L TO R: Maria Suslina, wife of Minister Konovalov; Minister of Justice Alexander V. Konovalov; His Beatitude Jonah, Metropolitan of All America and Canada; V. Rev. John Behr (Dean); Theodore Bazil (SVS Associate Chancellor for Advancement)

St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary welcomed the Honorable Alexander V. Konovalov, Minister of Justice of the Russian Federation and a graduate of our sister school, St. Tikhon’s University, in Moscow, to the Chapel and to the campus on November 1, 2009.

Minister Konolov came to the liturgy with his wife, Maria Suslina, and members of his staff. He said afterwards that he very much enjoyed the liturgy at St. Vladimir’s Seminary, celebrated by His Beatitude Metropolitan Jonah Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All America and Canada, (on the occasion of His Beatitude’s first anniversary of his consecration to the episcopacy). He also took pleasure in an informal tour of the campus, and being able to talk to the current Dean, Fr John Behr, about former Dean, Fr Alexander Schmemann’s work – particularly his views on the challenge of secularism – in which the Minister is deeply interested.

St. Vladimir's Seminary enjoyed the brief visit with Minister Konolov and his family, and hopes to meet them again in the future.