On December 17th over 25 SVS Graduates and Spouses attended the world premiere of "Christmas Oratorio" composed by His Grace, Bishop Hilarion of Vienna. Matushka Alexandra Safchuk, a member of the Alumni Board, organized  a pre-performance meal at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception where SVS Chancellor, Fr Chad Hatfield,  gave a presentation on the many good and exciting aspects of seminary life with the implementation of the  curriculum changes and the new program for the wives of seminarians. There was also talk about the re-structuring of the Alumni Association and the ways that SVS can better serve Alumni.

The concert that followed was given a standing ovation by the 3000 listeners in the audience. The Oratorio, which consists of 28 parts and lasts for 1 hour and 10 minutes, was performed by the Russian Defense Ministry Symphony Orchestra together with the Choir of the Tretyakov Gallery, the Youth Choir of the Musical College of the Moscow Conservatory and the group of soloists from the Moscow Boys’ Choir Capella,  conducted by Valery Khalilov. The Washington DC Boy’s Choir joined the 180 Russian musicians at the finale of the Oratorio.

The Russian Minister of Culture, Alexander Sokolov, commented that: “The significance of tonight’s event cannot be overestimated. For the first time in modern history a musical composition by an Orthodox bishop is performed in the largest American Catholic Cathedral.”