On Saturday, October 7, 2006, St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary celebrated its 37th annual Orthodox Education Day, with the theme, “All Ages, One Faith – Exploring the Intergenerational Nature of the Orthodox Church.” This theme was expanded and explored in Liturgy, in talks and workshops, and in food and fellowship, as all participants were reminded of the pastoral challenge Orthodox Christianity faces in North America.

Fr Harry Pappas, SVS Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and the newest member of St Vladimir’s faculty, articulated the challenge clearly in his keynote address: “The Sunday morning Divine Liturgy is the most powerful experience of the intergenerational nature of the Church…Yet, how well do we perceive and live this reality? … How do we celebrate our intergenerational heritage of faith in terms of language, style, length, quality of preaching, warm welcome, mutual support, and relaxed socializing afterwards to members of all ages and backgrounds?”

Fr Harry's keynote lecture can be downloaded for listening on your computer from www.svspress.com. 

The day had begun just a couple of hours earlier with the Church’s most powerful experience of its intergenerational nature: the Divine Liturgy. Beginning in Three Hierarchs Chapel, clergy, acolytes, and choirs walked in procession to a large tent set up on the front lawn, where Metropolitan Herman presided over the Divine Liturgy.

In previous years, Orthodox Education Day has hosted a visiting parish choir. New this year, St Vladimir’s invited singers from around the region to join a new “Community Choir,” which sang the hymns and responses of the Liturgy together with the seminary choir. Choir directors, alumni, and many of the assembled faithful were delighted to be able to participate in Education Day in a new way. Mark Bailey, Lecturer in Liturgical Music, led the Community Choir, while Dn Kevin Smith, SVS Instructor in Liturgical Music, directed the seminary choir. Participants in the Community Choir had been able to download the day’s sheet music from the Internet and to meet for preliminary rehearsals earlier in the morning.

Fr Alexander Garklavs gave the homily, speaking about the Orthodox understanding of the second coming of Christ, especially in light of modern American theories of the Rapture. Fr Alexander, who received his Master of Divinity and Master of Theology degrees from St Vladimir’s (in 1982 and 1993 respectively), is himself a living witness to the intergenerational nature of the Church: not only is he the son and grandson of Orthodox clergy, but his son, Dn Nicholas Garklavs, is currently a student at St Vladimir’s.

After the Liturgy, visitors enjoyed foods and fare from the Mediterranean, the Middle East, North America, Eastern Europe, and Asia. A special highlight this year was the Japanese food booth where people enjoyed Shogayaki (ginger pork with rice and cabbage) and learned a little about the history of the autonomous Orthodox Church in Japan.

As the day’s theme was about all ages, an enhanced and expanded children’s activity schedule added to the family-friendly nature of Orthodox Education Day. Activities ranged from crafts and face painting to a puppet show and a Bocce Ball tournament. Dr Albert Rossi, Professor of Pastoral Theology, led a workshop for adolescents and young adults.

The day’s theme continued to be explored in a joint clergy and laity workshop led by Fr Steven Belonick and Fr John Shimchick in the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium. At the same time, a new workshop titled “Orthodoxy 101” was taking place in the main tent. Facilitated by Dr Peter Bouteneff, SVS Assistant Professor in Dogmatic Theology, Orthodoxy 101 was an informal session to orient those in attendance on some of the basics of what Orthodox Christianity is, with time for plenty of questions and answers.

Throughout the day, hundreds browsed the SVS Press & Bookstore booth and purchased spiritually uplifting books and CDs. Guided tours of the campus introduced visitors to many aspects of the life and work of the seminary community.

The day ended where it had begun, in Three Hierarchs Chapel. The Chapel was packed as a memorial service for departed loved ones was celebrated followed by Great Vespers.

Visit www.svots.edu to see a photo gallery highlighting the day’s events and to find out more about St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary.