Alumni E-News from St Vladimir's Seminary
April 2004
Volume 4, No. 4

Dear Friends,

Before describing the events of the past month, let me extend to each of you paschal greetings from Dean Erickson, the faculty, staff, and students of the seminary. We pray that your joy will be full and that the Risen Lord will shower you with His peace.

March was a very busy month on the campus.   Beside the day-to-day responsibilities and schedule, the seminary was the site of many special and important events.   Let me share them with you.

FR PAUL LAZOR SPEAKS TO INTERFAITH GROUP

The Larchmont-Mamaroneck Interfaith Group visited the campus on Thursday, March 4 to hear a presentation on the Orthodox Church by Fr Paul Lazor.   The group, made up of 30-40 residents of Larchmont and Mamaroneck, visits different churches and synagogues on a monthly basis to develop their understanding of different faiths.   Two members of the group are Orthodox Christians and were instrumental in organizing the visit.

BYZANTINE AKATHIST SERVED

Fr Elias Bitar, Lecturer in Liturgical Music, and Fr Paul Lazor, Rector of the Chapel, concelebrated the annual Byzantine Akathist Service on Friday, March 5 in the Three Hierarchs Chapel.   Responses were sung by seminarians in the Byzantine chant class taught by Fr Elias.

SEMINARY-WIDE SEMINAR ON ABUSE HELD

Mr Michael Herzak, a professional insurance agent specializing in risk management and a member of the Orthodox Church in America, led a seminary-wide workshop on “Reducing the Risk of Sexual Misconduct and Child Abuse” on March 10.   The seminar, mandated by the OCA for all its parishes and institutions, informed the administration, faculty, staff, and student body of the potential for abuse in parishes and in church institutions. The seminar was not only meant to encourage the seminary to delineate administrative procedures on the campus but to inform students of the importance of this issue for parish ministry.
http://www.svots.edu/Press-Releases/2004-0311-sexual-misconduct-seminar.html

HIS GRACE, SERAPHIM OF OTTAWA VISITS SEMINARY

His Grace, Bishop Seraphim of Ottawa (OCA) visited the seminary on Friday, March 12-14 prior to his participation of Holy Synod Meeting (OCA).   During his stay, Bishop Seraphim ordained MTh student, Kevin Haan, to the diaconate at Saturday's Liturgy and third-year student, John Strickland, to the diaconate at the Liturgy on the Sunday of the Cross.   He also presided at the Vigil of the Cross and spoke to a group of twelve parishioners from St James Episcopal Church, Queens, NY, who were present at the Vigil.
http://www.svots.edu/Three-Hierarchs-Chapel/2004-0313-haan/index.html .   http://www.svots.edu/Three-Hierarchs-Chapel/2004-0314-strickland/index.html

OISM MEETS ON CAMPUS

The Orthodox Interseminary Movement (OISM) met on the seminary campus from March 12-14.   Representatives from St Vladimir's, St Tikhon's, St Herman's, Holy Cross, and Holy Trinity (Jordanville), conducted their business meetings, attended chapel services, and enjoyed presentations by Fr Paul Tarazi, Professor of Old Testament, and Fr Chad Hatfield, Dean of St Herman's.   Over thirty students were in attendance.
http://www.svots.edu/Press-Releases/2004-0321-oism/index.html

SYMPOSIUM HELD ON CAMPUS

The annual Eastern-Oriental Orthodox Symposium was held on Tuesday, March 16.   Speakers included Fr Daniel Findykian (‘89), Dean of St Nersees, Robin Darling Young, Associate Professor of Theology at Notre Dame, Archbishop Cyril Mor Aphrem, Peter Bouteneff, Associate Professor of Dogmatics at St Vladimir's and Richard Schneider, Visiting Professor of Liturgical Art at St Vladimir's.
http://www.svots.edu/Press-Releases/2004-0316-eosymposium/index.html
http://www.svots.edu/Press-Releases/2004-0217-eastern-oriental.html

SEMINARY CHOIR SINGS PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY AT HOLY SYNOD MEETING.

The seminary choir visited Syosset, NY during the meeting of the Holy Synod (OCA) to sing the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts on Wednesday, March 17.   This is an annual event that allows our students to have personal contact with diocesan hierarchs.   After the Liturgy, the Holy Synod honored David and Barbara Drillock for over 40 years of dedicated service to St Vladimir's.
http://www.oca.org/pages/events/2004/03.March/0315SyossetNY-HSynodSpringSession/0317SyossetNY-HSynodPresanctified/index.html

PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS VISIT THE CAMPUS

Six prospective students visited the campus from March 18-20 to learn about seminary life and the seminary programs.   They came from as far away as California.  

NEWLY CONSECRATED BISHOP VISITS SEMINARY

His Grace, Bishop Tikhon of South Canaan, Administrator of the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania, made his first episcopal visit to the seminary campus on the Feast of Annunciation.   He presided at the Vesperal Liturgy, ordained second-year student, Deacon David Arnold, to the priesthood, and MTh student, Basil (Daryl) Biberdorf), to the diaconate.   In addition, he presented a jeweled cross to Fr Steven Belonick and a nebedrinik to Fr Alexander Rentel, Instructor in Church History and Canon Law and Fr John Behr, Associate Professor of Patristics.
http://www.svots.edu/Press-Releases/2004-0325-ordinations/index.html

ANNUAL LENTEN RETREAT HELD

Fr Paul Lazor was the keynote speaker at the annual Lenten retreat held on Saturday, March 27.   Nearly one hundred people attended the event.   Fr Paul's theme was “Repentance and the Christian Life.”   http://www.svots.edu/Press-Releases/2004-0331-lenten-retreat/index.html

FOUR INDIAN ORTHODOX BISHOPS VISIT THE SEMINARY

His Grace Matthews Mar Barnabas, Metropolitan of the American Diocese, His Grace, Philipose Mar Eusebius, Metropolitan of the Thumpamon Diocese, His Grace Geevarghese Mar Coorilos, Metropolitan of the Bombay Diocese, and His Grace Zachariah Mar Nicholovos, Assistant Metropolitan of the American Diocese visited the seminary on Tuesday, March 30.   SVS alumni Deacon Paul Cherian ('02) and Deacon Aju Matthews ('03) accompanied them.   Dean Erickson provided a tour of the seminary library and escorted them to the chapel for Vespers.

ALUMNUS ADDRESSES PRACTICAL THEOLOGY CLASS

Rev Eric Tosi (‘96) visited the seminary on March 19 to address Fr Paul Lazor's Practical Theology class.   As chairperson of the Department of Evangelization for the Orthodox Church in America, Fr Eric focused on the topic of “evangelism” and the work of his department.

CLERGY (BISHOP-ELECT) FROM DIOCESE OF WEST VISIT CAMPUS

Archimandrite Benjamin (Peterson) (‘81) and Fr Matthew Tate from the Diocese of the West (OCA) visited the campus on March 17 to meet with students from that diocese. While they were on campus, the seminary learned that the Holy Synod (OCA) named Archimandrite Benjamin bishop-elect of Berkeley and auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of the West.   After the Presanctified Liturgy, Fr Paul Lazor, Rector of the Chapel, made the announcement to the seminary, expressed the joyful sentiments of the seminary that one of its own would be consecrated bishop, and intoned a "Many Years!"
http://www.svots.edu/Press-Releases/2004-0317-dow/

ALUMNI NEWS

Dr Nicolae Roddy ('89) and his wife Michelle, along with children Aurelia and Eli, rejoice in the birth of a son, Alexandru Michael, born March 5, 2004.   Dr Roddy, Assistant Professor in Old Testament at Creighton University, Omaha, NE, celebrated his 50 th birthday the very same day.

Deacon Sergius Halversen (‘96) was ordained to the priesthood by His Grace, Bishop Nikon of Boston at Ss Peter and Paul Church in Meriden, CT on February 15, 2004.

Fr Oliver Herbel ('03) and his wife Lori, rejoice in the birth of their first-born son, Micah, on February 27, 2004.

Beth (Spellman) Dunlop (MA ‘94) successfully defended her doctoral dissertation in the Department of Theology at Boston College on Friday, March 26. Her thesis consisted of translations and commentaries on the Christmas homilies of John Chrysostom, Gregory of Nazianzus, Gregory of Nyssa, and Amphilochius of Iconium. Professor Paul Meyendorff, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the seminary, was one of the examiners for the thesis and traveled to Boston for the defense. He reports that Bea performed admirably, and that he will be recommending her thesis for publication by SVS Press in the Popular Patristics Series. Congratulations, DR DUNLOP!

FACULTY/STAFF NEWS

Rev John Behr , Associate Professor of Patristics, traveled to St Mary's Cathedral, Minneapolis to deliver a talk on March 26 entitled “Mary and the Church.”   He also delivered a talk at Holy Trinity Church, St Paul MN on March 28 on the topic “St Mary of Egypt.”

Very Rev Steven Belonick , Director of Recruitment, led a retreat at St Nicholas Church, Whitestone, NY on March 28 on the topic “Spirit, Soul, and Body.”

David Drillock , Professor of Liturgical Music, led a workshop on choral singing and traditional Carpatho-Russian chant melodies at St Mary's Church, Corning, NY from March 27-28.

Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko , Dean Emeritus, spoke at St Nicholas Church, McKees Rocks, PA on March 27.   His topic was “The Meaning of Christ's Mother Mary for our Spiritual Lives.”   Fr Thomas will also lead a retreat on “The Holy Spirit” in Torrance, CA.

Very Rev Paul Lazor , John and Paraskeva Skvir Lecturer in Practical Theology, will deliver a talk at the Scarsdale Community Baptist Church, Scarsdale, NY on April 1 entitled “The Orthodox Church.”

Dr Albert Rossi , Adjunct Professor of Pastoral Theology, will present a talk to the St Gregory Indian Orthodox Church, New Hyde Park, NY, on the topic “The Lenten Journey.”

Very Rev Paul Tarazi , Professor of Old Testament, will speak at the University of St Thomas, St Paul, MN on April 16-17.   His topic is “Isaiah in the Old and New Testament.”

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