On Sunday December 1 at 7 p.m., St. Vladimir's Seminary's student–run St. Ambrose Society will be hosting Dr. Ryan Nash, M.D., M.A. for a free and public lecture. Entitled "Compassion and Conscience: Health, the Good Life, and Death," the talk will be held in the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium. Following the lecture, a question and answer session will allow for response and discussion. Refreshments will be served at the conclusion.
Dr. Nash is the director of the Ohio State University Center for Bioethics; his research focuses on the interplay between theology, morality, and medicine, especially in the realm of palliative care. He has held a number of chairs in clinical ethics, and he also serves on the editorial boards of The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy and Christian Bioethics. Dr. Nash is widely recognized as one of the nation's leading experts in medical ethics and palliative care.
Earlier this year, the St. Ambrose Society sponsored a March 2013 Lecture titled "On the Corpse and the Chaplain: How Medicine is Destroying Pastoral Care" with Dr. Jeffrey Bishop, M.D., Ph.D.
Seminary Chancellor/CEO The Very Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield recently attended the blessing of the new lakeside home and property–San Miguel del Lago–for Guatemala's Hogar Rafael Ayau Orphanage, Holy Trinity Church, and Holy Trinity Monastery. Mayor Álvaro Arzú of Guatemala City, Russian ambassador to Guatemala Mr. Nikolay Yevguénievich Bábich, and other distinguished guests were also present.
His Eminence Archbishop Antonio (Chedraoui), metropolitan of Mexico, Central America, and Venezuela (Antiochian Archdiocese) presided over Sunday's Hierarchical Liturgy in Holy Trinity Church. Two St. Vladimir's alumni also served with Fr. Chad and the other visiting clergy: The Very Rev. Steven Kostoff of Christ the Savior/Holy Spirit Church in Cincinnati, OH and The Rev. Justin Foster, Protection of the Holy Virgin Mary Church in Royalton, IL.
Following the Liturgy, Metropolitan Antonio and Fr. Chad blessed the tranquil, rural orphanage grounds, and then over 500 guests attended a celebratory luncheon. In his remarks, Metropolitan Antonio commended the orphanage's dynamic leader, Mother Ines Ayau, for her many accomplishments, noting that St. Vladimir's had awarded her a Doctorate of Humane Letters honoris causa during the Seminary's 2013 Commencement Exercises.
"The Holy Angels have protected us on each step and now we must rejoice and let God fill us with His joy and satisfaction of a well done job for His glory," wrote Mother Ines to orphanagehas been filled with obstacles, but the miracles have prevailed."
Back on St. Vladimir's campus, Fr. Chad reflected, "The missionary work in Guatemala is an inspiration to many of us from around the world and is a model for students in the missiological courses offered here." In his eight visits to Guatemala, the Chancellor has led three mission trips and also filled in as the community's priest. Most recently in 2012, he led a mission team from the Seminary that helped the orphanage relocate from "Zone 1," a crime-ridden and dangerous area of Guatemala City, to its new location at San Miguel by the Lake.
The Fr. Alexander Schmemann Professor of Liturgical Theology Dr. Paul Meyendorff recently journeyed to Busan, Korea to attend the 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) as a representative of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA). The Assembly is the highest governing body of the WCC, convening every seven years to review the WCC’s ongoing agenda, formulate public statements of concern and action, and endorse activities and outreach being undertaken by Christian ecclesial bodies around the world.
In addition to conducting its ordinary business and electing officers and Central Committee members, the Assembly issued statements concerning the perilous situation of Christians in Syria, Egypt, and the Middle East. In its business sessions, it elected a new top governing body to lead the WCC, and appointed eight presidents for the WCC's respective "regions." His Beatitude John X, Patriarch of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch and All the East, was elected to represent the Eastern Orthodox, while Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, will represent the Oriental Orthodox churches.
The Orthodox at the Assembly also met separately to discuss issues of common concern. In an expression of unity, both the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox attended liturgy together on Sunday November 3 at the Annunciation of the Theotokos parish, Metropolis of Korea, Ecumenical Patriarchate. "The Assembly provided a wonderful opportunity to meet with other Orthodox throughout the world," noted Dr. Meyendorff. "It was especially remarkable to see the number of St. Vladimir's graduates who are in leadership positions in various Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches."
In addition to Dr. Meyendorff, other attendees associated with St. Vladimir’s were: Trustee His Eminence The Most Rev. Hilarion (Alfeyev), metropolitan of Volokolamsk and chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate Department of External Affairs; Trustee Dr. Anne Glynn Mackoul; Trustee His Grace The Rt. Rev. Maxim (Vasiljevic), bishop of the Western Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America; Trustee H.G. Metropolitan Zachariah Mar Nicholovos, metropolitan of the Northeast American Diocese of the Malankara Church of North America; Alumnus H.E. Metropolitan Mor Polycarpus Aydin of the Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East; Alumnus His Grace The Right Rev. Alexander (Golitzin), Bishop of Toledo and the Bulgarian Diocese, OCA; Alumnus His Grace The Right Rev. Irinej (Dobrijevic) of Australia and New Zealand of the Serbian Orthodox Church; Seminarian Lijin Raju; and Mariam Ceena Varghese, SVOTS lecturer in Malayalam.
More than 430 guests gathered for the black tie dinner hosted by the Seminary's Board of Trustees at Glen Island Harbour Club, New Rochelle, NY, and celebrated the good news during an evening designed to evoke remarkable memories and point out significant milestones for the Seminary, begun in 1938 in rented quarters in New York City and now situated on 12 beautiful wooded acres in Westchester County.
"The Evaluation Committee from the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) Commission on Accrediting, which visited our campus recently, will recommend a 10–year reaccreditation for our school and its programs, without any notation," said The Very Rev. Dr. John Behr, dean of St. Vladimir's. "This recommendation means that St. Vladimir's is recognized to be working at the highest standard possible.
"The Evaluation Committee were especially commendatory about the culture of excellence, transparency, and critical-self reflection that they found at our school, and that does, indeed, mark everything we do and have done for the past seventy-five years, and will continue to do," noted Fr. John.
The ATS team visited the campus October 21–24, interviewing students, staff, faculty, and administrators. Immediately after its visit, the team notified both Fr. John and seminary Chancellor/CEO The Very Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield of its recommendation, which will be reviewed for final approval by ATS's national Board of Governors in February 2014.
Throughout the evening, Master of Ceremonies Theodore Bazil, longtime former Director of St. Vladimir's Seminary Press and now senior advisor at the Seminary, made public recent gifts, all of which are earmarked as endowments for either student scholarships or special projects. Among these were significant donations from two seminary trustees: a $750,000 donation from Trustee Protodeacon Peter Danilchick, and his wife, Tanya, to establish the "Danilchick Family Endowment for Pastoral Studies" for students enrolled in the Seminary's new Doctor of Ministry program; and a $50,000 donation from Trustee Brian Gerich, to establish the "Dr. Albert Rossi Endowment" for student scholarships.
Additionally, $250,000 from an anonymous donor was given to establish an endowment for the newly envisioned "Institute for Sacred Arts at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary." The Institute is an element of the Seminary's 2020 Strategic Plan and is being proposed as a center where theological scholarship and practical artisanship will comprise student training, eventually leading to a Master of Sacred Arts degree.
Several bequests to the Seminary, all earmarked as endowments for student scholarships, also were announced, including: a $1M bequest from Lydia Meshenko, held by The Pittsburgh Foundation; a $154,000 bequest from Susan Kushner; and a $110,000 gift from the estate of longtime seminary chapel member Georgia B. Toumbakis.
"These endowments are gifts to be held in perpetuity, and they represent a high level of trust and commitment by our donors to our institution," said Mr. Bazil. "With their reception, the Seminary is charged with the responsibility to preserve, protect, and steward these gifts."
Father Chad also expressed deep gratitude for the many recent monetary gifts received by the Seminary on the occasion of its Diamond Jubilee, observing, "These gifts are essential for our special projects and scholarships, but I remind all of our generous supporters that we annually draw only a small percentage from these endowments to keep the principal amounts in them stable and sound, and that our operational costs, which are covered by our Annual Fund, are still underfunded."
"Perhaps the joy of this 75th Anniversary celebration will resonate with our friends and church family to increase support for our day-to-day operations," he quipped, "which, as I understand, have historically run on 'shoe-strings.' —I'd like to see those shoe strings turn into strong life lines."
Father Chad in turn acknowledged the extraordinary gift of the relics of St. Vladimir, received through His Eminence, The Most Rev. Metropolitan Philip, archbishop of Poltava and Myrhorod, of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Moscow Patriarchate, in Kyiv, saying, "When the relics were brought to St. Vladimir's three years ago, we thought that was a once-in-a-lifetime blessing, but now the Church in Ukraine has graced us with the permanent blessing of the relics of our patron saint, along with a valuable Book of Gospels commemorating the 1025th Anniversary of the Baptism of the Rus'."
Adding to the joy of the occasion were the presence of guest speakers His Grace, The Right Rev. Basil (hon. D.D.), bishop of the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America of the Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America; and The Very Rev. Dr. John McGuckin, The Ane Marie and Bent Emil Nielsen Professor in Late Antique and Byzantine Christian History, Union Theological Seminary, and Professor of Byzantine Christian Studies, Columbia University. Each noted the remarkable contribution that St. Vladimir's has made to the Church and the Academy alike worldwide. His Grace Bishop Basil noted that in speaking at the 75th Anniversary, he had come home to "the place that made me all that I am," and that the Seminary likewise has had a "sustained impact in Orthodoxy throughout the world." Dr. McGuckin spoke specifically about "The Contribution of St. Vladimir's Seminary to the Discipline of Theology," reiterating the school's academic history and noting its continued insistance upon highly qualified instructors to ensure academic excellence.
Regrettably, the President of the Seminary's Board of Trustees, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, primate of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) was unable to attend the gala due to illness from pneumonia. (The Metropolitan sent a message stating he is recovering but doctors' orders currently required bed rest and avoiding travel.) However, he sent a congratulatory message, which was read by His Eminence the Most Rev. Nikon, archbishop of Boston, New England, and the Albanian Archdiocese of the OCA, which stated in part: "St. Vladimir's Seminary has always provided a place where these inspired leaders, together with those who taught, counseled, and administered at their sides, could share the life-giving truths of Christ and His Church with all who came, and continue to come, to this institution for spiritual and intellectual refreshment."
Co-chairs of the 75th Anniversary Committee were Alex Machaskee, who serves as Executive Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Seminary, and Anthony Kasmer, chair of the Audit Committee of the Board. Mr. Machaskee thanked those who planned the banquet, Co-chairs Anne Glynn Mackoul, Matushka Sharon Rubis, and Tatiana Hoff, and those who planned events throughout the entire anniversary year and read a congratulatory letter from Serbian Patriarch His Holiness Irinej, archbishop of Pec and metropolitan of Belgrade-Karlovci, which expressed best wishes and offered prayers for the "successful establishment of the St. Vladimir's International House of Studies, including the St. Sava House of Studies." The International House of Studies is also part of the Seminary's Strategic Plan 2020, and it will include faculty and student exchanges with several Orthodox Christian seminaries around the globe. Several other congratulatory letters from church and political leaders were also read.
Other honored guests included: His Eminence, The Most Rev, Justinian, archbishop of Naro-Fominsk,Church in the USA; His Eminence, Metropolitan Savas, archbishop of the Metropolis of Pittsburgh (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America); His Grace The Right Rev. Michael, bishop of New York and New York and New Jersey (OCA); His Grace The Right Rev. Melchisedek, bishop of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania (OCA); His Grace The Right Rev. Irénée, bishop of Québec City and administrator of the Archdiocese of Canada (OCA); His Grace The Right Rev. Nicholas, auxiliary bishop for Brooklyn, and resident assistant to His Eminence Philip, archbishop of New York and metropolitan of All North America, of the Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA); His Grace The Right Reverend Bishop John, auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Worcester and New England (AOCANA); The Very Rev. George Roschin, representing Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev, chairman of the Department of External Church Relations of the Russian Orthodox Church, Moscow Patriarchate, and member of the Board of Trustees of St. Vladimir's Seminary; The Very Rev. Dr. Stephen Voytovich, dean of St. Tikhon's Orthodox Seminary, South Canaan, PA; The Rev. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, New Rochelle, NY; and Matushka Marie Meyendorff, wife of Protopresbyter John Meyendorff (dean of St. Vladimir's 1984–1992).
Distinguished guests from other church bodies included: Archbishop Robert Duncan, primate, Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) and Bishop Edward Salmon, sometime bishop of South Carolina and dean of Nashotah House Seminary, WI (ACNA); Msgr. Joseph G. Quinn, vice president, Fordham University Missions and Ministry; Board member of Union Theological Seminary Calvin Mew and his spouse Mary Crawford; and Viji George, Ed. D., president of Concordia College, Bronxville.
Other highlights of the evening included a video featuring Matushki Juliana Schmemann, wife of Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann (Dean, 1962–1983) and Marie Meyendorff, wife of Protopresbyter John Meyendorff (Dean, 1984–1992), and Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko (Dean, 1992–2002) and The Very Rev. John Erickson, hon. D.C.L. (Dean 2002–2006); a historical slideshow; and a Silent Auction filled with items related to the history and mission of the Seminary. The Honorable Michael Spano, Mayor of the City of Yonkers, NY, presented the Seminary with a special citation on the occasion.
Dr. Michael Colburn, Mission Specialist in Linguistics and Translation for the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC), will be on St. Vladimir's Seminary's campus to talk about his work in translating Orthodox Christian liturgical texts into native languages in East Africa and Guatemala. Once a missionary linguist / translator with the Wycliffe Bible Translators serving the Ogea people of Papua New Guinea, Dr. Colburn also worked twenty-four years as a full-time software developer and software product manager for the US Government. He has degrees in Biblical Studies, Linguistics, and Computer Science, and he will be discussing the software tools and courses he has developed to help Orthodox Christians around the world worship in their mother tongues.
Metropolitan Philip presented the relics on behalf of His Beatitude Vladimir (Volodymyr), metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine, of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate).
Chancellor/CEO The Very Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield acknowledged the extraordinary gifts, saying, "Three years ago on November 13, 2010, when the Episcopal Secretary of the Archdiocese of Canada of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) a permanent and most gracious gift from Metropolitan Philip and the Ukrainian Church."
He added, "The rare Gospel Book, given to us at the same time, is a reminder that 75 years ago the decision was made to give our seminary a missionary saint as its patron. This book, commemorating the 1025th anniversary of the Baptism of the Rus', will inspire us to remember our first charge to be a missionary school."
The SVOTS Chancellor travelled to Ukraine last June, where he and the Rector of the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary, Metropolitan Antony (Borispolsky), reached a cooperative agreement between their respective theological schools. The agreement will offer opportunities for student and teacher exchanges; the sharing of educational models; the development and execution of joint research projects; the co-sponsoring of symposia, conferences, and seminars; and co-publication of scholarly materials.
The Women's Group consists of seminarian wives and students; we meet several times a month for community–building activities. The first Saturday in November, we participated in the weekly food distribution at the Emmaus House in Harlem, a hospitality house inAssembling toiletry kits on campus the Eastern Christian tradition whose mission for many years has been to serve the poor in the surrounding community.
After collecting food and toiletry items from people at St. Vladimir's, four of us traveled to the Emmaus House in New York City, where we assisted in making over 100 lunches. We then distributed the food and other donated items to people who live in the neighborhood of 125th Street and Lexington Avenue.
The Emmaus House Facebook page dubbed us "The Real Housewives of St. Vladimir's" and said, "Many of the people we serve at this location on Saturday are on the street most of the time, often in the throes of addiction, and not connected to the resources available to them. This is a hard and important work, and one which is in keeping with the priorities of the Emmaus movement which is to serve those who suffer most. Thank you, the Real Housewives of St. Vladimir's, for your outstanding work and service to the community!"
We were also able to tour the House with one of the directors, Michael Taylor, and learn about the many ministries offered by its dedicated staff. The Emmaus House fulfills its mission to serve the poor in its community in many different ways. We saw their thrift store, sidewalk sale, and food market in action on the day of our visit, and learned about the ESL, SSL and GED classes they sponsor throughout the week. We often receive a lot of help and support from others as seminarian families, and so it was a blessing to be able to give to others who need help as well.
As we made the sandwiches, a passage from Matthew 25:35-40 posted on the wall naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me." Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?" And the King will answer them, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me."
Molieben of Thanksgiving served by Cathedral Dean The Very Rev. Michael Senyo, with choir responses led by The Very Rev. Thomas Soroka, rector of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, McKees Rocks, PA.
The Very Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield, chancellor/CEO of St. Vladimir's, as Master of Ceremonies for the event, made two significant announcements. First, the "Father Thomas Hopko Scholarship Fund," which provides seminary scholarship aid for sons and daughters of priests, was recently fully funded with $100,000 in total donations; and second, a faculty–staff duplex on the seminary campus will henceforth be known as "The Hopko House."
Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania; The Most Blessed Theodosius, former Archbishop of Washington and Metropolitan of All America and Canada; The Rev. Dr. John Jillions, chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America; The Very Rev. Dr. John Behr, dean of St. Vladimir's; Catherine Hopko Mandell, daughter of Fr. Thomas; and members of The Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration, Ellwood City, PA, where Fr. Thomas and his wife Anne often attend services. Additionally, Fr. Thomas Soroka made a presentation of an icon of Christ on behalf of Ancient Faith Radio, a media outlet for which Fr. Thomas Hopko has done 300+ podcasts.
Father Thomas served as Dean of St. Vladimir's Seminary from 1992–2002, and retired with the distinction Dean Emeritus. From 1968–2002 he taught courses in Dogmatic Theology, Practical Theology, Homiletics, and Spirituality at the Seminary. He served as pastor of churches in Warren, Ohio (1963–68)), Wappingers Falls, NY (1968–1978), and Jamaica Estates, NY (1978–1983). Married to Anne Schmemann in 1963, the Hopkos have five married children (a son and four daughters), 16 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Father Thomas and his wife Anne now live in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania.
“I hope you enjoy your time as a deacon, and always serve with love, joy and humility,” Bishop Irénée encouraged Dn. Kyle in his remarks. Seminary Dean The Very Rev. Dr. John Behr welcomed His Grace, noting that “it’s been a joy to have you join us on campus these last few days—it’s been 45 years since you last visited St. Vladimir’s.” The Bishop replied, “I’m glad to be here and worship with you—the music is even more beautiful than your recordings!”
Deacon Kyle was born in Calgary in Alberta, Canada, and spent his early years in the Anglican church before becoming active in several Evangelical churches. His interest in missions led him to participate in short–term outreach in Grenada (in the Caribbean) and in Uruguay. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in History and Minor Greek and Roman Studies from the University of Calgary, and then worked in sales and marketing.
“It was my university studies that caused me to question my own Christian tradition and to look at other churches,” notes Dn. Kyle. “Eventually my inquiries led to my entry into the Orthodox Church, along with Leanne, the young woman I married in 2008.” After their wedding, the Parrotts enthusiastically embraced parish life at Holy Martyr Peter the Aleut Church in Calgary; Dn. Kyle served as a Reader, Mat. Leanne directed the choir, and both taught Church School. During a time of personal reevaluation the two decided to “take the plunge” and come to St. Vladimir’s Seminary.
Deacon Kyle has been serving at the Holy Trinity Church in Yonkers, NY (Orthodox Church in America) under the guidance of Rector The Rev. David Cowan. The Parrotts’ daughter Sophia was born in 2011 at the beginning of Dn. Kyle’s studies. Matushka Leanne is a gifted photographer and has chronicled many events for the St. Vladimir’s Website.
Clergy serving at the ordination included: The Right Rev. Irénée, presiding; The Very Rev. Dr. John Behr, The Very Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield, The Rev. Dr. David Meyzinski, The Rev. Dr. Benedict Churchill, The Rev. Aleksey Paranyuk, The Rev. Dn. Gregory Hatrak, and The Rev. Dn. Nicholas Roth.
On the first Saturday in October, over forty Orthodox college students gathered at St. Vladimir's for fellowship and spiritual encouragement during College Education Day.
The conference coincided with the 50th anniversary of the publication of Fr. Alexander's seminal SVS Press book, For the Life of the World, which both speakers claimed set them upon the path to Orthodox Christianity and deepened their faith in Christ. The book, translated into at least 12 languages, was first printed in 1963 by the National Student Christian Federation.
Director of Admissions and Alumni Relations at St. Vladimir's Protodeacon Joseph Matusiak organized and served as host to the conference, which drew from several Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) chapters on college and university campuses. "In this unique year," said Protodeacon Joseph, "our Events Committee decided to dedicate what normally is Orthodox Education Day to the spiritual growth of college and university students. It was an inspiring day for all of us, and we hope to find continued ways to minister to collegians."
Visiting students also gathered together for meals and conversation, and worshipped in Three Hierarchs Chapel: praying the Akathist Hymn for The Saints of North America and joining other members of the Seminary community for Great Vespers.
