Curator of The Russian Museum of Icons, Kent dur Russell, engages Masha Mondello, visitor to OED 2008, in a lively discussion about the icon of the Miracle of St. Michael at Chonae, shown in the background. Mr. dur Russell, along with museum founder Gordon Lankton, loaned 20 fifteenth through twentieth-century rare Russian icons to the seminary campus, to celebrate the Education Day theme, "Holy Icons and Sacred Arts."
Nearly 1,000 friends, alumni, and neighbors gathered on the campus of St. Vladimir’s on Saturday, October 4, 2008, to celebrate the theme for Orthodox Education Day 2008, “Holy Icons and Sacred Arts.” Capacity crowds attended worship services, a rare icon exhibit, lectures on the meaning and history of icons, a visually augmented choral presentation, displays by icon artisans, and workshops designed for children, teens, and adults.
Noting the tremendous interest in holy icons from people of various faiths and backgrounds who attended the event along with hundreds of Orthodox Christian faithful, the seminary Chancellor, The Very Rev. Chad Hatfield, emphasized the educational purpose of the annual campus open house. “The intention of St. Vladimir’s Seminary is to educate people of all backgrounds and levels in the Orthodox Christian faith,” he said. And, remarking on the enthusiasm and diversity of the campus guests, including many friends from the local neighborhood, he continued, “The wonderful atmosphere of the splendid day resembled one huge block party.”
Mrs. Tanya Penkrat, Special Events Coordinator at the seminary, agreed. “You know you’ve generated interest when your local postal carrier attends Education Day!” she said, noting the captivating effect the displays and lectures had on the throngs of people who turned out.
Beginning with the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the morning and
ending with vespers, the day was crowned by the exhibition of 20
fifteenth through twentieth-century icons on loan from The Museum of
Russian Icons in Clinton, MA. Curator of the museum, Kent dur Russell,
and museum founder Gordon Lankton engaged visitors to the exhibit in
deep conversations as they viewed the icons. Both commented on the
“high levels of curiosity, warmth, veneration, and respect” shown by
the groups of people that wound their way around the spacious seminary
library, mesmerized by the stunning icons.
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His Grace Bishop Mitrofan of the Eastern-American Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church ordained to the sacred priesthood Deacon Aleksa Pavichevich on September 28, 2008 at St. Stevan’s Church, Columbus, Ohio. Concelebrating with His Grace were Protopresbyters Mateja Matejic and Fr. Dragoljub (Dennis) Pavichevich (SVS alumnus), St. Vladimir’s Chancellor, Archpriest Chad Hatfield, and the pastor of St. Stevan’s, Fr. Isak Kisin.
