An international foundation, with the approval of the Russian Orthodox Church, has chosen Saint Vladimir's Seminary as the recipient of a major honor, its "Unity of Orthodox Peoples Award." The annual prize is given "for outstanding activity aimed at strengthening the unity of Orthodox nations." Former recipients include several heads of state, various institutions, and political, religious, and cultural figures, including Boutros Boutros-Ghali, the sixth Secretary-General of the United Nations.

The International Foundation for the Unity of Orthodox Christian Nations (IFUOCN) selected the seminary as the award recipient at its September 10, 2009 board meeting. A church liaison in Russia conveyed the news to the seminary this week. The IFUOCN was founded in 1995 with the support of Patriarch Alexy II, then head of the Russian Orthodox Church.

The Very Rev. Dr. John Behr, dean of St. Vladimir's, expressed his delight at the seminary's selection, saying, "Throughout our history deans and faculty members have worked tirelessly for Orthodox unity. We are encouraged by the foundation's recognition of this, and we will strive ever harder for the unity of the body of Christ."

Chancellor of the seminary, The Very. Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield, concurred, stating, "Recently, a bishop, an alumnus of our school, told me, 'St. Vladimir's Seminary serves no one particular archdiocese or jurisdiction but the global Orthodox Church.' This award reflects the truth of that bishop's observation."

Established in 1938, St. Vladimir's has prepared clergy and lay leaders to serve the Orthodox Church worldwide, and continually promotes theological study and research. Since its inception, the seminary has had a multi-national student body, and it counts more than 900 clergy among its 1,800 alumni, with 39 bishops around the globe, including one patriarch, His Holiness Abune Paulos of the Ethiopian Tewahedo Church.

In late October of this year, Professor Valery A. Alekseev, president of the IFUOCN will travel to St. Vladimir's personally to deliver the official decision of the foundation, bearing the signature of Patriarch Kirill I, current head of the Russian Orthodox Church, and to discuss details of the award. During his upcoming visit to the U.S., Prof. Alekseev will also meet with the His Beatitude Metropolitan Jonah, president of St. Vladimir's and primate of the Orthodox Church in America.

As Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Kirill I will chair the presentation ceremony of the IFUOCN on January 21, 2010 in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, and will officially bestow the award. Both the dean and the chancellor of St. Vladimir's plan to attend the event.

More information about the IFUOCN and the international award may be found at http://www.fepn.ru/.