This summer, the oldest living graduate of St Vladimir's Seminary, Trustee Emeritus The Very Rev. Paul Shafran, turned 100 years old and celebrated the seventy-fifth anniversary of his ordination to the holy priesthood.

Father Paul was honored at a special ceremony July 2, 2022 at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Church in Trenton, NJ, the parish he served for more than fifty years as pastor. The Very Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield, president of St. Vladimir's Seminary, took part in the celebration and spoke along with The Right Reverend Michael (Dahulich), archbishop of New York and the New York and New Jersey (OCA), and other clergy and friends.

Archpriest Paul Shafran was born to an Orthodox family in 1922 in Olyphant, PA, and went on to study at Columbia University and St. Vladimir's Seminary. He graduated from the Seminary in 1945 but returned a few years later for post-graduate studies, and he began teaching liturgics as a member of the faculty in the 1950s. Father Paul married his beloved Matushka Mary (née Obletiloff) November 27, 1947. He was ordained to the priesthood December 28, 1947 by the hand of Archbishop Nikon (de Greve of Brooklyn) at the Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Protection in New York City. Father Paul was elevated to archpriest in 1961.

Father Paul briefly served parishes in the Byesville, OH area during his days as a young pastor. He was assigned to St. Vladimir Church in New Jersey in 1949. His long and distinguished pastorship there saw the Church enlarged twice—the first time in 1951 to twice its original size. He was granted retirement in 2002 and subsequently attached to St. Vladimir Church as pastor emeritus.

Father Paul's priestly ministry was multifaceted. In 1955, he was appointed together with Frs. Georges Florovsky and John Telep to a commission for review of a prayer book published by "Svit." The following year he was appointed assistant chairman of the Sunday School Committee of the OCA, where he would work with The Very Rev. John Kivko and Sophie Koulomzine. In October 1960, Fr. Paul was appointed to a commission by the Great Council of Bishops (along with Protopresbyter John Meyendorff as chairman) for the translation of liturgical books from Russian into English. Father Paul's commitment to theological education at St. Vladimir's Seminary saw him not only teach at the Seminary but also serve as trustee starting in 1966, and he accomplished much in his decades on the Seminary Board. He was instrumental, for example in acquiring two important collections for the Seminary library: part of Fr. Florovsky’s private collection and the personal library of Archimandrite Anthony Repella. Father Paul was also dedicated to the care of the elderly as a trustee of Ss. Cosmas and Damian Adult Home on Staten Island. He has also been known as a confidant to many clergy and hierarchs over the years.

May God grant Archpriest Paul and Matushka Mary many years!

Lilly Endowment Inc. has awarded a $1 million grant to help St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) build healthy North American Orthodox parishes by providing training and resources to more ordained and lay leaders—particularly through online education.

The efforts are being funded through Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative. It is a three-phase initiative designed to help theological schools across the United States and Canada as they prioritize and respond to the most pressing challenges they face as they prepare pastoral leaders for Christian congregations both now and into the future.

“We are so thankful and honored that Lilly Endowment recognizes SVOTS as being a key cog in the future of theological education,” said SVOTS President The Very Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield. “They want to see bold and innovative solutions from schools such as ours because theological education is at a crossroads in North America. And because of Lilly Endowment’s support, we will be able to position the Seminary as a catalyst for healthy, thriving parishes.”

Through the five-year Pathways grant, SVOTS will design and develop online learning programs for:

1. clergy continuing education;
2. lay catechist certification;
3. introductory theology courses for adults; and
4. a variety of skill-building and training for parish lay leaders.

“Orthodoxy in North America faces a critical shortage of clergy as well as multiple other vocations. We also need more trained servants to welcome and catechize the large numbers of seekers and inquirers flocking to Orthodoxy in recent years,” added Fr. Chad. “In light of this and other realities, we want to extend our online learning capacity and target practical and pastoral needs at parishes right now—wherever they are—in addition to training their future clergy and lay leaders here on campus.”

An important facet of the learning programs will be their practicality and accessibility. The online programs are being designed using a new online platform capable of delivering interactive sessions as well as pre-recorded lectures and access to various educational resources. Clergy continuing education will be ideal for Orthodox parish priests already taxed with ministry responsibilities, who may not be able to set aside even a few days or the resources to travel to a regional workshop. For laity who are often asked to serve in positions of leadership—but frequently without adequate preparation—SVOTS will provide training and advanced skills for specific roles such as parish treasurer, council member, and others. Introductory theology studies will be taught by seminary faculty members over the summer months; those courses will be designed for anyone wishing to deepen their understanding and commitment to Orthodoxy, as well as members of the general public who are curious about what Orthodoxy has to offer. Catechist certification will enable trained lay leaders to partner with their parish clergy to welcome, educate, and integrate new individuals and families into the Church.

More details regarding the online learning programs made possible by the Lilly Endowment grant to SVOTS are forthcoming.

SVOTS is one of 105 theological schools receiving phase two grants. Together they represent the broad diversity of Christianity in the U.S. and Canada. The schools are affiliated with evangelical, mainline Protestant, nondenominational, Pentecostal, Orthodox, Catholic, Black church, Latino, Asian-American, and historic peace church traditions (e.g., Church of the Brethren, Mennonite, Quakers).

ABOUT THE LILLY ENDOWMENT

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly, Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K., Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff, and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education, and religion and maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. A primary aim of its grantmaking in religion is to deepen the religious lives of Christians, principally by supporting efforts that enhance congregational vitality and strengthen the leadership of Christian communities. The Endowment values the broad diversity of Christian traditions and endeavors to support them in a wide variety of contexts. The Endowment also seeks to foster public understanding about religion by encouraging fair, accurate, and balanced portrayals of the positive and negative effects of religion on the world and lifting up  the contributions that people of all faiths make to our greater civic well-being.

ABOUT SVOTS
Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) is a higher education institution that embraces the challenge of serving the Church and the needs of Orthodox Christians in the twenty-first century. SVOTS trains priests, lay leaders, and scholars to be active apologists of the Orthodox Christian Faith—focusing on academic rigor and spiritual formation within a residential Orthodox community. The Seminary is chartered by the University of the State of New York and accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS) to offer the following program degrees: Master of Divinity, Master of Arts, Master of Theology, and Doctor of Ministry.

The Orthodox Church in America (OCA)’s Diaconal Liturgical Practicum returned to the campus of St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) this June.

The OCA organizes the Practicum each year to help in the formation of deacons and their ministry in the life of the Church. The fifteenth annual Diaconal Liturgical practicum, held 21–24, 2022, was the first hosted at SVOTS since 2018. Around 25 candidates, altar servers, subdeacons, and deacons took part from nearly every diocese of the OCA and from other jurisdictions.

Subdeacon Greg Polk, one of this year’s participants, said the program exceeded his initial expectations.

“The Practicum is incredibly necessary and of tremendous benefit,” said Sdn. Greg. “Before this week, I assumed the Practicum was more or less training for how to serve the services but now I see it is training on how to be a deacon and all that goes with this awesome and high calling.

“The memories of this week and the friendships I established will be a source of fond reflection for the rest of my life. I am so thankful for what transpired and look forward to the next opportunity to gather with my band of brothers so we can continue to sharpen our skills and discover more of how we can be servants to God and our fellow man.”

Each full day of the practicum began with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and concluded with Vespers. SVOTS Alumnus Archpriest Kirill Sokolov (’07), director of Diaconal and Late Vocations for the OCA, led liturgical practice sessions and reflections on the diaconate, especially the manner in which liturgical service at the Eucharist and the diakonia of charitable works are inextricably linked. Dr. Harrison Russin, SVOTS assistant professor of liturgical music, offered sessions on liturgical chanting, singing, and the manner in which deacons use their voices in divine services. He also directed the singers during Vespers and the Divine Liturgies. Diaconal Practicum participants also heard talks and engaged in discussions with His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon; Archpriest Chad Hatfield, president of SVOTS; Priest Bogdan Bucur, associate professor of patristics; and Archpriest Alexander Rentel, OCA chancellor and SVOTS assistant professor of canon law.

“This year’s participants represented a level of maturity and seriousness in their studies,” noted Fr. Kirill. “I am grateful to God that our parishes and dioceses are raising up candidates for the ministry of deacon. It was encouraging to work with these men and to hear of their devotion to their families, their love of regular church life, and their desire to humbly serve.”

His Beatitude presided over Divine Liturgy on the Feast of the Nativity of the Forerunner of Christ on Friday, June 24, which formally closed the four-day Practicum.

ABOUT THE DIACONAL VOCATIONS PROGRAM
The Diaconal Vocations Program (DVP) of the Orthodox Church in America is a program of theological study providing academic preparation for men who may be called to ordination to the Holy Diaconate but unable to attend a seminary. It is also designed to address specific academic and pastoral preparation of non-Orthodox clergy—who may have already earned a theological degree such as an M.Div.—who are seeking entry into the Orthodox Church and may eventually be called to holy orders. The goal of the DVP is to use a process of clergy-guided and mentored reading and studying to teach candidates a fundamental foundation of Orthodox theology and prepare them for the practical liturgical service of the Holy Diaconate.

Nearly eighty people from across the United States and Canada—and one from Norway—sang, learned, and worshipped together at this year’s Summer Music Institute, held at St. Vladimir’s Seminary June 14–18. About half of the participants took part in person on campus, with the others joining workshops, lectures, and chapel services online.

“The Summer Music Institute is a wonderful and vibrant expression of true Christian community: learning and teaching, leading and serving, and earnestly working for the beauty of the Liturgy,” said Institute participant Simeon Acker.

The hybrid event, with its theme of “Music in the Service of Liturgy,” was co-hosted by the Seminary’s Institute of Sacred Arts (ISA) and the International Society for Orthodox Church Music (ISOCM). Additionally, music faculty from St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary—Benedict Sheehan and Talia Maria Sheehan—were also instrumental in putting on this year’s Summer Music Institute.

“The spirit of collaboration contributed immensely to the great joy we all felt during this event,” said ISA Director Dr. Peter Bouteneff. “And significantly, some of the real movers and shakers of Orthodox church music in America over the past decades participated in the Summer Music Institute along with younger musicians in their twenties and thirties.”

This year’s Summer Music Institute accommodated church musicians from both Slavic and Byzantine traditions and brought a practical focus to its participants. Instructors Benedict and Talia Sheehan, John Michael Boyer, and Juliana Woodill provided skills and resources to help the participants choose the best repertoire for their choir and services and maximize their choir’s talents, whatever its size and skill.

“Church musicians have so many new and unique problems. But together we also have so many new and unique skills and strengths,” said Talia Maria Sheehan. “We wanted to share these skills and strengths by making a place for church musicians to learn from each other, across traditions, across generations, and across the world. But that sharing was coupled with hands-on workshops and coaching, so that participants could learn how to use those new skills and strengths! And the effect was both inspiring and encouraging!” 

Music Institute participants were also treated to three wonderful keynote lectures—which will be made available to the public at a later date—delivered by ISOCM Chairman Archpriest Ivan Moody, Chairman of the Finnish Society for Byzantine Music Hieromonk Damaskinos Olkinuora, and St. Vladimir’s Seminary Assistant Professor of Liturgical Music Dr. Harrison Russin.

In keeping with the theme of “Music in the Service of Liturgy,” Fr. Ivan discussed the importance of carefully selecting music that is not only appropriate for the skill-level of a choir but also beautiful and engaging for everyone worshipping.

"If...we make decisions to enable our chanters and choir members to sing beautifully and serve the liturgy while continuing to respect traditions, both church-wide and local, we will be genuinely participating in Christ's missionary imperative of baptizing all nations,” said Fr. Ivan, who delivered his keynote lecture remotely from Portugal.

The Summer Music Institute concluded with Divine Liturgy on Saturday, June 18.

Details regarding next year’s event will be announced in the coming months.

"The renewal of the Summer Music Institute shows how vibrant church music is in North America, in the OCA, and at St. Vladimir's Seminary,” said Dr. Russin. “We were happy this year to focus on making music for modern parish realities, and giving students the tools to take back to their communities. The Institute serves as a wonderful meeting space for people to sing together, exchange ideas, and support each other as we engage in singing for liturgy."

The 2022 Diaconal Liturgical Practicum of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) will be held June 21–24, 2022 on the campus of St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in Yonkers, NY. 

The four-day program will offer intense practical liturgical training for deacons and lay diaconal candidates. In addition to liturgical practice, sessions will also cover chanting and vocal technique and address teaching about the Orthodox faith. Sessions will begin Tuesday evening, June 21, and the Practicum will conclude following hierarchical Divine Liturgy with His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon.

The Practicum is a collaboration of the OCA's Diaconal Vocations Program (DVP) and St Vladimir’s Seminary, and is highly recommended by the Holy Synod for participants in the Church’s program and other diaconal formation programs.

Learn More

Questions? Email Archpriest Kirill Sokolov at dvp@oca.org.

ABOUT THE DIACONAL VOCATIONS PROGRAM
The Diaconal Vocations Program (DVP) of the Orthodox Church in America is a program of theological study providing academic preparation for men who may be called to ordination to the Holy Diaconate but unable to attend a seminary. It is also designed to address specific academic and pastoral preparation of non-Orthodox clergy—who may have already earned a theological degree such as an M.Div.—who are seeking entry into the Orthodox Church and may eventually be called to holy orders. The goal of the DVP is to use a process of clergy-guided and mentored reading and studying to teach candidates a fundamental foundation of Orthodox theology and prepare them for the practical liturgical service of the Holy Diaconate.

A new book from Saint Vladimir’s Seminary (SVS) Press, Money & Salvation: An Invitation to the Good Way, explores the deeper spiritual meaning—and necessity—of financial giving.

Buy Money & Salvation

"Today many Orthodox Christians, including bishops and priests, feel acutely uncomfortable discussing financial issues in church for a variety of valid historical and pastoral reasons," writes Money & Salvation author Dr. Andrew Geleris. 

"In contrast to our extreme reluctance to discuss money in church, the Gospels record Jesus teaching far more frequently and intensely about the 'unspiritual' topic of finances than all the 'spiritual' topics that dominate our teaching. Why has such a stunning divergence developed between
our teaching priorities and those of the gospel?" 

This book is an effort to describe why restoring a soul-centric scriptural and patristic phronema to the Church is important and what it might look like. Geleris has included with each chapter a series of discussion questions designed for book clubs, family reading, and church small groups.

Buy a copy online at SVSPress.com or by calling 1-800-204-BOOK (2665).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andrew Geleris, M.D., is a neurologist in Southern California and a member of St. Raphael of Brooklyn
Antiochian Orthodox Church in Palm Desert. He also serves on the boards of FOCUS North America
and the Orthodox Christian Leadership Initiative.

Saint Vladimir’s Seminary (SVOTS) Alumna Katherine Karam McCray is representing Eastern Orthodoxy in the field of disability theology. As recognition of her promising scholarship into Orthodox Christian ethics and disability, McCray has been awarded two prestigious—and highly competitive—dissertation fellowships for the upcoming year: the NEH Dissertation Fellowship at Fordham University and the Louisville Institute Dissertation Fellowship.

McCray graduated from St. Vladimir’s Seminary with a Master of Theology (Th.M.) degree in 2014. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the University of St. Michael's College, University of Toronto, in religious ethics.

“I’m very proud to be representing Eastern Christianity in unexpected spaces,” said McCray, adding, “Many Christian ethicists overlook the robust Eastern moral tradition, and we have rich alternatives to contribute to conversations about human nature and responsibility.”

McCray’s dissertation investigates how the development of individual autonomy in early modern Christianity disenfranchised persons with disabilities and presents alternative models for autonomy from Eastern Orthodox anthropology.

“Most Orthodox work on ethics, particularly virtue ethics, positions our tradition as lacking, as though we are late to the game of asking difficult questions. I believe this puts young Orthodox scholars on the backfoot, obligating us to compare and contrast with Western models instead of representing what Orthodoxy offers from inside our own contexts. I hope my work on disability serves as a milestone. Orthodox ethics is not a new field, and we are continuing to make important ongoing contributions to modern discourse.”

McCray is making other academic contributions on the topic of disability in addition to her dissertation. She has presented two papers at the Orthodox Christian Association of Medicine, Psychology and Religion (OCAMPR), one about bipolar disorder and another about complex-PTSD, both with attention to how the community can provide support. Most recently, she penned a forthcoming book chapter on Orthodox anthropology and disability for the Templeton Foundation grant, Science and Orthodoxy Around the World (SOW), entitled “Dependency as Ontology.” Other SVOTS faculty members contributing to this project include Dr. Peter Bouteneff and Dr. Ana Iltis.

McCray also serves on the Mental Health Task Force of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops and contributed research for the new Peace of Mind Training Pilot Program, which offers training in Mental Health First Aid to clergy and community leaders with an Orthodox theological approach. Together with St. Vladimir’s own Dr. Albert Rossi, McCray speaks with fellow SVOTS graduate Bp. John (Abdalah) about Orthodox approaches to mental health care in the video series Mental Health and Orthodox Christianity.

“I think that the area Kate is working on is unfortunately neglected, and so I commend her on her scholarship and promising academic career,” said St. Vladimir’s Academic Dean Dr. Ionuţ-Alexandru Tudorie.

The entire St. Vladimir’s Seminary community congratulates Katherine Karam McCray on her two fellowship awards! May God grant her many fruitful years in her scholarly ministry!

Effective Christian Ministry held its cohort training on the campus of St. Vladimir's Seminary from June 4–8, 2022. 

Effective Christian Ministry (ECM) is a program offered through Y2AM, the Youth and Young Adult Ministries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. ECM offers training and resources for individuals and parishes to help them transform their youth ministry. The event at St Vladimir's was part of ECM's intensive nine-month Cohort Program.

"We’ve spent years refining and articulating a Christ-centered, Kingdom-oriented vision for ministry," said Steven Christoforou, the director of Y2AM. "It’s the vision these ECM Coaches are carrying forward. They’re such a blessing to the Church. And can be such a blessing to your parish."

To learn more and apply for the 2022–2023 Cohort, visit the Effective Christian Ministry website.

A new children's board book from Saint Vladimir’s Seminary (SVS) Press tells the story of a Russian hermit who has to solve a problem: he has run out of food! In the end, and with a little help from some friendly fishermen, he manages to fill his cups.

Saint Eleazar Fills His Cups is the latest children's title from author Melinda Johnson and illustrator Kristina Tartara. The pair previously teamed up to produce Saint Ia Rides a Leaf  (SVS Press, 2020).

Buy a copy online at SVSPress.com or by calling 1-800-204-BOOK (2665).

Buy Saint Eleazar Fills His Cups

About the Author and Illustrator:

Melinda Johnson is an Orthodox Christian, wife, and mother. She loves writing for children and has authored several books, including the Sam and Saucer series and Saint Ia Rides a Leaf. 

Kristina Tartara is an Orthodox mother, children's book author, and illustrator. She has illustrated several books and also created the board books, What Do You See at Liturgy, What Can I Do at Divine Liturgy, and Saint Ia Rides a Leaf.

The Board of Trustees of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) continues to move forward with its plans to relocate the seminary campus away from its current location in Yonkers, NY. (See previous press release.)

At its most recent meeting last month on campus (May 2022), the board decided to conduct more due diligence before selecting the relocation site. It also reached consensus on a multi-phase approach, which will include additional data gathering and needs assessments, along with pre-architectural development, design, bidding, contracting, construction, and plans for post-relocation operation.

The board’s Planning Committee and seminary staff have accomplished a significant amount of work since the board met last November, including the creation and approval of a five-year vision document.

“We’re excited about the future, and our plans to expand represent a monumental undertaking,” said Dn. Michael Hyatt, the board's executive chair. “We believe careful planning is essential if we’re going to be successful in educating enough clergy to meet the future needs of the Church. Therefore, it’s important we measure twice and cut once.”

At the meeting, the trustees also discussed the need for continued transparency and involvement of the seminary’s key constituents, including hierarchs, clergy, alumni, faculty, staff, and donors. The trustees expressed gratitude for the many communications they have already received from the seminary's constituents and welcome those in the future.

As the process continues, the trustees and administration will make presentations to the various Orthodox jurisdictions represented in the student body. This includes a commitment to keeping the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) fully apprised of its plans as they unfold.

SVOTS President Fr. Chad Hatfield asked the public for its continued prayers for the seminary and the relocation project.

“This is not simply about ‘relocation’,” said Fr. Chad. “This is about expansion. The Church—and the world—need more from St. Vladimir’s: more clergy, more teachers, more choir directors, more writers, more chaplains, and so many other vocations; more Orthodox publications and resources, more academic programs, and more ways to accommodate SVOTS’ incredibly diverse, pan- and inter-Orthodox student body.”

SVOTS will release more information to the public about the campus expansion project in the coming weeks.