St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary
Alumni Association
E-News – February 2006
Volume 6, No.2

Dear Friends,

Again, we greet you and pray that the Lord sustain you during your Lenten journey.  We ask for your forgiveness!

Our season of Lent began as did yours – with Forgiveness Vespers.  Due to increased enrollment, the chapel was particularly packed this year.  In fact, the Paschal hymns had to be chanted and rechanted.  Many of us at the beginning of the line were leaving the chapel while the end of the line was still continuing.  Our annual Lenten retreat featured SVS alumnus Archpriest Gregory Safchuk (‘82) who gave four meditations over the two days.  Metropolitan Herman visited with us to preside at the first chanting of the Canon of St Andrew of Crete on Monday evening.  All of us were glad to enter into this holy season.

Let me update you on the many events that have transpired since the last time I communicated with you.  Some of us have lost dear friends.

MONASTICS VISIT SEMINARY

Over the last few weeks, the seminary has been blessed with the visit of two independent visits from overseas monasteries.  From February 18- 23, Fr Cheroubim Apostolou from St Anne’s Skete, Mt Athos, came to the seminary as a visiting scholar to research the life of St Herman of Alaska.  Fr Cheroubim was given the opportunity to speak to our students after a Vespers Service in which he expressed the admiration that monastics on the Holy Mountain had for Fr Alexander Schmemann and Fr John Meyendorff.  On Monday, March 13, Sister Emiliani from Twelve Apostles Monastery in Athens visited the seminary, accompanied by SVS alumnus Fr Elias Bitar.  She met with the faculty and was also given the opportunity to address the students after Vespers, encouraging them by saying that they were always in the prayers of the monastics at her monastery.

TRUSTEE AND SON ADDRESS CHURCH HISTORY CLASS

Board of Trustees member Eric Namee from Wichita, KS visited Dean John Erickson’s Church History class on Orthodox Christianity in North America on Tuesday, March 14. Mr Namee, also a Board member of the Farah Foundation, reviewed the wide range of exciting projects and activities that have been seeking support from the Foundation.  These range from the work of IOCC, OCMC, Project Mexico and other well-known agencies to new initiatives in such areas as prison ministry and Orthodox education.  His presentation underscored the importance of inter-Orthodox cooperation and philanthropy in support of the mission of Orthodoxy in America and the world.  Later that day Mr Namee joined the Faculty Council at the Dean's home for dinner and for informal conversation. His son, Matthew Namee, also spoke to the same class on February 21.  His presentation concentrated on noteworthy early Orthodox converts in America, and in particular Fr Nathaniel Ingram Irvine (1850-1921).

BISHOP TIKHON ORDAINS TWO TO DIACONATE

His Grace Bishop Tikhon of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania visited the campus from March 3-5 where he ordained second-year student Gregory Bruner to the diaconate during the Saturday Liturgy, and second-year student Hermogen Holste to the diaconate during the Sunday of Forgiveness Liturgy.  He also vested for the Vigil on Saturday.  In addition, His Grace stayed on campus for a portion of Sunday afternoon to attend the reception for both newly ordained students.  His visit was well received by the entire community.

BISHOP BENJAMIN (’81) TO LEAD SVS LENTEN RETREAT

The annual SVS Lenten Retreat for supporters, benefactors, and visitors to the seminary will be held on April 8, 2006.  SVS alumnus The Right Reverend Benjamin, Bishop of Berkeley, will deliver a talk entitled “Perfection and Imperfection.”  If you are in the area, make plans to attend.

THEME SET FOR SUMMER AND YOUTH INSTITUTES

“A Christian Ending to Our Life: the Mystery of Death” will be the theme of this year’s Summer Institute held June 25-30.  You can find information about the content of the week by visiting our website.  Unique this year, Dr Al Rossi, Adjunct Professor of Practical Theology who teaches a class on thanatology at the seminary, will give a twelve-hour intensive course on Christian counseling in relation to death and dying.  Other Institute faculty members include Fr John Garvey, Dr Lila Kalinich, Dr David Bentley Hart, and Fr Sergius Glagolev

http://www.svots.edu/News/Upcoming/summer-institute-2006/ 

In addition, for those completing their junior year in high school, the Youth Institute will also be held concurrently.  Six full scholarships are available to students who wish to study their faith in a challenging academic setting.  The program will include participation in the main Institute talks, small group discussions, several off-campus field trips, and liturgical worship.  For an application, please contact Fr Steven Belonick at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or at 914-961-8313, x328, or visit our website.

SVS REPRESENTED AT LITURGICAL MUSIC CONFERENCE PSALM

SVS represented at liturgical music conference Psalm, a pan-Orthodox, non-profit organization promoting networking between Orthodox liturgical musicians, has announced its first national conference on Orthodox Liturgical music to be held August 2-5, 2006 in the Metropolitan Chicago area.  SVS presenters include Professor David Drillock, Professor of Liturgical Music Emeritus; Mark Bailey, Lecturer in Liturgical Music; and Fr Thomas Hopko, Dean Emeritus.  Fr Thomas will deliver the keynote address entitled, “Asceticism and Creativity.”  For more information about the conference, go to www.orthodoxpsalm.org, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

ALUMNI GATHERING HELD IN MINNEAPOLIS

Fr John Behr led an alumni gathering during his weekend visit to the Minneapolis area.  He was in the area as the invited preacher for the Sunday of Orthodoxy service held at St Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral.  The alumni gathering took place after the Saturday Liturgy at St Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church in Minneapolis.  SVS Board of Trustee member Dr Gregory Swenson and his wife Jeanette coordinated, hosted, and financed the Lenten meal.  Fr John showed the seminary’s new DVD to about 15 alumni, gave a short presentation on the seminary’s “Good Pastor” initiative and proposed new curriculum stemming from that initiative, and answered questions from those in attendance.

ALUMNI REUNION DATES SET

The Alumni Board has secured Wednesday, October 18 to Friday, October 20 as the dates set for the third Alumni Class Reunion.  The class of 1981 is celebrating its 25th anniversary and the Class of 1956 is celebrating its 50th anniversary.  An information packet will be mailed out in early June and will describe the schedule.  MARK YOUR CALENDARS and join us.

STAY LINKED TO SVS

Does your parish have a website?  Do you have links to www.svots.edu and/or to www.svspress.com?  We’re asking all alumni to help make our online source of information about the seminary and our bookstore more accessible by adding these as links.  If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact our Communications Director, Sofia Lopoukhine at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and 914.961.8313, x363.  Thanks to all of you who already do link to these websites.

SVS PERSONNEL FEATURED IN NEW BOOK ON VOCATIONS

Fr Paul Tarazi, Professors John Barnet and Paul Meyendorff, along with SVS Press Associate Editor, Deborah Belonick, are contributors to a new book on vocations published by Holy Cross Orthodox Press entitled, Christ at Work: Orthodox Christian Perspectives on Vocations.

SEMINARY TO OPEN DOORS TO PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS

Inquirers to seminary study and life will have an opportunity to attend a three-day open house on the seminary campus from March 30-April 1.  They will attend classes, worship services, information sessions, tour the campus, and meet with current students and faculty members.  If you know of someone who might be interested and might benefit from such a visit, please contact the Office of Recruitment at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit our website:

http://www.svots.edu/News/Upcoming/2006-0330-openhouse/  

FR HOPKO’S VOCATIONS PAMPHLET AVAILABLE TO ALUMNI AND PARISHES

Fr Thomas Hopko’s pamphlet entitled “Finding One’s Calling in Life” is now available for sale to alumni and parishes.  The pamphlet provides guidance to discover the divine plan in one’s life.  It is a good addition to parish bookstores, libraries, and pamphlet racks.   The fee schedule is as follows:

1 copy                 -    $3.00
10-100 copies       -    $2.50 each
100-200 copies     -    $2.00 each
Over 200 copies    -    $1.75 each

Postage is the responsibility of those who order. Income from the sale of these pamphlets will help advance the seminary’s ministry to our alumni.  To order copies or for additional information, please contact Fr Steven Belonick at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 914-961-8313, ext 328.

FACULTY/STAFF NEWS

Dn John H. Erickson, Dean, chaired a session on the teaching of Byzantinechant, past and present, at the first Axion Estin Conference of liturgicalmusicians (New Rochelle NY, January 21); delivered the kick-offpresentation on "War, Peace - and Justice" at this year's pre-Lenten Cathedral Fellowship lecture series (New York City, February 8); and spokeon "Virtues Classical and Christian" as part of a panel on "Education for Virtue: The Concept of Citizenship," at this year's Educational Forum ofthe American Foundation for Greek Language and Culture (Tampa FL, March2-4).  He also visited with seminary friends and supporters during brieftrips to Naples FL (January 25-26) and Columbus OH (March 15-16).  Pleasekeep Dn John in your prayers as he prepares for ordination to the Holy Priesthood on Sunday May 7.

Fr John Behr, Professor of Patristics, visited the Minneapolis area for the weekend of the Sunday of Orthodoxy (March 10-12).  He spoke on “Prayer” at St George's Greek Orthodox Church on Friday evening.  On Sunday morning he preached at the Divine Liturgy at St George's Antiochian Orthodox Church, and delivered the Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers sermon at St Mary's OCA Cathedral.  On April 1-2, Fr John will lead a Lenten Retreat on the topic "Standing by the Cross: Putting on Christ" at St Mary Magdalene Mission in Fenton, MI where SVS alumnus Fr Paul Jannakos is the pastor.

Dr Peter Bouteneff, Assistant Professor of Dogmatic Theology, will participate as a section chairman at a conference on "Orthodoxy and Identity in Post-Atheist Russia" at the Harriman Institute of Columbia University on March 31.  In a trip to Japan during the second week of April, Peter Bouteneff will visit with SVS alumni in Tokyo and speak at the Orthodox Church in Osaka.

Dr Veselin Kesich, Professor of New Testament, Emeritus, celebrated his 85th birthday on March 12.  If you wish to send him a note of congratulations, his email address is: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   Many years!

Fr Paul Lazor, John and Paraskeva Skvir Lecturer in Practical Theology, will lead a retreat for the clergy of the Connecticut Deanery (OCA) on March 23 in Southbury, CT.  His topic is entitled  “Consider your call, brethren” (1 Co 1:26).  His Grace Bishop Nikon will be present during the retreat.

Fr Paul Tarazi, Professor of Old Testament, will be at Holy Trinity Cathedral, San Francisco, CA on April 1 to speak on “The Epistle to the Romans.”  In addition, he will be a featured speaker at The President’s and Dean’s Symposium at the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, MA on April 8 and will speak on the topic “What is the Bible?”  Further, Fr Paul will give a series of talks on the Book of Isaiah at Holy Transfiguration Church in New Haven, CT on May 1, 8, 15.

ALUMNI NEWS

Rev Barnabas Powell (’05) and his wife Lela are proud parents of a baby girl Milica, born February 17 and weighing 6 lbs 10 oz and 20 inches long.  Lela and the baby are doing well.  Many years!  Pictures are on St Michael’s Church website in Pueblo, CO where Fr Barnabas is the pastor:  www.orthodoxpueblo.org . 

Rev Nicholas Andruchow (‘02) was featured in the daily newspaper in Flagstaff, AZ.  Please visit:  http://azdailysun.com/articles/2006/03/18/news/religion/20060318_religion_34.txt

Rev Joseph Bittle (’03) and Kh. Johanna are glad to announce the birth of their first child, Michael Augustine Bittle.  He was born 2 months premature on January 15th, weighing 4 lb. 6 oz.  He is doing well, but, as of this writing, he remains in the Neonatal ICU at Baptist Hospital in Little Rock.  Please keep him in your prayers.Stephen Beskid (‘53), former circulation librarian at SVS, celebrated his 85 birthday on February 3.  If you wish to send him a card, please send it to 4435 N Leavitt Road NW, Warren, OH 44485.  Many years!

Caleb Abetti (’07) and his wife Nicole gave birth to their third child Jude on March 8.  Congratulations and many years!

PLEASE REMEMBER IN PRAYER

The Most Reverend Metropolitan PHILIP (’66), Primate of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese.
Very Rev Dennis Pavichevich (’75)
Dr Jaroslav Pelikan  

IN MEMORIUM

Archpriest Victor Sokolov (’85) fell asleep in the Lord on March 12, 2006 at his home in Healdsburg, CA after a lengthy battle with cancer.  We extend our deepest condolences to Matushka Barbara and all the family members.  Fr Victor’s son, Dn Kirill Sokolov, is the Director of Systems at the seminary.  May Fr Victor’s memory be eternal!  Please visit the OCA’s website for more information: http://www.oca.org/News.asp?ID=958&SID=19

MarK Zeremsky (’82) fell asleep in the Lord on February 23, 2006 after a long battle with cancer.  We offer our sympathies to his family members.  May his memory be eternal

Abuna Yesehaq Mandefro (Archbishop Isaac) (’65) of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in the Western Hemisphere fell asleep in the Lord on December 29.  He is credited with leading thousands of Rastafarians, including reggae great Bob Marley toward Orthodox Christianity.  May his memory be eternal!

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