The St Vladimir’s Seminary community was blessed with a hierarchical visit from His Grace, Bishop Gerasim of Fort Worth, Auxiliary to the Diocese of the South (OCA), for the feast of St Herman of Alaska on December 13, 2023. His Grace presided over Vigil on the evening of Wednesday, December 12, and the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy the following day in Three Hierarchs Chapel.
During the Liturgy, His Grace ordained seminarian Giorgi Lomsadze (M.Div. ‘24) to the diaconate, reading the first ordination prayer in Georgian, Dn Giorgi’s native tongue. His Grace was warmly welcomed by Seminary President, the Very Rev. Dr Chad Hatfield, who thanked him for his in-depth homily on St Herman on his feast day.
Also in attendance were the Very Rev. Marcus Burch, Chancellor of the Diocese of the South (OCA), and OCA Metropolitan Council member the Very Rev. Justin Patterson.
After the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy and diaconal ordination, the seminary community commemorated the 40th anniversary of the repose of former dean, Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann, with a solemn panikhida service.
Congratulations and many years to Dn Giorgi and his wife Barbare! Axios!
The third session in the Light of the World Webinar Series was co-hosted by Dr Daniel Hinshaw, SVS Pressauthor and Professor Emeritus of Surgery at the University of Michigan School of Medicine, andDr Sarah Byrne-Martelli (D.Min. ‘19),author, grief coach, and Senior Chaplain for the Division of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. This webinar was held on Thursday, December 14, 2023, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. EST, via Zoom livestream.
Dr Hinshaw’s presentation, titled “The Tension Between Anticipatory Grief and Joy for Orthodox Christians,” delved into the concept of kenosis, or self-emptying, as it relates to the common human experience of suffering as a result of loss, both of our loved ones and our own vitality and independence as we age and draw near to death. Dr Hinshaw gave scriptural and patristic examples to define kenosis as not merely a result of current or anticipated grief but ultimately as an opportunity, a joyful reminder of our journey towards the Kingdom. As Christians, our kenotic experiences enable us to turn away from distractions that obscure our soul’s search for God and Paradise.
Following Dr Hinshaw’s presentation, Dr Byrne-Martelli affirmed the salvific potential of grieving as “one of the ways that we become fully human; a gift from God that we must actively receive…As we pursue our full humanity in Christ, with vulnerability and humility, we grow closer to God, the true Source of life.” Dr Byrne-Martelli went on to address some of the most troubling questions we deal with in our grief, such as how do we view death? Why would a terrible illness happen to someone who lived a good life? Does bad things happening to good people mean God doesn’t really love us? She also gave beautiful examples of grieving within the communal worship of the Church and provided a wealth of practical advice and useful phrases to use when dealing with grief of one’s own or that of a loved one.
Seminary President, the Very Rev. Dr Chad Hatfield, moderated the Q&A session following the speakers’ presentations, which included poignant questions from listeners about grief and loss within their own families. He thanked the speakers for addressing such a “timely topic”, saying, “This is an incredibly busy time of year for most of us, but it’s certainly not ‘jolly’ for those who have recently lost loved ones, or are facing their first Christmas without someone, so you have really developed a ministry that is significant–on behalf of the St Vladimir’s Seminary community, I thank you both.”
Chief Advancement Officer and webinar orchestrator, Sarah Werner, also thanked the speakers for their thoughtful and insightful talks and encouraged listeners to support the students at St Vladimir’s Seminary by making a donation to the scholarship fund at svots.edu/give.
To watch the recording of the third session of the Light of the World Webinar Series, “Darkness into Light: Working through Grief During the Holiday Season”, click the link below.
This monthly webinar series features speakers from among St Vladimir’s Seminary faculty, alumni, and friends, speaking on a variety of topics while answering a core question:
How are we Christians to be the light of the world?
Drawing inspiration from feedback received through a recent survey, these webinars aim to address a diverse range of themes that address real and pressing issues facing Orthodox faithful in modern society.
These online webinars are open to the public and free of cost. They are recorded and uploaded to the St Vladimir’s Seminary YouTube channel after the live Zoom event for easy access.
On Tuesday, November 21, 2023, a luncheon was hosted at St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS), with honored guest His Holiness, Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church Catholicosate of Cilicia, Antelias - Lebanon.
Seminary President, the Very Rev. Dr Chad Hatfield received the distinguished guests, remarking, “We were pleased to receive His Holiness Aram I, as well as representatives of the World Council of Churches (WCC), including alumnus Tony Kireopoulos (M.Div. ‘91) for lunch on campus. We received both an update on the current situation with the new wave of Armenian refugees who have been displaced by the recent war, as well as the WCC efforts in refugee relief.”
The delegation also included Fr Mardiros Chevian, Dean of St Nersess Armenian Seminary, as well as His Grace, Bishop Mesrop, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of America of the Armenian Orthodox Church.
Join us for the third webinar in The Light of the World Webinar Series. This monthly webinar series features speakers from among St Vladimir’s Seminary faculty, alumni, and friends, presenting on a variety of topics while answering a core question:
How are we Christians to be the light of the world?
Drawing inspiration from feedback received through a recent survey we conducted, these webinars aim to address a diverse range of themes related to real and pressing issues facing Orthodox faithful in modern society.
The third webinar in the Light of the World Webinar Series is entitled: Darkness into Light: Working through Grief During the Holiday Season. It will be co-hosted by Dr Daniel Hinshaw, SVS Press author and Professor Emeritus of Surgery at the University of Michigan School of Medicine, and Dr Sarah Byrne-Martelli (D.Min. ‘19), author, grief coach, and Senior Chaplain for the Division of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. This webinar will be held on Thursday, December 14, 2023, from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Eastern, via Zoom livestream.
The online webinar is open to the public and free of cost. It will be recorded and uploaded to our YouTube channel afterward for easy access. Click the button below to register and to receive the Zoom webinar link.
Wednesday, December 13, 2023, the Feast of St Herman of Alaska, marks the 40th anniversary of the repose of Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann, dean of Saint Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) from 1962 until his death in 1983. Following the Divine Liturgy for the feast of St Herman, the seminary community will observe the milestone with a panikhida, as they remember his remarkable life and contributions, both to the seminary and to the development of Orthodoxy in America.
Fr Alexander’s impact on St Vladimir’s Seminary and Orthodox faithful around the world is difficult to overstate—our former dean and professor of liturgical theology remains beloved, revered, and widely read both in and outside the Orthodox Church to this day. On campus, Fr Alexander is continually remembered through assigned readings in classes, faithful commemoration on every Memorial Saturday, the dormitory on the north side of campus which bears his and Matushka Juliana Schmemann’s name, and frequent lectures related to his life and works, as well as the Annual Father Alexander Schmemann Memorial Lecture series. As we commemorate Fr Alexander on the 40th anniversary of his repose, we joyfully share with you ways to read and hear his words, learn more about his long-lasting contributions to the Church, and participate in his legacy.
Books and recordings by Fr Alexander Schmemann:
Schmemann Speaks–a podcast featuring the words and wisdom of Fr Alexander Schmemann, from the St Vladimir's Seminary archives. His words—captured decades ago—are anything but dated. They are further proof that Fr Alexander remains a voice for our time.
“Discern the Spirits”–a video marking the 100th anniversary of Fr Alexander’s birth, featuring a recording of his stirring admonition to modern Christians on how to live in the world.
Fr Alexander Schmemann’s contributions to the growth and strengthening of the Orthodox Faith in America and beyond:
Fr Alexander at St Vladimir’s Seminary–read the history of St Vladimir’s Seminary and its growth under the leadership of Fr Alexander during the 1960’s and ‘70’s.
In Remembrance of Fr Alexander–a profound reflection by Archpriest Alexander Garklavs (M.Div. '93) on Fr Alexander's life and the ways in which he influenced the Church in America and the lives of those who encountered him.
Fr Alexander Schmemann Memorial Endowment–ensure future generations of Orthodox priests and lay ministers receive theological education at St Vladimir’s Seminary (select “Fr Alexander Schmemann Memorial Endowment" in the “I want to support” dropdown menu).
May the memory of Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann (+December 13, 1983) be eternal!
With faith in Christ and hope in the resurrection, we share the news of the repose of Archpriest Michael Oleska (M.Div. ‘73), who fell asleep in the Lord on the morning of November 29, 2023, after suffering a stroke. His Grace Bishop Alexei of Sitka and Alaska anointed Fr Michael with holy oil and administered last rites in the presence of his brother clergy and his family.
Fr Michael Oleska is well known as a missionary priest and student of Native Alaskan culture who dedicated decades of his life to the Orthodox Church in Alaska. He served as a priest in over a dozen Native Alaskan villages over the years. During his last 35 years in Alaska, he also served as a university professor and consultant on intercultural relations and communications, and authored several books on Alaskan Native cultures and history. A 1969 graduate of Georgetown University, he went on to receive a Master of Divinity degree from St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) in 1973. Fr Oleksa earned his doctoral degree in Presov, Slovakia, in 1988.
Fr Michael was a prolific speaker and church educator. His four-part PBS television series, Communicating Across Cultures, has been widely acclaimed. He recently joined Fr Nicholas Molodyko-Harris tospeak about the recent canonization of St Olga of Alaska.
The recipient of numerous awards from local, state, and federal agencies, as well as the Alaska Federation of Natives, Fr Michael taught on all three main campuses of the University of Alaska system and at Alaska Pacific University as well.
Ted Bazil, planned gift officer and senior-most staff member at St Vladimir's Seminary, attended St Vladimir's as a seminarian with Fr Michael Oleksa in the early 1970s. He wrote the following reflection on his memories of Fr Michael, a lifelong friend.
“Fr Michael was destined for missionary work. During his first year as a seminarian in 1970, Fr Michael jumped at the open request of Metropolitan Theodosius, at the time the OCA diocesan bishop of Alaska, for any student from St Vladimir's Seminary to come to Alaska for the summer and work as a catechetical instructor in an Alaskan Native village. Fr Michael was assigned to instruct and lead the children and adults in Three Saints Orthodox Church in Old Harbor, AK, on Kodiak Island, where I later joined him.
Fr Michael's arrival in Old Harbor
Fr Michael teaching Old Harbor children
Fr Michael in Three Saints Orthodox church with children
Fr Michael leading a service for the blessing of the fishing boats in Old Harbor
Photo taken during the canonization of St Herman in 1970 in the old chapel of Saints Sergius and Herman of Valaam on Spruce Island, after the first visit to the Island by OCA Metropolitan Ireney (Bekish) and Archbishop Paul of Finland, with clergy and pilgrims. Fr Michael is pictured on the far right, next to Ted Bazil; during the canonization, they were given liturgical and protocol assignments.
“These photos are merely a small snapshot of Fr Michael's first summer in Alaska. It was by divine providence that Fr Michael took up the fire and zeal of his faith after participating in the canonization of St Herman of Alaska at the end of the summer before returning to his studies with new-found exuberance and purpose.
“His example was followed by many other seminarians in the following years who went to Alaska to serve as diocesan missionaries and teachers at St Herman's Seminary in Kodiak. What distinguished Fr Michael is that he returned and stayed in Alaska until his repose, using his God-given talents to defend the faith and boldly lead others into the mystery of the Orthodox Christian Church.
"Fr Michael brought knowledge and joy to all who knew him. He was an inspiration to the people that he served and loved.”
At the time of his repose, Fr Michael was residing in Anchorage with his Yup’ik wife, Xenia, his daughter Anastasia, and one of his three grandsons.
All services for Fr Michael will be held at Saint Innocent Cathedral, 401 Turpin Street, Anchorage, AK, according to the following schedule:
Monday, December 4 3:00 PM Panikhida and viewing
Tuesday, December 5 10:00 AM Funeral Service
The burial will take place following the Funeral Service at Saint John Antiochian Cathedral in Eagle River.
May the memory of Archpriest Michael Oleksa be eternal!
With faith in Christ and hope in the resurrection, we share the news of the repose of Dr Aristeides Papadakis on September 16, 2023. He was born August 1, 1936, to Michael and Stephania Papadakis in Heraklion, Crete, Greece. He moved to New York City with his parents as a young child. He graduated from Holy Cross Orthodox Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts, and continued his studies at Fordham University, earning a research fellowship at Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection (Harvard University) in Washington D.C. After completing his Ph.D., he became a professor at the University of Maryland.
Professor Papadakis was a scholar of Byzantine, medieval, and religious history. He was the author of several books and many articles on the history and theology of the Eastern Orthodox Church, which included being asked to act as editorial consultant and contributor to the Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium. He participated and lectured at international conferences at the invitation of several universities and institutions, including the Pontifical Committee for Historical Sciences of the Vatican, the Harvard University Center for Byzantine Studies at Dumbarton Oaks, the University of London, the University of Cyprus, and Fordham University.
Dr Papadakis is survived by his sister-in-law, Georgia, nieces Anna (David) and Xanthe, his nephew Michael (Carmen), great nephew Cole, and great niece Zoe (Niranjan).
He was a devoted member of the community of St Nicholas Cathedral in Georgetown, Washington D.C.
Friends and family will always remember Aristeides for his gracious manners and gentle spirit.
A memorial service will take place at 10:30 a.m. on September 25th at St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral in Washington D.C.
Interment at Rock Creek Cemetery immediately following the service.
May the memory of Dr Aristeides Papadakis be eternal!
Ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, faculty, staff, seminarians, and their families attended a Moleben of Thanksgiving in Three Hierarchs Chapel, and then gathered in the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium for the annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner. Members of the Board of Trustees also attended, having completed the first day of their two-day fall quarterly meeting.
In keeping with seminary custom, faculty members manned the serving line, dishing out Thanksgiving classics such as turkey, stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce for students and their families. Event Coordinator Daria Mayrose orchestrated the event, and made sure each table was stocked with crayons and Thanksgiving-themed coloring sheets to keep the children busy. Each table also featured a decorative sign with messages of gratitude; halfway through the dinner, attendees were asked to look under their seats for the winning ticket. Anyone who found a winning ticket was asked to take the sign at their table and gift it to someone they felt grateful for.
At the conclusion of the dinner, Seminary President, the Very Rev. Dr Chad Hatfield recognized departing board member, David Hicks, thanking him for his years of dedicated service to the St Vladimir’s Seminary Board of Trustees. As a parting gift, Fr Chad presented David with an icon of St Vladimir, hand painted by seminarian Daniel Werner (M.Div. ‘26).
The evening concluded with hearty portions of pumpkin and apple pie, followed by a group cleanup effort involving staff and students working as a team.
Guest blog article by seminarian Reader Ferenc Fehervari (M.Div. ‘25)
A few weeks ago, a group of St Vladimir’s seminarians traveled from Yonkers to Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY, for the Fall 2023 Retreat hosted by the Orthodox Inter-Seminary Movement (OISM).
The theme for the Fall 2023 OISM Retreat was pilgrimage. The main events, as fitting for any good pilgrimage, were attending a full monastic cycle of services. Retreat participants attended an all-night vigil, an early morning Liturgy starting at 6 a.m., a magnificent Sunday Liturgy held in the packed cathedral, and a beautiful panikhida for Br. Jose Munoz-Cortez. The panikhida was held to honor the 26th anniversary of the repose of Br. Jose, the original guardian of the wonder-working Hawaiian Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, who was brutally martyred in Greece on Halloween in 1997.
There were roughly 60 pilgrims at the retreat altogether representing four seminaries. The largest group was sent from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Boston, and the second largest group came from St Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary students were already at the monastery and finally, four students (including myself) represented St Vladimir’s Seminary at the retreat.
For me, the main takeaway from the retreat was the necessity of a profound spiritual life for those of us who seek to serve the Church in leadership capacities. While it may sound cliché and trite, you could see the importance that the spiritual life has in our life as seminarians, and to see it reinforced at Jordanville by the monastic rigor was very refreshing. As we seek to serve the Church in ordained and lay servant-leadership capacities, the one thing necessary is to cultivate a profound spiritual life as the cornerstone of our formation. In this way, we will have a rich well of strength from which to draw for the sake of those we wish to serve, and for ourselves.
Another important takeaway from the retreat was how important it is for us as Orthodox Christians to take some time away, whether it be half a day, a day, or even a week, to retreat from the world and make a pilgrimage somewhere (even if this only means that we attend an extra service at our home parish), so that we can be enveloped by silence. It is within the silence that we hear the voice of the Bridegroom of our souls, Christ. And by retreating, we are spiritually empowered to go back into the world and be effective witnesses for Jesus Christ and His Holy Church.
Pictured from left: Mihailo Vlajkovic (M.A. '24), Ferenc Fehervari (M.Div. '25), and Pavlo Kurganov (M.A. '24).
One memory that I will keep from this retreat involves Pavlo Kurganov (M.A. ‘24), one of the attendees, who is also a brother seminarian. Pavlo wanted to hike the path to Golgotha, a cross on a hill that the Monastery had put up for pilgrims to walk to. It was cold and rainy. We tried to discourage Pavlo due to the rain and the cold, and he told us “If you can see it, you can reach it”. While we got a good chuckle out of his determined statement, they were also very inspiring words.
About OISM
OISM was founded in the 1960s with the goal of fostering closer relationships between students of canonical Orthodox seminaries in the US and Canada. OISM exists “in order to create a closer fellowship among students enrolled in Orthodox Christian schools of theological education of all jurisdictions, to affirm our common traditions and gain an appreciation of other cultures and traditions, to promote understanding and unity among all Orthodox Christians, to build a network for future clerical and lay cooperation, and with a humble prayer for the guidance of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ in this and all things.”
