Alumni E-News from St Vladimir's Seminary
October/November 2005
Volume 5, No. 10/11
Dear Friends,
I am glad to have the opportunity to share with you the many activities that have occurred on the campus since the last time we communicated. As you will see below, it has been a very busy period. In the midst of this activity, the seminary administration is preparing for the meeting of the Board of Trustees to be held November 17-19. This meeting looks at important aspects of the seminary’s life, including financial, academic, statute, and buildings and grounds. Committee meetings will hear reports from the seminary administration and will make suggestions for further progress.
We ask you to keep in your prayers Jaroslav Pelikan, a board member, communicant of the seminary chapel, and friend, who is suffering from lung cancer. We hope that he will be strong enough to attend the meetings. His presence and guidance provide much inspiration to the Board and to the seminary as a whole. For your information, SVS Press has just released a Festschrift in his honor entitled Orthodoxy and Western Culture: A Collection of Essays Honoring Jaroslav Pelikan on His Eightieth Birthday, eds. Valerie Hotchkiss and Patrick Henry.
Let me share with you some of the events and news that took place over the last month.
BISHOPS BENJAMIN AND SERAPHIM VISIT SEMINARY
His Grace Benjamin, Bishop of Berkeley (’80) and His Grace Seraphim, Bishop of Ottawa used the occasion of the fall session of the Holy Synod meeting in Syosset, NY to visit the seminary. Bishop Benjamin visited from Friday, October 14 to Monday, October 17. Although this was his second visit since his consecration in May 2004, it was the first at which he presided at the Divine Liturgy in the seminary chapel. At the Liturgy, he ordained third-year student William John Neumann to the diaconate. During his stay he also had the opportunity to meet with many students, particularly those from the Diocese of the West. Concurrently, Bishop Seraphim visited the campus from Saturday, October 15 to Monday, October 17 only to return Thursday, October 20 to Sunday, October 23. At the October 23 Sunday Liturgy he set apart readers and subdeacons. He, too, spent much time visiting with students. At one point when both bishops were present, they assumed their places in the tenor section of the male choir, much like they did when they were students together at the seminary. Visit: www.svots.edu and http://www.svots.edu/News/Recent/Bishop_Benjamin_of_Berkeley_visits_SVS/
WONDERWORKING ICON VISITS ST VLADIMIR’S
The seminary was one of over sixty stops made by the wonderworking Sitka Icon of the Mother of God during its pilgrimage to the “lower 48.” His Grace Bishop Nikolai, Bishop of Sitka, Anchorage, and Alaska accompanied the icon and presided at the Akathist Service to our Lady of Sitka. The chapel was packed with students, faculty, staff, visitors, and alumni who were present for their reunion. His Eminence Archbishop Job of Chicago (OCA) was also in attendance. In the early 1800s, Saint Innocent (Veniaminov) commissioned the icon for the main iconostasis of Sitka’s Archangel Michael Cathedral. When not traveling the country, the icon is permanently enshrined in a place of honor in the Sitka Cathedral. For more: http://www.svots.edu/News/Recent/2005-1017-sitkaicon/
SEMINARY HOLDS 36TH ANNUAL ORTHODOX EDUCATION DAY
Under perfect conditions, hundreds attended the seminary’s annual Orthodox Education Day. The theme of the day: “Icons and iPods: Finding God in Popular Culture,” invited all those who attended to reflect on our responsibility to engage modern American culture. For more: http://www.svots.edu/News/Recent/Orthodox_Education_Day_2005/
INTER-SEMINARY DIALOGUE RESUMES
For nearly thirty-years, St Vladimir’s has participated in a student dialogue among local seminaries in the New York City area. These include Union Seminary in New York City, General Seminary in New York City, St Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, and Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City. Each semester a certain theme is discussed from the perspective of each school’s theological tradition. The fall semester’s theme is “Authority in Religion.” The forum attracts a number of our students who find the dialogue a wonderful way to express their faith in an ecumenical setting and to learn from others who have a different perspective. Professor Peter Bouteneff, Assistant Professor of Dogmatic Theology, is the faculty advisor this year.
SVS CHORALE ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Building on the successes of the last two road trips of the SVS Chorale, the seminary is working on an itinerary for the group for the upcoming winter break. The two-week journey during the first two weeks of January will take the Chorale to southern California, visiting OCA, Antiochian, Greek, and Serbian Churches. A mixed-choir of twelve singers and led by Deacon Kevin Smith, Lecturer of Liturgical Music at the seminary, the group will sing the responses to daily services in parishes around Los Angeles area and act as ambassadors of the seminary providing information about the vision and work of the seminary. A bookstore will accompany the Chorale. The first Chorale ventured last January to Florida and then at the beginning of the summer to the Chicago area. If you are in the area or know of friends in the area, please pass the word. If you would like to know more, please call Fr Steven Belonick (ext. 328) or Michael Kaufmann (ext. 339) at the seminary’s number (914.961.8313).
ALUMNI REUNION MEMORABLE
The second Alumni Reunion, held October 17-19, was a memorable event in that it remembered the 25th anniversary class of 1980 and the 50th anniversary class of 1955, and at the same time honored Fr Thomas Hopko, Dean Emeritus, and his wife, Anne, for their dedicated work at on behalf of St Vladimir’s Seminary. The Alumni Association presented Fr Tom and Anne with a handwritten icon of St Vladimir holding the Three Hierarchs Chapel. In addition, the Alumni Board announced that the alumni scholarship fund established last year would be named The Father Thomas Hopko Scholarship Fund. It will help children and grandchildren of our alumni. For more information, please visit: http://www.svots.edu/News/Recent/2005-1019-alumnireunion/
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS RETREAT SCHEDULED
The seminary’s annual Christmas Retreat will take place December 27-29 and have as its theme: “So, You’re Growing Up, But Are You Mature in Christ?” For more information, please visit: http://www.svots.edu/News/Upcoming/2005-1227-christmasretreat/
ALUMNI BOARD MEETS DURING REUNION
The Alumni Board met for its semi-annual meeting during the Alumni Reunion, October 17-19. During its deliberations, the following decisions were made.
- Archpriest John Dresko was reelected as president of the Board for a three-year term
- The alumni scholarship fund was officially named the Fr Thomas Hopko Scholarship Fund. It will be used to provide financial aid to children of alumni who wish to study at St Vladimir's Seminary.
- The new SVS DVD was shown to the Board, who were very pleased with its content.
- The Board will continue to meet face-to-face once a year at the reunion but will keep teleconference communication every quarter.
- Members of the Board will begin making contact with alumni in their respective geographical areas and inform them of the work of the seminary.
- The Board will actively pursue the establishment of alumni gatherings around the country.
- The next reunion will be held October 18-20, 2006 and will honor the class of 1981 (25th anniversary) and the class of 1956 (50th anniversary).
- To save travel costs, the board decided to reduce the number of members on the board from twelve to nine.
FACULTY/STAFF NEWS
Mark Bailey, Lecturer in Liturgical Music, led a workshop Saturday, November 5 entitled “Music of the Divine Liturgy: When, How and Why?” The workshop took place at Holy Resurrection Church, Wayne, NJ and was sponsored by PSALM.
Dr John Barnet, Associate Professor of New Testament, attended the Orthodox-Catholic Consultation from October 20-22 at Georgetown University with Professor Paul Meyendorff.
Dr Peter Bouteneff, Assistant Professor of Dogmatic Theology, and
Fr John Behr, Professor of Patristics, participated in an international theological conference entitled “Eschatological Teaching of the Church” in Moscow, Russia November 14-17. The conference is held every two years by the Theological Commission of the Moscow Patriarchate and is the largest such conference of Orthodox scholars. Fr John spoke on “The Church in Via.” In addition, Fr John spoke at Columbia University on October 27 on the topic “The Virgin Birth: Theology or Gynecology.” Also, he, along with members of the SVS Press staff, represented the seminary at the upcoming American Academy of Religion meeting to be held in Philadelphia, PA from November 19-20.
Dr Paul Meyendorff, Fr Alexander Schmemann Professor of Liturgical Theology, attended the Nov 8-13 meeting of the St Iereneos Orthodox-Catholic Working Group, Athens, Greece.
Fr Paul Tarazi, Professor of Old Testament delivered a talk on the Epistle to the Galatians, November 11-12, at St Elizabeth the New Martyr Mission, Eagan, MN where SVS alumnus Fr Marc Boulos is serving. In addition, he spoke on the Epistle to the Romans at Christ the Savior Church, Southbury, CT December 2-3. Further, he will speak on “Salvation According to Scripture” at St Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Los Angeles, CA on February 18.
ALUMNI NEWS
Michael Azar (’05) was married to Erin Major at St Elias Orthodox Church in Arvada, CO on August 21, 2005. A number of fellow students helped with the liturgical responses. Congratulations and many years!
Ann Bezzerides (‘00) and her husband Vassilios are proud parents of their first-born son Nicholas Panteleimon born August 16, 2005. Nicholas was 9lbs, 6oz, and 21 inches. Congratulations!
Rev David Garretson, pastor of Ss Peter and Paul Orthodox Church in South River, NJ spent nine days of ministry in the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast joining the relief efforts of IOCC. Trained in rapid response, Fr David helped get trailers of aid and distribute emergency supplies from IOCC in Biloxi, MS. Much of his time was spent counseling people, including volunteers whose homes had been destroyed.
Daniel Manzuk (’99) received a gramota from Archbishop Job of Chicago (OCA) on September 11 for his work in composing a Service for St John of Chicago, as well as for the local Feast of the Translation of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God. The service to St John was used in full for the first time on the feast (Oct 31).
Very Rev Sergius Kuharsky (’53) recently reached a milestone, celebrating the 100th anniversary of three parishes he served. He and his wife Faith attended the 100th anniversary of St Theodosius Cathedral, Cleveland, OH in 1996 where he served from 1964-1976; Holy Trinity Church, New Britain, CT in 2002 where he served from 1956-1964; and more recently Ss Peter and Paul Church, South River, NJ in 2005 where he served from 1976-1998.
REMEMBER IN PRAYER
The Most Reverend Metropolitan PHILIP (’66), Primate of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese, was hospitalized recently. We ask you to keep in your prayers.
Very Rev Dennis Pavichevich (’75) suffered a mild heart attack and experienced lung problems during the summer. We ask you to please keep him and his family in prayer.
Very Rev Victor Sokolov (‘85) who is battling cancer. Please keep him, his wife Barbara, and his family in your prayers.
IN MEMORIUM
On October 16, Rachel Schroeder (2002) was traveling with her husband Nate, her father, Fr. James Ellison, mother Linda and sister Mary when the car went off the road and crashed. Nate was killed, and the rest of the family suffered injuries. Please keep the Ellison and Schroeder families in your prayers and consider sending a check to Rachel so that she can have time to grieve and heal (she and Nate did not have life insurance). Her address is 6 Hartwell Court #5, Savoy, IL 61874). Visit www.nateschroeder.com to learn more.
Archpriest Peter Krochta (’59) fell asleep in the Lord after a lengthy illness. Funeral services were held on Monday, December 5 at St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral on 97th Street, New York, New York. May his memory be eternal.
Protopresbyter Nicholas Rafael (’71) fell asleep in the Lord recently. May his memory be eternal.
CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR SVS ALUMNI
In an attempt to fulfill the mandates of its strategic plan, SVS 2010, the seminary is considering developing programs for continuing education for its alumni. We need your help in developing these programs so that they meet your needs and interests. A survey is provided below. Please complete it and return it to the seminary alumni office at the address provided. Your input is valued and important to us.
SURVEY FOR ALUMNI
1. SVS should develop programs for continuing education for its alumni.
( ) Yes ( ) No
( ) further comment
2. If you agreed with the above statement, then prioritize the kinds of programs that would be helpful and of interest to you. (1 through 4, with 1 = most helpful)
( ) academic topics
( ) strengthening pastoral skills
( ) spiritual development
( ) family health [i.e. boundary issues, conflict resolution, time management, etc.]
3. Please specify other topics that you would encourage the seminary to address.
4. The duration of these programs should be:
( ) one day ( ) three days
( ) two days ( ) one week
5. The location of the programs should be:
( ) SVS campus ( ) local parishes
( ) retreat center around the country ( ) resorts
6. The programs should be open to alumni from other Orthodox seminaries.
( ) Yes ( ) No
7. Programs are best scheduled:
( ) before Great Lent ( ) Bright Week
( ) early summer ( ) in combination with a reunion
( ) summer ( ) other [please specify]
8. For certain topics, are you averse to utilizing qualified non-Orthodox workshop leaders?
( ) Yes, I am averse
( ) No, I am not averse
9. What format do you prefer for such programs?
( ) lecture ( ) workshop
( ) small groups ( ) other [please specify]
10. Should the programs include a recreational component?
( ) Yes ( ) No
11. Do you have a preference for a recreational component?
( ) hiking ( ) tennis
( ) golf ( ) swimming
( ) other [please specify]
NAME (optional):_______________________________________________________
Please return to:
SVS Alumni Office
575 Scarsdale Road
Crestwood, NY 10707
