Sounding the Sacred: Music of Arvo Pärt

Start Date

Holy Trinity Catholic Church,213 West 82nd Street,10024,New York,NY,US
URL: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/arvo-part-sounding-the-sacred-concert-tickets-32188974088

We heartily invite you to a concert with performances by "Goeyvaerts String Trio+,” organist and Arvo Pärt scholar AndrewShenton, and percussionist Yousif Sheronick, at 7 p.m., May 3, 2017, at Holy Trinity Church, 213 West 82nd Street, NYC.

This concert is part of an international conference that focuses on the sonic effect of the music of Estonian composer and Orthodox Christian, Arvo Pärt. Stemming from the conference's theme, “Sounding the Sacred,” the performances of this concert will focus on how Pärt's music conveys its sacred content.

The concert venue is a stunning Byzantine-revival church renowned for its excellent acoustics and its exquisite Létourneau pipe organ. Among the concert's unique features will be the Goeyvaerts ensemble's performance of Pärt's "Stabat Mater" in just intonation, which renders acoustically pure intervals and allows for an experience that may alternately sound either utterly serene or oddly dissonant.

This concert, together with the conference, aims to present Pärt's music within a context that explores the relationship between human hearing and the holy.

For more information visit the Arvo Pärt: Sounding the Sacredconference website.
Purchase Tickets
*This event is sponsored in part through a grant from the Henry Luce Foundation.

Commencement 2017

Start Date
His Grace the Right Reverend John (Abdalah)
St. Vladimir's Seminary,575 Scarsdale Road,10707,Yonkers,NY,US

The Trustees, Faculty, and Students
of
St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary
request the honor of your presence at the
Commencement of the Class of 2017
on
Saturday, May 20
2:00 p.m. Prayer of Thanksgiving in Three Hierarchs Chapel
2:30 p.m. Commencement Exercises with Commencement Address
given by
His Grace the Right Reverend John (Abdalah)
Bishop of Worcester and New England
Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America

“Roaring 20s Benefit Gala”

Start Date

St. Luke’s Social Hall,13261 Dunklee Avenue,92840,Garden Grove,CA,US
URL: https://support.svots.edu/20sGala

On Saturday, June 3, 2017, St. Luke Orthodox Church, Garden Grove, CA, will host a benefit gala on behalf of the Seminary: “The Roaring Twenties: A Jazz Age Party.” Archpriest Michael Tassos, an alumnus of St. Vladimir’s Seminary and parish rector, is coordinating the event.

The gala, which includes dinner, will be held in St. Luke’s Social Hall and will begin immediately following a Vespers Service at 5 p.m. in the church. Archpriest Chad Hatfield, president of St. Vladimir’s Seminary, and seminary alumnus Gregory Abdalah, youth pastor at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Phoenix, AZ, will be offering brief remarks during the banquet.

Tickets for the event are priced at $50 for adults, $40 for teens, and $25 for children (10 and under). Please purchase tickets or become a sponsor for the gala by visiting this website. RSVP by May 25, 2017.

For more information, contact 714.971.2244 or events@svots.edu
Sponsor an Alumni Event in your area. Call Matushka Robyn Hatrak at 914.961.8313 x330 or email events@svots.edu. .

Download a flyer to share
Download a sponsorship form to share

Slava Banquet

Start Date

St. George’s Events Center,4667 Applegrove St. NW,44720,North Canton,OH,US
URL: https://support.svots.edu/nc

On Sunday, April 30, 2017, His Grace Irinej, bishop of the Eastern Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church, will celebrate the “Slava”  (Patron’s Saint’s Day) of St. George’s Serbian Orthodox Church, North Canton, OH.

The celebration is being hosted by the parish at St. George’s Event Center, and is being coordinated by the parish rector, Priest Aleksa Pavichevich, with the blessing of Bishop Irinej. Proceeds from the Slava will benefit St. Vladimir’s Seminary, the alma mater of both Bishop Irinej and Fr. Aleksa.

The event will begin with a reception at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m., with performances by the Gracinica Folklore Society Dancers and violinists Cornel and Anna Zotta. Both His Grace and Archpriest Chad Hatfield, president of St. Vladimir’s Seminary, will be offering brief remarks during the banquet.

Tickets for the event are priced at $50 for adults, $10 for pre-teens and teens, and $5 for children (10 and under). Sponsorships for the event include banquet tickets and/or program listings, and range in price from $100 to $1,000.

To purchase tickets or become a sponsor, or to ask about banquet seating: contact 330.494.2712, download and send in a sponsorship form, or visit the Seminary’s website for online tickets and sponsorships.

If you have questions about sponsorships, call 914.961.8313 x330 or email events@svots.edu. RSVP by April 23, 2017

Download a flyer
Download a sponsorship form

Sponsor an Alumni Event in your area. Call Matushka Robyn Hatrak at 914.961.8313 x330 or email events@svots.edu.

Krista Tippett: “The Mystery and Art of Living"

Start Date
Krista Tippett
St. Vladimir’s Seminary Campus,575 Scarsdale Road,10707,Yonkers,NY,US
URL: https://support.svots.edu/krista

Public engagement is a vital component of the Seminary’s work within the field of Sacred Arts. The Arvo Part Project at St. Vladimir’s Seminary, through its concerts, lectures, discussions, and publications, has sought to engage a diverse public—with or without religious affiliation—in themes related to faith. And the Seminary’s Sacred Arts Initiative, initiated through a $250K grant from the Henry Luce Foundation in 2015, seeks to explore the intersection of human creativity and holiness.

On May 25, 2017 at 7:30 p.m., the Seminary will host author and syndicated radio host Krista Tippett for a public lecture that will bring out her own experience in seeking and finding spiritual wisdom in unexpected places, most notably through the core value of beauty. A 1994 graduate of Yale Divinity School, Ms. Tippett saw a black hole where intelligent coverage of religion should be. As she conducted a far-flung oral history project for the Benedictines of St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota, she began to imagine radio conversations about the spiritual and intellectual content of faith that could open imaginations and enrich public life. Those experiences led to her celebrated on-air program, On Being.

Ms. Tippett is a Peabody Award-winning broadcaster and New York Times best-selling author. In 2014 she received the National Humanities Medal at the White House for “thoughtfully delving into the mysteries of human existence. On the air and in print, Ms. Tippett avoids easy answers, embracing complexity and inviting people of every background to join her conversation about faith, ethics, and moral wisdom.”

Before her lecture, Ms. Tippett will speak to the seminary community about intentional engagement with the wider public on spiritual and religious themes.

Download the event flyer.
Register now, as space is limited.

Prospective Student Open House

Start Date

St. Vladimir’s Seminary Campus,575 Scarsdale Road,10707,Yonkers,NY,US
URL: mailto:rhatrak@svots.edu

Are you called to study at St. Vladimir’s Seminary?

To help you discern, we warmly welcome you to our campus Open House March 15–17, 2017, for an immersion experience into seminary life: attend chapel services and classes, meet the President and select faculty, share community meals, and spend time with seminarians and their families.

Our student body this Academic Year represents 76 souls (9% are women) from 12 countries and 13 Eastern Orthodox and 5 Oriental Orthodox jurisdictions (and 2 students from non-Orthodox churches): 38 are in the Master of Divinity program, 2 are in the Master of Divinity Equivalency program, 16 are in the Master of Arts program, 4 are in the Master of Theology program, and 16 are in the Doctor of Ministry program.

Have you heard “the Call” (Jn 15:16)? If so, we warmly welcome you. We want you to become part of our diverse community!

REGISTRATION

Contact Matushka Robyn Hatrak by Friday, March 10, 2017
email: rhatrak@svots.edu, phone: 914.961.8313 x330

DAILY SCHEDULE

Arrive Wednesday afternoon, March 15th and leave Friday afternoon, March 17th 
Meet with President, Dean, & Faculty; attend classes & chapel services; share meals with seminarians and experience community life! View the full schedule here.

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Thirteen Students & Alumni Ordained

Since July 2016, thirteen seminarians and alumni from St. Vladimir’s Seminary have been ordained to Holy Orders, among them seven priests, five deacons, and one subdeacon. Six of those ordained are in the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), five are in the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA), one is in the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church (MOSC), and one is in the Syriac Orthodox Church in North America (SOC).

“In keeping with our Mission Statement,” noted Archpriest Chad Hatfield, president of the Seminary, “we continue to prepare candidates for ministry as bishops, priests, and deacons, in order to serve the Church. “I am always grateful to God when one of our students or alumni fulfill the mission of our school by answering the call of Christ to Holy Orders,” he said. “And I am grateful as well for the quality of these students and graduates, who hail from a variety of places and represent a multitude of fascinating educational and professional backgrounds. Upon ordination, they each take one more step along the path our Lord has been preparing for them.”

Listing of SVOTS seminarians & alumni ordained July 2016–January 2017


 Priest Seth Earl, 3rd-year M.Div. Seminarian

Jurisdiction: Diocese of the South, Orthodox Church in America (OCA)
Diaconate: Ordained by His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, primate of the OCA, in Three Hierarchs Chapel, St. Vladimir’s Seminary, on the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos, 8SEPT16
Priesthood: Ordained by His Grace Alexander, bishop of Dallas and the Diocese of the South, OCA, in St. John the Wonderworker Orthodox Church, Atlanta, GA, on the Feast of St. Gregory of Nyssa, 10JAN17
Current ministry: Seminarian serving at Ss. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church, Jersey City, NJ
Educational and professional background: BA in Religion from Luther Rice College and Seminary; worked at a Law Office and in Refugee Resettlement


 Priest Paul Girgis, 3rd-year M.Div. Seminarian

Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA)
Diaconate: Ordained by His Grace Nicholas, bishop of Brooklyn, New York, and Washington, D.C. and assistant to Metropolitan Joseph, AOCANA, in St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Little Falls, NJ, 3MAY15
Priesthood: Ordained by His Grace Nicholas, bishop of Brooklyn, New York, and Washington, D.C. and assistant to Metropolitan Joseph, AOCANA, in St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church, Bridgeport, CT, 11DEC16
Current ministry: Seminarian serving at St. Mary’s Antiochian Church, Brooklyn, NY
Educational and professional background: Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Washington State University; Project Controls Professional at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory


 Priest Nicholas A. Garklavs, M.Div. 2007 Graduate

Jurisdiction: Diocese of the New York and New Jersey, Orthodox Church in America (OCA)
Diaconate: Ordained by His Beatitude Metropolitan Herman, then-primate of the OCA, in Three Hierarchs Chapel, St. Vladimir’s Seminary, on the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos, 8SEPT06
Priesthood: by His Eminence Michael, archbishop of New York and the Diocese of New York and New Jersey, OCA, in St. Mary Magdalen Church, New York, NY, 29JAN2017
Current ministry: Current ministry: Acting Rector of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church (OCA) in Whitestone, Queens, NY
Educational and professional background: Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Liberal Arts, St. John's College, Annapolis, MD; Business Associate, The Buckley School, New York, NY


 Priest Mircea Geana, M.Div. 2007 Graduate

Jurisdiction: Diocese of the New England, Orthodox Church in America (OCA)
Diaconate: Ordained by His Eminence Nikon, archbishop of Boston and the Diocese of New England, at Holy Resurrection Church, Claremont, NHJ, 30NOV15
Priesthood: Ordained by His Eminence Nikon, archbishop of Boston and the Diocese of New England, at Holy Resurrection Church, Claremont, NH, 16OCT16
Current ministry: Attached to Holy Resurrection Church, Claremont, NH
Educational and professional background: Masters of Music Education from Boston Conservatory; Music Teacher, Henneker, NH


 Priest Ignatius (Edward) Hunter, M.A. 2016 Graduate

Jurisdiction: Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania, Orthodox Church in America (OCA)
Diaconate: Ordained by His Eminence Mark, archbishop of the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania, in Christ the Savior Orthodox Church, Harrisburg, PA, 5JAN17
Priesthood: Ordained by His Eminence Mark, archbishop of the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania, in Holy Cross Orthodox Church, Williamsport, PA, 8JAN17
Current ministry: Attached to Holy Resurrection Cathedral, Wilkes-Barre, PA; living in Napaskiak, AK
Educational and professional background: Bachelor of Arts in Religion, History, and General Economics from Lycoming College, Williamsport, PA; M.Div. from Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY; Candidate for Graduate Certificate in Secondary Education for the University of Alaska, Southeast


 Priest John Mikitish, M.Div. 2016 Graduate

 Jurisdiction: Diocese of the New England, Orthodox Church in America (OCA)
Diaconate: Ordained by His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, primate of the OCA, in Three Hierarchs Chapel, St. Vladimir’s Seminary, 21MAY2016
Priesthood: Ordained by His Eminence Nikon, archbishop of Boston and the Diocese of New England, OCA, in Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church, New Haven, CT, 13NOV2016
Current ministry: Attached to Church of the Holy Transfiguration, New Haven, CT
Educational and professional background: B.A. in Russian & Eastern European Studies at Yale University; pursuing a Ph.D. in Russian Language and Literature, with a special focus in Medieval Slavic Literature at Yale University


 Priest Patrick (Wesley) Pulley, M.A. 2016 Graduate

Jurisdiction: Diocese of the South, Orthodox Church in America (OCA)
Diaconate: Ordained by Archbishop Irénée, on behalf of His Grace Alexander, bishop of the Diocese of the South, OCA, at St. Cyprian of Carthage Mission, Midlothian, VA, 27AUG16
Priesthood: Ordained by Bishop Alexander, bishop of Dallas and the Diocese of the South, at St. Cyprian of Carthage Mission, Midlothian, VA, 24DEC16
Current ministry: Assigned to St. Cyprian of Carthage Mission, Midlothian, VA, as Pastoral Assistant
Educational and professional background: Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Virginia Tech (’97); Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary (’09)


 Deacon Isaac (Brandon Solomon) Danevicius, 2nd-year M.Div. Seminarian

Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA)
Diaconate: Ordained by His Grace Nicholas, bishop of Brooklyn, New York, and Washington, D.C. and assistant to Metropolitan Joseph, AOCANA, in St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Little Falls, NJ, 23OCT16
Current ministry: Seminarian serving at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Little Falls, NJ
Educational and professional background: B.A. in Biblical Studies and Theology from Biola University in 2009; Fifth Grade Teacher at Cair Paravel Latin School in Topeka KS; Shipping Manager for the Institute for Excellence in Writing in Locust Grove, OK.


 Deacon Andrew Honoré, 2nd-year M.Div. Seminarian

Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA)
Diaconate: Ordained by His Grace Nicholas, bishop of Brooklyn, New York, and Washington, D.C. and assistant to Metropolitan Joseph, AOCANA, in St. Stephen the Protomartyr Church, South Plainfield, NJ 16OCT16
Current ministry: Seminarian serving at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Danbury, CT
Educational and professional background: BA Liberal Arts; formerly enlisted in Navy Reserves and currently a commissioned officer in the Navy’s Chaplain Candidate Program; former restaurant owner


 Deacon Jeremiah Phillips, 2nd-year M.Div. Seminarian

Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA)
Diaconate: Ordained by His Grace Nicholas, bishop of Brooklyn, New York, and Washington, D.C. and assistant to Metropolitan Joseph, AOCANA, in St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church, Bridgeport, CT, 11DEC16
Current ministry: Seminarian serving at St. Stephen the Protomartyr Church, South Plainfield, NJ
Educational and professional background:  BA in Graphic Design and Digital Media from California Baptist University in 2009; General Services Department of Provident Savings Bank in Riverside, CA


 Deacon John (Edward) Valadez, 2nd-year M.Div. Seminarian

Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA)
Diaconate: Ordained by His Grace Nicholas, bishop of Brooklyn, New York, and Washington, D.C. and assistant to Metropolitan Joseph, AOCANA, 13NOV16, in St. John the Baptist Antiochian Orthodox Church, Levittown, NY
Current ministry: Seminarian serving at St. John the Baptist Antiochian Orthodox Church, Levittown, NY
Educational and professional background: BA of Art History from CSULB; butcher and Associate Team Leader at Whole Foods Market


 Deacon Simon (Shiryl) Mathai, M.Div. Graduate 2016

Jurisdiction: Malankara Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church in North America (SOC)
Full Diaconate (M'Shamshono): Ordained by His Eminence Mor Titus Yeldho, 13NOV16, in St. Ephrem Cathedral, Whippany, NJ
Current Ministry: Assists to celebrate liturgy at St. Ephrem Cathedral as well as serves as an advisor for Youth Ministries and a diocesan representative at ecumenical events
Education and Professional Background: Master in Public Health from Drexel University, MBA from Rutgers University; currently serves as a Senior Manager at Pfizer, Inc. 


 Subdeacon Thomas (Shawn) Thomas, M.Div. Graduate 2016, 1st-year Th.M. Seminarian

Jurisdiction: Northeast American Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (MOSC)
Sub-Diaconate (Apodyaqno): Ordained by His Grace Metropolitan Zachariah Mar Nicholovos, for the Northeast American Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (MOSC), 17SEPT16, in St. Gregorios Malankara Orthodox Church, Elmhurst, IL
Current ministry: Assists and accompanies His Grace Metropolitan Zachariah Mar Nicholovos during His Grace’s parish visits to celebrate liturgy, preside over sacraments, and perform diocesan administrative tasks; speaker at different retreats and conferences in both the Northeast American Diocese and the Diocese of South-West America,
Educational and professional background: Bachelor’s degree in Molecular and Cell Biology and a minor in Spanish from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; worked two years in a laboratory at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago that specializes in Alzheimer's and dementia research.


 

“Arvo Pärt: Sounding the Sacred” Conference

Start Date
Peter Bouteneff
Fordham’s Lincoln Center Campus,140 W. 62nd St.,10023,New York,NY,US
URL: http://soundingthesacred.com/registration

We are pleased to announce an international conference to be held from May 1-4, 2017 in the heart of New York City’s vibrant Lincoln Center music scene: “Arvo Pärt: Sounding the Sacred.” This event will bring together scholars from diverse fields (music, theology, sacred acoustics/sound studies, architecture, religious studies, philosophy), as well as artists experienced in the performance and recording of Pärt’s music, to create a unique forum for the exchange of ideas, research, practices and creativity on the topics of sound and the sacred. The event is hosted by the Sacred Arts Initiative and the Arvo Pärt Project at St. Vladimir’s Seminary, in collaboration with the Orthodox Christian Studies Center of Fordham University, and funded mainly by a grant from the Henry Luce Foundation.

Description

The music of Estonian composer Arvo Pärt is frequently connected with experiences of the sacred. Although the composer’s religious affiliation is specifically Orthodox Christian, his music and its impact carry an appeal beyond confessional and religious boundaries. His popularity crosses over customary distinctions between classical and popular music, sacred and secular art, liturgical space and concert hall.

The unique impact of Pärt’s music has been explored musicologically—and more recently through the lens of spirituality—but not yet in terms of the more basic elements of sound and embodiment. We seek to break new ground exploring primary questions around how music achieves its visceral and spiritual effect on human beings through the materiality of the movement of air impressing itself on the human body.

Speakers

Confirmed speakers/participants include Andrew AlbinPeter Bouteneff, Jeffers EngelhardtKevin KarnesAlexander LingasIvan MoodyBissera Pentcheva, Robert SalerAndrew ShentonToomas Siitan, and Sevin Yarman, as well as an exclusive filmed interview on the conference theme with Paul Hillier. We are seeking to interweave musical performances with presentations and discussion sessions.

This conference is open to the public, and offers a public music performance on Wednesday evening, May 3, 2017. Details on both the conference and the concert are now available at soundingthesacred.com.

Seminary Launches Parish Music Program

St. Vladimir’s Seminary recently launched a program that offers training for readers, choir conductors, and choir members in local parish settings. Called “Revitalizing Parish Music,” the program creates tailor-made solutions to typical problems experienced by church choirs and choir directors.

“St. Vladimir’s has always striven to express the beauty of our faith through music, and to bring this into parishes,” said Robin Freeman, the new Director of Music at the Seminary. “Thousands of faithful recall the Octet that traversed the country; the music books and CDs published by SVS Press that enriched music programs and introduced new repertoire; and The Institute of Liturgical Music and Pastoral Practice, which provided training for church musicians who desired to hone their skills.

“Our new program,” she explained, “combines aspects of all these initiatives and brings them right into the parish.”

Mrs. Freeman, an accomplished singer and choral conductor, has developed half-day, full-day, and weekend workshops for parish choirs, addressing everything from “music reading skills” to “achieving a unified choral sound” for choir members; and everything from “building a vocabulary of gestures” to “placing singers in the correct voice parts” for directors. Parish choirs may choose from among a variety of Sessions and Workshops to suit the individual needs of their particular ensemble.

Parishes may even choose to invite the “SVOTS Chamber Choir” for the weekend. Chamber Choir section leaders can help train members of the parish choir by singing alongside them in rehearsals and liturgical services. The workshop can culminate in a concert performed by the parish choir or the Chamber Choir, or a combination thereof. (Read a full description of the program, including sample Sessions and Workshops, and pricing options, here).

The first parish choir to benefit from the program was under the direction of Stephen Fong, at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Danbury, CT, where Archpriest Luke Mihaly is the pastor. Mrs. Freeman and her family attended Divine Liturgy at the parish; afterwards, she held an afternoon workshop tailored for the choir.

Choir Director Stephen Fong remarked, “Robin's workshop was an overwhelming success. Her highly tailored approach, both before and during the event, and her expertise, professionalism, and enthusiasm made the most out of the time we had and brought our small choir to another level.

“We’re already looking forward to another visit!” he added.

Father Luke likewise affirmed, “It was very nice to be able use the talent at St. Vladimir's Seminary as a resource for our parish. 

“Robin Freeman was able to make a real difference in our parish choir and thus the prayer life of our parish,” he said, “plus, it's always a joy to see the entire Freeman family.”

“I’m excited about this new venture,” concluded Mrs. Freeman, “as I further share whatever talent God has entrusted to me with our brothers and sisters in Christ and re-connect the Seminary with parish life.”

Read a full description of the program, including sample Sessions and Workshops, and pricing options, here.

Schmemann Lecturer Urges Holistic Approach to Canons

When Dr. Lewis Patsavos delivered the 34th Annual Father Alexander Schmemann Memorial Lecture on the topic, “Reflections of a Canonist,” he urged both a holistic approach to the study of the church canons and a living application of them. Theology, he reminded the audience, cannot be isolated from spirituality, or from church life, or from service to and communion with others. Likewise, he advised, proper interpretation of the canons requires not only intent personal prayer but also acute awareness of ecclesiastical consciousness—“the mind of the Church.”

“It is the task of the canonist to interpret the spirit of the canons in a way which conforms to that revelation [of God] as experienced in the twenty-first century,” he reminded his audience. “It is not one’s personal theology or predilection that matters, but the theology which reflects the mind of the believing community, that is, the mind of the Church.”

Dr. Patsavos, who earned his Doctorate in Theology from the University of Athens, Greece in 1974, subsequently taught at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology for 40 years. His dual responsibilities of teaching Orthodox Canon Law and directing the school’s Field Education Program enabled him to observe the pastoral nature of the canons contextually in ministerial settings, and he began to discern an essential connection between his two seemingly disparate duties.

“We rejoice in the fact that the greatest Fathers and teachers of the Church have been pastors,” he said. “They have been individuals who are not simply skillful thinkers but more importantly, they have been persons of prayer and participants in the joys and sorrows of human life. Spirituality grows with the experience of the community and with sensitivity to the many complex situations which arise in the life of the community.

“I found as a result,” he remarked, “that the canons were not looked upon as sacred texts to be followed assiduously, but as living directives which speak to the human condition.”

During his lecture, Dr. Patsavos also touched upon two other areas in which his knowledge of canon law are particularly useful: his decades of work in the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Bi-lateral Consultation; and his understanding of the challenges presented to Orthodox churches in the United States as regards ethno-centrism and administrative disunity. Listen to his entire lecture here.

Preceding the lecture, the Board of Trustees and faculty of St. Vladimir’s conferred a Doctorate of Canon Law honoris causa upon Dr. Patsavos. The guest lecturer was deeply moved by the honor, and deeply grateful that two Deans of Holy Cross, Dr. James Skedros and Fr. Alkiviadis Calivas, as well as many friends, were among the audience. “I will wear the hood and color of St. Vladimir’s with great pride,” he said. Read the doctoral citation here.

Also in attendance were His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, primate of the Orthodox Church in American and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Seminary, and His Grace Irinej, bishop of the Eastern Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Metropolitan Tikhon concluded the Academic Convocation and Schmemann Lecture by graciously thanking the lecturer, and by remembering, with both solemnity and the victorious joy found in Jesus Christ, the repose of Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann (December 13, 1983) and his newly departed wife, Matushka Juliana (January 29, 2017). He particularly noted that Fr. Alexander and Mat. Juliana would have marked their 74th wedding anniversary on the day of this year’s lecture

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