At an Academic Convocation Monday evening, the seminary's Board of Trustees honored His Beatitude Metropolitan Krystof, primate of the Orthodox Church in the Czech Lands and Slovakia, by bestowing upon him a Doctor of Divinity degree, honoris causa, in recognition of his theological, missionary, and pastoral gifts, which have been instrumental in revitalizing the Church in his homeland. At the same convocation, the Executive Chair of the Board, Anne Glynn Mackoul, also announced the reappointments of the seminary Dean, Archpriest John Behr, and the seminary Chancellor, Archpriest Chad Hatfield, to another five-year term, beginning in 2012.

His Beatitude Metropolitan Jonah, primate of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) and president of the seminary's Board of Trustees, opened the convocation. Additionally, on behalf of the Orthodox Church in America, Metropolitan Jonah presented "The Order of Saint Innocent" medal to Metropolitan Krystof, for "supporting Orthodox unity" throughout the world.

The seminary's Chancellor, Archpriest Chad Hatfield, welcomed the campus community and distinguished guests to the convocation—which included His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion, the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR); His Eminence Justinian, archbishop of the Russian Orthodox Church in the USA (Moscow Patriarchate); His Grace Nikon, bishop of Boston, New England, and the Albanian Archdiocese (OCA); and His Grace Melchisedek, bishop of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania (OCA)—and introduced Metropolitan Krystof as the main speaker for the evening. In his welcoming remarks, Fr. Chad expressed his interest in a continued dialogue "on the important topic of  theological education" between St. Vladimir's Seminary and Metropolitan Krystof, which, he said, "had begun during this first visit of His Beatitude to our school." Dr. John Barnet, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the seminary, then read the honorary citation, granting the degree of Doctor of Divinity upon Metropolitan Krystof.

In his address to those gathered to honor him, Metropolitan Krystof recounted the history of Christianity and the Orthodox faith in the Czech Lands and Slovakia—emphasizing the durable memory of the evangelization of those countries by Ss. Cyril and Methodius—and, as well, painted a picture of the ongoing evangelical work of the Church in post-modern society. Humbly, he noted his election "by lot" as primate of his Church in 2006, saying, "It is anything but an honor to be the head of an autocephalous Church; it is, rather, an obedience and a service."

His Beatitude Metropolitan Krystof was in the United States on an official visit to the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR), as the guest of His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion. Besides his visit to St. Vladimir's, Metropolitan Krystof visited Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY, and officiated at the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Sign in New York City. Additionally, he met with His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Following the Academic Convocation at St. Vladimir's, he met with the Chancellor and the faculty and Board of the seminary at a private reception. The seminary Dean, Archpriest John Behr, was absent from the convocation, due to his presence in Rome at the Pontifical Oriental Institute, where he was delivering the "Sir Daniel and Countess Bernadine Murphy Donohue Chair in Eastern Catholic Theology" annual lecture.

Metropolitan Krystof was born "Radim Pulets" in Praque in 1953. He studied at the Orthodox Theological Faculty in Presov, Czechoslovakia, after which he completed graduate studies at the Moscow Theological Academy and at the Theological Faculty of the University of Athens, Greece. In 1985 he was tonsured to monastic orders at the Holy Trinity-Saint Sergius Monastery in Sergiev-Posad, Russia, taking the name of "Krystof" (Christopher). Two years later, he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite, and he served at Prague's Cathedral of Ss. Cyril and Methodius. In 1988, Metropolitan Dorotheus presided at his consecratioin to the episcopacy and election as Bishop of Olomouc and Brno. After the repose of Metropolitan Dorotheus in 2000, he was named Archbishop of Prague and the Czech Lands, and he oversaw the work of that Church's Metropolitan Council. He then was elected by council delegates in 2006, to become the fifth Primate of the Orthodox Church in the Czech Lands and Slovakia, which was granted autocephaly by the Patriarch of Moscow in 1951.

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A pan-Orthodox steering committee of scholars and academics is sponsoring a conference on our seminary campus, to explore the possibility of the establishment of a new Orthodox College in North America. Recognizing the increasing desire, and longstanding need, for greater collegiality, familiarity, and scholarly collaboration among Orthodox academics, the committee invites all who are interested in thinking about Orthodoxy and higher education to attend this conference. The conference schedule may be found here. (Look for updates as meeting rooms are assigned. Any changes in speakers will also be updated, should they arise.)

Presentations will be short, 10–15 minutes each, in order to lend the conference the character of a genuine workshop. Orthodox scholars from four different countries and more than a dozen states will be presenting their thoughts on the topic.

The cost for the full conference, including room and board, is $225; for the full conference program and meals only (accommodations off campus), the fee is $150; for the full conference program only (no meals and accommodations off campus), the fee is $50. Single day conference registration will be $30 for Friday, and $15 per day for Thursday and/or Saturday.  Cost for meals per day is $45. Accommodations on the seminary campus will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for $50 per night. For those participants wishing air conditioning and further amenities, please reserve rooms at nearby hotels. Transportation to and from hotels will not be provided.  To register for the conference, click here.

Queries may be directed to the attention of Matushka Tamara Patterson, tamara.j.patterson@gmail.com.

Download the attached flyer and schedule of the Orthodox Christianity and Higher Education Conference, and share it on your social networks with your family, parish family, and friends.

The Orthodox Christianity and Higher Education Conference will be held concordantly with 2011 Summer Programs being sponsored by St. Vladimir’s Seminary on our seminary campus. Find travel directions on our Website.

On Monday, February 28th at 5 p.m., His Beatitude, Metropolitan Krystof, primate of the Orthodox Church in the Czech Lands and Slovakia, will receive an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree at an Academic Convocation held in his honor on our campus. His Beatitude will deliver an address to the seminary community during the cermonious occasion. The convocation, which is open to the public, will be held in the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium of the John G. Rangos Family Building.

"To receive a primate of an autocephalous Orthodox Church at our school is a rare blessing," said Archpriest Chad Hatfield, chancellor of St. Vladimir's. "His Beatitude, who is fluent in English, is known for his many academic pursuits and for his role as the Chief Pastor of a Church that in many ways mirrors the interests of our American Orthodox parishes. We look forward to his visit."

His Beatitude is in the United States on an official visit to the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR), and he will be greeted in New York by His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion, the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church. Besides his visit to St. Vladimir's, he will also visit Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY; will officiate at the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Sign in New York City; and will meet with His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. At St. Vladimir's, he will meet with our Dean, Archpriest John Behr, and our Chancellor, Archpriest Chad Hatfield, and the faculty and students of the seminary.

Metropolitan Krystof was born "Radim Pulets" in Praque in 1953. He studied at the Orthdoox Theological Faculty in Presov, Czechoslovakia, after which he completed graduate studies at the Moscow Theological Academy and at the Theological Faculty of the University of Athens, Greece. In 1985 he was tonsured to monastic orders at the Holy Trinity-Saint Sergius Monastery in Sergiev-Posad, Russia, taking the name of "Krystof." Two years later, he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite, and he served at Prague's Cathedral of Ss. Cyril and Methodius. In 1988, Metropolitan Dorotheus presided at his consecratioin to the episcopacy and election as Bishop of Olomouc and Brno. After the repose of Metropolitan Dorotheus in 2000, he was named Archbishop of Prague and the Czech Lands, and he oversaw the work of the Church's Metropolitan Council. He then was elected by council delegates to become the fifth Primate of the Orthodox Church in the Czech Lands and Slovakia, which was granted autocephaly by the Patriarch of Moscow in 1951.

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By Deborah (Malacky) Belonick

“Renewing St. Vladimir’s commitment to the formation and continuing education of Orthodox Christian priests, I am pleased to make public the hiring of Fr. Sergius Halvorsen, who will teach homiletics to our student body and who also will develop a D.Min. hybrid program that will provide nourishment to pastors ‘in the trenches,’ ” announced seminary Dean, Archpriest John Behr.

"I am thrilled that Fr. Sergius is joining our faculty,” continued Fr. John. “We will now be able to offer the finest instruction in homiletics possible, being, in fact, the only Orthodox Christian seminary to have a full-time faculty position in that discipline. We also will be the first Orthodox institution in North America to offer the hybrid D.Min. program. I am really excited about these and all the other educational developments that we will see coming to fruition within the next few years at our school.”

Those “developments” include an intentional pastoral focus to enrich the education of seminarians on campus and priests in parishes who will serve or who now serve churches in North America. “We are first and foremost concerned about all seminary graduates who are ‘working on the ground,’ and our primary goal at St. Vladimir’s is to offer them the coursework and programs they need to fulfill their pastoral ministries,” Fr. John emphasized.

Father Sergius, a 1996 alumnus of St. Vladimir’s who in 2002 earned his doctorate from Drew University in Liturgical Studies with an emphasis in Homiletics, will be assuming a full-time, tenure-track position at the seminary Fall semester 2011, as “Assistant Professor of Homiletics and Rhetoric.” Initially, he will teach two core courses per semester, Homiletics and Christian Education, and will develop electives in his areas of expertise. Additionally, he will serve as Director of Field Education, overseeing training programs in prison, hospital, and parish ministry. While teaching and directing field education, Fr. Sergius also will begin to prepare a proposal for a new D.Min. program, designed to be a hybrid distance-residential learning program.

Fr. Sergius gained significant expertise in developing distance learning programs while working at Holy Apostles College and Seminary, where he was employed from 2000 to 2011, and where he held the positions of Assistant Professor of Patristics and Rhetoric, and Director of Distance Learning. There, Fr. Sergius oversaw the change from a “correspondence course” model, in which email was used instead of surface mail, to a “second generation” model, in which technology and broadband Internet access were used to create communities of teachers and learners. The program has enjoyed great success; currently, the distance learning program at Holy Apostles has more than three hundred students, with more than one hundred and fifty students enrolling in courses each semester.

Fr. Sergius, in transitioning from his position at Holy Apostles and to St. Vladimir’s, envisions a distance-residential learning program specifically designed to be accessible to clergy throughout the United States. Especially, he noted that the hybrid program to be designed will address the issue of proximity to the seminary campus, a factor that caused the demise of a once-vibrant D.Min. program in previous decades at St. Vladimir’s.

“It had been difficult to maintain the viability of an on-campus D.Min. program due to the fact that the pool of potential students—Orthodox clergy living within driving distance of the seminary—was relatively small. However, offering the program as a hybrid vastly increases the number of potential students,” Fr. Sergius explained. “As a hybrid distance-residential program, Orthodox clergy can earn a D.Min. without having to relocate to Yonkers, by doing the majority of their study via distance learning. Yet, they will also benefit from spending time among the local SVOTS community during regular on-campus intensives.

“There are a number of preliminary steps required before we can formally begin the D.Min. program,” he further stated. “In the coming months we will be conducting surveys to assess potential interest in the D.Min. as a hybrid program. Part of this survey work will be to determine which ‘majors’ are the most interesting to potential students. D.Min. majors could include, but are not limited to: pastoral counseling, parish revitalization, homiletics, and missiology.  Further, the surveys will help us determine if there are other majors that are of interest to potential students. 

“It is absolutely essential for the program that we offer the majors that are most helpful to our clergy and that will most strengthen their ministries,” concluded Fr. Sergius. “Once we identify the best majors, we will work out the specifics of the program and ensure that the new program is in compliance with the American Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and with New York State authorities. We hope that the first class of D.Min. students in this hybrid program will begin their studies in Fall semester 2012, which means that students could begin registering in the spring of 2012.”

Note: Future D.Min. applicants must hold an M.Div. and have five years of pastoral ministry experience. Visit our Website regularly to review the progress of the program.

This year’s public lenten retreat on Saturday, April 2, 2011, will take participants “Back to Basics” in an exploration of the biblical books of Genesis, Proverbs, and Isaiah. The Very Rev. Dr. Harry Pappas, adjunct professor of Pastoral Theology at our seminary and retreat master for the day, will be examining the overall theme, "Back to Basics: Old Testament & Life."

Father Harry bases his teaching of homiletics and pastoral theology on his seminary training at Holy Cross School of Theology, graduate work in biblical studies at Harvard and Yale, and more than twenty years of pastoral experience. He has served as deacon in New Haven, Connecticut; interim pastor in Kingston, New York; and pastor in Enfield, Connecticut, Nashville, Tennessee, and Minneapolis, Minnesota. He also worked as a part-time associate at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in New Rochelle, where he drew large crowds to his scriptural studies classes. Currently, he is the pastor at Archangels Church, Stamford, Connecticut, a parish of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

His particular interests in parish work include Bible study, preaching, worship, contemplative prayer, pan-Orthodox cooperation, and ministry development, especially social outreach and missions. He has made multiple trips to Project Mexico’s St. Innocent Orphanage in Mexico and the Hogar Rafael Orphanage in Guatemala. He has taught at Yale Divinity School, Holy Cross, and the Resurrection of Christ Seminary in Albania.

The schedule for the day and campus venues are as follows:

“Back to Basics:  Old Testament & Life”

  9:00 AM   Divine Liturgy in Three Hierarchs Chapel

10:15 AM   Brunch in Kunnett Auditorium, Three Hierarchs Chapel lower level

11:00 AM   1st Meditation, Discussion, & Break:  "How Life Begins (Genesis)" in Met. Philip Auditorium, John G. Rangos Family Building, top level

12:30 PM   2nd Meditation, Discussion, & Break: "How Life Works (Proverbs)" in Met. Philip Auditorium, John G. Rangos Family Building, top level

  2:00 PM   3rd Meditation, Discussion, & Break: "How New Life Appears (Isaiah)" in  Met. Philip Auditorium, John G. Rangos Family Building, top level

Participants may register for the retreat online for a fee of $10, which includes Brunch.

For further information, please contact events@svots.edu, or call 914-961-8313 X351.

Download a PDF of the retreat and share it with your friends, family, and parish family!

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by Deborah (Malacky) Belonick

During the Divine Liturgy for the feast of the Presentation of the Lord into the Temple, The Right Reverend Mark, bishop of Baltimore and administrator of the Diocese of the South of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), ordained seminarians Dn. Photius Avant to the Holy Priesthood and James Bozeman to the Holy Diaconate. In his remarks following the service, His Grace recounted all the charateristics of the priesthood contained in the prayer for ordination—purity of heart, evangelical fervor, love of Holy Scripture, and joy in liturgical celebration—and urged the newly ordained and their families to imitate these traits.

Thus far this academic year, five of our seminarians have been ordained. A quick overview of their fascinating biographies reveals how Christ calls men of diverse backgrounds to grow into the image of the True Shepherd, in the unity of one Body.

FATHER PHOTIUS AVANT

Educational and Professional Background: B.A. Literature, University of North Texas • Secondary (grades 6–12) English Literature and Composition teacher in Texas for six years.
Student status: 3rd-year student, M.Div. program SVOTS
Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA)
Ordination Holy Diaconate: 25 March 2010,Three Hierarchs Chapel, St. Vladimir’s Seminary, Yonkers, New York, by His Beatitude Jonah, primate of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA)
Ordination Holy Priesthood: 3 February 2011, Three Hierarchs Chapel, St. Vladimir’s Seminary, Yonkers, New York, by His Mark, bishop of Baltimore and administrator of the Diocese of the South (OCA)
Current church service: Seminarian parish placement, Holy Trinity Church,Yonkers, New York, The Very Rev. Yaroslav Sudick, rector.
Biographical note: After graduating from the University of North Texas, Dn. Photius began his career as a public school teacher. His conversion to Orthodox Christianity from Roman Catholicism at the age of 23 sparked an interest in serving the Church. His wife, Carissa, is a Certified Public Accountant, and they have three children, Isaak, Genevieve, and Ian Patrick.

DEACON JAMES BOZEMAN

Educational and Professional Background: B.S. Broadcast Communication, Toccoa Falls College • Furniture Builder for 15 years, Project Manager and Assistant to VP of Design at Habersham Furniture • Musician • Free-lance Graphic Designer
Student status:   2nd-year student, M.Div. program SVOTS
Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA)
Ordination Holy Diaconate: 3 February 2011, Three Hierarchs Chapel, St. Vladimir’s Seminary, Yonkers, New York, by His Grace Mark, bishop of Baltimore and administrator of the Diocese of the South (OCA)
Ordination Holy Priesthood: Currently a deacon, attached to Three Hierarchs Chapel, St. Vladimir’s Seminary, Yonkers, New York
Current church service: Resident Assistant for Married Students at SVOTS Lakeside Apartments • Prior to seminary: Reader and parish council member at St. Timothy Orthodox Church, Toccoa, Georgia, The Very Rev. Jacob Kulp, rector.
Biographical note: After graduating from Toccoa Falls College, Dn. James pursued the dual life of a musician-carpenter. By accident, he discovered his aptitude for furniture building, and he then left behind his training in broadcasting to pursue furniture craft as a career. Simultaneously, the band in which he played guitar, Luxury, was able to secure a record deal with a Seattle-based record company, which led to several years spent seeking musical success. Thanks to his bandmates, Christopher Foley and his brother Lee Bozeman, he and his wife discovered the Orthodox Church. After becoming involved serving at his local parish, St. Timothy Orthodox Church in Toccoa, Georgia, Dn. James discerned a greater calling to serve the Church. Supporting him at SVOTS are his wife, Katie, and their two sons, Alex and Gabriel.

FATHER MAXIMUS CABEY

Educational and Professional Background: B.A. in Theology and Mental Health and Human Services, Franciscan University of Steubenville • Teacher of religion and psychology at the high school level in Kalamazoo, Michigan • High School Youth ministry, 4 years • Marketing/Trade show coordinator, small manufacturing company in Michigan • Personal Injury Adjuster and Total Loss Auto Claims Adjuster for State Farm Insurance
Student status: 3rd-year student, M.Div. program SVOTS
Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA)
Ordination Holy Diaconate: 20 February 2010, Three Hierarchs Chapel, St. Vladimir’s Seminary, Yonkers, New York, by His Beatitude Jonah, primate of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA)
Ordination Holy Priesthood: 14 September 2010, Three Hierarchs Chapel, St. Vladimir’s Seminary, Yonkers, New York, by His Beatitude Jonah, primate of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA)
Current church service: Seminarian parish placement at Holy Transfiguration Church, New Haven, Connecticut, The Very Rev. Michael Westerberg, rector
Biographical note: Raised as a Roman Catholic and originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Fr. Maximus immigrated to the U.S. in 1988. Always sensing a call to be a pastor and teacher, he has been involve d in pastoral ministry in one form or another for the past 23 years. After becoming an Orthodox Christian and marrying, Fr. Maximus felt a renewal of Christ’s call for him to be a pastor and teacher. After three years of prayer and planning, Fr. Maximus and his wife, Photini, moved from Michigan to New York where he enrolled at the Seminary. Mat. Photini works as a customer service representative for a company in nearby Elmsford, New York.

DEACON JOHN W. CULBREATH-FRAZIER

Educational and Professional B ackground:  B.A. in Pyschology and Certificate of Family Ministry at Lenoir-Rhyne College (University) in Hickory, North Carolina • Attended Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary • Various Human Services jobs, including Teacher/Counselor at Sipe's Orchard Home in Conover, North Carolina, and Grandfather Home for Children in Banner Elk, North Carolina
Student status: 3rd-year, M.Div. program SVOTS
Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA)
Ordination Holy Diaconate: 14 September 2010, Three Hierarchs Chapel, St. Vladimir’s Seminary, Yonkers, New York, by His Beatitude Jonah, primate of the Orthod ox Church in America (OCA)
Ordination Holy Priesthood: Currently a deacon, attached to Three Hierarchs Chapel, St. Vladimir's Seminary• By the Grace of God, to be ordained to the Holy Priesthood 12 March 2011, by His Grace Seraphim Sigrist, former bishop of Sendai (OCA)
Current church service: Seminarian parish placement at St. Gregory the Theologian Orthodox Church, Wappingers Falls, New York, The Very Rev. Alexis Vinogradov, rector and The Rev. Dr. Michael Plekon • SVOTS Community Church School & Kids' Cafe Coordinator.
Biographical note: Dn. John was born and raised in Fort Mill, South Carolina. He met his wife, Mandy, at Lenoir-Rhyne, through their membership in the Church and because of their mutual interest in community service. Dn. John was received into the Orthodox Church at Nativity of the Holy Virgin Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. He completed a Clinical Pastoral Education internship and is pursuing CPE residency to be a full-time hospital chaplain.

FATHER MICHAEL SAKRAN

Educational and Professional Background: B.A. History and Religious Studies, University of Houston • Diploma in Orthodox Theology, St. Stephen’s Course • U.S. Marine Corps 1998–2002 • Mortgage Loan Officer 2002–2005
Student status: 3rd-year, M.Div. program SVOTS
Jurisdiction: Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA)
Ordination Holy Diaconate: 13 November 2009, St. George Orthodox Church, Houston, Texas, by His Grace Basil, bishop of the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America (AOCANA)
Ordination Holy Priesthood: 12 November 2010 at St. George Orthodox Church in Houston, Texas, by His Grace Basil, bishop of the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America (AOCANA)
Current church service: Seminarian parish placement at St. John the Forerunner Antiochian Orthodox Church, Levittown, New York, The Rev. George Makhlouf, rector
Biographical note: After completing one semester of college, Fr. Michael enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, and was eventually stationed in Quantico, Virginia. Having served honorably for four years, he was discharged in 2002 from active duty. While finishing up his history degree at the University of Houston, two providential events occurred: he discerned a call to the ordained ministry and he met his future wife, Melanie (Moore). After college, Fr. Michael worked as the full-time youth director at St. George Orthodox Church in Houston, Texas, before enrolling at St. Vladimir’s. Fr. Michael and Kh. Melanie are blessed with twin sons, Michael and Gabriel. At the Seminary, Dn. Michael not only actively participates in the Byzantine choir, but in his spare time, he teaches a martial arts class to some of the children on campus.

Register Now! $50 registration fee waived if you sign up and pay prior to May 1st.

Registration for our 2011 Summer Programs has begun. Please join us in June for a major conference, “Women Disciples of the Lord,” and for continuing education workshops.

June 7–8:  Missiology and Evangelism Workshop

In an effort to reach two indigenous and rapidly growing North American populations with the message of Orthodox Christianity, our two-day workshop on missiology and evangelism will focus on outreach to people of African heritage and Spanish-speaking cultures in the U.S. and Canada. Workshop leaders will be Fr. Moses Berry of St. Louis, Missouri, and Fr. Antonio Perdomo of Pharr, Texas, two experienced "evangelists."

Registration, Fees, & Accommodations

June 9–11: Internet Pornography and Chastity Workshop

The enormous world of internet pornography continues to invade our culture, and the statistics* are staggering: 40 million Americans are regular visitors to porn sites; 70% of men ages 18–24 visit porn sites monthly; 1 in 3 porn viewers are women; there are 116,000 searches for “child pornography” daily; and 35% of all internet downloads are pornographic.

Dr. Albert Rossi, our adjunct professor of Pastoral Theology, has designed a workshop for pastors, youth ministers, and educators, to address this pressing problem. There will be a dual focus: 1) pastoral counseling for internet pornography problems of adults; and, 2) the issue of chastity for youth and young adults today. Lecture, video material, and discussion will comprise the sessions.

*Via Online MBA

Registration, Fees, & Accommodations • Schedule

June 17–19:  Women Disciples of the Lord

In recent decades, we have seen several important conferences about women in the Church. These have reflected on women’s gifts, and their joys and frustrations in trying to fulfill their Christian calling; some have produced recommendations for parishes and local churches. The goals of this particular conference are:

• to explore and articulate the Christ-centered context out of which lay, and especially women’s, ministries are to be expressed;
• to listen to women pursuing God-bearing vocations in Church, parish, home, and society; and, building on previous meetings,
• to help our parishes and Churches foster women’s and lay vocations.

The primary questions we will be addressing towards these goals are:

• How did our female forebears understand and live in Christ—as women? And how may we follow their examples today?
• Christ empowered the women among His disciples. How can women’s talents enrich the work of the Church today, energize parishes, and bring the Gospel into the world?
• How can the Church’s institutions better participate in the preparation of women and other laity for service? How can the Church validate women in their ministries: hiring them, blessing them, and sending them to attend to the Church’s missions? How can it establish positions worthy of its women seminary graduates? What infrastructure needs to be created?

This conference is not for women only, but also for laymen and clergy interested in building and broadening lay vocations and ministries in the Church. We seek to foster a creative, constructive, and inspiring encounter, through lectures, panel discussions, and workshops, with table fellowship and daily worship.

Our list of topics and speakers includes:

• "Opening Address" • Matushka Juliana Schmemann
• "Eve, Mary, and Us"  • Dr. Kyriaki Karidoyanes Fitzgerald
• "Light from the Past on Vocations Today: Learning From the Women Saints" • Dr. Mary Ford
• "A Writer’s Vocation in the Orthodox Church" • Frederica Mathewes-Green
• "Orthodox Women: A Recent History" • Ms. Eleana Silk

On Friday, June 17, 7:30 p.m., Archpriest John Behr, dean of St. Vladimir's Seminary, will present a free and public lecture, "Male and Female Created He Them,"  

Workshops and panels will feature a wide range of speakers from Gospel-bearing vocations within and outside parishes, representing areas such as chaplaincy, education, prison ministry, service to the poor, youth ministry, science and ethics, music ministry, parenting, writing, and others. A final session for SVOTS Alumnae is planned to work towards assisting the local churches with resources for women, their theological education, and their vocations.

All, especially our alumnae, may continue to shape the conference by emailing the co-coordinators, Tanya Penkrat, tpenkrat@svots.edu, and Dr. Peter C. Bouteneff, pcb@svots.edu.

Registration, Fees, & Accommodations • Schedule

June 19–23:  5th Annual Diaconal Liturgical Practicum

Practical liturgical training for deacons and lay diaconal candidates will be supported by celebration of the Divine Liturgy and other services. Intensive workshops will provide participants with the skills needed to serve effectively in the Orthodox Church, with attention given to the liturgical patterns of movement that inform the rite. Guidance on concelebrations and hierarchical celebrations will prepare participants for such occasions. Focused presentations by seminary faculty will augment the deacon's understanding of his place in the liturgical life of the Church and the deacon's broader vocation as a symbol to the faithful of the diakonia of Christ our Lord. Instruction in public speaking and vocal technique will also be offered. Workshop leaders will be Archdeacon Kirill Sokolov, Fr. Sergius Halvorsen, and Fr. John Behr, dean of St. Vladimir's.

Click on the highlighted links for more information & to register:

Full Description of the Program & Faculty • Schedule • Preparation & FAQs • On-Campus Accommodations • Off-campus Accommodations • Registration 

June 19–25: Iconography Workshop

Protodeacon Nazari Polataiko will instruct aspiring and experienced iconographers in the egg tempera Russo-Byzantine style of iconography, endeavoring to teach not only craft and technique but also the prayerful attitude required in executing this art. The offering this summer will also include presentations on ecclesiastical architecture. 

Registration, Fees, & Accommodations • Schedule

Download the attached flyer and share it with your friends, family, and parish family!

February 9, 2011 • Dr. David Wagschal

Our seminary Dean, Archpriest John Behr, with the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, has announced the creation of a new tuition scholarship. The "Dean's Scholarship" will be awarded to outstanding candidates for the Th.M. degree and will cover the full cost of tuition. Up to five awards will be made per year.

"Over the past few years St. Vladimir's has significantly revamped and reconfigured its Master of Divinity program," remarked Fr. John. "This scholarship represents the first phase in a similar process of developing our new one-year Th.M. program. Demand is high for an advanced theological degree in Orthodox studies, either as preparation for doctoral work or as a more specialized research complement to an M.Div. or M.A. degree. With this new scholarship we hope to encourage some of the outstanding men and women who show significant promise of success in advanced theological studies to pursue a degree at St. Vladimir's Seminary. It is essential for the future of our seminaries, and thus the health of the Church more generally in this country, that opportunity is provided for those who are able to take their education to a higher level."

The number of St. Anthony the Great monastic scholarships and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian scholarships has also been increase2012 academic year. The St. Anthony the Great Scholarship Fund, established in 2010 for entering and returning students, now grants three awards (up to 100% of tuition in grant and work-study) to Eastern Orthodox men and women of the monastic rank of (at least) Rassaphore who demonstrate need, strong academic performance, and promise of significant service to the Church. Priority is given to men who are enrolled in the M.Div. program and preparing for ordination.

The Malankara Orthodox Scholarship Fund, established in 2010 for entering and returning students, now grants six awards (up to 75% of tuition in grant and work-study). It is awarded to men and women of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church who demonstrate need, strong academic performance, and promise of significant service to the Church. Priority is given to men who are enrolled in the M.Div. program and preparing for ordination.

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by Deborah (Malacky) Belonick

Over 1,000 people streamed into the awe-inspiring Church of St. Paul the Apostle in New York City Monday evening to hear the equally sublime St. Matthew Passion, composed by Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev), an episcopal member of the Board of Trustees of St. Vladimir's Seminary and chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations. The performance—the U.S. English-language premiere of the opus—was hosted by the seminary in cooperation with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, and it crowned the four-day visit of His Eminence Hilarion to the metro area.

Maestro Greg Hobbs, who next week will also conduct the Dallas premiere of the work, took command of soloists, string orchestra, and chorus to deliver a stately and majestic performance to an overflowing  crowd. Under his baton, The Salomé Chamber Orchestra; famed soloists soprano Mary Mackenzie, mezzo-soprano Ana Mihanovic, tenor Blake Friedman, and bass Aaron Theno; and The New York Virtuoso Singers prepared by Harold Rosenbaum, magnificently elucidated text and music, creating a highly expressive yet sober symphonic experience for the audience. Protodeacon Vadim Gan, who sang the principal baritone part of “The Evangelist,” anchored their rhapsodic voices and soul-stirring strings to scriptural passages, which he intoned with humble subtlety.

Metropolitan Hilarion studied composition at Moscow Gnessins School of Music and subsequently at the Moscow State Conservatory. His musical compositions include the Divine Liturgy (2006), and All-Night Vigil (2006) for a cappella choir; the Christmas Oratorio for soloists, boys choir, mixed choir, and symphony orchestra (2007); and A Song of the Ascent, a choral symphony on the Psalms (2008).

In 1987 Metropolitan Hilarion was ordained priest, and since 2002 he has been a bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church; he was elevated to the rank of archbishop in 2009. A polyglot and exceptionally gifted, His Eminence has authored more than 600 publications, including twenty books that have been translated into major European languages.

Besides attending the premiere in his honor during his New York City stay, Metropolitan Hilarion also delivered the 28th annual Father Alexander Schmemann Lecture, Saturday, February 5th on our campus, and was honored at a book signing at St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Patriarchal Cathedral, 15 East 97th St., New York, on Sunday, February 6th after Divine Liturgy. Most of the seminary community accompanied our Dean, Archpriest John Behr, and our Chancellor, Archpriest Chad Hatfield, to the cathedral for the Eucharistic service, and several seminary priests concelebrated the liturgy with His Eminence Justinian, archbishop of the Russian Orthodox Church in the USA (Moscow Patriarchate); His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion; and His Beatitude Jonah, primate of the Orthodox Church in America and president of the Board of Trustees of St. Vladimir's Seminary. Also concelebrating at the liturgy was His Grace Melchisedek, bishop of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania (OCA), who was visiting the seminary for the weekend.

After the Divine Liturgy, at a special reception, Metropolitan Hilarion signed two books that he has published with St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, Christ the Conqueror of Hell: The Descent into Hades from an Orthodox Perspective (2009) and The Orthodox Christianity Set.

by Deborah (Malacky) Belonick

Following the lecture, Metropolitan Hilarion presented the seminary with an exquisite icon of the Theotokos and Christ Child, and then celebrated Great Vespers with the seminary community in Three Hierarchs Chapel.

His Eminence will be visiting the New York Metro area this entire weekend. He will do a book signing at St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Patriarchal Cathedral, 15 East 97th St., New York, NY, on Sunday after Divine Liturgy, 10 a.m., February 6th. He will be signing two of the books he published with St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, Christ the Conqueror of Hell: The Descent into Hades from an Orthodox Perspective (2009) and The Orthodox Christianity Five-Volume Series.

He also will attend the U.S. English-language premiere of his opus St. Matthew Passion on Monday, February 7th, 7:30 p.m. at The Church of St. Paul the Apostle, on Columbus Avenue between 59th and 60th Streets, New York City. The concert is being hosted by St. Vladimir's Seminary, in cooperation with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York. Tickets are still available online or at the door the evening of the concert, but they are selling out quickly.