to complete his research.
The heart of the work is a survey related to the focus of the study.
Help Fr. Theophan’s research by taking the survey here.
“Father Alexander Schmemann provides the inspiration for this project,” he stated. “In 1965, Father Alexander wrote about the need to replace the false ideal of ‘serving the parish’ with the concept of ‘the parish as servant.’”
Research results and analyses from The Servant Parish Project will be published on Fr. Theophan’s project page in draft form as they become available.
On Saturday morning, His Beatitude the Most Blessed Tikhon, archbishop of Washington and metropolitan of All America and Canada of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), presided at Divine Liturgy at Three Hierarchs Chapel. He was joined by clergy from among the student body, faculty, and Board of Trustees, including Seminary President Archpriest Chad Hatfield, Assistant Professor of Canon Law and Byzantine Studies Archpriest Alexander Rentel, board member and Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Archpriest John Jillions, and Chair of St. Vladimir's Seminary Alumni Association Board Archpriest David G. Barr.
Commencement began at the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium following the Divine Liturgy, lunch, and a Molieben. After His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon officially opened the Commencement Exercises, Fr. Chad Hatfield welcomed the graduates and guests and offered a look back at what he called “a remarkable academic year” at the seminary. (Highlights of Academic Year 2017-2018)
Among the many distinguished guests were two representatives of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary leadership: Bishop-Elect and Alumnus Very Rev. Daniel Findikyan, who was recently elected primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, and Priest Mardiros Chevian, the Dean of St. Nersess. Their presence was particularly meaningful at this Commencement, as 2018 marks the fiftieth year of cooperation between St. Vladimir’s and St. Nersess Seminaries. Additionally, at the 2018 ceremonies graduating seminarian Timothy Aznavourian became the first Armenian student chosen to deliver the Salutatory Address at a SVOTS commencement.
The Commencement Address was delivered by Dr. David Bradshaw, chair of the Department of Philosophy at the University of Kentucky. He spoke to the graduating class of the need to share, in particular, three beautiful aspects of Orthodox Christianity still largely unknown or misunderstood in the secular world: Orthodox worship, the wisdom and example of saints and monasticism, and forgiveness.
“If I have learned anything over the years that I have spent teaching, it is that our secular friends want and need this treasure,” he said.
Dr. Bradshaw was also one of three people who received honorary doctorates at the 2018 Commencement. St. Vladimir’s Seminary conferred the honorary doctorates to Dr. Bradshaw, composer Mitered Archpriest Sergei Glagolev, and Seminary Trustee Emeritus Protodeacon Peter Danilchick for their outstanding contributions to the Orthodox Church.
“Their contributions align so fittingly with important facets of St. Vladimir’s Seminary’s mission, namely, leadership and stewardship, academia, and the sacred arts,” said Fr. Chad when the honorary doctorates were announced earlier this spring. “As such, we could not be more pleased to honor these three distinguished individuals.”
Dr. Bradshaw was awarded the degree of Doctor of Divinity, Protodeacon Peter the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters (D.H.L.), and Fr. Sergei the degree of Doctor of Sacred Music.
Following Dr. Bradshaw’s address and the conferral of degrees, graduate Dimitrios Nikiforos delivered the Valedictory Address.
“The day of commencement often finds us at a disorienting moment, standing at the crossroads of unfamiliar paths…” said Nikiforos. “However, today Christ tells us, through the Prophet Jeremiah, ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths; ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and I will give rest for your souls’ [Jer 6.16].”
Mr. Nikiforos concluded his address by thanking God, fellow seminarians and their families and spouses, the trustees, and donors to the seminary for helping make this achievement possible for the Class of 2018.
Student Council President Angelo Niqula then presented the St. Macrina Award for Excellence in Teaching, selected each year by student vote, to SVOTS Director of Music Robin Freeman
“This professor maintains a cheerful demeanor and a personal interest that not only keeps us from stagnating, but the fruits of her labor constantly show in the progress we have made in both the classroom and the chapel,” wrote one student, whose comments Niqula shared before presenting the award.
At the conclusion of the Commencement Exercises, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon offered closing remarks for the Class of 2018, sharing a moving story about a cheerful email he received from an eleven-year-old girl in the midst of her struggle with cancer, which she passed away from not long after sending the email.
“Even as she faced this tremendous physical suffering…and the reality of her own approaching death, she never lost the joy of living, nor did she grow bitter or angry,” said His Beatitude. “I only met her once, when I brought her communion, but her joyful example along with her Christ-like longsuffering confirmed for me that truly the glory of God is revealed in a human person—sometimes most brightly in the most trying of circumstances.”
“And it was a reminder to me,” he continued, “that there is no work that is more necessary than caring for our broken and hurting fellows, all of whom, like us, are made in the image and likeness of that glory.”
“I have this as a source of inspiration in my own life, and I hope that you also can find such inspiration in your own journeys.”
During Spring Semester 2018, three new priests have been added to the ranks of our Student Body and Alumni fellowship, as well as three new deacons. Additionally, Alumnus and faculty member Fr. Daniel Findikyan was elected primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America.
Ordinations, receptions, and elevations from Fall Semester 2017 can be viewed here. Three members of the Class of 2018 were ordained before the start of Fall Semester 2017. Details from their ordinations can be found here.
We keep them in prayer as they continue in their ministries. Axios!
HOLY PRIESTHOOD
Priest Andrew Cannon (M.A. 2016) Jurisdiction: Diocese of the South, Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Holy Diaconate: Ordained by His Eminence, the Most Reverend Alexander, Archbishop of Dallas and the South and the Bulgarian Diocese of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), in St. John of the Ladder Orthodox Church, Piedmont, SC, 9APR17 Holy Priesthood: Ordained to the Holy Priesthood 10MAR18 at St. Basil Mission, Wilmington, NC by the hand of His Eminence, the Most Reverend Alexander, Archbishop of Dallas and the South and the Bulgarian Diocese of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Current Ministry: Assistant Pastor, St. Basil Mission in Wilmington, NC Education and Professional Background: Studied Classics at Furman University, Greenville, SC; consultant at Writing & Media Lab, Furman University
Priest Thomas Zaid Totonchy (M.Div. 2016) Jurisdiction: Archdiocese of the Western United States, Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch Holy Priesthood: Ordained April 21, 2018 at St. Mary's Syriac Orthodox Church, Orange, CA
by His Eminence Archbishop Mor Clemis Eugene Kaplan, patriarchal vicar of the Archdiocese of the Western United States Current ministry: Assigned as rector at St. Mary's Syriac Orthodox Church, Orange, CA Education and Professional Background: California-area youth minister from 2016 to 2018, Archdiocese of the Western United States, Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch; served as sub-deacon and youth minister at St. Ignatius of Antioch, Portland, OR, before attending St. Vladimir’s Seminary
Priest Anthony Westerman, Alumnus (M.Div. ’10) Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church of North America (AOCANA) Holy Diaconate: Ordained by His Grace Anthony, bishop of the Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest (AOCANA),, St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Canton, OH, 21JAN18 Holy Priesthood: Ordained on Bright Monday, 9APRIL18 at St. George Orthodox Christian Church, Fishers, IN, by His Grace Anthony, bishop of the Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest (AOCANA). Current ministry: Assistant Priest of St Mary of Egypt Orthodox Church in Greenwood, IN Educational and professional background: Bachelor of Arts (BA) 2004, Political Science and Government, Western Kentucky University; Board Certified Chaplain (NAVAC); Military Police Officer, United States Marine Corps, 1997-2003; served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq; Currently Chaplain Candidate Program Officer, United States Navy
HOLY DIACONATE
Deacon Gregory Erik Potter (3rd-year Seminarian, M.Div. program) Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 29APRIL18 by His Grace John, bishop of the Diocese of Worcester and New England (AOCANA), at St. George in Norwood, MA Current ministry: Student parish assignment at St. Mary's Antiochian Orthodox Church in Brooklyn, NY Educational and professional background: B.A. in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies from Brandeis University. Shortly thereafter, he was received into the Orthodox Church, and chanted, taught Sunday school, and studied at church while working at Starbucks for seven years
Deacon Herman Fields, (2nd-year Seminarian, M.Div. program) Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church of North America (AOCANA) Holy Diaconate: Ordained by Metropolitan Joseph, Primate of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Little Falls, NJ, 21JAN18 Current ministry: Student parish assignment at St. Mary's Antiochian Orthodox Church in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, under the mentorship of Rector, Fr. Michael Elias; member of St. Innocent's Society and St. Moses the Black Society Student Interest Groups Educational and professional background: M.A., Oxford, Theology; St. Stephen's Certificate in Theology from the Antiochian House of Studies; worked in IT for ten years, as a web developer and project manager; moved to St. Vladimir's from Sweden, with wife, Anna, and children, Julia and Jacob
Deacon George Katrib, Alumnus (M.Div. ’14) Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church of North America (AOCANA) Diaconate: Ordained by His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph, Primate of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, St. George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, Houston, TX, 28JAN18 Current ministry: Youth Director, St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Houston, TX Educational and professional background: Bachelor’s Degree (BA) 2008, Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL
ELEVATION
Very Rev. Dr. Daniel Findikyan, Alumnus (M.Div. 1989) Jurisdiction: Armenian Church of America, Eastern Diocese of America Holy Priesthood: Ordained to the Holy Priesthood by His Eminence Archbishop Khajag, eleventh primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America in 1997 in New York, NY Elevation to Doctor of the Church: Elevated to the rank of Vartabed (doctor of the church) in 2006 in Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin), Armenia Elevation to Primate: Elected twelfth diocesan primate by 116th Diocesan Assembly of Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America 4MAY18 IN West Harrison, NY; Confirmed as primate 8May18 by His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; Enthroned 8May18 at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral, New York, NY Current Ministry: Primate of Eastern Diocese of America of the Armenian Church of America Education and Professional Background: Doctor of Liturgical Studies, Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome, Italy; Master of Arts degree in Musicology, City University of New York, Master of Divinity, St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, Armonk, NY; Master of Divinity, St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, Yonkers, NY. Currently the director of the Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center of the Diocese of the Armenian Church (Eastern), New York, NY; professor of Liturgical Studies at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, Armonk, NY; professor of Armenian Studies, St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, Yonkers, NY; president of the Society of Oriental Liturgy; visiting pastor of St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Charlotte, NC, from 1998 to 2005; author of more than 60 scholarly articles and books
Alumnus Archpriest Vadim Pogrebniak, 80, fell asleep in the Lord on the afternoon of the Leavetaking of Pascha, Wednesday, May 16, in Shoreline, WA. Fr. Vadim was Pastor Emeritus of Saint Spiridon Cathedral, Seattle, WA, and former Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America’s Diocese of the West.
Fr. Vadim attended St. Vladimir's Seminary from 1973 until 1976 in the Theological Division, the predecessor of what is now the seminary’s Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program. He also studied at St. Tikhon’s Seminary in South Canaan, PA.
In 1980, Father Vadim assumed the pastorate of Saint Spiridon’s, from which he retired on December 31, 2007. Earlier, he served parishes in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York. In addition to his pastoral ministry, he was widely known for his expertise in the field of liturgical music and choral conducting.
Father Vadim is survived by his beloved wife, Matushka Helen, their sons Kyrie and Deema, and his sister Donya Platoff. Online condolences may be sent in care of the Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home.
The Funeral Service will be celebrated at Three Hierarchs Romanian Orthodox Church, 6402 226th Street SW, Mountlake Terrace, WA on Monday, May 21 at 6 p.m. The Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 22 at 9 a.m., followed by interment at Edmonds Memorial Cemetery, Edmonds, WA. A repast will follow at the church.
May Father Vadim’s memory be eternal!
Sections of this article have been reprinted from OCA.org.
