In keeping with an annual tradition, the primate of the OCA His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon visited St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) last week to celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos and to mark the beginning of the academic year with the seminary community.
On Thursday evening, prior to the Festal Vigil, His Beatitude served a Lity for the Departed for the child of God Sophia, daughter of alumnus Fr Silouan Cohen (M.Div. ’22), on the first anniversary of her falling asleep. His Beatitude concelebrated the Festal Vigil with Seminary President, the Very Rev. Dr Chad Hatfield, the Very Rev. Dr Alexander Rentel, OCA Chancellor, and clergy of the seminary community. The antiphonal responses were sung by the seminary mixed and male choirs, under the direction of the Rev. Deacon Dr Harrison Russin, Dr Alexander Lingas, and third-year seminarian, Sam Loposky (M.Div. ‘24).
On Friday, His Beatitude presided at the celebration of the hierarchical Divine Liturgy for the Feast. The responses were sung by the mixed seminary choir led by second-year seminarian Naomi DeHaan (M.A. ‘24). His Beatitude delivered the homily where he encouraged the faithful to act as gardeners and “contribute to the upkeep of paradise… by making ourselves receptive to God, and this receptivity is exemplified by the practice of humility.”
Read the full text of His Beatitude’s homily
Hear the recording of His Beatitude’s homily
Following the liturgy, His Beatitude addressed the students for the opening of the academic year. In his address, His Beatitude called on students to follow the example of Christ’s Most Pure Mother, filling themselves “with the sacrifice of prayer, songs, and praise offered unto the God of all.”
Read the full address
Hear a recording of the full address
Article adapted from OCA.org.
