Seminary Alumnus the Reverend Dr. John Tavlarides (D.Min., '96) fell asleep in the Lord on September 21, 2015. The entire seminary community expresses our condolences to his wife, Presbytera Harriet, and his family.
Father John was the Presiding Priest Emeritus of Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Washington, D.C., where he faithfully served for nearly six decades. He graduated from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts in 1953, and was ordained to the priesthood shortly after.
Father John pursued graduate theological studies at several notable institutions, including General Theological Seminary in New York, New York, and The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Father John served the faithful of Saint Sophia Cathedral as an assistant priest from 1956-1960, and then subsequently led the community as Cathedral Dean from 1960-2011.
Professor Predrag Matejic, curator of the Hilandar Research Library and director of the Resource Center for Medieval Slavic Studies, presented the third annual Father John Meyendorff Memorial Lecture at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary on Monday, September 14, 2015.
“Father John was known as an outstanding and warm scholar, encouraging younger scholars in their work and able to answer almost any question—however arcane or obscure,” said St. Vladimir's Dean, the Very Reverend Dr. John Behr. “As such, it is very fitting that we have the honor this evening of hearing from another scholar, Dr. Predrag Matejic, who also has such a reputation: for encouraging scholars across the world in their study of Slavic Christianity and for being able to answer the most obscure questions pertaining to Byzantino-Slavic Christianity.”
Prior to the beginning of the lecture, the Board of Trustees and Faculty of St. Vladimir’s bestowed a Doctor of Divinity degree, honoris causa, on His Beatitude the Most Blessed Tikhon, primate of the Orthodox Church in America, and on His Eminence the Most Reverend Joseph, archbishop of New York and metropolitan of All North America of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese.
“We have the great honor today of being able to bestow the degree of Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa, not upon one, but two worthy recipients—two leading hierarchs of the Orthodox Church in this country—the President and Vice President of the Board of Trustees of St. Vladimir’s Seminary,” continued Fr. John. “Both hierarchs, although only appointed to their positions in recent years, have distinguished themselves through many years of ministry. Your Beatitude and Your Eminence, you truly honor us today by your presence and acceptance of the degree to be awarded.”
In the citations read aloud by Dr. Peter Bouteneff, professor of Systematic Theology, His Eminence was praised as a “true pastor of pastors” and “a leading voice among the hierarchs,” while His Beatitude was commended for his commitment to securing the future and stability of theological education in North America, with a particular interest in the spiritual formation of clergy.
After receiving the Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa, His Eminence expressed his gratitude to the Board of Trustees and Faculty. “St. Vladimir’s has a long history of educating leaders and theologians,” he said. “Many of our hierarchs have come to us with a firm foundation, imparted to them by St. Vladimir’s Seminary. I pledge to do all I can during my tenure to maintain and enhance this relationship.”
In his acceptance speech, His Beatitude remarked, “Our church in North America, as His Eminence so clearly stated, is composed of people from various backgrounds, all of us struggling to be united in Christ. It is at institutions like St. Vladimir’s that that effort—striving for unity in Christ—is actualized.”
Following the bestowal of the honorary doctorates, Dr. Matejic gave his presentation, titled “Byzantium, the Slavs, and the Rise of the Russian Orthodox Church.” Dr. Matejic focused on three historical periods of Slavic Orthodoxy: the conversion of the Slavs and the establishment of the Glagolitic alphabet; the rule and influence of Simeon I the Great of Bulgaria; and the immediate effects of the fall of Constantinople in 1453 on the Russian Orthodox Church.
Dr. Predrag Matejic is the curator of the Hilandar Research Library and the Director of the Resource Center for Medieval Slavic Studies at Ohio State University. This invaluable resource began in the 1960s, when the monks of Hilandar Monastery on Mount Athos invited Dr. Matejic’s own father, Fr. Mateja Matejic, to come to catalogue every treasure in the monastery. It is now the largest collection of medieval Slavic manuscripts on microfilm in the world.
On Friday, September 11, 2015, the Board of Trustees and Faculty of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary bestowed a Doctor of Divinity degree, honoris causa, upon His Holiness Irinej (Gavrilovic), archbishop of Peć, metropolitan of Belgrade-Karlovci, and patriarch of Serbia.
“Ever since its inception, St. Vladimir’s Seminary has worked hand-in-hand with the Serbian Church,” said St. Vladimir's Dean, the Very Reverend Dr. John Behr, after welcoming the standing room only crowd. “We have long had a Serbian Hierarch on our Board of Trustees, and some of our most beloved faculty members have been from the Serbian Church, especially our beloved former Professor of New Testament, Veselin Kesich.”
“It is His Holiness’ lifelong commitment to the discipline of theology, to teaching and research, while pastoring his flock, working to bring peace after many years of conflict, and to ensuring that the spiritual and cultural treasures of the Serbian Church remain a living and powerful witness, that we celebrate this evening,” concluded Father John.
After the bestowal of the Doctor of Divinity degree, honoris causa, His Holiness offered a brief address, titled, “Theology as a Hope for the Future of the Church."
“True theology—through patristic and liturgical foundations—offers a vision of cosmic transfiguration,” remarked His Holiness. “We cannot train theologians without opening up their eyes to all aspects of existence, and this cannot be done without a sound theological foundation. The Holy Eucharist demonstrates that the Church exists for the whole of creation and not just for itself; therefore, seminaries should be open to all human concerns of everyday life.
“The Church is the work of God in history: within itself, it must be a reflection of the Triune God,” His Holiness continued. “The Church receives the tragic, sinful experiences and failures of men. In order to save the world the Church must pass through the reality of death. This is what real saints do; without this, there is no salvation.
“It is important today to move from mimicking tradition and recycling theology to opening our ears, so that we may hear what the Spirit says to the Church. All of this was the task of Father Georges Florovsky, Father Alexander Schmemann, and Father John Meyendorff,” he said further. Patriarch Irinej then exhorted the crowd to “remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God; consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith” (Hebrews 13:7).
His Holiness also recalled the long relationship between St. Vladimir’s Seminary and the Serbian Orthodox Church. “Serbian students look upon St. Vladimir’s with admiration; it is one of the most important seminaries in the theological world.” He also praised the members of the Serbian Orthodox community for their board service to St. Vladimir’s, including Alex Machaskee, Executive Chair of the Board of Trustees.
In his closing statement, His Holiness noted, “Theology in our times must continue to bear witness to the mystery of Christ, the transformation of the salvation of the world, and the catholicity of the Church.”
Patriarch Irinej presented the seminary with an icon of the recently canonized American-Serbian saints, St. Mardarije and St. Sebastian of San Francisco. “Our younger generation can take the example of St. Sebastian, born in San Francisco,” His Holiness said. “He opened new avenues of dialogue for the Church and the world, and demonstrated that any child in this country can achieve holiness.”
In response to Patriarch Irinej’s remarks, St. Vladimir's Chancellor/CEO, the Very Reverend Dr. Chad Hatfield, said, “Thank you for reminding us of the close ties between St. Vladimir’s and the Serbian Orthodox Church.” Father Chad then presented His Holiness with a rare gift: a copy of the famous “Fond du Lac Circus” photo. The photograph, taken in 1900 at the consecration of Reginald Heber Weller as Bishop Coadjutor of Fond du Lac, includes three North American saints: St. John Kochurov, Missionary to America and First Hieromartyr, under the Bolshevik Yoke; the newly canonized St. Sebastian of San Francisco; and St. Tikhon, Patriarch and Confessor of Moscow and Enlightener of North America.
At the conclusion of the academic convocation, His Beatitude The Most Blessed Tikhon, primate of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) and President of the seminary, said, “We give thanks to God for the great witness that you and your Church have offered to the universal Orthodox Church throughout the centuries.
“We pray that the Lord will continue to strengthen you as you continue to be the witnesses of the resurrection in a world that is filled with darkness, suffering, war, and persecution,” His Beatitude continued. “And, we pray that you will continue to be an inspiration to all of us.”
Special guests in attendance at the Academic Convocation included:
From the Faculty of Orthodox Theology, University of Belgrade: Professor Predrag Puzović, Dean; Professor Bogoljub Šijaković, Professor of Philosophy; Assistant Professor Marko Vilotić, Assistant Professor of Philosophy
Professor Dejan Ristić, Serbian Orthodox Seminary of Prizren
What do a Fulbright scholar, an iconographer, a missionary, a butcher, a nun, and a high school teacher all have in common? They are all part of the 2015 incoming class here at St. Vladimir's Seminary.
We marked the beginning of our 2015-2016 academic year with orientation and welcome activities for thirty new students on August 27. Hailing from six countries and representing ten Orthodox jurisdictions, our incoming class includes fifteen students in the Master of Divinity program, eight students in the Master of Arts program, and four students in the Master of Theology program. They hope to use their seminary education to serve the Church as priests, deacons, teachers, missionaries, canon law experts, and military chaplains.
Seminary Chancellor/CEO the Very Reverend Dr. Chad Hatfield recently delivered the keynote address at the international Orthodox youth festival titled "Attaining Conciliarity," hosted at the Monastery of the Annunciation's Academy in Suprasl, Poland. Sponsored by SYNDESMOS—the World Fellowship of Orthodox Youth, and hosted by the Orthodox Church of Poland, the gathering marked the first time since 1998 that youth from the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) had participated in such an event.
Father Chad introduced his international audience to the OCA in his talk, "The Conciliar Model of the OCA: The Dream of Saint Tikhon." The SVOTS Chancellor noted that "good connections were made with international youth, several of whom expressed an interest in attending St. Vladimir's in the near future. I was impressed with the theological maturity of so many of the participants, and the expressions of gratitude for the leadership of [former St. Vladimir's Dean] Protopresbyter John Meyendorff in the early years of SYNDESMOS."
St. Vladimir's was also represented at the gathering by the Very Reverend Vladimir Misijuk of Bialystok, Poland, an alumnus who spoke on "Attaining Conciliarity: The Task of our Daily Life." Father Vladimir is a former SYNDESMOS General Secretary.
Archdeacon Joseph Matusiak, director of Admissions and a former SYNDESMOS employee, explained that SYNDESMOS and St. Vladimir's have a long and storied relationship. In the 1980s and 1990s, SVOTS regularly sent representatives to international youth events such as the Consultation of Theological Schools. Former deans Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann and Protopresbyter John Meyendorff were instrumental in founding SYNDESMOS in the early 1950s.
"We hope that with Fr. Chad's participation," said Archdeacon Joseph," the Seminary can assist in mapping out a future for the fellowship. SYNDESMOS represents both the OCA's heritage and its potential; it is a venue and vehicle for sharing with this new generation, what we've received from our 'giants of the past.'"
During the festival, participants also attended services for the Great Feast of the Dormition at the Monastery of the Nativity of the Mother of God in Zweirki, and celebrations marking the 35th anniversary of the Orthodox Youth Fellowship of Poland, presided over by His Beatitude Metropolitan Sawa of Warsaw and His Eminence Archbishop Jacob of Bialystok. Pilgrimages were also made to the famed monastery at Grabarka, Saint Mary Magdalene Cathedral in Warsaw, and the Nativity of the Virgin Mary Monastery in Zwierki, where the relics of the Holy Child-Martyr Gabriel of Zabludow are enshrined.
"This trip showed me how Orthodox Christians from vastly different backgrounds—personally, nationally, from majority churches, from minority churches, and with widely differing opinions—can come together as the one Body of Christ, united by love in the Holy Spirit, strengthening the life of the whole Church," commented OCA representative William Kopcha.
Other youth movements represented included: the Orthodoxer Jungenbund Deutschland from Germany, the Transfiguration Brotherhood and the Kazan Youth Organization from Russia, the Brotherhood of Orthodox Youth from Slovakia, Nepsis from Romania, and the French Orthodox youth organization, ACER-MJO.
“East Meets East” is the theme for St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary’s annual Orthodox Education Day on October 3, 2015. The seminary’s yearly open house and fall festival will celebrate the relationship between the Oriental and Eastern Orthodox churches, and explore the history of their dialogue.
Renowned author and scholar The Very Reverend Dr. John Anthony McGuckin will give the keynote address, “Our Common Father: Saint Cyril." Father John is The Ane Marie and Bent Emil Nielsen Professor in Late Antique and Byzantine Christian History at Union Theological Seminary, and Professor of Byzantine Christian Studies at Columbia University.
The day will be filled with Oriental and Eastern Orthodox church services; workshops on related topics such as Coptic iconography; a liturgical music concert; and a marketplace filled with international cuisine and Orthodox books and gifts. Three Hierarchs Chapel and the seminary bookstore will be open to the public throughout the day.
Seminary Alumnus Archpriest Louis Mahshie (B.Div. '58) fell asleep in the Lord on August 27, 2015. The entire seminary community expresses its condolences to his wife, Khouria Corinne, his children Tammy, Louis, and David, and his extended family.
Father Louis was involved in the church from early age, serving as an altar boy at St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church of Syracuse, New York. He was ordained a subdeacon by Metropolitans Antony (Bashir) and Samuel (David) in 1952, and two years later, he enrolled at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts. He transferred to St. Vladimir's in 1956 and graduated with a Bachelor of Divinity in 1958.
Father Louis was ordained to the priesthood by Metropolitan Antony in 1963, the same year he and Khouria Corinne were married, and served as pastor of St. George Orthodox Church in Washington, D.C. for 12 years. In January 1978 Metropolitan Philip (Saliba) assigned Fr. Louis to St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Akron, Ohio, where he served faithfully until his repose.
Funeral arrangements are as follows:
His Grace Bishop Anthony will preside at all services, which will take place at St. George Orthodox Church, 3204 Ridgewood Road, Akron, OH 44333, or call (330) 666-7116.
Monday, August 31st
Visitation 3–8pm
Funeral for Clergy at 7pm
Tuesday, September 1st
Visitation 9–10am
Divine Liturgy followed by the Funeral Service 10am
A Meal of Mercy follows (a private, family interment takes place after the meal)
+Overnight accommodations can be made at the Hilton Akron/Fairlawn; call 330-867-5000.
+For more information or questions, please contact assistant Pastor Fr. John Al-Assaf, yohanna-1965@hotmail.com.
At the Seventeenth International Conference on Patristic Studies held in Oxford, UK, August 10–14, 2015, St. Vladimir's Seminary shone, and among its brightest stars was its publishing house, SVS Press. According to Press Marketing Director Dn. Gregory Hatrak and Production Manager Michael Soroka, the Press's Popular Patristic Series (PPS), especially proved itself as "one of the most useful, accessible, and sought after resources," amongst the nearly 1,000 scholars at the conference.
At the gathering, Dn. Gregory and Mr. Soroka manned the SVS Press section of the vendor booth run by publisher SPCK (Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge), the Press's UK and European distributor. As they interacted with scholars, authors, and book buyers at the conference and on the city streets, Dn. Gregory and Mr. Soroka came to realize the tremendous respect the Popular Patristics Series had garnered.
"Professor Paul Blowers, an internationally renowned expert on the writings of St. Maximus the Confessor, told us that he sends his best students to SVS Press," noted Dn. Gregory, "and, he assures them that if they are published in a PPS volume, their work will be used as course material at the undergraduate or graduate level."
"PPS volumes are regularly ordered for classroom use in such renowned institutions as Harvard, Fordham, and Notre Dame universities, and Wheaton College," explained Dn. Gregory. "Additionally, when I saw our PPS books on a promotional stand in the famous Blackwell's Bookshop in Oxford, I was struck by how highly respected these volumes are among academics and how highly accessible they are to the average lay reader. I saw similar displays in other public books shops and in religious book shops housed in local churches throughout the city."
Seminary Dean, Archpriest John Behr, a renowned Patristics scholar and editor of the PPS, chaired a session at the conference. He also spoke at a special "wine and crisps" outdoor reception hosted by SPCK and SVS Press on the quad of the Examination Schools at Oxford.
At the reception, Fr. John introduced and thanked SPCK's Commercial Director Alexandra McDonald and Sales Director Alan Mordue, and he also thanked PPS contributors who were present, including Alistair Stewart, translator of the newly revised edition of On the Apostolic Tradition (PPS 54), and Luis Joshua Salés, translator of Two Hundred Chapters on Theology (PPS 53). Father John also enjoined the scholars gathered to submit new translations and studies to the Press for its consideration, in order to expand the breadth of PPS titles.
In turn, PPS collaborators praised their working relationship with the SVS Press family, speaking about the ease of the publication process, high caliber of the editorial staff, and top level strategic marketing. Professor Stewart said, "I've worked with a lot of presses, but I especially appreciate the one-on-one attention afforded by SVS Press staff, along with their collegiality, and in particular, the eye of editor Fr. Benedict Churchill."
Note: Since its inception in 1951 as the First International Conference on Patristic Studies, organized by Frank Leslie Cross (1900-1968), Lady Margaret Professor of Divinity in the University of Oxford, this four-yearly gathering of scholars from around the world has become a major event for the many disciplines concerned with Patristics.
Professor Predrag Matejic, curator of the Hilandar Research Library and director of the Resource Center for Medieval Slavic Studies, will present the third annual Father John Meyendorff Memorial Lecture on Monday, September 14, 2015. The event begins at 7 p.m. Speaking on the topic “Byzantium, the Slavs, and the Rise of the Russian Orthodox Church,” he will focus on three historical periods: the conversion of the Slavs, the 10th–11th centuries, and the Russian Orthodox Church after the fall of Constantinople, including the councils of the 16th century.
Just prior to the lecture, the Seminary will honor His Beatitude the Most Blessed Tikhon, primate of the Orthodox Church in America, and His Eminence the Most Reverend Joseph, archbishop of New York and metropolitan of All North America of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese. The Board of Trustees and Faculty will bestow a Doctor of Divinity degree, honoris causa, on both hierarchs at an Academic Convocation beginning at 7 p.m.
Metropolitan Tikhon serves as President of the Seminary and Chair of its Board of Trustees, and Metropolitan Joseph serves as Vice Chair of the Board.
The Academic Convocation and lecture are open to the public and will be held in the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium of the John G. Rangos Family Building.
On Friday, September 11, 2015, at 6:30 p.m., the Board of Trustees and Faculty of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary will bestow a Doctor of Divinity degree, honoris causa, upon His Holiness Irinej (Gavrilovic), archbishop of Peć, metropolitan of Belgrade-Karlovci, and patriarch of Serbia. Patriarch Irinej will also deliver a presentation titled "Theology as a Hope for the Future of the Church."
At 5:30 pm, prior to the academic convocation, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, members of the seminary clergy, and all visiting clergy will greet the Patriarch with all solemn rites at the Three Hierarchs Chapel doors upon his arrival. The public ceremony will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium of the John G. Rangos Family Building, and will include a Q & A session between the Patriarch and attendees. An open reception will follow.
The 45th Patriarch of Serbia, His Holiness was enthroned in his position on January 2010. Prior to this, he was ordained as a Hieromonk in 1959, and was both a professor and rector of Prizren Seminary. He also served as Bishop of Moravica and Nis prior to his election as patriarch.
