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 36 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 36 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.

Seminarian Brock Johns and Dr. Peter C. Bouteneff, Associate Professor in Systematic Theology at SVS, prepare for the OISM conference to be held on the seminary campus November 21–22, 2008. The conference will bring together Orthodox Christian students from nine seminaries throughout North America and will center on the theme, “St. John of Kronstadt.”

During the weekend of November 21–22, 2008, St. Vladimir’s Seminary (SVS) will host the semiannual meeting of the Orthodox Inter-Seminary Movement (OISM). OISM has been active since the 1960s as a way for Orthodox Christian seminarians to enjoy fellowship and prayer together, cooperate with each other, learn about each other, and form bonds that will extend into their future ministries. It is run entirely by students from the participating seminaries, with support from the seminaries' respective faculty and administration.

The gathering at St. Vladimir's this year will focus on the theme: “St. John of Kronstadt.” The seminary expects to host anywhere from 20–40 seminarians. The participating seminaries represent the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Archdiocese (ACROD); the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (GOA); the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (GOMT); the Orthodox Church in America (OCA); the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR); the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada (UOCC); and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA (UOCUSA):

• Christ the Saviour Seminary (Johnstown, Pennsylvania, ACROD)
• Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (Brookline, Massachusetts, GOA)
• Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary (Jordanville, New York, ROCOR)
• St. Andrew's College (Winnipeg, Manitoba, UOCC)
• St. Herman's Orthodox Theological Seminary (Kodiak, Alaska, OCA)
• St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary (South Bound Brook, New Jersey, UOCUSA)
• St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary (South Canaan, Pennsylvania, OCA)
• St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (Crestwood, New York, OCA)
• Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy (Toronto, Ontario, GOMT)

Updated September 26, 2008

St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary has several job postings available: an Advancement Officer (Annual Giving); an Advancement Officer (Capital Campaign); a Production Assistant in SVS Press; and part-time position customer service positions in SVS Bookstore. Please see the full job descriptions on our Employment Opportunities page.