The Very Rev. David Barr, President of the SVS Alumni Association, presents a gift to Archpriest Paul Lazor, honoree at the 5th Annual Alumni reunion held on the seminary campus from October 21–23, 2008.

Thirty-six  alumni of St. Vladimir’s Seminary honored Archpriest Paul Lazor and the classes of ‘58 and ‘83 during the 5th Annual Alumni Reunion held October 21–23, 2008 on the seminary campus. 

The Very Rev. David Barr, Alumni Association President, lauded Fr. Paul, recently retired Associate Dean for Student Affairs at SVS, as “a man who loves the Church and loves the altar” and “as a man who loves the students” in his introductory remarks. Fr. David noted that the Alumni Association had chosen Fr. Paul as this year’s honoree because of his reputation as a parish priest, instructor, dean of students, and retreat speaker, and in recognition of his 30 years of full-time service to the seminary.

In his remarks to the alumni at a ceremonial banquet, Fr. Paul centered his talk around a verse from I Corinthian 4.7, “What do you have that you did not receive?,” and enumerated the myriad blessings bestowed upon him following his decision not only to attend but also to persevere at St. Vladimir’s, first as a student and then as a faculty member and dean.

Fr. Paul recalled the “turning point” early on in his life as a seminarian: a realization that seminary education was not simply a training ground for priestly duties, but rather a surrender of his life and will to Jesus Christ. He also specified the elements of seminary life that shaped him spiritually, including daily participation in matins and vespers; formal and systematic teaching about the Orthodox faith by excellent professors; the presence in the seminary community of prayerful people; personal prayer and study; dutiful performance of community service assignments that enriched and deepened his experience; development of a close knit spiritual connection with fellow seminarians; and participation in three seminary “Octets,” the mission-minded choral groups made up of eight seminarians that traveled during their semester breaks.

Further, Fr. Paul shared his experience of “the mysterious hand of God” in three other areas connected to his participation in the seminary environment: the meeting of his future wife Natalia (née Manturoff) on one of the Octet tours; the profound lifelong relationships he developed with particular people crossing his path; and his mastering of the Russian language, which enabled him to teach and preach to Russian-speaking faithful in a variety of venues. Fr. Paul concluded his remarks with two words, “Eucharisto” and “Amen,” indicating his gratitude for and assent of all that God had provided for him during his years of association with St. Vladimir’s.

Seminary Dean, The Very Rev. Dr. John Behr, also offered heartfelt and personal thanks to Fr. Paul for “fulfilling a valuable role” in his own priestly formation following his ordination; and seminary Chancellor, The Very Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield, lauded Fr. Paul by citing a passage written by former Dean Fr. John Meyendorff: “As Dean of Students, Fr. Paul plays a central role in the life of the school, as the pastor in charge of student life and liturgical order in the chapel. His quiet and gentle presence in all phases of community life provides a model of the Orthodox pastor.”

Another highlight of the banquet was an announcement by Fr. David Barr that The Very Rev. Gabriel Ashie (SVS ’58) and his wife, Helen, in absentia, were contributing $50 for each SVS alumnus attending the banquet, toward a scholarship fund for seminarians, in honor of Fr. Gabriel’s 50th-year reunion.

During the three-day campus reunion, the Alumni Association Board also held its yearly on-campus meeting, and this year finalized new By-laws and a new Constitution to present for approval to the Board of Trustees of the seminary in November 2008. Fr. David Barr said that approval of the new documents would make possible a broader alumni base to participate in Alumni Board elections, and that under the new rules, six new members would be eligible for election to the Alumni Board in 2009, constituting a total of nine on the board.

Fr. David further said that the current Alumni Board had discussed such future endeavors as alumni pilgrimage trips (the first, he hopes will be to Alaska), and alumni “mission” trips back to its alma mater, to tackle together some targeted projects connected to the improvement and repair of the seminary buildings. “It would be great,” he said, “to pick up a paint brush with the Dean of St. Vladimir’s and have casual conversations while working to benefit the seminary.”

Throughout the three days, alumni participated in classroom lectures, attended meals with the current seminarians, and mingled with faculty, staff, and administration. Fr. David Barr preached at the Divine Liturgy on the feast of St. James, the brother of the Lord, and centered his sermon on St. James’ scriptural admonition to flesh out intentions and right faith with good works. “We cannot live in our heads,” he said, “love is not a feeling but an action. Find someone today, to do a good work for.”

St. Vladimir’s alumni who wish to participate more fully in the Alumni Association may contact The Rev. Dn. Philip Mathew, SVS Admissions and Alumni Relations Officer, who coordinated this year’s reunion, at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or The Very Rev. David Barr at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .