Alumni E-News from St Vladimir's Seminary
Issue #15, August 2003
Dear Friends,
The seminary is winding down from summer and gearing up for autumn. Maintenance workers are preparing the buildings and dormitories for the fall semester. New students are e-mailing on a daily basis to ask questions about their rooms, classes, and orientation. For many, particularly married students, preparations to take up residence at the seminary cause a great deal of stress. Many have left the security of good jobs and the comforts of a home to begin their seminary education and face the unknown. I am sure that many of you still remember what that was like. We ask you to keep all of our students in your prayers as they ready themselves for the coming semester.
Let me update you on the events that took place during the last month.
SEMINARIANS ON MISSION FIELDS
Second-year student David Arnold and incoming student Brian (Mark) Barber are participating in an Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) trip to Alaska from August 1-15. We can�t wait for their return, to hear about their experiences and the impact of the Alaskan church on their lives. Meanwhile, recent graduate Catharine Wason will be leaving this August to participate on an OCMC Mission Team to Romania, which will assist OCMC Missionaries, Craig and Victoria Goodwin, at the newly established Protection of the Theotokos Family Center. The purpose of this center is to prevent child abandonment and to nurture the bond between mother and child (infants 0-24 months), discouraging abortion and abandonment while increasing strong family ties for infants. Please keep all of these missionaries in your prayers.
COURT YARD CREATED
The Boich Family Courtyard, a welcome gift to the seminary situated between the seminary chapel and the John G. Rangos Family Foundation Building, is being landscaped. A variety of beautiful trees and bushes have been planted, and a water feature comprised of a fountain and small pond will make the area a serene and tranquil place for study, conversation, and special gatherings.
PATRONAL FEAST CELEBRATED
The Feast of St Vladimir was celebrated on July 15 with the Divine Liturgy. Following the Liturgy, Fr Paul Lazor served a memorial service for Fr John Meyendorff on the occasion of the 11th anniversary of his falling asleep in the Lord.
SVS STAFF REPRESENT SEMINARY AT ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CONVENTION
From July 22 - 27, four members of the seminary staff represented the seminary in Miami Beach, FL at the biannual convention of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America. They included: Amber Houx and Resa Ellison from St Vladimir�s Seminary Press and Bookstore; Michael Kaufman from the Office of Advancement; and yours truly, Fr Steven Belonick, Director of Recruitment and Alumni Relations. It was wonderful to see old friends, meet new ones, and to greet many seminary alumni/ae. Additionally, the seminary presented a copy of SVS Press�s new publication, God With Us, by Fr John Breck, to each of the seven finalists of the Oratorical Competition at the convention. By the way, Fr John�s accessible reflections on ethical, political, cultural, and scriptural matters in this work would lend themselves well to a parish study group or Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) study group.
ADMISSIONS INFO ON SEMINARY WEBSITE
Check it out! There is now an �Admissions� page on our website. It includes pertinent information about the application process and downloadable application forms. If you have any suggestions or comments, please let us know. Your help in identifying seminary candidates cannot be overestimated. The web address is: http://www.svots.edu/Admissions/.
ALUMNI NEWS
Priest Adrian Pollard (M.Div. �90) fell asleep in the Lord on July 13. We extend our sympathies to his wife, Xenia, and their son, Daniel.
Archpriest Michael Prokurat (M.Div. �73, M.Th. '74) fell asleep in the Lord on July 23 after a ten-month struggle with cancer. We extend our sympathies to his wife, Margaret, and their three daughters and six grandchildren.
FACULTY NEWS
Fr Thomas Hopko will be the featured speaker at the Orthodox Conference on Missions and Evangelism held at Antiochian Village in Ligonier, PA, August 29-September 1. He will present a four-session series entitled 'Marks of an Evangelical Mission-Minded Church' based on God's commandment to 'love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength.'
Fr Paul Tarazi will be at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Beirut, Lebanon from July 28-31 to speak on the topic 'Interpretation of Selected Scriptural Books.'
Have a wonderful summer's end. I look forward to communicating with you again in September.
