On Friday, May 9, a group of students at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) performed the “bibliodrama” Saul and David for a full audience in the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium. The play was originally written in Serbian by Dr. Nenad Božović, former professor of Old Testament and the director of the Biblical Institute at the Orthodox Theological Faculty of the University of Belgrade. It was translated by Dr. Božović’s former student, Mihail Golić (M.A. ’24, Th.M. ’25), and adapted and directed by Charles Cassis (M.Div. ’26).
Following a livestreamed introduction to the play by Dr. Božović, the cast, composed of students and faculty, brought to life the complex figures of King Saul and David, exploring various themes present in the scriptural narrative about King David, such as power, temptation, and justice. A highlight of the production was its emotional and spiritual depth. In his introductory remarks, Dr. Božović emphasized the importance of the former in considering what David represents:
“Although Saul relentlessly pursued him, I consistently perceived that David was never consumed by hatred toward him. ... These episodes reveal profoundly human emotions—compassion, restraint, sorrow, and unconditional love—that transcend time and context.”
The play was received with deep appreciation by the audience, not only for its artistic merit but also for its presentation of biblical figures as relatable to everyday situations, which require reflection on one’s own guilt and need for repentance. Božović emphasized:
“What ultimately prevented David from ending up like Saul was his repentance. True repentance requires the courage to confront one’s own weaknesses.”
This premiere English-language performance was distinguished by its humanitarian mission: all proceeds from the event, totaling over $4,000, were directed toward support of the Orthodox mission in Northern Uganda, home of Dn. Richard Okello (M.Div. ’25), a third-year student at the Seminary. Through this effort, the students aimed to support Dn. Richard’s ongoing missionary work, helping to bring the Orthodox Faith to his local community.
Article contributed by Mihail Golić (M.A. ’24, Th.M. ’25)
Scenes from Saul & David
