26 November 2014 • SVOTS Communications / Yonkers, NY • Deborah (Malacky) Belonick
Priest Matti Veli Juhani Wallgren, graduate of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (M.Div. 2003) and currently rector of Vaasa Orthodox Church, Diocese of Oulu, Finland, has been elected as the new Metropolitan of the Diocese of Oulu. He will succeed His Eminence Archbishop Panteleimon (Sarho), now retired, as metropolitan.
Father Matti was ordained to the priesthood September 1, 2003, in Jyvaskyla, Finland. He served as second priest for two and a half years in central Finland and eight and a half years as a Dean of the Cathedral in Vaasa, western Finland.
Archpriests John Behr and Chad Hatfield, dean and chancellor/CEO of the seminary respectively, both expressed their sincere congratulations to Fr. Matti upon his election. "Our close relationship with the Church in Finland is longstanding and we look forward to even closer ties with the Finnish Church through Metropolitan Matti," said Fr. Chad.
Father Matti will be consecrated as bishop and assume the duties of the Metropolitan of Oulu on January 11, 2015, at Oulu's Holy Trinity Cathedral.
The Orthodox Church in Finland is an autonomous Church belonging to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and is made up of three dioceses: Karelia, Helsinki, and Oulu. Oulu, the smallest diocese among the three, was established in 1980. It includes five parishes made up of nearly 10,000 members.
Within the entire Orthodox Church of Finland, there are 24 parishes with 140 priests and more than 58,000 members. A convent and a monastery also operate within the church.
His Grace Nicholas (Ozone), auxiliary bishop of Brooklyn for the Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA), will be the guest speaker for the 32nd Annual Father Alexander Schmemann Memorial Lecture, to be held in the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium of the John G. Rangos Family Building on January 30, 2015 at 7 p.m.
Bishop Nicholas will be speaking on "The Life and Ministry of St. Raphael of Brooklyn." In 2015 the Antiochian Archdiocese will mark the 100th anniversary of the beloved saint's repose with a year-long series of events commemorating the milestone.
Bishop Nicholas holds several engineering degrees, and a Master of Divinity degree awarded with Highest Distinction from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts. He speaks Arabic and English fluently and has a working knowledge of French, Hebrew, Ancient Greek, New Testament Greek, and Modern Greek. Since December 2011, His Grace has resided at the Antiochian Archdiocese headquarters in Englewood, NJ, where he administers the Diocese of New York and Washington D.C. and also serves as the assistant to His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph, archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of All North America.
The Antiochian Archdiocese and St. Vladimir's have enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship for six decades, and today this has continued under the direction of Bishop Nicholas, the liaison between the Archdiocese and the Seminary. Beginning with the enrollment of three Syrian Orthodox students in 1951, numerous Antiochian clergy, academics, and laity have been a part of St. Vladimir's history: faculty and staff, authors, board members, and choirs.
Upon receiving he honorary degree, Metropolitan Hilarion expressed his gratitude for his longstanding relationship with St. Vladimir's Seminary, noting the seminary's crucial role in building trust between Orthodox churches throughout the world. In his lecture, he defined church structure and organization as understood by Christians of East and West.
"There are two traditions," Metropolitan Hilarion noted; "The West is centralized, and primacy is understood as descending directly from the first Pope. No such primacy has ever existed in the Orthodox East, which is decentralized and based on the notion of communion between local autocephalous churches.
"When the Great and Holy Council of the Orthodox Church scheduled for 2016, convenes," he added, "the Ecumenical Patriarch will occupy a central seat, but only in the midst of his fellow primates, who will be arranged around him according to the diptychs of the Church.
"By contrast, in Roman Catholic councils the Pope is seated on an elevated throne and separated from his fellow hierarchs," he explained.
"For the Orthodox, synodality is higher than primacy," concluded His Eminence.
Earlier in the day, Metropolitan Hilarion met with SVOTS administrators and Metropolitan Tikhon, and joined the community for Vespers. He also traveled with a delegation to celebrate a panikhida at the grave of renowned Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff, in Valhalla, NY. His Eminence is a gifted composer; in 2011, more than 1,000 New Yorkers attended the English premiere of his composition, St. Matthew Passion, sponsored by St. Vladimir's Seminary and presented at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle in Manhattan.
From Oca.org: Funeral services for Dr. Constance Tarasar will be celebrated at St. Mary Cathedral, 1629 Fifth Street NE, Minneapolis, MN at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 12, 2014. Visitation will be held at the Kozlak-Radulovich NE Chapel, 1918 University Avenue NE, Minneapolis, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 11, with the celebration of a Parastas at 6:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at 9:00 a.m. on the morning of the Funeral, after which interment will take place at Saint Mary Cemetery.
Dr. Constance Tarasar, a pioneer in the field of Orthodox Christian education and the first woman to enroll in one of St. Vladimir's degree programs, fell asleep in the Lord on Friday, November 7, 2014.
A native of Minneapolis, MN, Dr. Tarasar graduated from seminary in 1965 after finishing coursework for a Bachelor of Divinity degree and submitting a thesis on the role of women in the Church. Her years at St. Vladimir's proved eventful, even determinative, for her life; there, she met Fr. Alexander Schmemann, who became her theological inspiration and lifelong mentor.
Later, she returned to the Seminary to serve as Lecturer in Christian Education.
"She was a real leader and model for our women students," notes Dean The Very Rev. Dr. John Behr. "As a towering figure for many years in the field of Orthodox education, she served as Executive Director of the Orthodox Christian Education Commission (OCEC) and Chair of the Orthodox Church in America's Department of Religious Education. Throughout her outstanding career, she mentored generations of seminarians while producing an immense amount of curriculum. Many of the student and teacher manuals used in church school programs today, originated with her."
In addition to her work in Christian Education, Dr. Tarasar contributed significantly to broader dialogue. In 1976 she was selected to represent the United States at an international "Orthodox Women's Consultation" at Agapia Monastery in Neamt, Romania. The consultation sought to dialogue and explore the role of women in the Orthodox Church in modern society. As a representative to the World Council of Churches, she served as a regular participant and leader in ecumenical discussions on women's roles and issues.
Prior to her retirement and return to Minneapolis, Dr. Taraser helped develop an Orthodox Christian curriculum used in Romania, Russia, and other central and eastern European countries. In these same years, she also helped to bring Orthodox education online, making curricular materials available on the internet.
“Above all, Dr. Tarasar loved the Church and devoted her entire life to the ministry of Christian Education,” says Fr. John Behr. “The Seminary is indeed grateful for her many contributions. May her memory be eternal!”
In January 2015, St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary will be offering four public courses, comprising an online and a residential component. Offerings include three pastoral theology courses and one liturgical music course, taught by experts in their fields: "The Therapeutic Encounter," by Dr. Daniel Hinshaw; "The Parish and Prison Ministry," by The Very Rev. Dr. Nicholas Solak and The Rev. Stephen Powley, executive director, Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM); "Stewardship in American Orthodoxy," by The Very Rev. Dr. Robert Holet; and "The Music and Faith of Arvo Pärt," with Dr. Peter Bouteneff.
"Each course uniquely and practically addresses pastoral and mission-minded concerns," Dr. Barnet continued. "Students will have opportunity to learn, for example, with Dr. Hinshaw, a holistic approach to healing rooted in Orthodox Christian spirituality, and how to apply that approach within an actual healing encounter; or they can learn with Fathers Solak and Powley how to prepare a parish to accept a recently released prisoner into its fold, or how to begin a parish-run Bible study at a local prison.
"Likewise, with Fr. Holet, students can learn how to create a functional parish stewardship program as modeled by the sacrificial High Priesthood of Christ; and with Dr. Bouteneff, they will be able to explore how the sacred arts engage the surrounding culture, becoming a witness to the Orthodox faith.
"I'm elated that we are able to offer these exciting opportunities to both our current students, so that they may augment their education, and to our alumni and the general public, so that they may continue their education," concluded Dr. Barnet.
Course participants will be able to earn one Masters-level credit for each of the courses, and there are no pre-requisites for enrollment. Courses will begin with 10 hours of online instruction (starting Monday, January 12), followed by the residential component (either January 18–23 or January 19–24), which includes 2.5 hours of instruction and 2 hours of homework per day for five days, and will conclude with a 10-hour writing assignment, typically 4-5 pages, due Saturday, January 31.
Non-degree students should begin registration by first contacting Protodeacon Joseph Matusiak, director of Admissions, or Nina Matusiak, student affairs administrator, as explained on the registration page. Registration requests from non-degree students will be accepted until Friday, December 19.
Important Note: On-campus housing for the required residential component of the courses is not available; participants who are not enrolled students are welcome to commute if they live nearby, or to take advantage of local accommodations in the area.
In a joyful start to the 2014–2015 Academic Year, three St. Vladimir's seminarians in the Master of Divinity program were ordained to the Holy Diaconate and the Holy Priesthood. (Photo credits: Rami Dahdal and Chris Humphrey )
Ordination Holy Priesthood, September 14, 2014, Holy Cross Antiochian Orthodox Church in Linthicum, MD, by The Right Rev. Bishop Thomas. The Very Rev. Gregory Mathewes-Green of Holy Cross and The Very Rev. John Mefrige of St. Ephraim Antiochian Orthodox Church in San Antonio, TX, were sponsors for ordination.
Educational and Professional Background Father Mark earned an Associates of Arts degree from the Community College of Baltimore County, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Towson University.
Biographical notes Father Mark worked in healthcare for seven years before entering St. Vladimir's Seminary in the fall of 2012. His wife Vasilia works as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in the Bronx, New York. The couple is expecting their first child in early November.
My goal for my ministry is to heal, restore, and renew people's lives in Christ. My mission is to evangelize North America and continue to grow the Church. Perhaps the most influential persons in my life was His Eminence Metropolitan Philip of Blessed Memory, as well as my parish priest The Very Rev. Gregory Mathewes-Green.
Ordination Holy Diaconate, September 28, 2014 at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral, Pittsburgh, PA, Dn. Joshua’s home parish. The ordaining hierarch was The Rt. Rev. Bishop Thomas, Diocese of Charleston, Oakland, and the Mid-Atlantic, Antiochian Archdiocese, on behalf of His Eminence the Most Rev. Metropolitan Joseph, Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of All North America.
Concelebrating were The Rt. Rev. Bishop John, Diocese of Worcester and New England, with Cathedral Dean The Rev. Demetrios Joshua Makoul.
Educational and Professional Background Deacon Joshua received a Bachelor of Arts in English at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He then served as a high school English teacher with Teach for America in the St. Louis public schools, and most recently directed a non-profit school garden program in Pittsburgh, PA (2007-12).
Biographical notes Deacon Joshua's parish assignment is at the St. Stephen Orthodox Church in South Plainfield, NJ, with The Very Rev. Stephen Tewfik. He and his wife, Meredith have four children: Katherine (7), Naomi (5), Isaiah (2), and Gideon (9 mo.). They enjoy gardening and cycling together.
Ordination Holy Priesthood, November 2, 2014, at St. Anthony the Great in Spring, TX, with ordaining hierarch The Right Rev. Bishop Basil, Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America, Antiochian Archdiocese. Clergy present included The Rev. Anthony Baba, St. Anthony rector; The Rev. James Shadid of St. George, Houston; and The Very Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield, SVOTS Chancellor/CEO. Deacons serving were Hierodeacon Monk Benedict (Armitage) and Protodeacon George Moubayed.
Educational and Professional BackgroundBachelor of Arts in International Politics, Minors in Business and Middle Eastern Studies at Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, May 2006; sales executive; employee for his father’s business.
Biographical notes One of six children, Fr. Gabriel was born as “Jabra” in Amman, Jordan, and moved with his family to the U.S. as a child. His parents grew up as Palestinian refugees in Amman, Jordan, after their parents fled Palestine following World War II.
Father Gabriel married Gabriella Mobayed of Sugarland, TX on June 16th, 2013, in St. Anthony Antiochian Orthodox Church in Spring, TX, and participated as a member of the St. Vladimir's Student Council during the 2013–2014 school year. In the summer of 2014, he served as an assistant to The Right Rev. Bishop Nicholas (Ozone), auxiliary bishop for Brooklyn, of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, at the Antiochian Archdiocese headquarters in Englewood, NJ.
I am still contemplating the whirlwind of emotions that were involved in the ordination. Bishop Basil gave an incredible homily on the priesthood and how ordination is transformative. I feel different and changed in ways that I cannot explain. I am incredibly grateful and humbled by Fr. Anthony Baba and the entire parish at St. Anthony in Spring, TX. It was truly a blessed day.
The Rev. Nicholas Andruchow (SVOTS 2002) and his wife Presbytera Merilynn (Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology Class of 2002) presented a free public lecture at St. Vladimir's titled "Changing the World: Transformation through Missions with Project Mexico and St. Innocent Orphanage as a Model."
Held in the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium on campus, the missions night featured the fascinating narrative of how Fr. Nicholas and Pres. Merilynn ended up moving their family of five to the 16-acre orphanage ranch near Rosarito, Mexico, after a series of extraordinary "coincidences."
In their talks, the Andruchows explained that the process of transformation through missions is a two-way street. On the one hand, they observe dramatic changes in the lives of the boys they serve at the orphanage, and they receive tremendous gratitude from the local families who receive homes built by Project Mexico volunteers. But they also see how the missionaries and interns' lives are transformed through their sacrifice of time and talent. Hundreds of lay volunteers participate in home building projects each summer, and in the process discover that they are moved to greater commitment, compassion, and service in the Church.
Before undertaking missionary work, Fr. Nicholas spent two years in the Dominican Republic as a member of the Peace Corps. As a single man, he then worked with Project Mexico for three years, establishing a pig farm and teaching entrepreneurial skills to the orphanage boys. Following graduation from St. Vladimir's Seminary, Fr. Nicholas and Pres. Merilynn spent nine years leading the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Mission Church in Flagstaff, AZ, before moving to Mexico.
"Here at St. Vladimir's, we are longtime supporters of Project Mexico," said Fr. Chad in his lecture introduction. "In the future, we hope to bring a team of volunteers to assist in the work there." The Sessional Professor of Missiology at St. Vladimir's, Fr. Chad has served as a missionary to South Africa and in more recent years, has led numerous seminarian mission trips to Guatemala and Alaska.
Forum participants were briefed by Alexei Krindatch, consultant to the Regional Planning Committee of the Assembly, about decisions made by the Assembly at its fifth annual meeting in Dallas, TX, in September 2014. In his PowerPoint presentation Mr. Krindatch also included surprising demographical and geographical survey data he had gathered, related to the desire for a unified Orthodox Church in America and about the cultural identity of Orthodox Christians in U.S. parishes.
In responding to participants' questions following Mr. Krindatch's presentation, His Grace The Rt. Rev. Michael (Dahulich), Bishop of New York and the Diocese of New York and New Jersey (OCA), who serves on the Theological Education Committee for the Assembly, shared some details of the draft proposal, which in its final form will be submitted to the upcoming Great and Holy Council (to be held in Constantinople in 2016). Such a plan was initially solicited from all thirteen Assemblies in 2008 by the Primates of the autocephalous Orthodox Churches worldwide, convened at the 4th Pre-Conciliar Pan-Orthodox Conference in Chambésy. Bishop Michael said that the Assembly was working with the more conservative of two plans under consideration by the Canonical Regional Planning Committee, the one "which initially unifies various ministries and departments to nurture a common life, while solving the territorial question more gradually."
The other plan — not fully supported by all the bishops — had proposed a ten-year path toward a potential autocephaly, with an interim status of autonomy, to be overseen by all the Primates of the Orthodox Churches. It would have more directly and immediately addressed territorial canonical anomalies. His Grace shared his thoughts on the reasoning behind the Assembly's consideration of the more gradual of the two proposals.
First, Bishop Michael noted, significant historical changes and new pastoral concerns have arisen since the question of unity was initially seriously addressed in 1994 by twenty-nine Orthodox Christian bishops meeting in Ligonier, PA. That assembly, presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos (Coucouzis), then Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (GOA) and chairman of the now defunct Standing Conference of Orthodox Bishops (SCOBA), had generated much hope for an inclusive and universally recognized local Orthodox Christian Church in America.
But since Communism has fallen, the relationship between U.S. jurisdictions and their mother Churches in Eastern Europe has changed for the better. Churches here in the United States respect and love the heads of their mother Churches and desire to keep closer ties with them. Moreover, said His Grace, there is concern for the growing number of immigrants from motherlands to parishes in the U.S. Each jurisdiction is dealing with new pastoral issues specific to the needs of such migrations.
Second, His Grace explained that getting used to working together will afford the 53 bishops who comprise the Assembly a level of comfort.
Nevertheless, His Grace reminisced about the great personal enthusiasm and excitement he had felt as a young seminarian, and which the Ligonier assembly, which he witnessed as a priest, had promised. He urged Open Forum participants to support one another's local parishes — by attending Divine Services and parish functions. "Don't live the limitations. Show us by your actions that you believe in the same dream that I had as an 18-year-old" — the dream of one Orthodox Church in the U.S.
He also shared that at an earlier Assembly, an informal survey of its members had revealed that a majority of the bishops felt that the work of the Assembly would eventually result, either directly or indirectly, in autocephaly. He reiterated the OCA's continued position at the Assembly: it is autocephalous, but it is more than willing to join its autocephaly into an all-encompassing autocephalous Church that includes all Orthodox Christians in our country.
His Eminence The Most Rev. Nathaniel (Popp), Archbishop of Detroit and the Romanian Episcopate (OCA), also contributed to the Open Forum discussion. He expressed his desire for one canonically unified, autocephalous Orthodox Christian Church in the U.S. and candidly admitted his preference for the committee's more immediate plan for "an autocephalous Orthodox Church from the beginning," while acknowledging that fulfillment of such a plan would come only through a people filled with the power of God.
"The Church is one; it is the Church of Christ, living in various places around the world," he said. "And, as the Church is inspired by the Holy Spirit in the U.S., the 'solution' is the Holy Spirit.
"Let the Holy Spirit say 'autocephaly,' and let the bishops here say how to 'go forth,' " he urged, "It's the most efficient, pneumatic way...and, we ought to pray fervently for it."
His Eminence further noted that during 2015, the entire Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the U.S. will refine its chosen proposed plan for unity and will present it to the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople for consideration at the worldwide Great and Holy Council of Orthodox Christian bishops in 2016. However, he reported, "At the forthcoming Great and Holy Council the matter of an Orthodox solution to administrative chaos in the U.S. may not be a big item for the Church at large, but I have not yet seen their agenda; it is forthcoming."
At the conclusion of the Open Forum seminary Chancellor/CEO The Very Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield thanked participants for coming and reminded them "Historically St. Vladimir's Seminary has been a place where you can ask tough questions; and this forum has reminded us of the vision ahead of us and the great challenges we face."
The Open Forum was designed by the OCL and took place within the context of its Annual Meeting, held on the seminary campus, October 23–25, 2014. Please check the OCL website for further details.
Seminary friends are welcome to join the Three Hierarchs Chapel community on Saturday, November 1, 6:30 p.m. for a Festal Vigil, and Sunday, November 2 at 9 a.m. for the Festal Divine Liturgy.
An autumnal feast of St. Vladimir will be celebrated this weekend, beginning a new tradition at the Seminary. "We are doing so to mark the arrival of the saint's relics to our community, which took place last year roughly at this time," notes Ecclesiarch The Very Rev. Dr. Alexander Rentel. "This celebration will also allow us the opportunity to honor our patron in the school year, since his regular feast falls during the summer break."
A year ago on the eve of the November 7, 2013 75th Anniversary Gala Banquet, a delegation from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Moscow Patriarchate, led by His Eminence, The Most Rev. Metropolitan Philip, archbishop of Poltava and Myrhorod, presented the community with the relics of St. Vladimir and a rare Book of Gospels. Instead of Daily Vespers, all of the Seminary's clergy gathered to receive the relics, process around the Chapel, and serve an Akathistos Hymn to St. Vladimir.
The relics, along with a rare Gospel Book, were gifts from His Beatitude Vladimir (Volodymyr), metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine, of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate). St. Vladimir's Chancellor/CEO The Very Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield travelled to Ukraine last June, where he and the Rector of the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary, Metropolitan Antony (Borispolsky), reached a cooperative agreement calling for student and teacher exchanges, the development and execution of joint research projects, the co-sponsoring of conferences, and co-publication of scholarly materials.
When receiving the relics and Gospel, Fr. Chad noted that "these gracious gifts remind us that from our founding, the decision was made to give our seminary a missionary saint as its patron. The rare Gospel Book, commemorating the 1025th anniversary of the Baptism of the Rus', will inspire us to remember our first charge to be a missionary school."
On Tuesday, December 2, 2014, you can help us launch a new tradition by joining the national movement that celebrates generosity called #GivingTuesday. We're excited to participate in #GivingTuesday.
After all, giving is at the very foundation of St. Vladimir's mission. Our professors give their hearts to teach the Gospel of Christ. Our students give their time to prepare for service in the Church. Our graduates give their lives to minister to Christ's flock.
Our goal this year is to raise $5,000 in 24 hours. And, thanks to 4 generous supporters pledging matching gifts totaling $20,000, your online gift made on December 2 will be multiplied 5 times. If you help us raise $5,000 on #GivingTuesday, St. Vladimir's will receive $25,000!
And because we believe in giving at St. Vladimir’s, we’ll be giving 10% of whatever we raise on December 2 to our suffering Orthodox Christian brothers and sisters in Syria, via His Beatitude John X (Yazigi), Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East.
Will you help us get the word out about #GivingTuesday?
Share this page with family, friends, community groups, and any other personal contacts. Add a note about why you give, or what St. Vladimir's means to you!
Sign up to receive our #GivingTuesday emails and forward them to friends.
Like us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to participate in #GivingTuesday. Help us spread the word about #GivingTuesday by updating your cover photo and profile picture and sharing our posts.
Take advantage of #GivingTuesday this December 2 and make your gift count for more! Help us meet this $5,000 challenge on December 2.
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Pay it Forward with St. Vladimir’s Seminary’s Appeal
On December 2nd, #GivingTuesday, please consider St. Vladimir’s Seminary’s Appeal: it’s a chance to “quintuple” (that’s 5x!) your donation to the seminary through a matching challenge and aid suffering Orthodox Christians in the Middle East. On #GivingTuesday, St. Vladimir’s will match your gift 5x, and will then donate 10% of your gift to the Patriarch John X of Antioch to distribute at “Ground Zero” in Syria, where more than 100,000 Christians have been martyred and many more displaced. If you give $10, it will become $50 automatically, with $45 going to St. Vladimir’s and $5 going to your brothers and sisters in the Middle East. Go to www.svots.edu to give!
Give to St. Vladimir’s Seminary, Give to Christians in Middle East
St. Vladimir’s Seminary’s #GivingTuesday Appeal, December 2nd will allow you to donate to the seminary and to suffering Christians in the Middle East. When you donate any amount that day to the seminary that day, not only will your gift be multiplied 5x by a matching challenge donor, but 10% of your gift will be given to Patriarch John X of Antioch to distribute at “Ground Zero” in Syria, where more than 100,000 Christians have been martyred and many more displaced. If you give $10, it will become $50 automatically, with $45 going to St. Vladimir’s and $5 going to your brothers and sisters in the Middle East. Go to www.svots.edu to give!
#GivingTuesday Appeal at St. Vladimir’s Will Quintuple Your Money!
We know about Black Friday and Cyber Monday: huge shopping days! But #GivingTuesday, December 2nd, allows us to donate to our favorite charity. Please consider St. Vladimir’s Seminary’s #GivingTuesday Appeal that day: whatever amount you donate, a generous benefactor will match 5x! And, the seminary will donate 10% your gift to Patriarch John X of Antioch to distribute at “Ground Zero” in Syria, where more than 100,000 Christians have been martyred and many more displaced. So, if you give $10, it will become $50 automatically, with $45 going to St. Vladimir’s and $5 going to your brothers and sisters in the Middle East. Go to www.svots.edu to give!
