The Reverend Dr. Philip LeMasters, a scholar of Christian ethics, has been appointed to the faculty of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) as Professor of Christian Ethics, effective for the academic year 2016–2017. Father Philip is Professor of Religion and Director of the Honors Program at McMurry University in Abilene, Texas, where he is also the pastor of St. Luke’s Orthodox Church. Additionally, he is a member of the SVOTS Board of Trustees.

“We are pleased to have Fr. Philip join our faculty,” said the Very Reverend Dr. John Behr, dean of St. Vladimir’s. “His work in the field of ethics—including bioethics, sexual ethics, and political ethics—is of utmost importance to our students, who will wrestle with ethical issues as clergy and lay theologians.”

In the 2016–2017 academic year, Fr. Philip will teach two hybrid courses at St. Vladimir’s: “Ministry in a Multi-Faith Context” in the fall, and “The Ethics of Marriage, Family, and Sexuality” in the spring. Enrollment in the courses will be open to degree candidates in one the seminary's degree programs or the M.Div. equivalency program.

These 12-week hybrid courses combine an online learning component with an onsite intensive. During the first eight weeks of the semester, students will engage course material through recorded lectures and online discussions. Students will be given weekly assignments, and the professor will be available for office hours via Skype and phone. The professor will join the students on campus for a weeklong intensive session that includes seminar-style presentations and class discussions.  

“Teaching courses at St. Vladimir’s Seminary provides a blessed opportunity to integrate my scholarly and priestly vocations,” remarked Fr. Philip. “Clergy and laity face so many pressing challenges today in our religiously and morally diverse society, and I am thrilled to play a role in forming our seminarians in responding faithfully to them. Having such profound respect for the Seminary’s faculty and academic program, I consider this appointment a highlight of my career as a professor.” 

Father Philip is the author of several books in the area of moral theology, most recently The Forgotten Faith: Ancient Insights for Contemporary Believers from Eastern Christianity (Cascade Books 2013). He has been an invited participant at recent international Orthodox consultations on peace ethics in Greece, Romania, and Syria. A graduate of Baylor University and Rice University, he holds a Ph.D. in Christian Theology and Ethics from Duke University and an M.A. in Applied Orthodox Theology from the University of Balamand.

“Our seminary has been blessed by Fr. Philip’s service and leadership on our Board of Trustees,” said the Very Reverend Dr. Chad Hatfield, SVOTS chancellor/CEO. “Our students can look forward to learning from a scholar who is not only an excellent teacher but also a dedicated minister to the flock of Christ.”

Enrollment for both courses is limited. Registration for the fall 2016 semester is now open. Please contact Dr. John Barnet, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Registrar, at jbarnet@svots.edu / (914) 961­-8313, x313, for more information on taking a hybrid course at St. Vladimir's Seminary.

Read Fr. Philip's blog
Listen to a podcast with Fr. Philip, "Orthodox Perspectives on Peace, War, and Violence"

Throughout the 2016 Lenten season, both the Dean and Chancellor/CEO of St. Vladimir's Seminary traveled far and wide to minister to the broader Church by serving liturgically, offering retreats, and presenting talks and lectures. The Very Reverend Dr. Chad Hatfield, SVOTS Chancellor/CEO said with a touch of humor, "When Great Lent begins, I feel a bit like St. Zosimas of Palestine, as I leave my 'monastery' to 'wander about' before returning!"

In early March, both Fr. John and Fr. Chad traveled to Chicago to offer presentations. Father Chad was the guest speaker for the 19th annual Mission Team Chicago benefit dinner on March 10, sponsored by the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC). Among other things, the event provided much needed scholarship funds that will enable seminarians to participate in short term mission teams.

A few days prior, Fr. John was one of three distinguished respondents at an important lecture offered by Metropolitan Kallistos Ware: "The Unchanging Gospel in an Ever-Changing Culture." The talk was presented on the campus of North Park University, and served as the inaugural event in the Engaging Orthodoxy Speaker's Series. North Park is an evangelical institution; as such, the lecture was offered to an audience made up people from a variety of Christian traditions. Metropolitan Kallistos and Fr. John presented the Eastern Orthodox understanding of the Gospel, and offered practical guidance on how parishes can keep the message of Christ in its rightful central place. (View the event on YouTube.)

Throughout the remainder of Lent, the Dean and Chancellor moved from one location to the next, offering a total of seven retreats in five different states, and visiting with alumni and seminary supporters from all jurisdictions. Father John Behr traveled to Carlsbad, California to lead a retreat, "Becoming an Icon of Christ," for alumnus Fr. Andrew Cuneo and the community of St. Katherine of Alexandria Mission (OCA). In Abilene, Texas, he presented a retreat to parishioners at St. Luke Orthodox Christian Church (Antiochian Archdiocese), pastored by SVOTS Trustee, the Reverend Dr. Philip LeMasters. While in Abilene, Fr. John also offered lectures to the students at McMurry University. On April 9, our Dean journeyed to Steelton, Pennsylvania to lead Parish Renewal Day with alumnus Fr. Christopher Rocknage and the community of St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church. (Listen to Fr. John's lecture, "Becoming an Icon of Christ.")

Also in Pennsylvania, Fr. Chad led a retreat titled "Sacerdotal Living" for the Wilkes Barre Deanery, and was encouraged to see the focus on clergy support that is developing in the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania under the leadership of an SVOTS alumnus, Archbishop Mark (OCA). In the same state he offered a Lenten retreat titled "Mary, Mysteries, & Mission" at St. Philip Orthodox Church in Souderton, where yet another alumnus, Fr. Noah Bushelli, is leading a thriving community within the Antiochian Archdiocese.

In early April, Fr. Chad led a retreat for the Carolina Deanery of the OCA's Diocese of the South. Many of the attendees were St. Vladimir's alumni, and he noted the supportive brotherhood of clergy that is forming there. Also in April, Fr. Chad journeyed to Bealton, Virginia to offer a Lenten Retreat at St. Patrick Orthodox Church, a Western Rite parish in the Antiochian Archdiocese. "It's one of the most creative parishes I have seen for many years," Fr. Chad said. "I was impressed with the setting, and by the parish that was built by the hands of its own parishioners."

"It's always a great joy and blessing to minister to the greater Orthodox world during this holiest of seasons," noted Fr. John. "Our alumni are leading the way as they build up the body of Christ through their pastoral leadership and teaching. We are thankful to see how God is guiding them and blessing their ministries greatly." Father Chad agreed, adding that Great Lent "is the key time for us to reconnect with parishes and people, to solicit feedback from our alumni and fellow clergy, and to offer mutual encouragement and support to one another."

On April 6, 2016, Pope Francis was personally presented a special gift by St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary Trustee His Grace the Right Reverend David, bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of New York and New England: a copy of The Life of Repentance and Purity. The book is the first in the groundbreaking Coptic Studies Series, published by St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press (SVS Press). Bishop David was in Rome on a personal trip with His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan, archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, when he presented the book, according to media outlet newsmaker.com.au.

Authored by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, 117th pope of Alexandria and the See of St. Mark, The Life of Repentance and Purity was first translated from Arabic in 1989 by Series Editor His Grace Bishop Dr. Anba Suriel (Guirgis), SVOTS alumnus and bishop of the Coptic Diocese of Melbourne and Affiliated Regions, Australia. This new translation by Bishop Suriel includes editions and patristic references, and is the first joint publication between SVS Press and St. Athanasius College (SAC) Press. St. Athanasius is the fledgling publishing house of St. Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Theological College in Donvale, Australia, where Bishop Suriel serves as Dean.

The Life of Repentance and Purity was officially launched at St. Vladimir’s Seminary campus on March 12, 2016, during a well-attended afternoon of reflection on the life of Pope Shenouda III. In the few weeks since its release more than 5,000 copies have been sold, making it the fastest selling SVS Press title in history.

Order your copy of The Life of Repentance and Purity here.

Listen to the presentations from the March 12 book launch here.

View a photo gallery of the March 12 book launch event here.

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SVS Press will be attending the 2016 annual meeting of the North American Patristics Society in May.

View the Society website for meeting information