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Alumni E-News from St Vladimir's Seminary
June/July 2005
Volume 5, No. 6/7 Dear Friends, Although the students, for the most part, have left the campus for the summer months, the work of the seminary continues, and with much activity. Already, three conferences have taken place, and two additional ones are forthcoming. The administration is very busy with preparations for admitting the new entering class, preparing the campus dormitories, and wondering if the new apartment buildings will be ready in time for new occupants. In addition, the seminary is preparing for its representation at the All-American Council of the Orthodox Church in America being held in Toronto at the end of July. A new Viewbook, a new DVD about the seminary, and other sundry items are being readied for the event. Further, a short brochure entitled “Finding Your Vocation” written by Fr Thomas Hopko, Dean Emeritus, has been published and newly designed as a recruitment tool. Multiple copies of the brochure can be purchased through the Recruitment Office for parish use with proceeds directed toward the work of the Alumni Association. Contact the Recruitment Office for further details. Let me share with you some of the events and news that took place over the last month. SEMINARY CHORALE RETURNS FROM SPRING TOUR The St Vladimir's Seminary Chorale traveled to a number of Midwest cities where they visited 11 parishes from May 22 to June 4. Their tour also included a visit to St Tikhon's for the 100th anniversary of the Memorial Day pilgrimage, where they joined the 100-member choir that sang the responses to the Liturgy. For more information about their trip, please visit: http://www.svots.edu/Events/chronological/2005-0610-chorale-tour/index.html FLOROVSKY LECTURE HIGHLIGHTS A WEEK OF CONFERENCES The seminary was the site of the two conferences during the week of June 6. First, theologians representing the Orthodox and Catholic Churches visited the seminary from June 6-8 to attend the semi-annual meeting of the North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation. All were in attendance for the Leavetaking of Pascha Liturgy, June 8, where His Eminence Metropolitan Maximos of Ainou, Presiding Hierarch, Diocese of Pittsburgh of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and head of the Orthodox delegation, preached the sermon. Second, members of the Orthodox Theological Society of America (OTSA) visited the campus for their annual meeting. Participants celebrated the Feast of Ascension with the seminary community. On Friday evening, June 10, the keynote speaker for the annual Fr Georges Florovsky Memorial Lecture, Dr Vigen Guroian, spoke on “"I Confess the Cross Because I Know of the Resurrection." For details of these events visit: http://www.svots.edu/Events/chronological/2005-0609-otsa/index.html; http://www.svots.edu/Events/chronological/2005-0606-orth-cath/index.html ANNUAL LITURGICAL INSTITUTE CONVENES The annual Institute of Liturgical Music and Pastoral Practice was held from June 19-24 with the theme “Church and World I: Church and Culture.” Participants attended lectures and discussion led by seminary faculty and visiting lecturers. In particular, Dr Albert Raboteau, a specialist in American religious history and the Henry W Putnam Professor of Religion at Princeton University, was a keynote speaker and spoke on the theme of “Church and Culture.” In addition, SVS alumnus, Hieromonk Irinej Dobrijevic ('82), who is the Consultant to the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church on International and Interchurch Affairs, was a second keynote lecturer and spoke on the theme “The Church in the Public Forum.” The week was highlighted with the celebration of the Liturgy for the Feast of the Nativity of St John the Baptist, where His Grace Bishop Savas of the Greek Orthodox Church presided and preached. His Grace also delivered a lecture at the Institute entitled “Looking for God in Modern Culture.” For more information please visit our website: www.svots.edu. ORTHODOX PEACE FELLOWSHIP TO HOLD ANNUAL CONFERENCE The North American branch of the Orthodox Peace Fellowship [OPF] will hold its annual East Coast conference at St Vladimir's Seminary July 29-31, 2005. The conference theme, "Salt of the Earth, Light of the World: Living the Similitudes in Our Communities," will focus on establishing and expanding a variety of Orthodox social outreach ministries. For further information, please visit: http://www.oca.org/News.asp?ID=783&SID=19 SVS REPRESENTED AT PARISH EVENTS The seminary sent representatives to two parish events in early June. Fr Paul Lazor, Fr and Mrs John Behr, Ted Bazil, and Michael Kaufmann from the Office of Advancement attended the 110th anniversary of St Nicholas Cathedral Antiochian Orthodox Church, Brooklyn, NY. The parish's pastor, SVS alumnus, Fr Thomas Zain ('92), was elevated to archpriest by Metropolitan Philip. On the same day, Fr and Mrs Steven Belonick attended the consecration of Christ the Savior Church, Southbury, CT where SVS alumnus, Fr Vladimir Aleandro ('94), is pastor and was also elevated to archpriest by Metropolitan Herman (OCA). NEW SVS CDs ARRIVE In December of 2004, the seminary mixed choir recorded two new CDs of liturgical music using a grant from Luce Foundation. The CDs are entitled “Vigil: Selections from the All Night Vigil of the Orthodox Christian Church” and “Chant: Chant Traditions of the Orthodox Christian Church.” Deacon Kevin Smith, Instructor in Liturgical Music at the seminary and Mark Bailey, Lecturer in Liturgical Music at the seminary were music directors for the project. The CDs are now available from the seminary bookstore at www.svspress.com. DATES SET FOR FALL 2005 CLASS REUNION The Alumni Board has secured Monday, October 17 to Wednesday, October 19 as the dates set for the second Alumni Class Reunion. The Class of 1980 is celebrating its 25th anniversary and the Class of 1945 is celebrating its 50th anniversary. An information packet will be mailed soon to describe the schedule and pertinent details. This year, the alumni will honor Fr Thomas Hopko, Dean Emeritus, for his many years of labor at the seminary. In addition, faculty will provide an educational component, practical in nature, to those attending. MARK YOUR CALENDARS and join us. Last year's participants were delighted to attend. Below, please find the schedule of events for the reunion. FACULTY/STAFF NEWS Dr Peter Bouteneff, Assistant Professor of Dogmatic Theology, delivered a talk at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Bridgeport, CT on June 11 entitled “What Do We Do When We Come To The Liturgy.” Eleana Silk, Librarian, also delivered a talk at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Bridgeport, CT on June 11 entitled “Liturgical Worship and Eucharistic Revival.” ALUMNI/STAFF NEWS Nicholas Belcher ('05), the seminary's most recent valedictorian, is engaged to Sonia Daly. Congratulations to them! Alexander Cadman (‘04), will be ordained to the holy diaconate on July 30 at Christ the Savior Church, Chicago, IL, by Archbishop Job (OCA). Axios! Hieromonk Irinej Dobrijevic (‘82), Consultant to the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church on International and Interchurch Affairs, was presented with the Order of Vuk Karadzic of the Third Degree for special contributions toward the improvement of relations between the Serbian state with Serbs living abroad and achievements in furthering relations between Church and state. President Svetozar Marovic issued a decree in December 2004 to honor Hieromonk Irinej with this award. Prof. Dr. Vojislav Vukcevic presented Fr Irinej with the award in the offices of the Republic of Serbia's Ministry for Diaspora Serbia and Montenegro. The ceremony was attended by Their Royal Highnesses Princess Jelisaveta, Princess Linda and Prince Mihajlo; the Honorable Stanislav Stakic, on the behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Vuk Draskovic; the Honorable Damjan Krnjevic and Jovan Ratkovic of Serbian President Boris Tadic's Cabinet; the Honorable Roderick Moore, Deputy Chief of Mission in the U.S. Embassy; Major Alexander Milutinovic, Deputy Military Attache in the U.S. Embassy, and Ms. Laura Luftig political Officer at the U.S. Embassy; Mr. Dragan Babic, Director of the Princess Elizabeth Serbian Foundation; Mr. Miroslav Djordjevic, President of the Serbian Unity Congress, together with SUC Vice Presidents Sofija Skoric and Dr. Radmilo Bozinovic, Slava Draskovic, Director of the Serbian Unity Congress Belgrade Office, and Maja Arezina, SUC Administrative Assistant. Deacon Richard Rene (‘04) was ordained to the priesthood by His Grace, Bishop Seraphim (OCA) on March 6 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Axios! Nicholas Garklavs ('07) and Charlene Taylor-Burns ('07) were united in the Sacrament of Marriage on Sunday, June 5 at Holy Trinity Church, East Meadow, NY where Nicholas' father, Fr Alexander Garklavs ('82 MDiv, '93 MTh) is the pastor. Fr Paul Lazor, Fr Paul Kucynda (‘68), and Fr Alexander performed the service. The seminary Chorale assisted the parish choir in singing the responses. Rev Deacon Silouan (‘0xxxx) and Gina Rolando are parents of a new daughter, Clare Elizabeth, who was born June 26th. Congratulations to them and to their other children – Kira, Gregory, and Lucia. TRANSITIONS We extend our best wishes and prayers to Fr Timothy Blumentritt ('95), his wife Carol, and their two sons, Alexander and Thomas, who will be leaving the seminary in early July. Fr Timothy was a lecturer in Pastoral Theology at the seminary for two years and was one of the chapel clergy. Carol worked as a part-time editor for SVS Press. We also bid farewell to Randa Aoun (‘01) who was the events and food manager at the seminary during the past year. We extend to her our best wishes in her future endeavors. In addition, we also say goodbye to Julia Wickes (‘02) who was the Communications Officer at the seminary for the last two years. Besides the daily work of that office, Julia developed a new format for SVS News, strengthened the seminary website, and developed a media kit. She will accompany her husband, Jeff ('05), to Notre Dame where he will pursue doctoral studies. We extend to Julia our thanks for all her work and our best wishes. CORRECTION Fr John Behr, Professor of Patristics, led the SVS Institute in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and not Saskatoon, Alberta. Sorry for the mistake. -END- ALUMNI CLASS REUNION SCHEDULE 2005 Monday, October 17 1:00pm Arrivals and registration
Rangos Building (Atrium) 1:00pm – 3:00pm Alumni Board Meeting
Rangos Building (Board Room) 2:00pm Tour of the Campus
Rangos Building (Library) 3:00pm Continued Education
Metropolitan Philip Auditorium 5:00pm Vespers
Chapel 5:45pm Dinner
Refectory/Solarium 7:00pm General Assembly
Metropolitan Philip Auditorium 9:00pm Wine and Cheese Fellowship
Rangos Building (Hallways) Tuesday, October 18 7:00am Divine Liturgy
Chapel
25th and 50th anniversary classes serving 8:30am Breakfast
Kunett Auditorium 9:15am – 11:00am Attend Classes
(see class schedule) 11:00am –1:00pm Attend Classes
(see class schedule) 1:15pm Lunch
Kunett Auditorium 2:00 – 3:00pm Update about the school
Chapel 3:00pm – 4:00pm Bookstore 4:15pm Memorial Service for Departed
Chapel 5:00pm Vespers
Chapel 6:30pm Banquet
Metropolitan Philip Auditorium
Presentation of 25th and 50th anniversary class gifts Wednesday, October 19 7:30am Matins
Chapel 8:15am Breakfast and End of Program 9:00am Alumni Board Wrap-up meeting
Rangos Building (Board Room)
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