2008 Seminary Lenten Retreat

April 12, 2008
SVS Seminary welcomed Orthodox faithful from parishes all around New Jersey, Connecticut, and New York for inspiration and ideas on how to have an energized parish. The retreat was led by Fr Constantine Nasr.

Lenten Retreat

His Grace, Bishop Joseph of the Diocese of Los Angeles and the West (Antiochian Archdiocese) came to SVS Seminary to lead the faculty and students in their annual two-day Lenten Retreat.

SVS and STS Baskteball Game

February 23, 2008
Reviving a long-lost custom, SVS Seminarians traveled to St Tikhons Seminary to face off on the basketball court on February 23, 2008.

New Orthodox Study Bible introduced at SVS

February 27, 2008
The Very Reverend Peter Gillquist, Chairman of the Department of Missions and Evangelism of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, presented the newest version of the Orthodox Study Bible containing both the Old and New Testaments.

Substance Abuse and Pornography Addictions Seminar

February 15, 2008
On the cutting edge of issues related to clergy concerns, SVS Seminary addressed the problem of addictions. Friday, February 15, 2008 was set aside and dedicated to this pertinent and pressing issue in two different and equally relevant sessions.

The Meeting of the Lord

February 2, 2008
The SVS Seminary community celebrated the Feast of the Meeting of the Lord on February 2, 2008. SVS Chancellor Fr Chad Hatfield presided at the Divine Liturgy.

SVS gives the gift of life

When SVS Seminary hosted a Red Cross Blood Drive on Friday, February 8, 2008, the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium was transformed into a clinic for drawing blood. This auditorium, which usually hosts speakers addressing the spiritual life, became a location for the community to give the gift of life.

Feast of the Three Hierarchs

January 30, 2008
SVS Seminary celebrated the Feast of the Three Hierarchs, the patronal feast of the seminary chapel, with a Divine Liturgy, a symposium on St John Chrysostom, and the 25th annual Fr Alexander Schmemann Memorial Lecture.

March for Life in Nation's Capital

January 22, 2008
Led by SVS Chancellor Fr Chad Hatfield, a group of seminarians, kids and staff, voluntarily joined with St Tikhon?s Seminary and many fellow Orthodox Christians to participate in the National March for Life.

Indian Orthodox Metropolitan visits SVS

January 18, 2008
Metropolitan Mar Barnabas of the American Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church spent Friday, January 18, 2008 at the seminary as the semester hierarch-in-residence.

SVS Christmas Retreat

December 26-29, 2007
SVS Seminary joined with Orthodox Youth Outreach (OYO) in welcoming 35 high school students to the seminary for a Christmas retreat with a mission.

Theophany 2008

January 5-6, 2008
The great feast of the Theophany of Our Lord was celebrated at the seminary. Photographs courtesy of Robyn Alexander and Skye Malone.

St Herman's Day and Memorial of Fr Alexander

On December 13, 2007, the seminary celebrated the memory of our Venerable Father Herman, Elder and Wonderworker of Alaska and All America. The seminary community also prayerfuly remembered the 24th anniversary of the repose of its former dean, Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann.

November activities at SVS

A collage of photographs from various November 2007 activities at SVS.

Hierarchs visit with seminarians
In October, 2007, His Eminence Job, Archbishop of Chicago and the Midwest, and His Grace Benjamin Bishop of San Francisco and the West came to St Vladimir’s Seminary. The hierarchs made time especially to visit and share a meal with seminarians and their families from their respective dioceses.

Abp Nathaniel visits and addresses seminarians
October 26, 2007
Archbishop Nathaniel of Detroit and the Romanian Episcopate (OCA) spent time at the seminary as part of the new curriculum's hierarch-in-residence program.

Abp Nathaniel ordains Dn Paul Coats to Priesthood
October 26, 2007
On the feast of St Demetrios, His Eminence, Archbishop Nathaniel presided at the Divine Liturgy at the seminary chapel and ordained Dn Paul Coats to the Holy Priesthood.

SVS hosts Interseminary Dialogue

October 25, 2007
SVS hosted seminarians from eight participating Christian and Jewish seminaries in the New York area. This year's theme is Genesis 1-11 and Dr Peter Bouteneff gave a 15-minute presentation introducing this theme

2007 Alumni Reunion

October 16-18, 2007
The 2007 annual SVS Alumni Reunion brought graduates from many different years back to the campus to rekindle memories of old times and to get to know the seminary as it is today. For most of the alumni present, this reunion was their first chance to interact with new Dean Fr John Behr and Chancellor Fr Chad Hatfield.

Archbishop Seraphim celebrates Divine Liturgy
October 14, 2007
His Eminence Seraphim, Archbishop of Ottawa and Canada (OCA), visited St Vladimir's Seminary and celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the seminary chapel.

Seminary celebrates Akathistos to St Innocent
October 12, 2007
On Friday, October 12, the seminary community celebrated the singing of an Akathistos Hymn to St Innocent of Moscow, Enlightener of America, in the presence of the sacred relics of the saint that typically reside at the Chancery of the Orthodox Church in America.

Orthodox Education Day 2007

October 6, 2007
On Saturday, October 6, the feast of St Innocent of Alaska, the seminary hosted its annual Orthodox Education Day.

Orthodox Education Day 2007 Prep

October 5, 2007
On Friday, October 5, seminarians prepared the seminary grounds to host guests for Orthodox Education Day.

Cross Exaltation & Installation of New Leaders
September 13-16, 2007
SVS began the academic year with the celebration of the grat feast of the Exaltation of the Cross and the installation of its new leadership: Fr John Behr as Dean of the Seminary and Fr Chad Hatfield as Chancellor (CEO) of the Seminary.

2007 New Student Orientation
The new curriculum began with a four-day orientation where the Dean Fr John Behr, the Chancellor Fr Chad Hatfield, the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Professor John Barnet, and the Associate Dean of Student Affairs Fr Steven Belonick all addressed and welcomed the students. This year Fr Thomas Hopko, Dean Emeritus, was the keynote speaker.

Antiochian Convention in Montreal
July 20-27, 2007
SVS Seminary Chancellor Fr Chad Hatfield and new Dean Fr John Behr attended the 48th Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocesan Convention in Montreal, Canada during the last week of July 2007.

Ordination of Aleksa Pavichevich to the Diaconate
July 1, 2007
Aleksa Pavichevich was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by His Grace Bishop Dr Mitrofan of the Serbian Eastern Diocese in Columbus, Ohio. His uncle, SVS alumnus Fr Dennis Pavichevich, served during the ordination together with Fr Isak Kisin and Dn Dragoslav Kosic.

First official day of new SVS Chancellor
On his first official day serving as our new Chancellor, Fr Chad Hatfield attended the Antiochian Diocese of Worchester and New England Parish Life Conference. He was present for the elevation of his former assistant priest, Fr Joseph Kimmett, to archpriest by His Grace Bishop Antoun. Several SVS Alumni were also present including Fr Michael Abdelahad, Fr Anthony Hughes, Fr Edward Hughes, Fr Joseph Purpura, Fr John Teebagy and Dn Seraphim Solof.

Composers seminar at SVS
SVS invited liturgical musicians to participate in an interactive Composers Seminar from June 27-29.

Summer Institute 2007
June 24-27, 2007
The annual Liturgical Institute of Music and Pastoral Practice had the theme "Why Liturgy Matters: Worship as Witness in a Changing World." Three tracts (music, theological discussion, and liturgical training) made up the Summer Institute.

Bishop Atanasije (Jevtic) visits SVS
June 23-24, 2007
His Grace Atanasije (Jevtic), retired Bishop of Zahumlje-Hercegovina of the Serbian Orthodox Church and his delegation visited, enriched, and blessed SVS.

Annual OTSA meeting
June 12-14, 2007
SVS hosted the Orthodox Theological Society in America (OTSA) from June 12-14. The theme of this meeting was bioethics and included a"Medical Bioethics Colloquium: An Orthodox Consensus on Embryonic Stem Cell Research and In Vitro Fertilization" sponsored by the Orthodox Church in America Department of Christian Witness and Service.

Orthodox-Catholic Consultation
June 4-6, 2007
The seventy-second meeting of the North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation met at SVS on June 4-6, 2007.

2007 Alumni Golf Outing
Great fellowship and weather marked the Alumni Golf Outing on May 24 at Hudson Hills Golf Course in Ossining, NY. Participants included: Fr John Dresko, Nick Kobbs, Fr John Kreta, Fr Harry Pappas (SVS professor), Fr Alex Vinogradov, Dn John Zarras, Dn Paul Coates, Dan Belonick, and Fr Steven Belonick. As to the winner - the golf course took the prize!

SCOBA holds meeting at SVS
May 23, 2007
SCOBA held its annual meeting at SVS and had lunch with the seminary faculty.

Commencement 2007
May 19, 2007
The Class of 2007 with a record-breaking number of graduates celebrated their commencement on Saturday, May 19, 2007.

2007 Spring Ordinations
Photograph galleries for Spring semester ordinations of our seminarians.

Fr Paul Lazor Retirement Party
On April 14, 2007 SVS celebrated the life and works of the Very Rev Paul Lazor in honor of his upcoming retirement.

Paschal Vespers
April 8, 2007
The seminary community gathered again to celebrate the Resurrection with the singing of Paschal Vespers on Sunday, April 8. While the weather was colder than usual, the children enjoyed an Easter-egg hunt afterwards.

Great and Holy Pascha 2007
April 8, 2007
In the early hours of Sunday morning, the seminary community heard the joyous proclamation: Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen!

Holy Saturday Vesperal Liturgy
April 7, 2007
The seminary celebrated the Great Sabbath of Holy Saturday with the singing of the Vespers with fifteen Old Testament Readings and Divine Liturgy of St Basil the Great.

Matins of Holy Saturday
April 6, 2007
The Matins of Great and Holy Saturday.

Vespers of Holy Friday
April 6, 2007
The Vespers Great and Holy Friday - commemoration of the Entombment of Our Lord.

Matins of Holy Friday
April 5, 2007
On Thursday evening, April 5, the seminary community celebrated Matins of Great and Holy Friday -- the reading of the twelve Passion Gospel.

Holy Thursday Divine Liturgy
April 5, 2007
The seminary commemorated the institution of the Eucharist by the Savior on Holy Thursday. Fr Thomas Hopko, Dean Emeritus, presided at the Divine Liturgy and offered the homily. Following the Liturgy, the seminary community partakes of a common meal.

Feast of Palms 2007
March 31-April 1, 2007
The seminary celebrated the "Feast of Palms" -- Lazarus Saturday and the Entrance of Our Lord into Jerusalem.

Metropolitan Kallistos (Ware) visits
March 29, 2007
In the week leading up to Holy Week, the seminary was blessed to host His Eminence Metropolitan Kallistos (Ware) of Diokleia on our campus. On Thursday, March 29, His Grace delivered a talk to the student body on the Jesus Prayer.

Malankara Syriac Orthodox Youth Lenten Retreat
March 24, 2007
SVS hosted the Malankara Syriac Orthodox Youth Association Lenten Retreat, with guest speaker the Very Rev Paul Lazor.

Ordination of Aaron David Warwick to the Diaconate
March 25, 2007
On the Feast of the Annunciation, His Grace Bishop ANTOUN of Miami and the Southeast (Antiochian Archdiocese) celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn. Seminarian Aaron David Warwick was ordained a deacon, taking the name David.

Bp Seraphim celebrates Fourth Sunday of Lent
March 18, 2007
His Grace Bishop Seraphim of Ottawa and Canada (OCA) celebrated the Divine Liturgy on the Fourth Sunday of Lent, the commemoration of St John Climacus.

2007 Lenten Retreat
SVS held a Lenten retreat on Saturday, March 17, 2007. The Very Rev Paul Lazor, Associate Dean for Student Affairs and the John and Paraskeva Skvir Lecturer in Practical Theology, spoke on the theme "Living the Gospel Today."

Great Lent begins at St Vladimir's Seminary
On February 20, 2007, the seminary welcomed His Beatitude Metropolitan Herman of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) who joined the community to serve Compline with the Great Canon of St Andrew of Crete.

Annual blessing of seminary campus
February 2, 2007

Meeting of the Lord and Ordinations
February 2, 2007
On the feast of the Meeting of the Lord, His Grace Bishop Nikon presided at the Divine Liturgy and ordained Seminarian Irenaeus Williams to the Holy Diaconate.

Fr Alexander Schmemann Memorial Lecture
Fr Alexander Schmemann Memorial Lecture

New Leadership Meeting
Students and faculty met with Dean-elect Fr John Behr and Chancellor-elect Fr Chad Hatfield on January 24, 2007

Ordination of Dn Paul Rivers
On Tuesday January 30th Metropolitan Herman ordained Paul Rivers to the Holy Diaconate.

Chorale Tour 2007
<p> SVS Seminary Chorale visits New England parishes for their 2007 tour. At each church, the Chorale sings the responses for Vespers or Liturgy and then presents a concert for the church community and the public. </p>

Theophany 2007
On January 5 and January 6, 2007, the seminary community celebrated the Feast of the Theophany of Our Lord, and God, and Savior Jesus Christ.

St Nicholas Children's Celebration 2006
Children from St Vladimir's Seminary community gathered together for a visit from St Nicholas on Sunday, December 10.

Book Release Celebration
St Vladimir's and St Nersess Armenian Seminary launched a newly released title, <em>Worship Traditions in Armenia and the Neighboring Christian East</em> on December 06, 2006.

Bp Nikon ordains Fr Robert Royer
November 21, 2006<br /> On the feast of the Presentation of the Theotokos, His Grace Bishop Nikon of Boston, New England, and the Albanian Archdiocese ordained Dn Robert Royer to the Holy Priesthood. Photographs courtesy Sophia Sokolov and Abi Chack

2006 Alumni Reunion
The third St Vladimir’s Seminary Alumni Reunion brought together over forty graduates to reconnect with their alma mater and each other in October.

Bp Benjamin ordains Fr Justin Mathews
<p> On Sunday, October 22, 2006, His Grace Bishop Benjamin of Berkeley ordained second-year seminarian Dn Justin Mathews to the Holy Priesthood.  </p>

Bp Seraphim ordains Fr Hermogen Holste
Sunday, October 15, 2006 <div> His Grace Bishop Seraphim of Ottawa and Canada visited St Vladimir's Seminary and ordained Dn Hermogen Holste to the Holy Priesthood. </div>

Orthodox Education Day 2006
<p> On the first Saturday in October, St Vladimir's Seminary opened its doors to hundreds of friends to experience a day of prayer, fellowship, food, and education.   Photographs from throughout the day are available.<br /> </

Exaltation of the Cross 2006
On September 14, 2006, and on the eve, the seminary community celebrated the great feast of the Exaltation of the Cross.  Photographs courtesy Aleksa Pavichevich.

Nativity of the Theotokos 2006
<p> On September 8, Metropolitan Herman inaugurated the beginning of the academic year with the ordinations of Dn Mathew Cantrell to the Holy Priesthood and Nicholas Garklavs to the Holy Diaconate. Photographs courtesy Martin Paluch and John Congdon

Summer Institute 2006
<p> June 25-30, 2006<br /> This year's Liturgical Institute of Music and Pastoral Practice had the theme "A Christian Ending to Our Life-The Mystery of Death." </p>

Head of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church visits St
On Monday, June 19, 2006, His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Didymus I, Catholicos of the East and Metropolitan of Malankara, visited St Vladimir’s Seminary, where seven Malankara Indian students are currently studying. His Holiness, who lives

Commencement Ceremonies 2006
May 20, 2006 <div> Annual commencement ceremonies of St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary </div> <div> <br /> </div>

Commencement Day Liturgy and Ordinations
May 20, 2006<br /> At the Divine Liturgy marking Commencement Day 2006, His Beatitude Metropolitan Herman ordained Fr Nikolay Miletkov and Dn Mathew Cantrell and elevated Dn Kirill Sokolov to Protodeacon.<br />

Banquet in honor of the ordination of Fr Erickson
<p> Sunday, May 7, 2006<br /> The seminary community gathered around its hierarchs, alumni, and friends in celebration of the ordination of Fr John Erickson to the holy priesthood. </p> <p>   </p>

Ordination of Fr John Erickson
<p> May 7, 2006<br /> On the Sunday of the Myrrhbearing Women, His Beatitude Metropolitan HERMAN ordained seminary dean John H. Erickson to the Holy Priesthood. </p> <p>   </p>

Pascha Vespers 2006
April 23, 2006 <div> At noon on Pascha day, the seminary celebrated the Paschal Agape vesper service.  A reception for children was held following the vespers. </div>

PASCHA 2006
April 23, 2006 <div> The seminary celebrates the great and resplendent feast of the Lord's Pascha. </div> <div> <br /> </div>

Holy Saturday Liturgy 2006
April 22, 2006 <div> On Holy Saturday, the seminary celebrated Vespers and the Liturgy of St Basil the Great. </div> <div> <br /> </div>

Holy Saturday Matins 2006
April 21, 2006 <div> Late Friday evening, the seminary held vigil at the Tomb of Our Lord by celebrating the Matins of Holy Saturday. </div> <div> <br /> </div>

Holy Friday Vespers 2006
Friday, April 21, 2006 <div> In the afternoon of Holy Friday, the seminary celebrated Vespers marking the entombment of Our Lord. </div> <div> <br /> </div>

Holy Friday Matins 2006
<p> April 20, 2006<br /> On Thursday, April 20, the seminary celebrated the Matins of Holy Friday with the reading of the Twelve Passion Gospels. </p> <p>   </p>

Holy Thursday Divine Liturgy 2006
<p> April 20, 2006<br /> The seminary celebrated the Divine Liturgy of St Basil the Great on Holy Thursday.  Following the Divine Liturgy, the community held a thanksgiving meal. </p> <p>   </p>

Palm Sunday 2006
<p> April 16, 2006 </p> <p> On Sunday, April 16, the seminary community celebrated the feast of the Entrance of Our Lord into Jerusalem. </p> <p>   </p>

Palm Sunday Vigil 2006
<p> April 15, 2006 </p> <p> On the eve of the feast of the Entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem, the seminary community celebrated the Vigil service with the blessing of palms.<br />   </p>

Lazarus Saturday 2006
<p> April 15, 2006 </p> <p> The seminary community celebrated Lazarus Saturday with our children's choir singing responses at the Divine Liturgy.  A procession followed the Divine Liturgy.  </p>

Bishop Benjamin ordains Dn Justin Mathews
<p> Sunday, April 9, 2006 </p> <p> His Grace, Bishop BENJAMIN of Berkeley ordained second-year seminarian Justin Mathews to the Holy Diaconate.  </p>

Bishop Benjamin ordains Dn Caleb Abetti
<p> Saturday, April 8, 2006 </p> <p> His Grace, Bishop BENJAMIN of Berkeley ordained second-year seminarian Caleb Abetti to the Holy Diaconate.  </p>

Ordination of Deacon Gregory
His Grace Tikhon, Bishop of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, visited the seminary on the last weekend before Great Lent. He celebrated Divine Liturgy on Saturday, March 4, 2006 for the Commemoration of the Holy Ascetics. During the Liturgy, 2nd year

Ordination of Deacon Hermogen
His Grace Tikhon, Bishop of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, visited the seminary on the last weekend before Great Lent. He celebrated Divine Liturgy on Saturday, March 4, 2006 for the Commemoration of the Holy Ascetics. During the Liturgy, 2nd year

Bp Mark of Toledo visits SVS; ordains Fr Gillquist
<p>February 2, 2006</p><p>His Grace, Bishop Mark of Toledo (Antiochian Archdiocese) celebrated the feast of the Meeting of the Lord at St Vladimir's this year. At the Divine Liturgy, His Grace ordained Dn Peter Jon Gillquist to the

Fr Alexander Schmemann Memorial Lecture
23rd Annual Fr Alexander Schmemann Memorial Lecture<br />

John Erickson ordained to the Holy Diaconate
<p>January 30, 2006</p><p>On the feast of the Three Hieararchs, the patrons of the seminary chapel, John H. Erickson, Dean of the seminary, was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman.<br /> </p>

Church consecrated in Santa Fe, NM
<p>January 21, 2006</p><p>His Grace, Bishop Basil of Witchita (Antiochian Archdiocese) consecrated Holy Trinity Church, Santa Fe, NM.  Holy Trinity has sent three seminarians to SVS and many alumni participated in the weekend's

Abp Kyrill visits SVS; ordains
Sunday, February 22 2006 His Eminence, Archbishop Kyrill of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania and the Bulgarian Archdiocese visited St Vladimir's Seminary and ordained Priest Christopher Foley and Dn Nikolay Miletkov.

Chorale 2006 - Southern California
<p>January 2006<br />St Vladimir's Seminary Chorale traveling in Southern California.</p>

Theophany 2006
<p>January 6, 2005<br /> The seminary celebrated the great feast of the Theophany of Our Lord on Friday, January 6.</p>

Christmas Retreat 2005
<p>December 27-29, 2005</p><p>St Vladimir's Seminary hosted the annual Christmas Retreat for high-school and college students.  This year's theme was “<em>You're Growing Up, But Are You Mature in Christ?&a

Christmas 2005
December 25, 2005<br /> The Nativity of our Lord, and God, and Savior Jesus Christ celebrated at the seminary's Three Hierarchs' Chapel.<br />

St Nicholas Children's Celebration
<p>December 11, 2005</p><p>St Nicholas arrived at the annual Brunch held for church school children after the Liturgy. St Nicholas distributed gifts to each of the children. The parents provided a delicious lenten meal.<br /> </

Metropolitan Herman celebrates liturgy; ordains
On Saturday, Nov 19, His Beatitude Metropolitan Herman celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the seminary. His Beatitude awarded the double orarion to Dn. Kirill Sokolov. He ordained seminarian Joseph Matusiak to the Holy Diaconate.<br />

Community Thanksgiving Meal
<p>November 10, 2005</p><p>The seminary community enjoyed its annual community Thanksgiving dinner before the Nativity Fast and before students travel home for the holidays. </p>

2005 Alumni Reunion
<p>October 17-19, 2005<br /> 2005 Alumni Reunion at St Vladimir's Seminary</p><p> </p>

Bishop Seraphim presides at Divine Liturgy
<p>October 23, 2005</p><p>His Grace, Bishop Seraphim of Ottawa and Canada presided at the Divine Liturgy at the seminary's Three Hierarchs' Chapel on October 23, 2005. His Grace set aside six seminarians as readers and subdeaco

Sitka Icon visits SVS
<p>October 17, 2005<br /> His Grace Bishop Nikolai of Sitka, Anchorage, and Alaska accompanied the Icon of Our Lady of Sitka to St Vladimir's Seminary. An akathist was sung before the icon by His Grace and the chapel's clergy.</p&

Bishop Benjamin of Berkeley visits SVS
<p>October 16 2005<br /> His Grace Bishop Benjamin of Berkeley (OCA) presided at the Divine Liturgy at St Vladimir's Seminary. During the Liturgy, His Grace ordained third-year seminarian William John Neumann to the Holy Diaconate.</p&

Orthodox Education Day 2005
October 1, 2005<p> </p>

Orthodox Education Day Preparation
<p>September 30, 2005<br /> Seminarians, faculty, and staff spent the day preparing for Orthodox Education Day 2005.</p><p> </p><p> </p>

Exaltation of the Cross
<p>September 14, 2005<br /> On Wednesday, September 14, the seminary community commemorated the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. We were happy to have Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko, Dean Emeritus, with us to celebrate the services. On