St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary

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The faculty and administration of St Vladimir's Seminary welcome you to this web site. Read a greeting from our dean and from our chancellor.

Archbishop of Canterbury receives honorary doctorate from St. Vladimir’s

Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury (second from left), was greeted by seminary Dean Fr. John Behr (far right), seminary Chancellor Fr. Chad Hatfield (far left), Metropolitan Jonah, primate of the Orthodox Church in America (second from right), and Matushka Juliana Schmemann (center) at the 27th annual Father Schmemann Memorial Lecture on campus. [PHOTO: Joseph Olas]

Dr. Rowan Williams began his New York City tour this past week with duties related to his role as Archbishop of Canterbury, but ended it by demonstrating his academic acumen and continued interest in the Orthodox Christian faith. On Saturday, January 30, 2010, the Anglican archbishop delivered the 27^th annual Father Alexander Schmemann Memorial Lecture— this year titled “Theology and the Contemplative Calling: The Image of Humanity in the Philokalia”— and received an honorary doctoral degree from St. Vladimir’s Seminary.

During his visit, Dr. Williams also attended Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Three Hierarchs in the seminary chapel, and had a cordial and frank discussion with St. Vladimir’s theological faculty at a private brunch. After the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Jonah, primate of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), and the Anglican archbishop both publically expressed their desire for a deeper personal friendship and their hope for deeper understanding and cooperation between their respective communions. Additionally, Dr. Williams thanked the seminary community for its "overwhelming warm and generous welcome," which he stated, surpassed even his first visit to St. Vladimir's in 1974, and which was all that he "had hoped and prayed for."

The Anglican archbishop received the invitation to be this year’s Schmemann Lecturer for his pioneering work in Russian Orthodox studies and his long-standing interest in Eastern Christian studies. His doctoral work at Oxford University focused on Vladimir N. Lossky, the famous mid-twentieth-century Orthodox theologian; and his first book, Wound of Knowledge, was a study of spirituality from apostolic times to the sixteenth century.

Dr. Williams’s lecture on the “Philokalia,” a collection of monastic writings ranging from the fourth through the fifteenth centuries, reflected his massive knowledge on the subject. Beginning and ending with quotes from Fr. Alexander Schmemann’s classic work, For the Life of the World, he delivered a discourse on the spiritual battle that human beings wage in journeying from a self-centered existence to a life in Christ, according to the writings of the Christian ascetics. Nearly four hundred people attended the lecture.

St. Vladimir’s representatives traveled to Moscow this month to receive an international award for the school’s contribution toward the unification of Orthodox Christians worldwide. From left are the administrators from the seminary, Archpriest John Behr, Dean, Theodore Bazil, Associate Chancellor for Advancement, and Archpriest Chad Hatfield, Chancellor; and Professor Valery A. Alekseev, President of the International Foundation for the Unity of Orthodox Christian Nations; His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow; and the other award recipients, Russian President Dimitry A. Medvedev, His Holiness Karekin II of the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church, and Serbian cinematographer and director Emir Kusturica.

[SVS Communications MOSCOW, RUSSIA] — His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, presented the “Unity of Orthodox Peoples Award” to St. Vladimir’s Seminary at a special ceremony in Moscow on January 21, 2010. Similar awards were concurrently presented to His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Catholicos of the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church; Russian President Dimitry A. Medvedev; and Serbian cinematographer and director Emir Kusturica.

The seminary was selected to receive the award by the International Foundation for the Unity of Orthodox Christian Nations (IFUOCN) for its activity “aimed at strengthening the unity of Orthodox nations through theological education.” Patriarch Kirill chairs the foundation's Board of Trustees.

Accepting the award on behalf of the seminary was Archpriest John Behr, Dean, and Archpriest Chad Hatfield, Chancellor. Fr John Behr expressed the gratitude of the Seminary for the honor, noting the work of St. Vladimir's Seminary over the past seventy years in bringing the rich theological tradition of the Russian Church to North America. "By its work in liturgy, in theology, and in addressing the contemporary world—critiquing secularism and engaging all that seeks the truth," he said, "the seminary has educated students, from all ethnic backgrounds, for active, engaged, and vibrant ministry in the new land and throughout the world, graduating nearly two thousand students and producing numerous patriarchs, bishops, priests, and other leaders of the Church. We are thankful that our work has been recognized by the foundation and blessed by His Holiness, and with these we will work to pursue our common mission."

Fr. Chad Hatfield noted, "This award is a clear recognition of the stature of our seminary in the global Orthodox world, and presents us with the challenge to expand our mission of service as the seminary best prepared to meet the new educational frontier of the twenty-first century." Mr. Theodore Bazil, Associate Chancellor for Advancement, also accompanied Fr. Behr and Fr Hatfiled and also represented the seminary at the ceremony.

Prior to the ceremony, the seminary representatives met with Patriarch Kirill at his working residence, at which time he spoke of his respect and love for the former deans of the seminary that he knew personally: Archpriest Georges Florovsky and Protopresbyters Alexander Schmemann, John Meyendorff, and Thomas Hopko. He also commended the seminary for bringing the richness of Orthodox theology to the New World while maintaining a proper place within the Church’s Tradition.

Also present at the award ceremony was Archimandrite Zacchaeus Wood, representative of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) to the Moscow Patriarchate.

Follow photographs on our web site. Some photographs courtesy of st-catherine.ru.

Delegation Returns with Blessing from Patriarch Kirill

Fr John Behr (Dean), Fr Chad Hatfield (Chancellor) and Mr Theodore (Ted) Bazil (Associate Chancellor for Advancement) returned from their trip to Russia, excited and revitalized by their experiences. They travelled to Russia to receive an award from the International Foundation for Unity of Orthodox Christian Nations. However, the SVS representatives did more in Moscow than receive the award. Escorted by Archimandrite Zacchaeus, the Representative of the Orthodox Church in America to Russia and a wonderful host, they enjoyed every eventful day. They met with the leaders and faculty of other theological schools, participated in patriarchal divine liturgies, visited schools and monasteries, and prayed at holy shrines. Most importantly, they had a historic audience with His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

Frs John and Chad were overwhelmed and deeply touched by the warmth and love expressed by Patriarch Kirill towards the Seminary and its former deans (many of whom he has known personally), and by his strong support for and encouragement of its mission and work. He described St Vladimir's Seminary as unique, having achieved an unparalleled status in the West. He also praised the Seminary for its faithfulness to the Orthodox tradition while speaking to the modern world. In addition, Frs John and Chad spoke about the possibility of transatlantic collaboration, and Patriarch Kirill enthusiastically gave his blessing to pursue collaborative ventures with any theological school in Russia.