On November 29, 2016, St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary received $126,580 in donations for its annual #GivingTuesday campaign, and on March 13, 2107, the Seminary gave one-tenth of it away. In keeping with its annual custom of giving away a tithe of whatever donations it receives on #GivingTuesday, the Seminary presented a a check for more than $12K to a select partner with a special need, in thanksgiving to God for the bounty it had received.
The Seminary's #GivingTuesday partner this time around is IEIRA, an online university in Guatemala that is educating 300 students from Central and South America, including Orthodox Christian young men and women who once resided at Hogar Rafael Ayau and San Miguel del Lago orphanages. During a visit to IEIRA headquarters, Archpriest Chad Hatfield, president of St. Vladimir’s, personally presented a check for $12,658 to Dr. Igumeni Inés Ayau García (aka Mother Inés), who is both Abbess of the Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Trinity and overseer of the Rafael and San Miguel orphanages, as well as Vice-Chancellor of the Senate governing IEIRA.
“This check for $12,658,” said Fr. Chad, during the presentation ceremony, “comes with the love and respect of your sister Orthodox institution in New York.
“I followed what you were doing with IEIRA,” continued Fr. Chad, “and I thought: ‘What’s the best way that we can assist you?’ ... and so, we decided, on #GivingTuesday, to use our own large internet communications capabilities from St. Vladimir’s, which literally go around the world—currently, we have students on campus from 12 countries!”
The presentation happened just two days following a horrific tragedy at a state-run orphanage in Guatemala, the Virgen de la Asunción. A fire within that institution killed (by latest count) 40 teenage girls, and a subsequent investigation uncovered issues of abuse and neglect in the institution’s management.
During Fr. Chad’s visit, Mother Inés not only expressed her gratitude for the funds for the university, but also asked that Orthodox Christians globally begin praying for a change in the laws that govern orphanages in Guatemala, in light of the recent tragedy. Additionally, Fr. Chad, Mother Inés, and another monastic from her monastery, Mother Ivonne, were able to attend a public commemoration on March 14 for the 40 young women. At that commemoration the two monastics presented a formal petition to their government, which included a call to their Congress to enact changes in their country’s present laws, in order to help protect the abandoned children of Guatemala.
“This loss of young life,” Mother Inés stated in an open letter accompanying her petition, “has shone a bright light on the darkness that exists regarding the situation faced by orphans and underprivileged youth in Guatemala, where the laws are completely against them and anyone who desires to help them…Pray for our country. Pray for us.”
This concert is part of an international conference that focuses on the sonic effect of the music of Estonian composer and Orthodox Christian, Arvo Pärt. Stemming from the conference's theme, “Sounding the Sacred,” the performances of this concert will focus on how Pärt's music conveys its sacred content.
The concert venue is a stunning Byzantine-revival church renowned for its excellent acoustics and its exquisite Létourneau pipe organ. Among the concert's unique features will be the Goeyvaerts ensemble's performance of Pärt's "Stabat Mater" in just intonation, which renders acoustically pure intervals and allows for an experience that may alternately sound either utterly serene or oddly dissonant.
This concert, together with the conference, aims to present Pärt's music within a context that explores the relationship between human hearing and the holy.
His Grace the Right Reverend John (Abdalah) St. Vladimir's Seminary,575 Scarsdale Road,10707,Yonkers,NY,US
The Trustees, Faculty, and Students of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary request the honor of your presence at the Commencement of the Class of 2017 on
Saturday, May 20 2:00 p.m. Prayer of Thanksgiving in Three Hierarchs Chapel 2:30 p.m. Commencement Exercises with Commencement Address given by
His Grace the Right Reverend John (Abdalah) Bishop of Worcester and New England Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America
St. Luke’s Social Hall,13261 Dunklee Avenue,92840,Garden Grove,CA,US URL: https://support.svots.edu/20sGala
On Saturday, June 3, 2017, St. Luke Orthodox Church, Garden Grove, CA, will host a benefit gala on behalf of the Seminary: “The Roaring Twenties: A Jazz Age Party.” Archpriest Michael Tassos, an alumnus of St. Vladimir’s Seminary and parish rector, is coordinating the event.
The gala, which includes dinner, will be held in St. Luke’s Social Hall and will begin immediately following a Vespers Service at 5 p.m. in the church. Archpriest Chad Hatfield, president of St. Vladimir’s Seminary, and seminary alumnus Gregory Abdalah, youth pastor at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Phoenix, AZ, will be offering brief remarks during the banquet.
Tickets for the event are priced at $50 for adults, $40 for teens, and $25 for children (10 and under). Please purchase tickets or become a sponsor for the gala by visiting this website. RSVP by May 25, 2017.
For more information, contact 714.971.2244 or events@svots.edu Sponsor an Alumni Event in your area.Call Matushka Robyn Hatrak at 914.961.8313 x330 or email events@svots.edu. .
St. George’s Events Center,4667 Applegrove St. NW,44720,North Canton,OH,US URL: https://support.svots.edu/nc
On Sunday, April 30, 2017, His Grace Irinej, bishop of the Eastern Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church, will celebrate the “Slava” (Patron’s Saint’s Day) of St. George’s Serbian Orthodox Church, North Canton, OH.
The celebration is being hosted by the parish at St. George’s Event Center, and is being coordinated by the parish rector, Priest Aleksa Pavichevich, with the blessing of Bishop Irinej. Proceeds from the Slava will benefit St. Vladimir’s Seminary, the alma mater of both Bishop Irinej and Fr. Aleksa.
The event will begin with a reception at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m., with performances by the Gracinica Folklore Society Dancers and violinists Cornel and Anna Zotta. Both His Grace and Archpriest Chad Hatfield, president of St. Vladimir’s Seminary, will be offering brief remarks during the banquet.
Tickets for the event are priced at $50 for adults, $10 for pre-teens and teens, and $5 for children (10 and under). Sponsorships for the event include banquet tickets and/or program listings, and range in price from $100 to $1,000.
To purchase tickets or become a sponsor, or to ask about banquet seating: contact 330.494.2712, download and send in a sponsorship form, or visit the Seminary’s website for online tickets and sponsorships.
If you have questions about sponsorships, call 914.961.8313 x330 or email events@svots.edu. RSVP by April 23, 2017
Krista Tippett St. Vladimir’s Seminary Campus,575 Scarsdale Road,10707,Yonkers,NY,US URL: https://support.svots.edu/krista
Public engagement is a vital component of the Seminary’s work within the field of Sacred Arts. The Arvo Part Project at St. Vladimir’s Seminary, through its concerts, lectures, discussions, and publications, has sought to engage a diverse public—with or without religious affiliation—in themes related to faith. And the Seminary’s Sacred Arts Initiative, initiated through a $250K grant from the Henry Luce Foundation in 2015, seeks to explore the intersection of human creativity and holiness.
On May 25, 2017 at 7:30 p.m., the Seminary will host author and syndicated radio host Krista Tippett for a public lecture that will bring out her own experience in seeking and finding spiritual wisdom in unexpected places, most notably through the core value of beauty. A 1994 graduate of Yale Divinity School, Ms. Tippett saw a black hole where intelligent coverage of religion should be. As she conducted a far-flung oral history project for the Benedictines of St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota, she began to imagine radio conversations about the spiritual and intellectual content of faith that could open imaginations and enrich public life. Those experiences led to her celebrated on-air program, On Being.
Ms. Tippett is a Peabody Award-winning broadcaster and New York Times best-selling author. In 2014 she received the National Humanities Medal at the White House for “thoughtfully delving into the mysteries of human existence. On the air and in print, Ms. Tippett avoids easy answers, embracing complexity and inviting people of every background to join her conversation about faith, ethics, and moral wisdom.”
Before her lecture, Ms. Tippett will speak to the seminary community about intentional engagement with the wider public on spiritual and religious themes.
St. Vladimir’s Seminary Campus,575 Scarsdale Road,10707,Yonkers,NY,US URL: mailto:rhatrak@svots.edu
Are you called to study at St. Vladimir’s Seminary?
To help you discern, we warmly welcome you to our campus Open House March 15–17, 2017, for an immersion experience into seminary life: attend chapel services and classes, meet the President and select faculty, share community meals, and spend time with seminarians and their families.
Our student body this Academic Year represents 76 souls (9% are women) from 12 countries and 13 Eastern Orthodox and 5 Oriental Orthodox jurisdictions (and 2 students from non-Orthodox churches): 38 are in the Master of Divinity program, 2 are in the Master of Divinity Equivalency program, 16 are in the Master of Arts program, 4 are in the Master of Theology program, and 16 are in the Doctor of Ministry program.
Have you heard “the Call” (Jn 15:16)? If so, we warmly welcome you. We want you to become part of our diverse community!
REGISTRATION
Contact Matushka Robyn Hatrak by Friday, March 10, 2017 email: rhatrak@svots.edu, phone: 914.961.8313 x330
DAILY SCHEDULE
Arrive Wednesday afternoon, March 15th and leave Friday afternoon, March 17th Meet with President, Dean, & Faculty; attend classes & chapel services; share meals with seminarians and experience community life! View the full schedule here.
RESOURCES
“Are you called to study at St. Vladimir’s Seminary?” 1st-year seminarian Dn. Larry Soper talks about the decision-making process that led him to St. Vladimir’s and tells about his first semester at St. Vladimir’s.
“Tell Me a Story,” Read about our students’ experiences in our Annual Report FY2015: women and men, clergy and lay, scholars, pastors, iconographers, missionaries, diplomats, and educators included!
Since July 2016, thirteen seminarians and alumni from St. Vladimir’s Seminary have been ordained to Holy Orders, among them seven priests, five deacons, and one subdeacon. Six of those ordained are in the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), five are in the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA), one is in the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church (MOSC), and one is in the Syriac Orthodox Church in North America (SOC).
“In keeping with our Mission Statement,” noted Archpriest Chad Hatfield, president of the Seminary, “we continue to prepare candidates for ministry as bishops, priests, and deacons, in order to serve the Church. “I am always grateful to God when one of our students or alumni fulfill the mission of our school by answering the call of Christ to Holy Orders,” he said. “And I am grateful as well for the quality of these students and graduates, who hail from a variety of places and represent a multitude of fascinating educational and professional backgrounds. Upon ordination, they each take one more step along the path our Lord has been preparing for them.”
Listing ofSVOTS seminarians & alumni ordained July 2016–January 2017
Priest Seth Earl, 3rd-year M.Div. Seminarian
Jurisdiction: Diocese of the South, Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Diaconate: Ordained by His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, primate of the OCA, in Three Hierarchs Chapel, St. Vladimir’s Seminary, on the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos, 8SEPT16 Priesthood: Ordained by His Grace Alexander, bishop of Dallas and the Diocese of the South, OCA, in St. John the Wonderworker Orthodox Church, Atlanta, GA, on the Feast of St. Gregory of Nyssa, 10JAN17 Current ministry: Seminarian serving at Ss. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church, Jersey City, NJ Educational and professional background: BA in Religion from Luther Rice College and Seminary; worked at a Law Office and in Refugee Resettlement
Priest Paul Girgis, 3rd-year M.Div. Seminarian
Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA) Diaconate: Ordained by His Grace Nicholas, bishop of Brooklyn, New York, and Washington, D.C. and assistant to Metropolitan Joseph, AOCANA, in St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Little Falls, NJ, 3MAY15 Priesthood: Ordained by His Grace Nicholas, bishop of Brooklyn, New York, and Washington, D.C. and assistant to Metropolitan Joseph, AOCANA, in St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church, Bridgeport, CT, 11DEC16 Current ministry: Seminarian serving at St. Mary’s Antiochian Church, Brooklyn, NY Educational and professional background: Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Washington State University; Project Controls Professional at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Priest Nicholas A. Garklavs, M.Div. 2007 Graduate
Jurisdiction: Diocese of the New York and New Jersey, Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Diaconate: Ordained by His Beatitude Metropolitan Herman, then-primate of the OCA, in Three Hierarchs Chapel, St. Vladimir’s Seminary, on the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos, 8SEPT06 Priesthood: by His Eminence Michael, archbishop of New York and the Diocese of New York and New Jersey, OCA, in St. Mary Magdalen Church, New York, NY, 29JAN2017 Current ministry: Current ministry: Acting Rector of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church (OCA) in Whitestone, Queens, NY Educational and professional background: Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Liberal Arts, St. John's College, Annapolis, MD; Business Associate, The Buckley School, New York, NY
Priest Mircea Geana, M.Div. 2007 Graduate
Jurisdiction: Diocese of the New England, Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Diaconate: Ordained by His Eminence Nikon, archbishop of Boston and the Diocese of New England, at Holy Resurrection Church, Claremont, NHJ, 30NOV15 Priesthood: Ordained by His Eminence Nikon, archbishop of Boston and the Diocese of New England, at Holy Resurrection Church, Claremont, NH, 16OCT16 Current ministry: Attached to Holy Resurrection Church, Claremont, NH Educational and professional background: Masters of Music Education from Boston Conservatory; Music Teacher, Henneker, NH
Priest Ignatius (Edward) Hunter, M.A. 2016 Graduate
Jurisdiction: Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania, Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Diaconate: Ordained by His Eminence Mark, archbishop of the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania, in Christ the Savior Orthodox Church, Harrisburg, PA, 5JAN17 Priesthood: Ordained by His Eminence Mark, archbishop of the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania, in Holy Cross Orthodox Church, Williamsport, PA, 8JAN17 Current ministry: Attached to Holy Resurrection Cathedral, Wilkes-Barre, PA; living in Napaskiak, AK Educational and professional background: Bachelor of Arts in Religion, History, and General Economics from Lycoming College, Williamsport, PA; M.Div. from Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY; Candidate for Graduate Certificate in Secondary Education for the University of Alaska, Southeast
Priest John Mikitish, M.Div. 2016 Graduate
Jurisdiction: Diocese of the New England, Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Diaconate: Ordained by His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, primate of the OCA, in Three Hierarchs Chapel, St. Vladimir’s Seminary, 21MAY2016 Priesthood: Ordained by His Eminence Nikon, archbishop of Boston and the Diocese of New England, OCA, in Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church, New Haven, CT, 13NOV2016 Current ministry: Attached to Church of the Holy Transfiguration, New Haven, CT Educational and professional background: B.A. in Russian & Eastern European Studies at Yale University; pursuing a Ph.D. in Russian Language and Literature, with a special focus in Medieval Slavic Literature at Yale University
Priest Patrick (Wesley) Pulley, M.A. 2016 Graduate
Jurisdiction: Diocese of the South, Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Diaconate: Ordained by Archbishop Irénée, on behalf of His Grace Alexander, bishop of the Diocese of the South, OCA, at St. Cyprian of Carthage Mission, Midlothian, VA, 27AUG16 Priesthood: Ordained by Bishop Alexander, bishop of Dallas and the Diocese of the South, at St. Cyprian of Carthage Mission, Midlothian, VA, 24DEC16 Current ministry: Assigned to St. Cyprian of Carthage Mission, Midlothian, VA, as Pastoral Assistant Educational and professional background: Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Virginia Tech (’97); Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary (’09)
Deacon Isaac (Brandon Solomon) Danevicius, 2nd-year M.Div. Seminarian
Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA) Diaconate: Ordained by His Grace Nicholas, bishop of Brooklyn, New York, and Washington, D.C. and assistant to Metropolitan Joseph, AOCANA, in St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Little Falls, NJ, 23OCT16 Current ministry: Seminarian serving at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Little Falls, NJ Educational and professional background: B.A. in Biblical Studies and Theology from Biola University in 2009; Fifth Grade Teacher at Cair Paravel Latin School in Topeka KS; Shipping Manager for the Institute for Excellence in Writing in Locust Grove, OK.
Deacon Andrew Honoré, 2nd-year M.Div. Seminarian
Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA) Diaconate: Ordained by His Grace Nicholas, bishop of Brooklyn, New York, and Washington, D.C. and assistant to Metropolitan Joseph, AOCANA, in St. Stephen the Protomartyr Church, South Plainfield, NJ 16OCT16 Current ministry: Seminarian serving at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Danbury, CT Educational and professional background: BA Liberal Arts; formerly enlisted in Navy Reserves and currently a commissioned officer in the Navy’s Chaplain Candidate Program; former restaurant owner
Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA) Diaconate: Ordained by His Grace Nicholas, bishop of Brooklyn, New York, and Washington, D.C. and assistant to Metropolitan Joseph, AOCANA, in St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church, Bridgeport, CT, 11DEC16 Current ministry: Seminarian serving at St. Stephen the Protomartyr Church, South Plainfield, NJ Educational and professional background: BA in Graphic Design and Digital Media from California Baptist University in 2009; General Services Department of Provident Savings Bank in Riverside, CA
Deacon John (Edward) Valadez, 2nd-year M.Div. Seminarian
Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA) Diaconate: Ordained by His Grace Nicholas, bishop of Brooklyn, New York, and Washington, D.C. and assistant to Metropolitan Joseph, AOCANA, 13NOV16, in St. John the Baptist Antiochian Orthodox Church, Levittown, NY Current ministry: Seminarian serving at St. John the Baptist Antiochian Orthodox Church, Levittown, NY Educational and professional background: BA of Art History from CSULB; butcher and Associate Team Leader at Whole Foods Market
Deacon Simon (Shiryl) Mathai, M.Div. Graduate 2016
Jurisdiction:Malankara Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church in North America (SOC) Full Diaconate (M'Shamshono):Ordained by His Eminence Mor Titus Yeldho, 13NOV16, in St. Ephrem Cathedral, Whippany, NJ Current Ministry: Assists to celebrate liturgy at St. Ephrem Cathedral as well as serves as an advisor for Youth Ministries and a diocesan representative at ecumenical events Education and Professional Background:Master in Public Health from Drexel University, MBA from Rutgers University; currently serves as a Senior Manager at Pfizer, Inc.
Subdeacon Thomas (Shawn) Thomas, M.Div. Graduate 2016, 1st-year Th.M. Seminarian
Jurisdiction: Northeast American Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (MOSC) Sub-Diaconate (Apodyaqno): Ordained by His Grace Metropolitan Zachariah Mar Nicholovos, for the Northeast American Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (MOSC), 17SEPT16, in St. Gregorios Malankara Orthodox Church, Elmhurst, IL Current ministry: Assists and accompanies His Grace Metropolitan Zachariah Mar Nicholovos during His Grace’s parish visits to celebrate liturgy, preside over sacraments, and perform diocesan administrative tasks; speaker at different retreats and conferences in both the Northeast American Diocese and the Diocese of South-West America, Educational and professional background: Bachelor’s degree in Molecular and Cell Biology and a minor in Spanish from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; worked two years in a laboratory at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago that specializes in Alzheimer's and dementia research.
Peter Bouteneff Fordham’s Lincoln Center Campus,140 W. 62nd St.,10023,New York,NY,US URL: http://soundingthesacred.com/registration
We are pleased to announce an international conference to be held from May 1-4, 2017 in the heart of New York City’s vibrant Lincoln Center music scene: “Arvo Pärt: Sounding the Sacred.” This event will bring together scholars from diverse fields (music, theology, sacred acoustics/sound studies, architecture, religious studies, philosophy), as well as artists experienced in the performance and recording of Pärt’s music, to create a unique forum for the exchange of ideas, research, practices and creativity on the topics of sound and the sacred. The event is hosted by the Sacred Arts Initiative and the Arvo Pärt Project at St. Vladimir’s Seminary, in collaboration with the Orthodox Christian Studies Center of Fordham University, and funded mainly by a grant from the Henry Luce Foundation.
Description
The music of Estonian composer Arvo Pärt is frequently connected with experiences of the sacred. Although the composer’s religious affiliation is specifically Orthodox Christian, his music and its impact carry an appeal beyond confessional and religious boundaries. His popularity crosses over customary distinctions between classical and popular music, sacred and secular art, liturgical space and concert hall.
The unique impact of Pärt’s music has been explored musicologically—and more recently through the lens of spirituality—but not yet in terms of the more basic elements of sound and embodiment. We seek to break new ground exploring primary questions around how music achieves its visceral and spiritual effect on human beings through the materiality of the movement of air impressing itself on the human body.
This conference is open to the public, and offers a public music performance on Wednesday evening, May 3, 2017. Details on both the conference and the concert are now available at soundingthesacred.com.
St. Vladimir’s Seminary recently launched a program that offers training for readers, choir conductors, and choir members in local parish settings. Called “Revitalizing Parish Music,” the program creates tailor-made solutions to typical problems experienced by church choirs and choir directors.
“St. Vladimir’s has always striven to express the beauty of our faith through music, and to bring this into parishes,” said Robin Freeman, the new Director of Music at the Seminary. “Thousands of faithful recall the Octet that traversed the country; the music books and CDs published by SVS Press that enriched music programs and introduced new repertoire; and The Institute of Liturgical Music and Pastoral Practice, which provided training for church musicians who desired to hone their skills.
“Our new program,” she explained, “combines aspects of all these initiatives and brings them right into the parish.”
Mrs. Freeman, an accomplished singer and choral conductor, has developed half-day, full-day, and weekend workshops for parish choirs, addressing everything from “music reading skills” to “achieving a unified choral sound” for choir members; and everything from “building a vocabulary of gestures” to “placing singers in the correct voice parts” for directors. Parish choirs may choose from among a variety of Sessions and Workshops to suit the individual needs of their particular ensemble.
Parishes may even choose to invite the “SVOTS Chamber Choir” for the weekend. Chamber Choir section leaders can help train members of the parish choir by singing alongside them in rehearsals and liturgical services. The workshop can culminate in a concert performed by the parish choir or the Chamber Choir, or a combination thereof. (Read a full description of the program, including sample Sessions and Workshops, and pricing options, here).
The first parish choir to benefit from the program was under the direction of Stephen Fong, at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Danbury, CT, where Archpriest Luke Mihaly is the pastor. Mrs. Freeman and her family attended Divine Liturgy at the parish; afterwards, she held an afternoon workshop tailored for the choir.
Choir Director Stephen Fong remarked, “Robin's workshop was an overwhelming success. Her highly tailored approach, both before and during the event, and her expertise, professionalism, and enthusiasm made the most out of the time we had and brought our small choir to another level.
“We’re already looking forward to another visit!” he added.
Father Luke likewise affirmed, “It was very nice to be able use the talent at St. Vladimir's Seminary as a resource for our parish.
“Robin Freeman was able to make a real difference in our parish choir and thus the prayer life of our parish,” he said, “plus, it's always a joy to see the entire Freeman family.”
“I’m excited about this new venture,” concluded Mrs. Freeman, “as I further share whatever talent God has entrusted to me with our brothers and sisters in Christ and re-connect the Seminary with parish life.”
Read a full description of the program, including sample Sessions and Workshops, and pricing options, here.
