Fr John Behr (Dean), Fr Chad Hatfield (Chancellor) and Mr Theodore (Ted) Bazil (Associate Chancellor for Advancement) returned from their trip to Russia, excited and revitalized by their experiences. They travelled to Russia to receive an award from the International Foundation for Unity of Orthodox Christian Nations. However, the SVS representatives did more in Moscow than receive the award. Escorted by Archimandrite Zacchaeus, the Representative of the Orthodox Church in America to Russia and a wonderful host, they enjoyed every eventful day. They met with the leaders and faculty of other theological schools, participated in patriarchal divine liturgies, visited schools and monasteries, and prayed at holy shrines. Most importantly, they had a historic audience with His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

Frs John and Chad were overwhelmed and deeply touched by the warmth and love expressed by Patriarch Kirill towards the Seminary and its former deans (many of whom he has known personally), and by his strong support for and encouragement of its mission and work. He described St Vladimir's Seminary as unique, having achieved an unparalleled status in the West. He also praised the Seminary for its faithfulness to the Orthodox tradition while speaking to the modern world. In addition, Frs John and Chad spoke about the possibility of transatlantic collaboration, and Patriarch Kirill enthusiastically gave his blessing to pursue collaborative ventures with any theological school in Russia.

The delegation from St Vladimir's visited St Tikhon's University and the Moscow Theological Academy at Holy Trinity-Saint Sergius Lavra, met with the American Embassador, Mr John Beyrle, and the Russian Minister for Justice, Mr Vladimir Konovalov, and saw some of the extensive work of the Moscow patriarchate done by its Council of Publishing and Synodal Department of Information. Frs John and Chad were also able to spend a quiet evening with His Eminence Hilarion, Archbishop of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Department of External Christian Relations, and one of the newest members of the St Vladimir's Board of Trustees.

Reflecting on the visit, Fr Chad commented that the highlight of the visit for him had been the opportunity to pray before the relics of St Tikhon. "I have, since my own seminary days, had great devotion to him. Confident in the Truth of Orthodoxy, he was secure enough to affirm whatever good he could find in Anglicanism and extend the hand of friendship." For Fr John, the highlight was serving with the Patriarch in the Uspensky Sobor (the 14th-century Cathedral of the Dormition).

For a full description of each event, together with an extensive photo gallery (from which the two attached photographs are taken), see the website of the Church of Saint Catherine the Great Martyr in-the-Fields. A video of the audience with His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia will be available on the SVS site shortly, as will an extended interview with Frs John and Chad and Ted Bazil on their experiences in Russia.