Seminary leaders travel to Russia to receive Award

In January 2010, Archpriest John Behr, Dean; Archpriest Chad Hatfield, Chancellor (CEO); and Mr. Theodore Bazil, Associate Chancellor for Advancement traveled to Russia to receive the Unity of Orthodox Peoples Award from the chairman of the International Foundation for Unity of Orthodox Christian Nations, His Holiness, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.

SVS Summer Conference 2009

From June 18-20, SVS hosted a symposium on church unity featuring presentations by His Beatitude Metropolitan Jonah, His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel, His Grace Bishop Basil of Amphipolis, Antiochian Archdiocese Chancellor Charles Ajalat, and others.

Diaconal Practicum 2009

The Diaconal Pracictum is an intense liturgical training program for deacons and diaconal candidates offered every year on the campus of St. Vladimir's Seminary in conjunction with the Diaconal Vocations Program of the Orthodox Church in America.

Iconography Workshops

From June 11-17, 2009, two master iconographers, one painting in the Russo-Byzantine style and the other painting in the Byzantine (Greek-Cretan School) tradition, offered exclusive workshops on the campus of St. Vladimir's

Award, ordination and presentation

During Divine Liturgy on May 16, 2009, Father Sean Levine was ordained to the Holy Priesthood and Father John Erickson was awarded the dignity of wearing the jeweled cross by the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America. Father John was also presented with a synodal gramota in recognition of his labors in the Lord's vineyard on the occasion of his retirement.

Commencement Exercises 2009

St Vladimir's Seminary celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2009 and its future in service to Christ's Church at commencement exercises held on Saturday, May 16.

Great and Holy Pascha 2009

SVS celebrated the services of Holy Week, culminating in Great and Holy Pascha. Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday

Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday celebrated at St. Vladimir's Seminary

Five SVS seminarians ordained Spring 2009

The remarkable spiritual odysseys of SVS seminarians reflect the statement of St. Peter, chief of the apostles, in the Holy Scriptures: "We have left everything to follow you!" (Mark 10:27-29). Their eclectic life experience and varied paths, which have led them to theological study on our campus, continually witness to the Lord's inscrutable call to service in his vineyard. During the month of March, five of our students were ordained - submitting to that call, which each one has heard uniquely in his heart.

Alaskan Retreat

Senior SVS seminarian Priest Aaron Warwick and SVS Chancellor Archpriest Chad Hatfield were presenters at the lenten retreat for clergy, laity, and youth in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska. The host priest was Fr Vasily Fisher, rector of St. James Church in Napaskiak.

Great Lent begins at SVS

His Beatitude Jonah began his seminary campus visit on Sunday, March 1, 2009 by serving a hierarchical Divine Liturgy and ordaining Deacon John Vitko, a special-category student, to the priesthood and second-year student Sean Levine to the diaconate.

Annual Basketball Challenge

The annual basketball challenge between St. Vladimir's Seminary and St. Tikhon's Seminary took place February 6, 2009. SVS won the game 65-61.

Liturgical Symposium

From January 29-31, SVS held an international liturgical symposium honoring The Very Rev. Alexander Schmemann (d. 1983), who served as dean of the seminary for more than twenty years. The symposium featured preeminent theologians from Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant traditions from major universities.

Feast of the Three Hierarchs

On January 30, 2009, during the celebration of the Feast of the Three Hierarchs, Ss. Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom two seminarians were ordained and two more received distinctive scholarship awards. Additionally, Protodeacon Kirill Sokolov, Associate Chancellor for Systems at the seminary, was elevated to the rank of Archdeacon.

SVS Seminarians March for Life

Twenty-six SVS seminarians, along with family members, seminary staff, and SVS Chancellor Archpriest Chad Hatfield, joined a large "Orthodox Christians for Life" contingent in the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. on January 22, 2009.

SVS seminarian carries scholarship to Uganda

3rd-year SVS seminarian Troy Hamilton visited the northern region of Uganda around the small town of Gulu over his winter semester break, January 1-12, 2009.

SVS celebrates Theophany

Archpriest John Behr, dean of SVS and rector of the seminary chapel, welcomed His Beatitude, recently enthroned as primate of the Orthodox Church in America, as an alumnus of SVS (ྑ, ྔ) returning to his alma mater.

SVS Chancellor celebrates Nativity in Guatemala

SVS Chancellor Archpriest Chad Hatfield marked a joyous Nativity 2008 at the Hogar Rafael Ayau Orphanage in Guatemala City, celebrating the festal liturgical services for the monastic women and 115 children who live and pray at the facility, known as the "House of Mercy."

SVS Church School highlights during Nativity

SVS Church School Coordinator Katrina Bitar 2nd-year seminarian in the Master of Arts program at SVS, decided to punctuate the season of Advent with a series of activities centered on charity.

Two ordained to Diaconate at SVS

Two St. Vladimir's seminarians, John Ballard and Ashur (Ephraim) Alkhas, were ordained to the Holy Diaconate on Sunday, December 7, 2008. Both are members of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA) and are in their second year of studies at the seminary.

Metropolitan Jonah visits SVS

On the Feast of St. Herman of Alaska, December 13, 2008, His Beatitude Jonah (Paffhausen) visited the seminary campus to celebrate the Divine Liturgy and to preside at a panikhida (memorial) service in honor of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the falling asleep of Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann, who served as the dean of SVS from 1962 until his death in 1983.

Malankara Orthodox conference

On Saturday, November 29, 2008, one hundred and eighty youth met on SVS campus for a retreat focused on discerning God's voice and discovering their vocation.

Premier visit to SVS of Metropolitan Jonah

From November 21-22, SVS warmly welcomed back to its campus an alumnus, His Beatitude Jonah, Metropolitan of All America and Canada of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) and new president of the seminary.

SVS Fall Open House and Thanksgiving Dinner

At the SVS Fall Open House for Prospective Students, twenty guests visited the campus and shared in the annual pre-Thanksgiving meal with the seminary community on November 6, 2008.

Metropolitan Jonah attends alumni gathering

On November 12, 2008, Bishop Jonah of Fort Worth was elected and enthroned as Metropolitan of All America and Canada. His Beatitude serves as President of St Vladimir's Seminary. The Metropolitan attended a reception for SVS alumni later that afternoon.

SVS Goes to Africa!

Seminarians Dn Peter Robichau and Troyen Hamilton joined Fr John Erickson in presenting a program about their recent and varied missionary experiences in Africa to the SVS community.

Orthodox Education Day 2008

Nearly 1,000 friends, alumni, and neighbors gathered at SVS on Saturday, October 4, 2008, to celebrate the theme for Orthodox Education Day 2008, Holy Icons and Sacred Arts.

SVS presence at Greek Orthodox Clergy-Laity

SVS Press featured its new publication, Thinking Through Faith, at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese (GOA) 39th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress this summer in Washington, D.C.

Diaconal Liturgical Practicum 2008

June 3-6, 2008
From June 3-6, 2008 SVS held intensive diaconal training workshops for deacons and Diaconal Vocations Program participants. The Practicum faculty led participants in presentations on the Liturgy of the Church and the Typikon (Father Alexander Rentel); vocal technique and training (Father Sergius Halvorsen) and liturgical practice and training (Protodeacon Kirill Sokolov).

Serbian Clergy Brotherhood meeting

June 10, 2008
SVS Chancellor Fr Chad Hatfield was the guest speaker at this year's annual Serbian Clergy Brotherhood meeting. Fr Chad concelebrated at the Divine Liturgy at St Sava's Serbian Orthodox Cathedral before delivering his talk on "Revitalizing Our Priestly Ministry in A Post Christian Culture."

St Alban and St Sergius Fellowship Conference

June 4-8, 2008
From Wednesday, June 4 to Sunday, June 8, 2008, SVS hosted a conference of the Fellowship of St Alban and St Sergius to mark the 80th anniversary of the Fellowship.

Ordination of Daniel Bethancourt

June 7-8, 2008
During the weekend of June 8th, Daniel Bethancourt was ordained to the Holy Diaconate and to the Holy Priesthood by His Grace Bishop Basil. The ordinations took place in front of his home parish in Sante Fe, New Mexico.

Wichita Convocation

May 21, 2008
St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral in Wichita, Kansas hosted the first off-site SVS Academic Convocation on May 21st. The Trustees and Faculty bestowed the degree of Doctor of Divinity (honoris causa) upon Professor Anthony P. Gythiel with Fr. John Behr, Fr. Chad Hatfield and Ted Bazil traveling to Wichita for the special convocation.

Commencement 2008

May 17, 2008
At SVS Seminary, the class of 2008 joyfully celebrated their commencement under a big white tent on Saturday, May 17. There were twenty-nine students graduating in five academic programs and for the first time, the ceremony included the awarding of hoods to the graduates.

Board of Trustees Annual Spring Meeting

May 15, 2008
Concurrent with the end of the semester, the Board of Trustees held their annual spring meeting and especially enjoyed socializing with the seminary community during the cookout.

Great and Holy Pascha 2008

April 20-27, 2008
SVS celebrated the services of Holy Week, culminating in Great and Holy Pascha. Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

Lazarus Saturday at SVS

April 19, 2008
Children of the SVS community, especially the church school students, participated at the Liturgy on Lazarus Saturday, singing responses under the direction of Dn Kevin Smith.

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

October, 2007
In October 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

August 28, 2007
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

June 27, 2007
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.

Chorale Tour 2007

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.

Bp Benjamin ordains Fr Justin Mathews

On Sunday, October 22, 2006, His Grace Bishop Benjamin of Berkeley ordained second-year seminarian Dn Justin Mathews to the Holy Priesthood.

Orthodox Education Day 2006

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.

Nativity of the Theotokos 2006

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

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

Banquet in honor of the ordination of Fr Erickson

Sunday, May 7, 2006
The seminary community gathered around its hierarchs, alumni, and friends in celebration of the ordination of Fr John Erickson to the holy priesthood.

Ordination of Fr John Erickson

May 7, 2006
On the Sunday of the Myrrhbearing Women, His Beatitude Metropolitan HERMAN ordained seminary dean John H. Erickson to the Holy Priesthood.

Holy Friday Matins 2006

April 20, 2006
On Thursday, April 20, the seminary celebrated the Matins of Holy Friday with the reading of the Twelve Passion Gospels.

Holy Thursday Divine Liturgy 2006

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

Palm Sunday 2006

April 16, 2006

On Sunday, April 16, the seminary community celebrated the feast of the Entrance of Our Lord into Jerusalem.

Palm Sunday Vigil 2006

April 15, 2006

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.

Lazarus Saturday 2006

April 15, 2006

The seminary community celebrated Lazarus Saturday with our children's choir singing responses at the Divine Liturgy. A procession followed the Divine Liturgy.

Bishop Benjamin ordains Dn Justin Mathews

Sunday, April 9, 2006

His Grace, Bishop BENJAMIN of Berkeley ordained second-year seminarian Justin Mathews to the Holy Diaconate.

Bishop Benjamin ordains Dn Caleb Abetti

Saturday, April 8, 2006

His Grace, Bishop BENJAMIN of Berkeley ordained second-year seminarian Caleb Abetti to the Holy Diaconate.

Bp Mark of Toledo visits SVS; ordains Fr Gillquist

February 2, 2006

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

John Erickson ordained to the Holy Diaconate

January 30, 2006

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.

Church consecrated in Santa Fe, NM

January 21, 2006

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

Chorale 2006 - Southern California

January 2006
St Vladimir's Seminary Chorale traveling in Southern California.

Theophany 2006

January 6, 2005
The seminary celebrated the great feast of the Theophany of Our Lord on Friday, January 6.

Christmas Retreat 2005

December 27-29, 2005

St Vladimir's Seminary hosted the annual Christmas Retreat for high-school and college students. This year's theme was "You're Growing Up, But Are You Mature in Christ?&a