In a fitting culmination to the 2013–2014 Academic Year, five St. Vladimir's seminarians in the Master of Divinity program were ordained to the Holy Diaconate and the Holy Priesthood in the month of May. (Photo credits: Rami Dahdal, Leanne Parrott Photography)

Listen to the audio on Ancent Faith Radio's podcast, Voices From St. Vladimir's

On Saturday morning, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard), primate of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), and His Grace Nicholas (Ozone), auxiliary bishop for Brooklyn of the Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA), presided over the Prayer of Supplication (Molieben) in Three Hierarchs Chapel, on behalf of the graduates. Metropolitan Tikhon, president and chair of the seminary Board of Trustees, opened and closed the Commencement Exercises.

In his remarks, Commencement speaker Archbishop Job (Getcha) exhorted the graduates to be mindful of "the one thing needful" mentioned in the gospel story of Martha and Mary (Luke 10.38–42).

"Young pastors are often preoccupied by many things, and most of these things are rather practical—what should I live on, what do I preach about?" His Eminence began, "But the one thing needful, the most essential part, is prayer and worship, the heart of church life.

"We will find amazing and unexpected solutions as long as we pray and accept God's will," encouraged Archbishop Job. "Always have hope in God and entrust your whole lives to God in prayer."

The archbishop was elected to lead The Patriarchal Exarchate for Orthodox Parishes of Russian Tradition in Western Europe in 2013. Formerly Dean of the Institut Saint-Serge in Paris and professor there of Liturgy and Church History and Senior Scholar at the Institut Catholique de Paris, Archbishop Job is on the faculty at the Institute of Postgraduate Studies in Orthodox Theology at the Orthodox Center of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Chambesy, Switzerland. He also authored the recently released SVS Press book The Typikon Decoded.

Other hierarchs present at the Commencement were: His Eminence Silouan, metropolitan of Buenos Aires and all Argentina and Patriarchal Vicar of New York and all North America; and His Grace David, bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of New York and New England. Other special guests included The Very Rev. Dr. Steven Voytovich, dean of St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary, South Canaan, PA; and The Rev. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Nersess Armenian Theological Seminary, Armonk, NY.

Special recognition was given to Valedictorians The Rev. Nicholas Eric Roth and The Rev. Kyle Parrott; and Salutatorians Seminarian John Bradley Vien and Luke Bullock. Also, Student Council President The Rev. Alessandro Margheritino presented the St. Macrina Award for Excellence in Teaching, selected by student vote, to Dr. Paul Meyendorff, The Father Alexander Schmemann Professor of Liturgical Theology.

Additionally, the seminary Board of Trustees awarded an honorary Doctor of Sacred Music degree to famed Estonian composer Arvo Pärt. The Consul General of Estonia, Sten Schwede; The Honorable Urve Tiidus, Estonian Minister of Culture; and Her Excellency Marina Kaljurand, Estonian Ambassador to the United States, attended the academic ceremony.

After the Commencement Exercises Maestro Pärt and his wife, Nora, were honored by the St. Vladimir's Seminary Children's Choir, led by Khouria Danielle Miller. The choir sang the Orthodox Christian Vespers service, with music especially arranged for them by composer Ivan Moody. The children's choir will be publishing a recording of the vespers in fall 2014.

Arvo Pärt Project at St. Vladimir's Seminary and featuring his music, performed by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra and conducted by Tõnu Kaljuste.

The entire St. Vladimir's community wishes the Class of 2014 many years!

• View the Commencement program
• Read the doctoral citation for Arvo Pärt

On this Feast of the Ascension the entire St. Vladimir's Seminary community offers special congratulations to His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II upon his installation as the 123rd Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church (SOC). Prior to his election as the new Patriarch, His Holiness served as Archbishop of the Eastern United States (SOC). Seminary leaders and students bid His Holiness farewell at celebratory occasions prior to his departure to Syria and his installation at the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul at St. Aphrem's Monastery in Maarat Saydnaya.

St. Vladimir's Dean The Very Rev. Dr. John Behr attended a farewell banquet for His Holiness in Paramus, NJ on May 9, hosted by the Archdiocese for the Eastern United States. Father John presented His Holiness with several gifts from the Seminary and expressed his wishes to visit His Holiness in Damascus. Commenting on the evening, Fr. John remarked that "It was a wonderful occasion: His Holiness is manifestly loved very much by his flock, who are grieved to see him leave, but know that in his hands, guided by God, their church will undoubtedly flourish. I look forward to building ever stronger connections between St. Vladimir's and the Syriac Orthodox Church."

Seminary Chancellor/CEO The Very Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield attended a May 13 luncheon in honor of the Patriarch-elect, hosted by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America. His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, presided over the gathering at the Armenian Church's Diocesan Center, having recently returned from meetings with Pope Francis in Rome, Italy, and Patriarch Kirill in Moscow, Russia.

"Our seminary has a long history of service to the Oriental Orthodox Communities and now new and stronger bonds have been formed with both old friends and new leadership in these difficult days for all Christians in the Middle East," noted Fr. Chad.

Seminarian Dn. Shiryl Mathai and his wife Asha attended "Patriarch Appreciation Night", an evening devoted to the youth of the Archdiocese. Deacon Shiryl is a first-year student with the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church in North America; the archdiocese is under the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch. The American primate, Archbishop H.E. Mor Titus Yeldho, is a St. Vladimir's graduate of the Class of 2003.

Read more about the newly elected Patriarch's Installation. 

Read Dr. Gythiel's article, "Translation as a Means of Grace," from Jacob's Well, Winter 2012 

Dr. Anthony P. Gythiel, 83, retired Wichita State University professor and renowned translator, entered into eternal rest on May 15, 2014 in Wichita, Kansas. Dr. Gythiel, who was presented a Doctor of Divinity degree (honoris causa) in 2008 by St. Vladimir’s Seminary’s Board of Trustees, was a dear friend of the Seminary, and highly valued by St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press (SVS Press) for his expertise.

Dr. Gythiel's faith, historical training, and familiarity with 13 languages made him uniquely suited for the difficult work of translating theological-historical works about Eastern Christianity. Fourteen of his translated books were published since 1985. Some of his well-known SVS Press translations have included: Dragon's Wine and Angel's Bread, by Gabriel Bunge; Despondency: The Spiritual Teaching of Evagrius Ponticus on Acedia, by Gabriel Bunge; Woman and the Salvation of the World: A Christian Anthropology on the Charisms of Women, by Paul Evdokimov; and Theology of the Icon, by Leonid Ouspensky

Services were held Monday, May 19th at St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral, Wichita, KS, followed by a graveside interment at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Preston, KS, on Tuesday, May 20th. Editor-in-Chief of SVS Press, The Rev. Dr. Benedict Churchill, attended the funeral on behalf of St. Vladimir's Seminary.

The seminary community expresses its deepest sympathy’s to Dr. Gythiel’s wife, Dana. Memory Eternal.

“Love comes first in our church life, and foremost—love for Christ,” said the newly installed bishop in his remarks. His Grace received his Masters of Divinity degree from St. Vladimir’s over twenty years ago, submitting his thesis on “The Formation of the Canon of Scripture.”

Chancellor/CEO The Very Dr. Chad Hatfield, who attended the celebratory banquet for His Grace, noted, “I was deeply impressed with Bishop Mark's banquet remarks, which revealed his clear understanding of the missiological challenge that lies ahead for his diocese. He spoke well of his SVOTS formation, recalling words from both Fr. John Meyendorff and Fr. Alexander Schmemann.  I look forward to working with him as he takes up his archpastoral role in Eastern Pennsylvania.”

View the Cathedral’s photo gallery and the story and gallery on the OCA Website

Banquet photos by Anastasia Hanney 

From the end of April to mid-May, seminary faculty member The Very Rev. Alexander Rentel participated in three different events regarding Canon Law, in his capacities as assistant professor of Canon Law and Byzantine Studies at St. Vladimir’s Seminary and as secretary of the Statute Revision Task Force of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA). His work at the three events exhibited the range of his expertise and experience—from academic support to careful consideration of the pastoral application of the canonical tradition. 

From April 22–25, he met with the Statute Revision Task Force at the Dormition of the Mother of God Orthodox Monastery, Rives Junction, Michigan, under the presidency of His Eminence Archbishop Nathanael of the Romanian Episcopate, OCA. At their Spring 2013 meeting, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the OCA had charged the Task Force with a revision of the OCA Statute, and the Task Force had met once before, in Phoenix, Arizona, to initiate that work. At this more recent meeting, the Task Force continued the painstaking work of reviewing and revising the current statute. 

Father Alexander remarked, “Such work poses enormous challenges, not the least of which is how to articulate canonical concepts in statutory language. For example, how do you define a parish in a way that satisfies the Church’s understanding and legal expectations?” 

Then, on May 6, Fr. Alexander traveled to Sweden to participate in a final dissertation seminar at the Center for Theology and Religious Studies, Lund University, which centered upon a thesis by Ph.D. candidate David Heith-Stadte, “The Rudder of the Church: An Eighteenth Century Greek Orthodox Theology of Canon Law.” Father Alexander served as an outside reader and examiner for the dissertation, which considered the great canonical compilation of St. Nikodemos the Hagiorite, The Pedalion, or, The Rudder. The two-hour long seminar was convened by Mr. Heith-Stadte’s advisor, Prof. Stephen Borgehammar, and it included other students and recent graduates from the Center. 

“David has already done wonderful work,” said Fr. Alexander, “in placing the compilation of The Rudder in its contemporary context, which has enabled him to uncover and explain the theological presuppositions of St. Nikodemos.” 

“Mr. Heith-Stadte’s next step will be to revise his dissertation further, publish it in a limited edition, and then make a public defense, where those who acquire a copy of his published text can also attend and ask questions,” explained Fr. Alexander.

From Sweden, Fr. Alexander traveled to Volos, Greece to participate in an international conference entitled, “Orthodox Canonical Tradition and Contemporary Challenges,” held at the Thessalia Conference Center, in Melissatika, May 8–11. While there, Fr. Alexander presented a paper, “Thoughts on the Canonicity and the Ecclesial Status of non-Orthodox Churches from the Perspective of the Canonical Tradition”; he also had the opportunity to greet The Rev. Gregory Edwards, newly appointed sessional professor in St. Vladimir’s Doctor of Ministry program, and parish priest in the Diocese of Volos.

Organized by the Volos Academy for Theological Studies, and under the leadership of Dr. Pantelis Kalaitzides, director of the Academy, together with the staff of the Academy, the conference dealt with a number of canonical issues in the modern world, including the interpretation and application of the canons. His Eminence, The Most Reverend John (Zizioulas), Metropolitan of Pergamon, opened the conference and conveyed the greetings of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. His Eminence, The Most Reverend Ignatius, Metropolitan of Volos and Dimitriades, in whose diocese the conference was held, attended most of the sessions and frequently contributed to the lively comments after presentations. 

The conference also was notable for its international participation of canonists and scholars. Among the leading modern scholars were Dr. Spyridon Troianos, The Rev. Grigorios Papathomas, Dr. Theodore Yangou, Dr. Vlassios Pheidas, and Dr. Ioannis Konidaris. 

View Fr. Alexander's presentation in Volos, Greece 

Arvo Part Concert Tickets Going Fast: purchase now at Carnegie Hall!

 May 2014 •  Arvo Pärt Project  • Gabrielle Kushlan

• The New York Times article
• The Wall Street Journal article
• View Metropolitan Tikhon's video endorsement

After years of hard work, the Arvo Pärt Project at St. Vladimir's Seminary—headed by Associate Professor of Systematic Theology Dr. Peter Bouteneff and Assistant Professor of Liturgical Music Dr. Nicholas Reeves—is making a big splash both in major media, and on campus. In anticipation of the events taking place in late May and early June, in Carnegie Hall and other venues, articles about the concerts have appeared online in The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. In addition, the Times will be publishing a print article in its Arts & Entertainment section on Sunday May 18, 2014.

The series of concerts and panel discussions focused on Pärt's work is bringing the composer himself to New York for the first time since 1984. To increase awareness of the Project and prepare the seminary community for the upcoming concerts, Dr. Bouteneff and Dr. Reeves hosted a campus presentation on May 4 which focused on the connection between Maestro Pärt's music and his faith.

The evening opened with a performance of Arvo Pärt's hymn Bogoroditce Djevo (Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos), performed by the St. Vladimir's Seminary Chorale. Dr. Reeves then presented the history of the Arvo Pärt Project, expressing his enthusiasm at the success of the collaboration between the composer and St. Vladimir's, which among other things has shed new light on the spiritual sources of Pärt's work. 

An exploration of the universally-felt spiritual force of Pärt's music and its roots in his Orthodox Christian faith followed. Dr. Bouteneff illustrated the "two voices" (melody and triad, suffering and consolation) of Pärt's "tintinnabuli" compositional method, as Dr. Reeves played Für Alina, Pärt's first piece using this original technique. Assistant Professor of Music at Amherst College Dr. Jeffers Engelhardt then offered a thought-provoking meditation on whether the "tintinnabuli" method is transferrable, or if it is inseparable from, and necessarily tied to, his personal religious and ethical practice.

Among the other speakers were ECM Records representatives Sarah Humphries and Tina Pelikan, who spoke on the long relationship of Arvo Pärt with ECM records and their excitement about the project. Finally, St. Vladimir's Trustee Anne Glynn Mackoul announced that thanks to generous gifts, the Board of Trustees would be able to make it possible for all seminarians and their spouses to attend the May 31st Carnegie Hall concert.

Gabrielle Kushlan is a second-year M.A. student. Intrigued by the collaboration between St. Vladimir's and the mythic Estonian composer, she attended Dr. Bouteneff's public course "The Music and Faith of Arvo Pärt" in Spring 2013, and is looking forward to the upcoming concert series. 

Interested in supporting the Project? 
The Arvo Pärt Project will continue its work after this season's concerts. There are publications, lectures, and conferences planned, and we value your prayers and your financial support. If you have any questions about how and why to donate, please contact Dr. Reeves and Dr. Bouteneff, at: info@arvopartproject.com.

A joint concert titled "Heaven and Earth: Sacred Music from the Byzantine Greek and Slavic Eastern Orthodox Christian Traditions," was offered by the St. Vladimir's Seminary Chorale, under the direction of SVOTS Lecturer in Choral Conducting Robin Freeman, and by chanters under the direction of Eleftherios Eleftheriadis of the Axion Estin Foundation. The highly regarded Protopsaltis of St. Nicholas Shrine Church in Flushing, NY, Eleftherios has taught two public continuing education courses in Byzantine Music at St. Vladimir's, while conductor and soloist Robin Freeman has been involved with SVOTS music since 2006. 

Sponsored by the Institute for Religion, Culture, and Public Life at Columbia University and co-sponsored by the Glicker-Milstein Theatre, the event was part of Columbia's "Spirit and Sound" series and was hosted and curated by Lisa Radakovich Holsberg from the Orthodox Christian Studies Center of Fordham University.

Dr. Peter Bouteneff, associate professor of Systematic Theology, served as a panelist in a discussion which followed the musical portion of the event, which was sold out for weeks prior to the concert. "This evening revealed something miraculous," noted Dr. Bouteneff. "The church-musical traditions of the Greek and the Slavic worlds, though vastly different in how they actually sound, bring you to the exact same place. When the music of either tradition is sung beautifully and reverently, with attention to the text—as it was this evening—our spirit is brought directly to the praise and thanksgiving to God, in his Son and Spirit."

The panel discussion following the concert focused on the spiritual, devotional, and musical dimensions of Orthodox Christian liturgical music, and how it serves as a vehicle for formation and praxis. Noted Director Robin Freeman, "In an insightful comment, Orthodox priest and panelist Fr. John McGuckin said his reaction on hearing the music was primarily 'liturgical'. Although we were performing in a concert setting, Fr. John could not help but anticipate the priest's prayers and liturgical actions while he listened to the music. This highlights the critical link between Orthodox music and liturgy—you can't separate Orthodox music from the prayers and actions of the Liturgy itself."

She continued, "St. Simeon's Prayer, for example, may evoke many things for the Orthodox worshipper: the Vespers service in which it is sung, the Trisagion Prayers that come next, or perhaps simply the end of the day and the darkening of the sky. For us, these songs are not just music, they are part of the rhythms of our daily prayers and spiritual lives."

Concert-goers who were unable to obtain tickets for the event were invited to a free "dress rehearsal performance" on Tuesday, April 29, hosted by St. Vladimir's neighbor, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in New Rochelle. Holy Trinity and it's rector, The Very Rev. Nicholas Anctil, enjoy a close relationship with St. Vladimir's; the Axion Estin Foundation, which exists to increase the knowledge and use of quality Byzantine Music in the United States, is headquartered at Holy Trinity. 

In fall 2012 St. Vladimir's Seminary began requiring all incoming Master of Divinity students to complete one full unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), as a means to strengthen their pastoral abilities. Students who have successfully completed their CPE training from the spring 2014 forward and have demonstrated need, may apply for the funding.

"I am delighted to be part of the team that supports and encourages students in their CPE pastoral formation," said Dr. Gerich.

CPE training focuses on active listening, reflection, and reevaluation in pastoral care settings. SVOTS seminarians are required to complete 400 hours of hospital visitation and related self-reflection under a certified supervisor, and besides earning one full CPE unit from an accredited CPE program for their work, they may simultaneously earn six academic credits towards their Master of Divinity degree.

"Twelve students are set to complete their CPE unit in 2014," said the Seminary's Director of Field Education, Dr. Albert S. Rossi.

"And, seminarian placements for this summer will include a really diverse mix of institutional cultures," he continued. "We'll have seminarians training at New York Presbyterian Hospital in White Plains, NY; Beth Israel Hospital in New York City; Wartburg Adult Care Community in Mount Vernon, NY; and two out-of-state placements in New Jersey and Washington State."

"Because of our students' superb training in New York metro chaplaincy settings, we are becoming known as a seminary that offers a CPE credential with integrity, among CPE supervisors nationwide," Dr. Rossi concluded.

• Read about the CPE experience of alumnus Fr. Adrian Budica, who currently serves as a chaplain and ACPE Supervisory Candidate at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, a member of the Mount Sinai Health System, NYC, in this year's Annual Report.

• Read Seminarian Beryl Knudsen's story about becoming a chaplain. 

The Very Rev. Eric G. Tosi is the Secretary of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA). Before going to seminary he served as an officer in the U.S. Army. He has been a parish priest in Billings, Montana and Las Vegas, Nevada, and is the former Chair of the Department of Evangelization of the OCA. He is completing his doctoral thesis for a Doctor of Ministry on Evangelism in the Orthodox Church, at Trinity College, University of Toronto, and currently manages the OCA's Parish Mentorship Program at St. Vladimir's Seminary. We asked him to update us about this program, and the role it plays in a seminarian's preparation for ministry.

Fr. Eric, from your perspective as an experienced parish priest, an educator, and a church administrator, what are the chief goals of an Orthodox theological education?

Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko wrote in his article "Theological Education and Modernity" that the task of Orthodox theological education is twofold: "to affirm and explain the Orthodox Christian faith, and to assist believers in applying and practicing the faith in their daily lives." The formal education at St. Vladimir's seeks to impart the first task through its rigorous theological education program.

The second task is always a bit of challenge. So many of our students come with such a variety of experiences from such diverse backgrounds, that the task of applying the faith takes on unique challenges. It is through, in part, the Parish Mentorship Program that such challenges are approached.

How has the Parish Mentorship Program developed in the last few years?

This program has always sought, with hierarchical input, to place seniors into local parishes with experienced clergy. Clergy then serve as mentors in the practical pastoral aspects of parish life and ministry. In some instances, the relationships have been very strong, establishing lifelong bonds between the graduating seminarian and the mentor.

A new cooperative effort was established last year between the Chancery and St. Vladimir's Seminary. This level of cooperation has helped graduating students develop a relationship with the Chancery as well as with their mentor priests, and we hope this will also endure throughout their time of ministry.

Have there been any other changes?

We added a monthly reflective class, in which assignments honed the students' skills in understanding parish dynamics, theological reflections on ministry, and understanding practical applications of ministry. We've encouraged seminarians to reflect on the work of a priest, and to discuss the ministry issues that arise. Classes often became a sounding board for their experiences of the preceding month. The readings augment and integrate their experience.

We've also been emphasizing the pastoral and reflective approach. The students are required to complete 100 hours of contact time over two semesters, including participation in the liturgical life of the parish, preparing and preaching three sermons each semester, teaching youth, teen and adult classes, attending a parish council meeting and the annual meeting, and doing two pastoral visitations each semester at nursing homes, hospitals, or homes. All of these were done under the supervision and guidance of the mentor priest.

Which parishes have participated this year?

The OCA Parish Mentorship Program is grateful to the people and pastors of Ss. Peter and Paul Church in Jersey City, NJ, Christ the Savior Church in Paramus, NJ, Christ the Savior Church in Southbury, CT, Holy Transfiguration Church in New Haven, CT, and Holy Trinity Church in Yonkers, NY for their participation in this year's Mentorship program. The students have received invaluable life lessons that will always be a part of their ministry.

~Dn. Alessandro Margheritino

"I feel incredibly blessed to have been mentored by Fr. Joseph Lickwar, a priest with an amazing amount of experience, and patience to match. I also greatly enjoyed our Friday meetings and comparing experiences with the other seminarians. It allowed all of us to get a look inside other parishes—in some cases, vastly different than our own assignments—and gave us the benefit of seeing different parts of the veritable cornucopia of parishes that is the OCA."

~Fr. Nicholas Roth

"Fr. Vladimir's mentoring was vital to my future as a hospital chaplain as he was able to share his pastoral care experience and his knowledge of resources in the greater community."

~Beryl Knudsen

"I think Beryl's experience this year is best summed up in a letter I received on April 18, 2014. I do not know the man; he stopped when Beryl and I were in the office. He wrote: 'Last Autumn upon returning from Southbury, I stopped by the church for the purpose of offering a simple prayer in memory of my late wife Judith. You and your assistant (Beryl) received me with much kindness, sympathy and caring, during a time that I felt very heartbroken. I wish to thank you both.'"

~Fr. Vladimir Aleandro

"I enjoyed the monthly discussions led by Fr. Eric, where we had the opportunity to discuss real and concrete pastoral issues."

~Dn. Kyle Parrott 

"I believe that our parish has benefited more than the student (seminarian Joshua Schooping), especially when the student has a family and they have participated along with the intern in the worship, educational opportunities, and parish activities." 

~Fr. David Vernak