By Sandro Margheritino, third-year seminarian and Student Council President 

The formation of a seminarian happens both inside and outside the classroom. Over the course of the 2013-2014 winter break, three St. Vladimir's seminarians participated in the first-ever International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) Seminary Action Team. Together with junior seminarian Sara Staff and middler Tor Vegard Svane, I traveled to New Orleans to join nine other seminarians from five Orthodox theological schools to work as part of an IOCC home-build team, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. The leader of our group, IOCC's Country Representative for the United States Dan Christopulos, was joined by his co-leader The Very Rev. Paul Wesche, rector of St. Herman's Orthodox Church (Orthodox Church in America) and president of the Minnesota Eastern Orthodox Christian Clergy Association.

Thanks to the generosity of many donors, IOCC was able to offer this great opportunity to seminarians for the minimal cost of $150, which included our flight plus our room and board. In the last few years the organization has provided hands-on opportunities for ministry within the United States, allowing students, professionals, and retirees to work together to help out their most vulnerable neighbors. Subsequent to two major hurricanes, Katrina in 2005 and Ike in 2008, IOCC has mobilized teams of volunteers to help build homes for those displaced by these tragic disasters through their long-term partnership with Habitat for Humanity.

Our team flew to New Orleans on the early evening after the Feast of Theophany on January 6, and stayed through Sunday afternoon, January 12. After an orientation on Tuesday morning we split into small teams working in different sections of two houses, sheetrocking ceilings and walls for eight hours each day. Most of us had very little experience in construction, and we made our fair share of mistakes measuring walls incorrectly or putting a few screws in the wrong places. However, the Habitat supervisors patiently guided and taught us what we needed to know; they modeled for us an example of forbearance with our inexperience and care for us personally. We will remember their example when we are called upon to show the same spirit in our future ministry with people we will serve in the Church.

After finishing a full day of physical labor, we were allowed time for reflection and prayers in the evenings. In our open discussions on the team, we learned more about the work of IOCC, and how we might further the cause of Christian charity once we leave St. Vladimir's. We also made time to drive around those neighborhoods of New Orleans that were most devastated by the hurricanes. In the Lower Ninth Ward, many of the lots are still empty, and only a few bricks on the ground indicate where houses once stood, while a number of houses are still severally damaged. 

One of the most rewarding aspects of our trip was the inter-seminary fellowship. There are very few events which bring seminarians from different schools and different jurisdictions together. Seminarian Sara Staff commented afterwords that "The IOCC home-build mission trip was especially meaningful in that we worked toward a common goal alongside fellow seminarians from across the United States...gaining a new perspective on missions in general. It was very challenging to be reminded that Christ's love is made manifest through His people ministering to the poor. I hope to cultivate and share all that I have learned!"

Added Seminarian Tor Svane, "As a seminarian we learn many things in the classroom, but there is less time to put into practice the love of Christ in a practical manner such as this. Working in New Orleans together in a physical and down-to-earth context brought us together in a way that academic work couldn't have done. Friendships were made and strengthened through our shared labor and our common goal, and I thank God for this opportunity."

Two deans from the Diocese of the West, Orthodox Church in America (OCA), visited seminarians from their diocese during the last week of February, 2014. The Very Rev. David Brum of the Desert Deanery and The Very Rev. Matthew Tate from the Mission Deanery met with students to hear about their time at St. Vladimir's, and to offer encouragement about future ministry and educational endeavors.

In early April, 2014, a Russian film crew visited St. Vladimir's Seminary to interview people for a documentary on the life and influence of Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann (+1983), former dean of the seminary. The work of these filmmakers was itself filmed by Dn. Gregory Uhrin, an Orthodox Christian and producer at YCN, a TV station that covers south and central Vermont, and New Hampshire's Dartmouth/Lake Sunapee Region.

Deacon Gregory, a member of the Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Claremont, NH, where The Very Rev. Andrew Tregubov (SVOTS '95) is pastor, participated one year in the Diaconal Practicum offered each summer at St. Vladimir's. A large part of this local TV production consisted of his interview with Fr. Andrew, and was filmed at the Holy Resurrection parish. 

View the YCN video on YouTube 

St. Vladimir's Seminary Professor of Hermeneutics and Liturgical Art Richard Schneider recently led a group from his Orthodox Iconology class to New Haven, CT, for a day of viewing Christian art and icons. The class started at an exhibit of Russian icons at the Knights of Columbus Museum. The next stop was the Yale University Art Gallery,where the group viewed wall paintings from the earliest surviving Christian house church at Dura-Europos. Finally, the class visited Yale Divinity School to view an exhibit of icons by the contemporary Greek iconographer George Kordis.

Noted Professor Schneider, "Throughout our day, we moved from the origins of Christian iconography, to Byzantine and post-Byzantine development, to the most recent expressions. In so doing, we saw both the continuity and creativity in iconography as a living and creative language."

The field trips are a vital part of introducing students to Iconology and are indicative of St. Vladimir's ongoing commitment to the liturgical arts. Professor Schneider's regular Spring term class is always open not only to students but to the general public. "This is especially useful for iconographers who are interested in exploring the theological basis for their work," he explained.

Also in the spring, The Rev. Dn. Evan Freeman (SVOTS M.Div. '09, Th.M. '12), Yale University doctoral student in Byzantine and Medieval Art History, offered a talk hosted by the St. Juliana's Society at St. Vladimir's. In his May 19 presentation, "Taste and See: Iconographic Programming in the Liturgy," Dn. Evan encouraged the women of the Society to consider how icons are used in churches and in the Liturgy. Why, for example, are certain icons located in specific parts of the church building? What is the relationship between images and liturgical actions? How do liturgical texts and hymns influence icons?

"As future leaders and teachers in the Church, it is important that we seek to understand the role of icons in the Liturgy and be prepared explain icons to those around us," noted Dn. Evan. 

By Seminarian John Mikitish

On October 24th, 2014, St. Vladimir's seminarians and their spouses, together with a number of clergy and clergy-wife registrants from outside the seminary community, attended a seven-hour, multi-part presentation by Dr. Theresa Burke, Ph.D., LPC, NCP, the founder of Rachel's Vineyard ministries, an event sponsored by St. Vladimir's student-run pro life St. Ambrose Society. Dr. Burke's presentation, though focused on post-abortion trauma, touched on wide-ranging issues: the brain chemistry underlying trauma, the psychology of trauma victims, how men are affected by abortion, and the role of the clergy in healing, among others.

Through scientific and statistical analysis, as well as through personal stories garnered from a long career in post-abortion healing, Dr. Burke introduced students to some of the little-known negative consequences of abortion as well as to strategies that can facilitate healing, made possible in and through Christ. Will Rettig, one of the seminarians who elected to attend the entire seminar, commented, "The event offered a good deal of insight how those coping with the loss of a child in pregnancy, by abortion or otherwise, might be processing the ordeal. That such insight would be valuable to those engaged in Christian ministry is clear."

Rachel's Vineyard, now operating throughout the United States and in dozens of countries, is the world's oldest and largest ministry for post-abortion healing. More information about the sponsor, the St Ambrose Society, St. Vladimir's own student-run pro-life group, can be found on its website.

On a cool October evening, faculty, staff, students and their families gathered in the Germack building to participate in the annual campus Chili Cook-off & Kids Costume Party. Contestants brought crock pots featuring their special version of chili recipes, and the kids enjoyed showing off their costumes and participating in fun activities.

On Sunday, December 7, the Three Hierarchs Chapel community enjoyed a favorite St. Vladimir's tradition when they sang a collection of carols and then welcomed St. Nicholas  to campus. The carol "All who love Nicholas the saintly" ushered in the good saint, whose identity was hidden under his flowing white "beard." During the celebration, grown ups and kids alike also enjoyed a potluck meal, and St. Nicholas presented each child with a gift.

On Tuesday evening, December 16, a group of about 25 members of St. Vladimir's community, from 15 months to 55, convened in the lobby of the Sunrise Senior Living facility for an evening of caroling. The group of musicians sang a repertoire of familiar carols for about an hour, and were well received by the residents. "We could all see the joy a little singing brought to the residents of Sunrise," noted SVOTS Lecturer in Choral Conducting Mat. Robin Freeman. "I so appreciated how our students and staff gave of their time in this very busy season."

View the photo gallery by Glen and Helen Mules

The St. Vladimir's community celebrated the Vigil and Feast of Theophany on January 5 and 6 with a full liturgical cycle. A longstanding tradition followed, with Dean The Very  Rev. Dr. John Behr and family, Assistant Professor The Very Rev. Dr. Alexander Rentel and family, and Director of Alumni and Admissions Protodeacon Joseph Matusiak and family, opening their homes for hospitality and fellowship. Liturgist and octogenarian Archimandrite Ephrem Lash, a seminary guest for the week, joined in for all the liturgical and community events, and offered the homily for Theophany's Divine Liturgy.

The Sunday prior to Theophany, The Rev. Kyle Parrott (SVOTS '14) also presented a homily in Three Hierarchs Chapel, titled "A Flame of Love." He noted that "Even if we have neglected our Christian calling, or are burnt out from church life, if our energy is spent from keeping faith in a culture that sees us as strange and irrelevant, if our love for our neighbor has been quenched by conflict with friend and family, or if our devotion to God has been smothered by the thousand problems in our lives, even with all this, we are unable to completely extinguish this light which Christ keeps smoldering in our souls, waiting for us to return again to the high calling of our baptism."

Continued Fr. Kyle,"To tend that light we are called to 'prepare the way of the Lord' by preparing our hearts. The Apostle Paul gives us a few ways to do this in today's epistle: 'Be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry' (2 Tim. 4:5)."

Off-Campus • By third-year seminarian Ignatius Green

View the photo gallery by third-year seminarian Stephen Osburn

January 22, 2015 marked the 42nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the historic Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion-on-demand in the United States. Every year hundreds of thousands of people gather for the March for Life in Washington D.C. for a peaceful protest that calls for an end to legalized abortion, and advocates for a culture of life. It has become a tradition each year for the St. Ambrose Society, St. Vladimir's pro-life student group, to rent a bus to transport seminarians, their families, and members of the wider Orthodox community, down to the March.

The March is the largest and the oldest annual civil rights protest in the world. Nearly half the people at the March for Life are under thirty, and most are there because of their faith. There are many Roman Catholics, many different Protestant groups, several rabbis and their congregations, and always a contingent of clergy and laity from the Orthodox Church.

The Orthodox Church does not see abortion as a merely "political" issue. For two millennia the Church has been uncompromising and clear in its teachingSeminary President Metropolitan Tikhon and Chancellor/CEO The Very Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield join the marchers on abortion. Life begins at conception. This means that taking the life of an unborn child through abortion is murder. We cannot keep this truth to ourselves. The Church is prophetic, calling all to repentance, calling us to "banish all evil from our hearts and wickedness from our laws." Every year at the March for Life, Orthodox Christians witness to our Church's teaching, and invite others to find healing in Christ and his Church. Instead of chanting slogans, we march through the streets of Washington D.C. chanting the hymns of the Church. We hold and venerate icons of the Mother of God, who carried our Lord in her womb. We remember that He has assumed and sanctified every part of our lives, including our days in the womb.

The March begins at the National Mall and ends at the Supreme Court building, but the Orthodox contingent always stops short of this final destination. We gather together as our hierarchs lead us in prayer for the innocent children who have been killed in abortion, and also for the repentance and healing of all who have made the tragic choice to have an abortion.

Seminarian Ignatius GreenThird-year seminarian Fr. Mark VairI have been to the March six times, this year as the St. Ambrose Society president. Two years ago I became a father, and this deepened my experience of the March more than I can say. God plants such fierce love in a parent's heart. As my wife and I raise our toddler son, and eagerly await the arrival of his sister this May, we intimately know the infinite value of every life. It is not an abstract assertion, but a lived truth.

As beautiful and joyful as this is, it also deepens my sorrow over the tragedy of abortion. We must allow the stark reality of the millions of aborted children to break our hearts, but we must also make it strengthen our resolve to act in obedience to our Church's teachings. Let us all pray earnestly that our judges, our lawmakers, and our president heed God's law, and put an end to all unjust and evil human laws.

For more information on the St. Ambrose Society, visit us on Facebook.

Hundreds of thousands of marchers participate every yearA Prayer for Sanctity of Life Sunday:
O Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son, Who art in the bosom of the Father, True God, source of life and immortality, Light of Light, Who camest into the world to enlighten it: Thou wast pleased to be conceived in the womb of the Virgin Mary for the salvation of our souls by the power of Thine All-Holy Spirit. O Master, Who camest that we might have life more abundantly, we ask Thee to enlighten the minds and hearts of those blinded to the truth that life begins at conception and that the unborn in the womb are already adorned with Thine image and likeness; enable us to guard, cherish, and protect the lives of all those who are unable to care for themselves. For Thou art the Giver of Life, bringing each person from non-being into being, sealing each person with divine and infinite love. Be merciful, O Lord, to those who, through ignorance or willfulness, affront Thy divine goodness and providence through the evil act of abortion. May they, and all of us, come to the life of Thy Truth and glorify Thee, the Giver of Life, together with Thy Father, and Thine All-Holy and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.  Amen.

(From the petitions the Orthodox Church in America has blessed for the Sunday preceding January 22nd.)

For an excellent summary of the Church's teaching throughout history, see the amicus curiae brief filed with the Supreme Court on behalf of the Orthodox Church, which corrects and refutes many of Roe v. Wade's spurious claims about Christian history and teaching. It can be found online, and in pamphlet form, published by Conciliar Press (now Ancient Faith Publishing).