A nine-hour program of liturgical rubric instruction is geared particularly to those who are newly-ordained clergy or in a diaconal "late-vocations" program.

Four intensive workshops led by Protodeacon Kirill Sokolov will aim to provide participants with the skills needed to serve effectively in the Orthodox Church as an attentive server, deacon, or priest.  Particular focus will be given to the typical celebration of the Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom by one priest and one deacon.  Attention will be given to the liturgical patterns of movement that inform the entire rite of the Church.  Participants will also receive guidance on concelebrations and hierarchical celebrations so that they can effectively prepare for such occasions.

Two additional sessions led by Father Harry Pappas will be centered on the art of preaching sermons.

In addition to hands-on liturgical instruction, daily celebration of the Divine Liturgy and Vespers will model a vision for divine services and provide opportunities for serving with seminary clergy.  General lectures on the theme of the 2007 Institute, "Why Liturgy Matters: Worship as Witness in a Changing World" will provide a context for faithful celebration of the divine services.

About the Instructors

Protodeacon Kirill Sokolov is the lead deacon of the Seminary Chapel and Director of Systems at the Seminary.  He has served for many years as deacon and subdeacon for several hierarchs of the Orthodox Church in America.  He has been invited to lead workshops for clergy, those studying for diaconal ordination, and altar servers in Columbus, Minneapolis, Las Vegas, and Phoenix in recent years.  In his work in the Chapel, Protodeacon Kirill teaches newly ordained deacons and future priests to serve in the altar faithfully.  He is the author of A Subdeacon's Manual (available from the bookstores of St Vladimir's Seminary Press and St Tikhon's Seminary Press). Protodeacon Kirill's breadth of experience in different dioceses throughout North America enables him to teach to a standard of practice while being cognizant of authentic local norms.

Father Harry Pappas, Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology, will guide participants through the preparation and delivery of sermons from a pastoral perspective.  Father Harry offers more than twenty years of pastoral practice in a variety of parochial settings and extensive teaching experience.  Read more about Father Harry, here.