By God’s grace, ten St Vladimir’s Seminary alumni and students were ordained to the priesthood and the diaconate during the first half of 2023. One alumnus was also honored by His All Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Giving glory to God, we would like to announce the recipients of Holy Orders and awards among our alumni and students here.

HOLY PRIESTHOOD

Priest John Black (M.Div. ‘23)                                      

Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA)

Holy Diaconate: Ordained December 16, 2017, by His Eminence, The Most Reverend Mark, Archbishop of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, Pottstown, PA.

Holy Priesthood: Ordained January 22, 2023, by His Eminence, The Most Reverend Mark, Archbishop of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania at Three Hierarchs Chapel, Yonkers, NY.

Current Ministry: Acting Rector at St Michael’s Orthodox Church, Jermyn, PA

Educational and Professional Background: B.A. Music (Composition & Conducting), Lebanon Valley College, 1997; St Tikhon’s Diaconal Formation Program, 2013. Worked as a software engineer for 20+ years, and also a choir director at multiple parishes in PA for 25 years.

 

Priest Mykel Giannakakos (M.Div. ‘21)                    

Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA)

Holy Diaconate: Ordained on April 5, 2023, by His Grace Bishop Anthony of the Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest, at St Nicholas Orthodox Church, Grand Rapids, MI.

Holy Priesthood: Ordained April 13, 2023, by His Grace Bishop Anthony of the Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest, at St Nicholas Orthodox Church, Grand Rapids, MI.

Current Ministry: Pastor at St George Orthodox Mission in St George, UT, beginning on July 1, 2023.

Educational and Professional Background: B.A. Arts and History from California State University, San Marcos.

 

Priest Joseph Thornburg (M.Div. ‘23)                    

Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA)

Holy Diaconate: Ordained on October 31, 2021, by His Eminence, Metropolitan Joseph at Saint Anthony Orthodox Church, Bergenfield, NJ.

Holy Priesthood: Ordained April 13, 2023, by His Eminence, The Most Reverend Saba, Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America at Saint Anthony Orthodox Church, Bergenfield, NJ.

Current Ministry: Assistant Priest, St Silouan Orthodox Church, College Station, TX.

Educational and Professional Background: B.A. in Christian studies with a minor in philosophy from California Baptist University; youth director and developer of Sunday school curriculum for High School-age youth; served as an adult catechist for a number of years.

 

Priest Andrew Salvia (M.Div. ‘23)                                      

Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA)

Holy Diaconate: Ordained on January 16, 2022, by His Eminence, Metropolitan Joseph at St John the Baptist Antiochian Orthodox Church, Levittown, NY.

Holy Priesthood: Ordained April 15, 2023, by His Eminence, The Most Reverend Saba, Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America at Saint Ignatius Orthodox Church, Florida, NY.

Current Ministry: Assistant Priest at St Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church, Austin, TX.

Educational and Professional Background: B.A. in History from Roanoke College, Salem, VA; Worked in auto insurance and auto body industries as an insurance adjuster and service advisor, assisting people dealing with insurance claims.

 

Priest Mark Roosien (Th.M. '24)                                     

Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA)

Holy Diaconate: Ordained September 8, 2018, by +His Eminence Archbishop Paul (Gassios) at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Chicago, IL. 

Holy Priesthood: Ordained May 6, 2023, by His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon at Holy Ghost Orthodox Church in Bridgeport, CT.

Current Ministry: Acting Rector of Holy Ghost Church in Bridgeport, CT, starting July 1.

Educational and Professional Background: BA in Philosophy, North Park University, Chicago; M.T.S. and Ph.D. in Theology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN; worked as a cheesemonger, taught theology in the diaconal vocations program of the OCA Diocese of the Midwest, as well as the University of Notre Dame and Yale Divinity School.

 

HOLY DIACONATE

Deacon Dr Mark Therrien (Th.M. ‘24)                                        

Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA)

Holy Diaconate: Ordained January 30, 2023, by His Eminence, the Most Reverend Daniel, Archbishop of Chicago and the Diocese of the Midwest at Three Hierarchs Chapel, Yonkers, NY.

Educational and Professional Background: B.A. in Classics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; M.T.S. from the University of Notre Dame; Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame in Theology (specialization in Greek patristics); taught theology as a professor at the University of St Mary of the Lake.

 

Deacon Juxhin (Eugene) Shkurti (M.Div. ‘24)                                        

Jurisdiction: Albanian Orthodox Archdiocese of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA)

Holy Diaconate: Ordained April 23, 2023, by His Eminence Archbishop Mark of Philadelphia and Locum Tenens of the Albanian Orthodox Archdiocese in America at St George Albanian Orthodox Cathedral in Boston, MA.

Educational and Professional Background: Studied Theology at The Resurrection of Christ Orthodox Seminary in Shën Vlash, Durrës, Albania; graduate of the class of 2019; worked as a catechist teacher and as a leader of the Orthodox youth group at the Diocese of Korçë in Albania.

 

Deacon Joshua Birdsall (M.Div. ‘24)                                      

Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA)

Holy Diaconate: Ordained May 14, 2023, by His Eminence, The Most Reverend Saba, Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America at Saint George Orthodox Church, Little Falls, NJ.

Educational and Professional Background: B.A. English Literature from Gordon College (2006), worked as a volunteer coordinator at a homeless shelter and as a professional chef and manager of operations in the food industry.

 

Deacon Dr Harrison Basil Russin (M.Div. ‘13)

Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA)

Holy Diaconate: Ordained May 20, 2023, by His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon at Three Hierarchs Chapel, Yonkers, NY.

Educational and Professional Background: B.A. in Music from Swarthmore College, M.Div. from St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, M.A. in Musicology from Duke University, Ph.D. in Musicology from Duke University; Assistant Professor of Music at St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary.

 

Deacon Andrew Kayaian (M.A. ‘20, Th.M. ‘21) 

Jurisdiction: Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America  

Holy Diaconate: Ordained June 4, 2023, by His Grace, Bishop Daniel Findikyan at St Gregory the Enlightener Armenian Church, White Plains, NY. 

Educational and Professional Background: B.A. in History and M.A. in History from Fordham University; M.A. in Theology at St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary and St Nersess Armenian Seminary; Th.M. at St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary; M.S. in Library and Information Science at Simmons University (in progress);  Librarian at Georges R. Florovsky Library, St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary.

 

ELEVATIONS & AWARDS

The Very Rev. Protopresbyter Nicholas Bacalis (M.Div. '68)                                     

Jurisdiction: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America 

Holy Priesthood: Ordained August 6, 1972, by His Eminence Metropolitan Silas at Ionian Village, Peloponnesus, Greece.

Elevation: Elevated to the Office of Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, on behalf of His All Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, on May 15, 2023, at the Clergy Laity Assembly and Philoptochos Convention in Garfield, New Jersey.

Current Ministry: Dean of the Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Richmond, Virginia

 

The Rev. Dn Dr Vitaly Permiakov (M.Div. '04)                                     

Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA)

Holy Diaconate: Ordained September 14, 2021,  by His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon at Three Hierarchs Chapel, Yonkers, NY.

Elevation: Awarded the Double Orarion on May 20, 2023, by His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon at Three Hierarchs Chapel, Yonkers, NY.

Current Ministry: Ecclesiarch of Three Hierarchs Chapel; Assistant Professor of Liturgical Theology, St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary.

Sing to the Lord a New Song: American Orthodox Music

St Vladimir’s Seminary announces the 2023 Summer Music Institute, “Sing to the Lord a New Song: American Orthodox Music,” taking place on June 20–24. The focus of this year’s Institute is on the living practice of creative music-making and composition within the Orthodox liturgical tradition in North America. 

Participants will: 

• Explore what it means to be striving for an American Orthodox musical tradition
• Hear from and engage with our keynote speakers—acclaimed choral composers and writers working in this field
• Hone their skills in musicianship and ear training coaching sessions
• Rehearse and sing Benedict Sheehan’s Liturgy No. 2: The St. Michael’s Service, a new work composed expressly for skilled, non-professional church choirs
• Be invited to submit compositions to be sung in a Contemporary Composer’s Reading Session, and receive feedback from faculty composers as well as institute instructors (optional)
• Select the option to participate in a two-day private and small group coaching intensive in either conducting, composing & arranging, or vocal technique

Learn More

Our keynote presentations will be offered by a diverse group of acclaimed composers who explore different areas of the tradition of Orthodox liturgical music. A highlight of the week will be the hierarchical liturgy in which participants will sing Benedict Sheehan’s Liturgy No. 2: The St. Michael’s Service, commissioned by St Michael’s Orthodox Church in Louisville, Kentucky.

By popular request and feedback from participants, we are pleased to add the Pre-Institute Intensive for two days before the Institute begins (June 19-20), as a concentrated immersion into specific areas of liturgical musical study. These two days are a chance to receive one-on-one and small group coaching in an intimate setting with world-class faculty, including Benedict Sheehan, Talia Sheehan, Juliana Woodill, and Harrison Russin.

The full Summer Music Institute will begin in the evening of Tuesday, June 20, and conclude on Saturday, June 24. Instruction at the Institute will focus on general musicianship skills, with tracks being offered for musicians of all skill levels. 

This year's Institute will run concurrently with the Diaconal Vocations Program of the OCA; daily services will be celebrated by students in the DVP and chanted by the students of the Music Institute.

Registration is closed.

In loving memory of their sister, Sr Magdalen Margaret Abraham Vazhayil of the Knanaya Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church, the Vazhayil family has established a new endowment to support the tuition fees primarily for Knanaya seminary students (both men and women) at St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS). The first recipient of scholarship funds from this endowment will be Semayon Lukose (M.Div. ‘24).

Sr Magdalen Margaret (Achammakutty Abraham) was born in Kunnankarry, Kerala, India as the seventh child of the late Chachykutty and T. Abraham Vazhayil. She came to the United States in the early 1970s and completed her bachelor's degree at the University of Massachusetts in Boston, Massachusetts. After receiving novitiate training at St Margaret’s Episcopal Convent in Boston, Massachusetts, she entered monastic life soon afterward and in 1980, became the first woman in the Knanaya North American community to be tonsured a nun.

Known in the Knanaya community as a woman of prayer, Sr Magdalen Margaret was very caring and strived to love and serve all people around her. She was instrumental in initiating programs for the women of the North American Knanaya Community and served as the founding Vice President of the North American Knanaya Women's Organization (NAKWO). She donated her time and resources to her community and was focused on serving the Lord. She was the driving force for spiritual activities such as the NAKWO Prayer line, retreats for families, and the publishing of the NAKWO church calendar. She was serving as the Vice President of the NAKWO at the time of her repose in the Lord.

May the memory of Sr Magdalen Margaret be eternal!

Donate to the Sr Magdalen Margaret Abraham Vazhayil Scholarship Fund

Adapted from a tribute provided by the family of Sr Magdalen Margaret.

Fr Elias Dorham (D.Min. ‘23) presented his doctoral research in a webinar entitled “The Good Wine: Strengthening Marriage through Mutual Forgiveness,” at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. Director of the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) program, the Very Rev. Sergius Halvorsen gave introductory remarks and took questions from webinar attendees. 136 registrants from across the country signed up to hear Fr Elias speak on learning to see communication and conflict within marriage as an opportunity for mutual martyrdom and sanctification.

During his talk, Fr Elias gave a brief overview of his doctoral project, where he designed and piloted a marriage enrichment program geared towards Orthodox Christians. The program was designed with two goals: to ground participating couples in an Orthodox Christian theological vision of marriage and to help them reframe common marital challenges related to communication and forgiveness. Fr Elias elaborated on his main motivation for undertaking this project, saying, “I felt that if I could help couples learn to see the ordinary challenges of marriage as encounters with Christ, these challenges might become a means for their healing and their transformation.”

Fr Elias spoke eloquently on the ways husbands and wives can proactively initiate healing in their marriages by “choosing to forgive,” even before the other partner may realize that they have done something to hurt or offend. Webinar attendees submitted a range of questions, offering Fr Elias the opportunity to demonstrate the depth of his experience in counseling couples toward healthier, more Christ-centered relationships.

Fr Elias Dorham’s D.Min. final project and the recording of the webinar are available via the links below.

Read Fr Elias Dorham’s Dissertation

Watch Recording of Fr Elias Dorham’s Webinar

About the Speakers

Fr Elias Dorham

Fr Elias Dorham serves as the Associate Pastor and Adult Education Coordinator at Holy Transfiguration parish in McLean, VA. He and Khouria Sylvia have been married for 30 years and have 10 children and three grandchildren. Prior to ordination, his professional experience encompassed coaching and leadership development across the military, federal/local government, and technology sectors.  He holds a Doctor of Ministry (D. Min.) from St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, as well as an M.A. in Theological Studies from Christendom College, an M.S. in Information Systems Technology from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a B.S. in Political Science from the United States Naval Academy.

 

The Very Rev. Sergius Halvorsen

The Very Rev. Sergius Halvorsen (M.Div. ‘96; Ph.D., Drew University, 2002) is Assistant Professor of Homiletics and Rhetoric at St Vladimir's Seminary and serves as director of the Doctor of Ministry Program. In addition to teaching homiletics and preaching, he also teaches courses in apologetics, faith and science, and Christian education. Fr Sergius is a priest of the Orthodox Church in America and is attached to Christ the Savior Church in Southbury, CT. He is an accomplished liturgical musician and has contributed to a number of "Archangel Voices" recordings. He currently lives in New Haven, CT with his wife and three children. He loves gardening, hiking, biking, and reading biographies and fiction.

About the Doctor of Ministry Program

The Doctor of Ministry degree at St Vladimir's Seminary enhances the practice of ministry for ordained and lay ministers in the Orthodox Church. The program integrates enhanced competencies in pastoral analysis with skills necessary to lead students to an advanced understanding of the nature and purposes of ministry. Working in communities of teachers and learners, the students gain deeper knowledge about the practice of serving others in Christian love as they grow in spiritual maturity as ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The D.Min. program at St Vladimir's Seminary provides priests, chaplains, and other pastoral professionals with advanced knowledge and skills in order to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering. Integrating doctoral-level academic work with pastoral spirituality, this program will help you to acquire and refine the skills to minister to those whom God has called you to serve. Please consider joining us in a doctoral program that will give you an opportunity to foster deep and lasting friendships as we engage in work that contributes to authentic spiritual and pastoral renewal. The next D.Min. cohort will commence in Fall 2024.

The Doctor of Ministry Program at St Vladimir’s Seminary is supported by the Danilchick Family Endowment for Pastoral Studies, thanks to the generosity of Protodeacon Peter and Tanya Danilchick.

The Board of Trustees of St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) met this past week, May 18–19, 2023, for its semi-annual Board of Trustees (Board) meeting. His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon presided over the meeting as Ex-Officio Chairman of the Board, and Dr Nick Pandelidis, the newly elected Executive Chair, led the meeting. 

Following two years of extensive discussion and preliminary planning, the board will continue investigating its aspirational vision for expanding the seminary’s mission in the service of the American Orthodox Church.

The vision (first announced in November 2021, and again in January 2022) conceives a new campus as a center of American Orthodoxy with an expansion of its educational programs for clergy and lay Orthodox leaders, a center for contemporary Orthodox apologetics, continuation of the seminary’s long tradition of theological academic excellence within the Church, promotion of pan-Orthodox unity, and engagement with the current movement to build out Orthodox K–12 and undergraduate education. 

“As the primate of the Orthodox Church in America, I fully support the goal of expanding the offerings for theological education in North America,” said His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon. “I also recognize the important contribution that SVOTS has historically made towards this sacred task through the sacrificial work of the faculty, staff, and board of trustees of the seminary. At our recent Board meeting, some very fruitful and honest discussions took place resulting in the Board’s decision to reset the previously announced process of relocation. There is further due diligence that needs to be done to refine the vision and to address a number of communication, operational, and financial aspects of the future of the seminary. I am encouraged that the Board is placing the needed attention to the points that are outlined below as well as considering the further costs and benefits of remaining in Yonkers or relocating at a future time.”

The board recognized the need to develop the solid foundation necessary for working toward the future vision of SVOTS, and will take the following immediate actions:

• Seek the counsel and support of the Orthodox Church of America (OCA) hierarchs and other Orthodox jurisdictional hierarchs, as well as SVOTS stakeholders, which includes clergy, alumni, and donors, to inform the development of a 3 to 5-year strategic plan;
• Design and execute a dedicated communication strategy to keep constituents informed and gather feedback;
• Examine the SVOTS administration to ensure appropriate organizational structure, adequate staffing, and operational strategy;
• Grow SVOTS annual fundraising efforts in order to sustain robust operations.

“Exploring this vision will require ongoing communication and dialogue with our hierarchs, alumni, and donors; careful and meticulous analysis and planning; and above all else, a prayerful and humble submission to the Lord’s will,” said Dr Nick Pandelidis.

"Over the past fifty years and more, St Vladimir's Seminary has been a strong partner with the Antiochian Archdiocese in preparing our clergy to carry the joyful light and healing grace of Christ to contemporary North America. We look forward to working together on this new vision, in order to amplify and enhance that essential mission,” said the Right Rev. Archimandrite Jeremy (Davis), Protosyngellos of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America and SVOTS trustee.

The board expressed gratitude to His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon for his insight and counsel regarding pursuing the seminary’s expanded mission and vision. 

The Board of Trustees also offered their sincere thanks to the Very Rev. Dr Chad Hatfield and the seminary’s faithful staff and faculty who have worked tirelessly to accomplish so much despite limited financial resources.

His Beatitude, the Board of Trustees, the faculty, and the administration asked for your continued and renewed prayers and financial support to accomplish the work before them in order to magnify our “shining light on the hill.”

SVOTS will release more information about its progress, as information becomes available.

ABOUT SVOTS

Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) is a higher education institution that embraces the challenge of serving the Church and the needs of Orthodox Christians in the twenty-first century. SVOTS trains priests, lay leaders, and scholars to be active apologists of the Orthodox Christian Faith, focusing on academic rigor and spiritual formation within a residential Orthodox community. The seminary is chartered by the University of the State of New York and accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS) to offer the following program degrees: Master of Divinity, Master of Arts, Master of Theology, and Doctor of Ministry. www.svots.edu

Fr Elias Dorham (D.Min. ‘23) will present his doctoral research in a webinar entitled “The Good Wine: Strengthening Marriage through Mutual Forgiveness,” at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. Director of the Doctor of Ministry program, the Very Rev. Sergius Halvorsen will give introductory remarks.

Fr Elias introduces his research as follows:

Many married couples experience challenges in the areas of communication and navigating conflict.  Over time these challenges can lead to the breakdown of marriages and families.  To better help the people I serve, my D.Min. project focused on creating a model of ministry that helps couples understand and navigate the everyday challenges in the areas of communication and conflict within the context of an Orthodox Christian vision of marriage as mutual martyrdom/mutual sanctification. Seen this way, challenges in marriage can help couples to grow spiritually and personally, and can serve as an applied marital mystagogy for couples, strengthening marriages and families.

Join us for this thought-provoking and edifying presentation on the Orthodox Christian approach to communication within marriage.

This webinar will be open to the public for online attendance. To attend the webinar, register at the link below. There is no entrance fee, but donations are much appreciated and will directly benefit St Vladimir’s Seminary.

 

Registration for this event is closed.

About the Speakers

Fr Elias Dorham

Fr Elias Dorham serves as the Associate Pastor and Adult Education coordinator at Holy Transfiguration parish in McLean, VA. He and Khouria Sylvia have been married for 30 years and have 10 children and three grandchildren. Prior to ordination his professional experience encompassed coaching and leadership development across the military, federal/local government, and technology sectors.  He holds a Doctor of Ministry (D. Min.) from St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, as well as an M.A. in Theological Studies from Christendom College, an M.S. in Information Systems Technology from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a B.S. in Political Science from the United States Naval Academy.
 

The Very Rev. Sergius Halvorsen

The Very Rev. Sergius Halvorsen (M.Div. ‘96; Ph.D., Drew University, 2002) is Assistant Professor of Homiletics and Rhetoric at St Vladimir's Seminary and serves as director of the Doctor of Ministry Program. In addition to teaching homiletics and preaching, he also teaches courses in apologetics, faith and science, and Christian education. Fr Sergius is a priest of the Orthodox Church in America and is attached to Christ the Savior Church in Southbury, CT. He is an accomplished liturgical musician and has contributed to a number of "Archangel Voices" recordings. He currently lives in New Haven, CT with his wife and three children. He loves gardening, hiking, biking, and reading biographies and fiction.

About the Doctor of Ministry Program

The Doctor of Ministry degree at St Vladimir's Seminary enhances the practice of ministry for ordained and lay ministers in the Orthodox Church. The program integrates enhanced competencies in pastoral analysis with skills necessary to lead students to an advanced understanding of the nature and purposes of ministry. Working in communities of teachers and learners, the students gain deeper knowledge about the practice of serving others in Christian love as they grow in spiritual maturity as ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The D.Min. program at St Vladimir's Seminary provides priests, chaplains, and other pastoral professionals with advanced knowledge and skills in order to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering. Integrating doctoral-level academic work with pastoral spirituality, this program will help you to acquire and refine the skills to minister to those whom God has called you to serve. Please consider joining us in a doctoral program that will give you an opportunity to foster deep and lasting friendships as we engage in work that contributes to authentic spiritual and pastoral renewal. The next D.Min. cohort will commence in Fall 2024.

The Commencement of the Class of 2023 at St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) was held on Saturday, May 20, 2023. The day began at 9:00 a.m. with a hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Three Hierarchs Chapel presided by His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA). During the liturgy, seminarian Ferenc Fehervari (M.Div. ’25) was tonsured a reader; Assistant Professor of Liturgical Theology, the Rev. Dn Dr Vitaly Permiakov was awarded the double orarion; and Assistant Professor of Liturgical Music Dr Harrison Russin was ordained to the Holy Diaconate.

Following a brief recess for lunch, graduates, their families, visiting hierarchs, SVOTS trustees, faculty, staff, and the seminary community gathered in Three Hierarchs Chapel to start the commencement ceremony with a moleben, in accordance with longstanding practice at St Vladimir’s Seminary. His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon was joined by His Eminence Metropolitan Saba, Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of the Antiochian Archdiocese of All North America (AOCANA); His Grace Metropolitan Zachariah Mar Nicholovos of the Northeast American Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church; His Grace Bishop Sinoda of Washington, D.C. of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church; His Eminence Metropolitan Ghattas of Baghdad, Kuwait, and Dependencies; the Very Rev. Archimandrite Nektarios Papazafiropoulos, Chancellor of the Greek Archdiocese of America (GOA), representing His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros; and the Right Rev. Protosyngellos Jeremy Davis of the Antiochian Archdiocese.

Upon the conclusion of the moleben, attendees found their seats in the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium in the John G. Rangos Building ahead of the formal procession of hierarchs, faculty, and graduating seminarians into the auditorium, marking the beginning of the 84th Commencement Exercises of Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. SVOTS President, the Very Rev. Dr Chad Hatfield gave his opening remarks, including a detailed recap of key events and achievements at SVOTS and SVS Press during the 2022–23 academic year.

The Commencement Address was given by the Hon. Alex M. Azar II, who was also awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, in recognition of his faithful and dedicated philanthropic service over many years within the Church. Secretary Azar gave a stirring speech, drawing on his high-profile leadership experience as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2018–2021) and president of Lilly USA, LLC (2012–2017) to encourage SVOTS graduates to embrace a collaborative style of leadership within their future ministries, to always communicate the “why” behind their decisions, and to respectfully seek input from members of the communities they are called to lead.

Watch the Commencement Address by  The Hon. Alex Azar

 

The Graduating Class of 2023

Twenty-seven seminarians graduated at this year’s Commencement: fifteen were granted the Master of Divinity (M.Div.); eleven received the Master of Arts (M.A.) degree, and one received a Master in Theology (Th.M.). Graduates represented twelve different Eastern and Oriental Orthodox jurisdictions.

The conferral of diplomas was preceded by the salutatory address, given by salutatorian Mother Cassiana Colchester (M.A. Concentration in Theological Scholarship and Research). Mother Cassiana gave thanks to God for a fruitful and humbling experience at SVOTS, reflecting that above all, seminary is about “learning to be weak,” to truly see one’s darkness and failings, “for in this weakness can Christ’s strength and His glory truly shine through.”

Immediately following the conferral of degrees, Student Council President Mark Sultani (M.Div.) presented the Saint Macrina Award to the Rev. Dn Dr Vitaly Permiakov. The Saint Macrina Award is an honor given each year to a professor elected by the student body to recognize his or her effort and excellence in teaching.  Sultani commended the entire faculty at SVOTS, saying, “This award gets harder and harder each year because our faculty is just that good. It really feels as if we are in a golden age of stellar faculty who continue to teach us and push us to be better.”

Sultani then presented an unexpected and touching class gift to Fr Chad Hatfield, an icon commissioned with a local iconographer, depicting the Mother of God with Christ in her womb overlooking the seminary campus.

The Rev. Dr Anthony Gilbert (M.Div.) was then named valedictorian of the Class of 2023. In his valedictory address, Fr Anthony urged his classmates to consider two themes in the farewell address, or valediction, our Lord Jesus Christ gave to his disciples in the Gospel of John. In this passage, the longest discourse by Jesus recorded in the gospels, He counsels us to be prepared for tribulations throughout our lives, but also to “be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world (John 16.33).”  Fr Anthony concluded his address by calling his fellow graduates to always remember that “He is the source of our strength, and that when we falter or stumble or get lost, He is near and we know His voice.”

The commencement exercises were concluded by a short concert by St Vladimir’s Seminary Chorale and final remarks by His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon. Graduate Fr Nicholas Fine (M.Div.) led a large choir of men and women in singing “Let God Arise” in Byzantine chant. Seminarian Naomi DeHaan (M.A. ’24) then led the women’s choir in a new arrangement of the Paschal Exapostilarion, arranged for women’s voices by a student musician. Finally, the Rev. Dn Dr Harrison Russin led the entire chorale in singing “Christ is Risen” by Alexander Kastalsky.

His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon concluded the ceremony, first with some lighthearted comments, and then with an earnest injunction, saying, 

“By dint of obtaining your seminary degree, all of you will, to some degree or other, be seen as spiritual and intellectual leaders in your communities. Many who dream of church leadership, dream vainly about imposing their own ideas, preferences, and agenda on the Church. Believers do not come to church because they want their pastors’ and lay leaders' personal ideas and priorities. Believers come to the Church because they want Jesus Christ. They hear His voice. He knows them, and Him do they follow. And so to all seminarians and especially the graduating clergy, I say if you wish to serve the Church, if you wish to be a shepherd of Christ's flock, then let go of your own voice and become the voice of Christ.”

Watch the Commencement Exercises, Class of 2023

Read the 2023 Commencement Program

Please pray for the graduates of the Class of 2023! May our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ bless them in their future ministries and grant them many blessed years!

The Commencement of the Class of 2023 of St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) will occur on Saturday, May 20, 2023. The ceremony will begin with a prayer of thanksgiving in Three Hierarchs Chapel at 1:00 p.m. Eastern, after which all guests of the graduating class will be asked to take their seats in the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium in the John G. Rangos building. At 1:30 p.m. Eastern, the visiting hierarchs, guests of honor, faculty, and graduating students will proceed to the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium for the ceremony.

The Hon. Alex M. Azar II will give his remarks as the 2023 Commencement Speaker. Azar has had an illustrious career, most recently serving as the 24th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and as the president of Lilly USA, LLC. A devoted Orthodox Christian, he was awarded the St Innocent Medal, gold class, by His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon in Spring 2022.

The Commencement Ceremony of the Class of 2023 will be live-streamed for all who cannot attend in person. Please register below to indicate your plans for attendance and to receive the Zoom link to participate via live stream.

Register here

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The Institute of Sacred Arts (ISA) at St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) hosted Dr Alexander Lingas as Artist in Residence for the Spring 2023 semester. Dr Lingas is a distinguished church musician, choral director, scholar, and teacher. Music director and founder of the celebrated vocal ensemble Cappella Romana, he is also a Professor Emeritus of Music at City, University of London, and a Research Fellow of the Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies, Cambridge (UK). 

This is far from the first time Dr Lingas has been welcomed at St Vladimir’s Seminary; he first came to campus as a doctoral student in 1990, taking classes in Patristics and Liturgical Theology with Fr John Meyendorff and Paul Meyendorff as part of his Ph.D. coursework. Over the last few decades, Dr Lingas has been a regular guest lecturer and conference participant at the Seminary, but was “very pleased to be invited to stay for a longer period for the first time since 1990, to have the entire term on campus as an artist in residence.”

Highlights of Dr Lingas’ semester at SVOTS included The Byzantine Inheritance, a special performance given on February 17, 2023 by Cappella Romana, sponsored in part by the ISA; a Byzantine chant master-class with student chorale members, taught by Cappella Romana members and prominent church musicians John Michael Boyer and Photini Robinson; an advanced course titled Sacred Arts 441: Text, Sound, and Meaning in Byzantine Liturgy; an interview on the Luminous podcast with ISA founding director and SVOTS Professor of Systematic Theology, Dr Peter Bouteneff; and a lecture on the development of Orthodox liturgical music throughout history presented at the final faculty seminar of the academic year.

Seminarians who took Sacred Arts 441 came away with a deep appreciation for the historical development of liturgical music. Dn Tesfay Rezene (Th.M. ’23) commented,

“Dr Alexander Lingas taught a truly fascinating course, designed to have students experience the lives of the ancient Church community, a community that was full of thanksgiving, praise, and worship. Dr Lingas guided us through the various stages of the Church's liturgical music, sound, and meaning of the texts.” 

Another student, Fr Stephen Guirguis (M.Div. ‘25) noted Dr Lingas’ masterful cultivation of the teacher-student relationship, including, “the way he presents the material in class, the way he listens to the students, the way he understands rightly what was inside the students and helps them to express it fittingly, and the way he runs the discussion and answers questions.”

Dr Lingas participated actively in community life at St Vladimir’s Seminary, singing in the choir for chapel services, lending his voice to the student chorale for the Lenten concert, and meeting with students from the M.A. concentration in Sacred Arts program to discuss liturgical music and answer questions. He also made several high-profile appearances in New York and abroad during the semester, most notably at the Coronation of King Charles III on May 6, 2023, where he led the Byzantine Chant Ensemble in chanting verses from Psalm 72 during the ceremony.

Following the 2023 Commencement ceremony on May 20, 2023, Dr Lingas will conclude his residency at St Vladimir’s Seminary. To receive further updates on Dr Lingas’ work and learn about his upcoming performances with Cappella Romana, visit cappellaromana.org.

The Institute of Sacred Arts (ISA) at St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) hosted a panel discussion entitled Sacred Arts East and West: A Conversation with Aidan Hart, Jonathan Pageau, and Andrew Gould, on Monday, April 24, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. in the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium on campus. The event was attended in person by many seminarians and community members; more than 600 people registered to attend the event via Zoom live-stream.

ISA founding director and SVOTS Professor of Systematic Theology Dr Peter Bouteneff and Associate Professor of Art History Dr Rossitza Schroeder moderated the discussion. The moderators challenged each panelist to present his own work and approach to liturgical art from the lens of cultural adaptation and bridge-building, asking:

How do liturgical artists in the West honor their cultural heritage while adapting it to Orthodox worship in their own contexts? 

And how does this experience of building bridges between artistic and religious traditions offer perspective on the state of art and culture in the modern world?

 

Andrew Gould, a designer of liturgical buildings and objects, described his efforts to design churches that appeal to the churchgoers in the American communities where he does his work, by drawing on local history, culture, ethos, and building materials. Architectural elements such as columns fashioned from Southern pine, or walls featuring both wood paneling and frescoes are chosen to help create a liturgical environment that fits into an American cultural aesthetic, increasing the likelihood that local inquirers will feel at home worshiping in the Orthodox Church. 

Gould also touched on the work he and his fellow panelists have done to promote excellence in contemporary liturgical art in the Orthodox Arts Journal, speaking about the need for quality Orthodox art that appeals both to cosmopolitan, areligious people and to those from religious backgrounds favoring more emotionally charged, “sweet” religious images, while remaining true to Church tradition.

Following Andrew Gould’s presentation, icon carver, public speaker, and prominent YouTuber Jonathan Pageau related his own endeavors to create religious objects that feel authentic within Western cultural contexts, but that are faithful to established Orthodox Tradition in their symbolism. Pageau encouraged Orthodox artists to think carefully and ask for feedback when incorporating distinct cultural elements into their work, to avoid evoking a sense of “pastiche” or disjointedness. He compared and contrasted several of his own works to demonstrate a nuanced integration of Scandinavian, Romanesque, Celtic, and Byzantine artistic influences.

The final panelist presentation came from Aidan Hart, iconographer and prolific liturgical artisan in a wide range of artistic media. Showing examples of his iconography and artwork in churches in the United Kingdom, Hart explored the localized themes he strives to incorporate into his work, highlighting Western Orthodox saints, ornamental depictions of the local flora and fauna, and architectural elements reflecting the traditional buildings in the surrounding area.

A lively Q&A session followed the panelists’ presentations, with questions and comments taken from online and in-person participants, including iconographer Fr Silouan Justiniano, Orthodox Arts Journal editor and featured author and member of the Brotherhood of the Holy Cross (ROCOR) in Long Island, NY. The entire discussion was recorded live and is now available to watch on the SVOTS YouTube channel.

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