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

Dear Friends,

I pray that your summer is going well and that you are getting some well-deserved rest.  Let me update you on some significant events at the seminary.

DEAN SEARCH COMMITTEE BEGINS WORK

A Search Committee charged with the nomination of a new seminary dean has been established and has begun its work.  The committee consists of a chairman, Fr John Dresko (’80), who was appointed by Metropolitan Herman, president of the school, two faculty members, Fr Paul Tarazi and Fr Alexander Rentel, and two members of the Board of Trustees, Protodeacon Peter Danilchick and Anne van den Berg.  A news release has been posted on the seminary website and the OCA’s website.  Please see the seminary’s webpage: www.svots.edu.  The Search Committee has provided an official announcement of a vacancy of the Office of Dean.

FR PAUL LAZOR’S RECOVERY TAKES A TURN

Fr Paul Lazor’s recuperation was going remarkably well until he fell off a bicycle at his vacation home in the Pocono Mountains and fractured the femur in his right leg.  Although the break was not on the leg where the new hip replacement surgery was performed, the fracture was nonetheless a serious one, requiring surgery and many weeks of therapy.  Currently, he is in Burke Rehabilitation Center in White Plains, NY for a week or so.  He will have to continue therapy throughout the summer.  Our hopes are that he will be ready for the beginning of the fall semester.   If you wish to send him greetings, you can either reach him at his email address: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or contact him through the seminary’s mailing address. Above all, please continue to keep him and his family in your prayers.

LITURGICAL INSTITUTE CONCLUDES

The annual Liturgical Institute of Music and Pastoral Practice, along with the Youth Institute, concluded their weeklong retreat at the seminary on the last day of June.  The theme of the Institute was “A Christian Ending to Our Life: The Mystery of Death.”  Faculty members teaching during the week included Fr John Behr, Fr Paul Tarazi, Dr John Barnet, Dr Paul Meyendorff, Dr Peter Bouteneff, Dn Kevin Smith and Mark Bailey.  Visiting speakers included SVS alumni, Fr Sergei Glagolev and Fr John Garvey, along with Dr David Bentley Hart, and Dr Lila Kalinich.  Fr Steven Belonick and Board of Trustees member Anne Mackoul led workshops.  Metropolitan Herman celebrated the Vigil and Liturgy of Ss Peter and Paul with chapel and visiting clergy.

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.  The seminary will honor Archpriest and Matushka Sergei Glagolev for their many years of dedicated service to the Church.  An information packet will be mailed out in early July.  A schedule of events is included in this E-News.  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, x 363.  Thanks to all of you who already do link to these websites.

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 eac

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.

“OYO” VISITS SEMINARY CAMPUS

In late June, the Orthodox Youth Outreach (OYO) spent a few days in seminary housing before and after their mission to care for the poor and homeless in New York City.  The ministry, headed by SVS alumnus Fr Kevin Scherer (‘02), included a number of adult leaders and teens from across the country, who visited the five boroughs of New York in a week ministering to the needy.  While at the seminary, they were able to attend chapel services.

TRIP-CAMP VISITS SEMINARY CAMPUS

From July 11-13, the Antiochian Village’s Trip-Camp used seminary housing as their base camp for visiting important sites in the NYC area.  This is the second year that the group engaged in this kind of expedition.  They visited Ellis Island, area Orthodox Churches, and the offices of the Antiochian Archdiocese in Englewood, NJ.  While at the seminary, they toured the campus and received information about the seminary’s mission and work.

SEMINARY BOOKSTORE UPGRADES CUSTOMER SERVICE

During the last two days of June and the beginning of July, the seminary bookstore closed for its annual inventory process.  At the same time, a new computer system for order management was installed.  
The new software allows for reliable processing of orders placed by  Internet, fax, or telephone calls and enables more responsive customer service.  This installation was the culmination of more than 
a year of research and work by the Technology department and Seminary Press.

FACULTY/STAFF NEWS

Rev John Erickson, Dean and Peter N Gramowich Professor of Church History, will deliver a lecture on ecclesiology at the Clergy Assembly of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese at Antiochian Village on July 17.

Dr Paul Meyendorff, The Fr Alexander Schmemann Professor of Liturgical Theology, will deliver a lecture on "The Priesthood of the Laity" at the Clergy Assembly of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese at Antiochian Village on July 18, 2006.

Fr Paul Tarazi, Professor of Old Testament, spoke at the Indian Church Summer Youth Rally in the Hudson Valley, July 12-15, on the theme: “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).  In addition, he will deliver lectures from July 24-28 on Colossians and the Gospel of Matthew at the Archdiocese of Beirut, Lebanon.  He will also provide a Bible lecture series at the Archdiocese of Hama, Syria from July 29-31.  Further, Fr Paul will give a Bible lecture series at the Archdiocese of Tripoli, Lebanon from August 1-4.  And in September, he will speak on the Epistle to the Hebrews at St John of the Ladder Orthodox Church, Greenville, SC.

ALUMNI NEWS

Rev Irinej Dobrijevic ('82) was consecrated a bishop on July 15 in Belgrade.  He will be enthroned as the leader of the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand on October 12 in Sydney.  We extend to him our very best wishes and prayers in this new ministry.  AXIOS!!! For a full-length article, please visit:  www.cleveland.com/living/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/living/115234780962550.xml&coll=2. 

Deacon Jeremy Davis ('04) will be ordained to the priesthood on Sunday, July 16 at St George Cathedral in Wichita, KS by Bishop Basil of Wichita.  On August 1, he will begin his assignment as assistant priest at St Elijah Orthodox Church in Oklahoma City, OK.  AXIOS!

CORRECTION:

In the last issue of E-News, I reported that a Fr “Lawrence” Ledford received a Master of Arts degree in Practical Theology from the University of San Diego, assuming that it was our alumnus, Fr Thomas Ledford.  Lawrence Ledford is a prospective student.  Sorry, Fr Thomas!!!

ALUMNI CLASS REUNION

Schedule for October 18-20, 2006:

Wednesday, October 18

1:00pm
Arrivals and registration                                      
Rangos Building (Atrium)

1:00pm – 3:00pm                 
Alumni Board Meeting                                                     
Rangos Building (Board Room)

2:00pm – 4:00pm                 
Attend Class  (New Testament – The Book of Romans)

5:00pm                                                     
Daily Vespers                                                                       
Chapel

5:45pm                                                     
Dinner                                                                                         
Kunett Auditorium

7:00pm
General Assembly                                                     
Metropolitan Philip Auditorium

9:00pm                                                     
Wine and Cheese Fellowship                                     
Metropolitan Philip Auditorium

Thursday, October 19

7:00am                                                     
Divine Liturgy                                                                       
Chapel                 
25th and 50th anniversary classes serving

8:30am                                                     
Breakfast                                                                       
Kunett Auditorium

9:15am – 11:00am                 
Attend Class (Homiletics)                                   

11:00am –1:00pm                 
Update about the school/Tour

1:15pm                                                     
Lunch                                                                                           
Kunett Auditorium                                   

2:00 – 3:00pm                                   
Continuing Education                                                     
Chapel

3:00pm – 4:00pm                 
Visit to the Bookstore                                                     

4:15pm                                                     
Memorial Service for Departed                                    
Chapel                                                     

5:00pm                                                     
Daily Vespers                                                                       
Chapel

6:30pm                                                     
Banquet                                                                        
Metropolitan Philip Auditorium                  
Presentation of 25th and 50th anniversary class gifts

Friday, October 20

7:30am                                                     
Matins                                                            
Chapel    

8:15am                                                     
Breakfast and End of Program                                   
Kunett Auditorium

9:00am                                                     
Alumni Board Wrap-up meeting                                   
Rangos Building (Board Room)