During the first week of Lent, The Very Rev. Dr. John Behr, dean of St. Vladimir's, and Chancellor/CEO The Very Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield, hosted a distinguished campus visitor, His Grace Bishop Suriel of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Melbourne and Affiliated Regions. In a productive meeting, the three explored possible collaboration between their respective institutions in both hemispheres. SVOTS alumnus Fr. Athanasius Farag of St. Antonious and St. Mina Coptic Church in East Rutherford, NJ, also joined the meeting.

"We had great discussions about cooperation with His Grace's theological school in Australia, St. Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Theological College in Donvale, Victoria," explained Fr. John. "We also discussed our overarching vision for working together with the Coptic Church to help them further their goals in theological education."

"It was a very productive hour with His Grace Bishop Suriel," added Fr. Chad. "St. Vladimir's has long been recognized as the epicenter of the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox dialogue, and our conversations this past week commit ourselves to renewing that essential work and witness."

strengthens our relationship further."

First–year Coptic student Mina Andrews noted Bishop Suriel's contribution to the Coptic Church. "He is a pioneer in the establishment of the first accredited Coptic Seminary in the diaspora. His Grace's vision has been very much influenced by the late Pope Shenouda III and His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, and his work is not only recognized in his diocese but in the church at large." An Australian who emigrated with his parents to Sydney as a preschooler, His Grace's enthronement as Bishop of Melbourne in December, 1999 enabled him to return to his roots to minister to the Australian Coptic community of his childhood.

Bavly Kost, another first–year Coptic student, also met with His Grace during his visit to St. Vladimir's. "Hosting Bishop Suriel last week was a great honor," he said. "The connection between the Coptic community and St. Vladimir's has been given life, and God willing, this collaboration will attract more Coptic students in the years to come." 

The revelation of the eternal mystery!
The Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin
As Gabriel announces the coming of Grace.
Together with him let us cry to the Theotokos:
Rejoice, O Full of Grace,
The Lord is with You!

Troparion of the Feast, Tone 4

On the Feast of the Annunciation, His Beatitude The Most Blessed Tikhon, primate of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), presided over a Hierarchical Festal Liturgy that included the ordination of third–year M. Div. student Deacon Adam Horstman to the Holy Priesthood, and the awarding of the double–orarion to Deacon Gregory Hatrak, SVS Press and Bookstore's manager of Marketing and Operations. The visiting priests who served alongside the Chapel clergy consisted of the three spiritual mentors who'd been significant in Fr. Adam's spiritual journey: The Rev. Justin Patterson of St. Athanasius Church, Nicholasville, KY; The Rev. Paul Coats of St. Anthony the Great Mission, Rock Hill, SC; and The Rev. Nathan Preston of St. Nicholas Albanian Orthodox Church in Ridgewood, NY. Parishioners from all three parishes attended the Ordination as well.

"Today, a new mode of existence is come into being," declared The Very Rev. Dr. John Behr, dean of St. Vladimir's, in his homily about the Feast of the Annunciation. "One Who is God comes to us in an all too human way, living a life of ministry, service, and sacrifice. And to the extent that we are willing to share in His ministry with sacrifices of our own, today will be the beginning of our salvation," he concluded.

Metropolitan Tikhon noted the same theme at the end of the Liturgy, when he commended Dn. Gregory for his faithful service to the Church and congratulated Fr. Adam on his entry to the ministry. His Beatitude emphasized that Fr. Adam and his wife, Patricia (Trish) will find their own unique way to serve Christ in His Church by using their strengths and combining their personalities for the good of those they will serve.

Originally hailing from the Midwest, Fr. Adam earned a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Wright State University in Dayton, OH, as well as a Masters in Theological Studies from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY. His military career began when, after graduating from high school in 1997, he joined the Air Force National Guard as a military policeman. After the events of September 11, 2001, he was called to active duty. During his military deployment, he found an Orthodox prayer book and began acquiring a love for Orthodoxy.

"While studying church history and theology at Asbury Seminary, I found myself drawn still further to the Eastern Orthodox Church," noted Fr. Adam. "In the Spring of 2005 I attended an Orthodox service for the first time and never looked back. My wife and I were received on the Feast of the Elevation of the Cross in 2006 at St. Athanasius Orthodox Church in Nicholasville, Kentucky."

Holy Cross. While a student at St. Vladimir's, Fr. Adam served the community of St. Nicholas Albanian Orthodox Church in Jamaica Estates, NY with Fr. Nathan Preston. On campus, he participated actively with the Interseminary Dialogue, an informal student–led organization composed of eight different Jewish and Christian seminaries in the New York area that plans regular meetings to address issues of common concern and interest.

As an Air Force veteran, Fr. Adam is currently a Reserve Chaplain candidate in the U.S. Army Reserve. After 2013 Commencement, he hopes to serve as both a parish priest and a Reserve Chaplain. Father Adam's wife Trish holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from Wright State University. The Horstmans have two children, Luke and Leah. 

At the conclusion of a cool and sunny spring Sunday, joyous bells on the campus of St. Vladimir's Seminary summoned worshipers to the 43rd Annual Pan–Orthodox Vespers, sponsored by the Westchester Orthodox  Clergy Fellowship. His Grace The Right Rev. Michael, bishop of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey, Orthodox Church in America (OCA) presided over the Vespers and served as homilist. The Very Rev. Dr. Nicholas Pilavas, rector of Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Yonkers and the president of the Fellowship, led the group of clergy that included Three Hierarchs Chapel priests as well as those from surrounding parishes.

The Vespers drew Orthodox Christians from Westchester's towns to mark the "Sunday of Orthodoxy," a feast that memorializes the final defeat of iconoclasm and the restoration of icons in the Church. In this case, the Vespers also heralded the liturgical start of the Feast of the Annunciation. "It's a beautiful and unusual occurrence," noted Bishop Michael, "that we celebrate the Sunday of Orthodoxy and the Vespers for the Feast of the Annunciation on the same evening." Chapel Choir Director Hierodeacon Herman (Majkrzak) led the musicians in songs drawn from both Byzantine and Slavic hymnography, and the choir offered responses in Greek, English, Russian, Arabic and Romanian, honoring the variety of traditions represented by those serving and attending.

"The Fathers declared that God has taken flesh and we can represent Him in color and light, on wood and canvas," said Bishop Michael in his homily. "Yet do we love to be in our
churches with these beautiful icons, or do we take this for granted? My prayer is that the theology we haveThe Very Rev. Dr. John Behr, the Seminary's dean, greeted the visitors, Special Events Coordinator Tatiana Penkrat hosted a reception for the guests downstairs in the Kunett Auditorium. 

View Leanne Parrott's Facebook photo gallery.

Clergy, including St. Vladimir's delegation, pose for group shot at Sdn. Anoop's ordination (Photos: Gina Joshua). On a mid–March Saturday a few days before the official start of spring, His Grace Zachariah Mar Nicholovos, metropolitan of the Northeast American Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, ordained third–year M.Div. student Anoop Thomas to the Subdiaconate. Along with members of Subdeacon Anoop's family and friends, a delegation of St. Vladimir's students attended the service in Damascus, MD at St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Church.

Concelebrating clergy at his March 16 ordination included: The Rev. K.P. Varghese, The Rev. Vijay Thomas, The Rev. Andrew Daniel, The Rev. Mat Alexander, The Rev. Gregory Varghese, The Rev. Mathew T. Mathew, Sdn. Daniel Mathai, and Sdn. Abey George. Other clergy who attended included: The Rev. K.K. John, The Rev. Poulose Peter, The Rev. Boby Varghese, The Rev. George C. Mathew, Pastor John Bromhal and Subdeacon Anoop's parish priest The Rev. Reji Chacko.

Subdeacon Anoop, treasurer for the SVOTS Student Council, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Howard University. During his years of study at St. Vladimir's, he has served at St. Mary's Orthodox Church in White Plains, NY. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Subdeacon Anoop served as an acolyte at the St. Thomas Orthodox Church in Silver Spring, MD, and as a teenager became active in the Mar Gregorios Orthodox Christian Student Movement (MGOCSM) in the greater D.C. area.

Eventually, Subdeacon Anoop became a National Council Representative for MGOCSM for his region of the American Diocese. He served in this capacity for four years, providing input to the Council, which ultimately articulated its vision for youth in three areas: worship, study, and service. During these years he was also active in the missions movement of MGOCSM. As such, he participated in a mission outreach in Hyderabad, India and subsequently assisted mission efforts in the communities of Wichita, KS, Houston, TX, and New Orleans, LA.

During his college years, as Subdeacon Anoop was finishing his biology degree and preparing for dental school, he realized that the Lord was calling him to the ministry. Instead of studying dentistry, he moved to New York to study theology at St. Vladimir's. This spring will be an eventful one for him, and will include his May graduation from the Seminary, followed by marriage to his fiancée Tina Zachariah in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony on June 2.

On a sunny Florida Saturday in early March, The Very Rev. Dr. John Behr, dean and professor of Patristics at St. Vladimir's Seminary, presented two parish retreats on the topic "Becoming Human." In the morning of March 9 at the St. Stephen the Protomartyr parish (Orthodox Church in America) in Longwood, FL, Fr. John was warmly welcomed by The Rev. Daniel Hickman (SVOTS '10), who not only studied at St. Vladimir's but also served as SVS Press Bookstore Operations Manager and starred on the SVOTS basketball team before leaving New York to assume his ministry in Longwood.

Father John spoke to a full house, unpacking the same themes he elucidates in his upcoming Fall 2013 SVS Press book Becoming Human. Exhibiting the hospitality so legendary in the South, parishioners threw a pre–Lenten barbecue for Fr. John after the retreat. "The St. Vlad's author, dean, and professor was well received by the pan–Orthodox community of Central Florida," noted Fr. Daniel. "People came from at least seven local parishes to hear his retreat, in which he challenged us with a unique and careful reading of the Scriptures. Our theology reading group looks forward to studying his new book when it comes out."

(according to the website!) hosted the St. Vladimir's dean for another delicious Southern barbecue.

"It was a great blessing to be with the Orthodox Christians of Florida, who are hospitable, dedicated and enthusiastic," noted Fr. John. Before returning to New York, Fr. John and Tim Nieuwsma stopped by the headquarters of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) in St Augustine, where they toured OCMC's beautiful facilities dedicated in May, 2009. They were hosted by the former Executive Director of OCMC, His Grace Bishop Dimitrios (Couchell) of Xanthos, along with Assistant Missionary Coordinator Margo Kelley. Bishop Dimitrios is a veteran of numerous inter-Orthodox efforts in America, including the Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF), now found on many college and university campuses.

On Sunday February 10 at the John Gano Memorial Chapel on the campus of William Jewell College in Liberty, MO, St. Vladimir's Seminary Assistant Professor of Liturgical Music Dr. Nicholas Reeves attended the premier performance of his multimedia musical reflection, “The Light of the World." The William Jewell College Concert Choir under the direction of Conductor Anthony Maglione presented the performance, which was considered the showcase event for William Jewell's annual Justice Summit hosted each year by the school's Center for Justice and Sustainability.

"The Light of the World" featured images, interviews, and historical footage juxtaposed with the choral performance of Dr. Reeves' composition based on the Sermon on the Mount. The pre–recorded video focused on the notorious 20th–century Romanian Communist prison, Pitesti. This artistic vehicle allowed for a creative "analysis of moral principles in light of the practice of torture," explained Dr. Andy Pratt, executive director of the Center for Justice and Sustainability. 

Prior to the conference, Dr. Reeves offered a talk for concertgoers at 3 p.m. in Gano Chapel, and afterwards he attended a post–concert reception. "I was honored to have been a participant in the Center for Justice and Sustainability's event," noted Dr. Reeves. "What I found particularly rewarding was the audience’s reception to the work's unfamiliar subject matter (the Pitesti Re–education Prison). I was pleasantly surprised by how much these themes resonated with them."

Fusing classical, sacred and popular idioms in his original compositions, Composer Reeves has produced concerts both privately and in conjunction with St. Vladimir's on themes ranging from the oppression of Orthodox Christian composers during the years of Soviet Communism, to the St. Matthew Passion of Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev). In addition to his responsibilities as an assistant professor at St. Vladimir's, Dr. Reeves was also appointed as the Project Manager for the Arvo Part Project at St. Vladimir's Seminary in 2012.

The videographer for "The Light of the World," Dmitry Trakovsky, grew up in suburban Los Angeles, holds a degree in the History of Art and Visual Culture from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and is the founder of a small production company, Trakovsky Film LLC.

Adapted from an article by Ms. Cara Dahlor, associate director of College Relations and New Media, William Jewell College.

By plane, auto and boat, a St. Vladimir's Seminary (SVOTS) delegation of three journeyed from New York to several destinations in Kodiak, Alaska, during the seminary's week of spring break. On their first full day in Alaska, The Very Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield, SVOTS chancellor/CEO and the former dean of St. Herman Seminary, third–year student The Rev. James Parnell, and second–year student Sdn. Nicholas Roth, presented a workshop for seminarians at sister institution St. Herman's Theological Seminary.

Based on feedback from the students and faculty at St. Herman's, Fr. Chad chose to address the theme "Speaking to Protestants," in which he presented an introduction to Protestant churches and offered counsel about how to engage their missionaries when they come to Alaskan villages. "These missionaries are coming in greater numbers, well funded and well organized," noted Fr. Chad. "In particular, this is a challenge for the Orthodox Church in America (OCA). We have many parishes in Alaska and we need to be sending our own missionaries—catechists and youth workers—to strengthen the faithful there."

In a second workshop, St. Vladimir's students Fr. James and Sdn. Nicholas, both of whom have served several tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan and are preparing to be chaplains, spoke about the military chaplaincy and ministry to veterans. "They were so well organized and presented so well!" said Fr. Chad. "For me, there was an enormous amount of satisfaction in seeing two of our seminarians handle themselves so professionally as they communicated at St. Herman's." That evening, the SVOTS delegation joined Alaskan clergy in praying the Akathist before Holy Relics of St. Herman in Holy Resurrection Cathedral, and Fr. James offered another reflection. Then on Friday morning, the newly ordained Fr. James served liturgy at the All Saints of Alaska Chapel. "That was a great joy," he reflected. "I even able to learn some of the Yup'ik liturgical phrases and responses."

"We were warmly welcomed by the faculty and students alike, who showed us great hospitality," added Sdn. Nicholas Roth. "The students were eager and engaging during our presentations, and it was a great opportunity to provide them with information on how to minister to veterans. St. Herman Archivist Daria Safronova was also kind enough to show us some of the Seminary's treasures—the writings, journals, and possessions of St. Innocent and St. Jacob Netsetov."

On Friday afternoon, the special sessions concluded and the trio traveled to the Coast Guard base in Kodiak, where the seminarians had the opportunity to hear Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant chaplains describe their ministry there. Alumnus Fr. Eugene Wozniak (SVOTS '95), who is stationed in Juneau, flew up to Kodiak and arranged the tour and presentations. "The Coast Guard trip was a nice capstone to our time at St. Herman's," said Fr. James. "It highlighted for us how embedded the military community is in Kodiak, and just how important the ministry and chaplaincy is to them."

After the trip to the base, Fr. Chad presented a gift of newly published SVS Press books to the St. Herman's Seminary library. "In addition to thinking about new book donations, our librarian Eleana Silk always makes sure that seconds from our library are sent to the St. Herman's library for use by Librarian Dn. Irenaus Anderson."

In another word of thanks, Fr. Chad noted that "we are always thankful to benefactor Eva Cadwell, who generously supports this yearly exchange between St. Vladimir's and St. Herman's. There has been a strong historical connection between our two seminaries over the years, and we look forward to strengthening that relationship." He added wryly, "the Alaskan seminarians are very keen to travel next year for a basketball tournament with STOTS and SVOTS. They are confident they can beat the Lower 48 seminaries!"

RELATED LINKS:
Read about Fr. Eugene's Chaplaincy
Read about Fr. Chad's 2012 Summer Alaskan trip 

Medicine is Destroying Pastoral Care" with Jeffrey P. Bishop M.D., Ph.D. The lecture will be held at 7:30 p.m. on the Feast of the Annunciation, Monday, March 25th in the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium in the John G. Rangos Family building on the Seminary's Yonkers campus. The lecture will be followed by a light reception hosted by the Society, which is a student-run, pro-life group at the Seminary.

An Orthodox Christian, Dr. Bishop teaches medical ethics and philosophy at Saint Louis University, where he holds the Tenet Endowed Chair in Health Care Ethics and directs the Albert Gnaegi Center for Health Care Ethics. His scholarly work has focused on the historical, political, and philosophical conditions that underpin contemporary medical and scientific practices and theories. As an author, Dr. Bishop has published his work in medical, philosophical, and theological journals and has addressed a wide array of topics from enhancement technologies to clinical ethics consultation and medical humanities. His first book, The Anticipatory Corpse: Medicine, Power, and the Care of the Dying, is a philosophical history of the care of the dying, and was published by the University of Notre Dame Press.

In other professional activities, Dr. Bishop also serves on the editorial boards of The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy and Christian Bioethics, and he is an assistant editor of the "Philosophy and Medicine" series published by Springer. 

We warmly welcome you to our campus for this event. To accommodate our friends who cannot be with us, the lecture will be live-streamed from the St. Ambrose Society Website, and will also be available as a podcast.

Download a PDF poster of the event to share with your friends, family, and church family, here.

Or, download a JPG poster to share, here.

On the Sunday of Meatfare of the Last Judgment, His Eminence The Most Rev. Benjamin, archbishop of San Francisco and the West, Orthodox Church in America (OCA), ordained Deacon Andre Paez to the Holy Priesthood in Three Hierarchs Chapel at St. Vladimir's Seminary. Father Andre is in his third year of the Master of Divinity program at St. Vladimir's. The day before, His Eminence also presided over the baptism of Fr. Andre and Matushka Samantha's infant daughter Mariel.

In addition to Archbishop Benjamin, other participating clergy at the ordination included: The Very Rev. Dr. Alexander Rentel, Fr. Stefanos Alexopoulos of Athens (The Church of Greece), The Rev. Dr. David Mezynski, The Rev. Dr. Benedict Churchill, The Rev. Andre Paez, The Rev. Dn. Gregory Hatrak, and The Rev. Dn. Adam Horstman. Several friends and relatives of the Paez family traveled over long distances to attend.

In a charge to his listeners and to Fr. Andre, His Eminence stressed the meaning of Judgment Sunday in his homily. "Liturgically speaking, this Sunday has nothing to do with meat," he noted. "Instead, we are called to remember the Last Judgment. Christ is our neighbor, and our neighbor is Christ. We can't love an abstract idea of humanity; we must love individual people."

Since his ordination to the diaconate by Archbishop Benjamin in January of 2012, Fr. Andre has been serving as a deacon

Father Andre grew up in a Columbian American, Roman Catholic home. He encountered Orthodoxy while attending Pepperdine University in Southern California, and was chrismated in 1997 at his parish, Holy Trinity Cathedral in San Francisco. When he joined the Church, Fr. Andre wanted to attend St. Vladimir's immediately. "However, my parish priest, the late Archpriest Victor Sokolov of blessed memory, advised me to grow in the Church first," noted Fr. Andre. "I heeded his wise counsel and it was after 13 years of serving and growing in the Church, getting married, and having children, that I received Archbishop Benjamin's blessing to come to the Seminary."

Father Andre's wife, Samantha, is Lebanese American, and holds a Masters level degree in social work; she currently writes grant proposals for various non–profit institutions. With the addition of little Mariel, the Paez family now has three children: Rafael, Isabel and the baby. 

After the opening remarks by His Eminence the Rt. Rev. Nikon, archbishop of Boston, New England, and the Albanian Archdiocese, The Very Rev. Dr. John Behr, dean and professor of Patristics at St. Vladimir's, and The Very Rev. Andrew Tregubov (SVOTS '95), presented the patristic and iconographic perspectives in their talks. On Saturday morning a panel discussion commenced with participants Dr. Albert Rossi, adjunct professor of Pastoral Theology, educator and author Mtka. Jennifer Mosher (SVOTS '09), The Rev. Theophan Whitfield (SVOTS '10), and Sister Nonna Harrison. Lastly, attendees participated in workshops to process the day's information.

"On Friday evening," said panelist Mtka. Jennifer Mosher, "Fr. John spoke on how becoming human does not fully happen until we die, and how the creation of male and female is unique to humanity in the creation account. Father Andrew then spoke about iconography and how the creation of man and woman, the love of the Trinity, the love of the Theotokos and Child and the love of married couples such as Anna and Joachim, are depicted therein. After the talks there was some time for questions, and some stayed even later for further discussion."

Saturday's panelists continued the dialogue. Dr. Rossi described male/female differences in psychology and relationships, Sr. Nonna compared and contrasted monasticism and marriage, Mtka. Jennifer explored marriage as the context for children and family life, and Fr. Theophan outlined the pastoral response to the most difficult questions regarding marriage and sexuality. These presentations offered much content as grist for the workshops that followed the lunch break.

"People asked questions or made comments about homosexual relationships, contraception, how youth relate to one another and to adults in our quickly evolving and high tech culture, the influence of media on people's expectations for their relationships and their family life, among many other things," noted Mtka. Jennifer. "It was intimate and friendly, and people engaged in a positive way. New England is a close–knit diocese; we know Archbishop Nikon well and he was very much in the midst of the event speaking, answering questions, and sharing insights."

"The purpose of these Holy Conversations is to better communicate Orthodox Christian teachings on these issues and to discuss how they can be applied faithfully, charitably and effectively," said The Rev. John Vitko when the Vermont pilot program was announced in February. Father John, who chairs the Strategic Plan Committee and is the rector at St. Luke Church in McLean, VA, also noted that "an implementation team led by Priest Caleb Abetti will continue to work on identifying an appropriate format for conducting such conversations."