His Grace Atanasije (Jevtic), retired Bishop of Zahumlje-Hercegovina of the Serbian Orthodox Church and his delegation visited, enriched, and blessed St Vladimir’s Seminary June 23-25, 2007. The highlight of His Grace’s visit was when the seminary bestowed on him the degree of Doctor of Divinity honoris causa. This award was given just before Fr Gregory Woolfenden’s keynote lecture for the SVS Summer Institute on Sunday evening, June 24, 2007. As an author of numerous books, Bishop Atanasije is considered the most outstanding Serbian Orthodox theologian of his generation.

The degree was awarded with the following citation: “Guided from his youth by the Serbian Orthodox Church, and standing firmly in the tradition of the Fathers, His Grace the Right Reverend Atanasije (Jevtic) has worked tirelessly for the truth. A student of Archimandrite Justin (Popovic) of blessed memory, he taught many others as Professor of Patrology and as Dean of the Orthodox Theological Faculty in Belgrade, and yet others through his numerous and diverse books. Consecrated to the episcopacy, Bishop Atansije shepherded his flock through times of troubles, always holding fast to his convictions. By word and deed, Bishop Atanasije became a father in the faith for many, reaping harvest both in his own country and, through his disciples, in our own. With admiration, therefore, and with deep respect, St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary is honored to bestow upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa.”

As part of the Bishop’s program a seminar for SVS faculty was held. His Grace spoke about what he termed “the backbone of theology,” which is Christ’s love for us in creating us and becoming one of us in order to save us. Bishop Atansije put great emphasis on the identification of Christ with the Church especially in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. Afterwards His Grace answered faculty members’ questions about the situation of the Church in Serbia, and its liturgical and spiritual renewal.

Although His Grace carries physical and emotional wounds from his time serving the troops on the front lines of the Serbian war in the 1990s, he emanated joy throughout his visit. For example, at the end of Liturgy after venerating the icon of the feast, he turned around and started greeting the faithful, paying special attention to the children. When all the concelebrating clergy were gathering for a group picture, the Bishop insisted the children of the community join in.

His Grace Bishop Tikhon of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, Rector of St Tikhon's Seminary (representing His Beatitude Metropolitan Herman), Bishop Maxim of Western America (Serbian Orthodox Church), and Bishop Atanasije concelebrated the Divine Liturgy in the seminary chapel. Concelebrating priests included Fr Sava, Abbot of Tvdos Monastery; Hieromonk John from Tvdos; Fr Stamatis Skliris, a Greek Orthodox priest and iconographer from Athens; SVS Alumnus Fr Nick Ceko, rector of St Steven’s Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Alhambra, CA; Fr Thomas Hopko, Dean Emeritus, as well as seminary clergy. Also present for His Grace’s visit was Mr Brian Gerich, SVS Board member.

Click here to view a gallery of photographs.