Twenty-three deacons and students in the Diaconal Vocations Program (DVP) of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) gathered on the seminary campus for a practicum consisting of worship, theological reflection, and focused liturgical training, from July 12–15, 2015. In its ninth consecutive year, the Diaconal Liturgical Practicum continues to provide important opportunities for deacons and candidates to connect with each other and seminary faculty, as they seek to expand their ministry at the altar.

The Practicum began on Sunday evening with supper, introductions, and an icebreaker that helped participants appreciate some of the challenges of learning to serve the divine services correctly. Archpriest John Behr, seminary Dean, formally opened the program with the singing of a Molieben in Three Hierarchs Chapel. The Practicum’s beginning coincided with a week of instruction for students enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) program at the Seminary, and both groups were enriched by being able to pray together and to receive a blessing with holy water as their instruction commenced. Father John then led the Practicum in an engrossing study on early martyrdom, Scripture, and the Eucharist with respect to life in Christ and the Paschal Passion. One participant noted, “I would have made the trip to the Seminary for this talk alone!”

The next day was inaugurated by a Divine Liturgy celebrated by Fr. John and Practicum participants. Archdeacon Kirill Sokolov, director of  the DVP, gathered with participants at 7:00 a.m. to prepare for the service. “It is not always possible in our parish life for the deacons and servers to be the first to arrive at the church,” explained Archdeacon Kirill. “In these intensive days of training, however, we are able to practice and model the full order of liturgical services and all of the preparation required for their peaceful and orderly celebration. From filling oil lamps to chanting the prayers of the Church, the participants learn best by actively doing these things—with repetition.”  

Following the first liturgy, students practiced proclaiming the Word of God by reading in church, and they learned about proper use of their voices, in the first of multiple sessions with Archpriest Sergius Halvorsen, assistant professor of Homiletics and Rhetoric at the Seminary. Vocal practice featured chanting a section from the Epistles of the Holy Apostle Paul and receiving feedback from Fr. Sergius and peers on clarity and sound.

Workshops led by Archdeacon Kirill were aimed to provide participants with the frameworks, patterns, and skills needed to serve effectively in the Orthodox Church as an attentive server or deacon. His sessions focused on the typical celebration of the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. Instruction and practice geared toward performing the more complicated hierarchical services was done in smaller groups, with additional guidance from Archdeacon Joseph Matusiak, secretary to His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, primate of the OCA.

Archpriest John Jillions, chancellor of the OCA, served Vespers on Monday, and then met with participants to discuss issues facing ordained clergy and the Church, as well as the Church’s work in this world. As Chancellor, Fr. John is a member of the Board of Theological Education of the OCA, which supervises the work of the DVP. The long day of work and study ended at 10:00 p.m., with a planning session for the following morning’s Divine Liturgy.

On the second day of the Practicum, Tuesday, July 14, Divine Liturgy was celebrated by seminarian Priest Aleksey Paranyuk, Archdeacon Kirill, and Practicum participants. In addition to liturgical workshops led by the archdeacons, Archpriest Alexander Rentel, assistant professor of Canon Law and Byzantine Studies and The John and Paraskeva Skvir Lecturer in Practical Theology at St. Vladimir's, taught about aspects of liturgical theology fundamental to the ministry of the deacon and to the understanding of every Christian.

The Practicum was honored by the presence of His Grace Daniel, bishop of Santa Rosa and auxiliary bishop in the Diocese of the West (OCA), who came to the Seminary for the Practicum at the invitation of Metropolitan Tikhon. Bishop Daniel presided at the divine services, was with the participants in conversation, and met with them as a group to discuss expectations that the Church has for all men who are called to serve in the ordained diaconal ministry.

Tuesday also marked the eve of the feast of the Holy and Great Prince Vladimir, Equal of the Apostles, and patron of the Seminary. The seminary community joyously joined in the celebration of Great Vespers, which was heightened by the prayerful presence of Metropolitan Tikhon, who also serves as President of the Seminary and Chair of the Board of Theological Education. His Beatitude spoke persuasively about the sinful darkness in the world, within which St. Vladimir had to work as he converted to Christ, and he further spoke of the encouraging example the saint sets for today's Christians. The celebration continued with a cookout in honor of the Feast, hosted by the Alumni Association of the Seminary. Following the festive evening, Practicum participants continued their work late into the night, practicing reading and vocal training with Fr. Sergius.

On Wednesday, July 15, the Practicum experience was crowned by the celebration of the Divine Liturgy for the feast of St. Vladimir. Bishop Daniel served the full hierarchical order with the assistance of ten priests and six deacons, with other Practicum participants serving as subdeacons or as choir members.

Participants attended the Practicum from nearly every diocese of the OCA and from other church jurisdictions. The “good-byes” at departure movingly showed that participants not only learned more about the liturgy and their vocations in church service, but also benefited spiritually from their new connections to teachers and brothers. As one participant explained, “It is a true joy to have received the opportunity to meet you all and to call you friends.”

The Holy Synod of Bishops requires participation in at least two Practicums for candidates to complete the Diaconal Vocations Program of the Orthodox Church in America. Already ordained deacons benefit from attendance at the Practicum as part of the Continuing Education discipline of the OCA.

Learn more about the Diaconal Vocations Program
Learn more about St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary and its programs of theological study: www.svots.edu

The Reverend Adrian Budica has been appointed to the faculty of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, as Supervisor of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and Director of Field Education. The appointment of Fr. Adrian, a seminary alumnus (M.Th., ’10), is effective July 1, 2015.

“We welcome Father Adrian, with his extensive pastoral experience and extraordinary educational credentials,” said The Very Reverend Dr. John Behr, seminary dean. “His chaplaincy roles at four major urban hospitals, his priestly service at a large cathedral, and his missionary mind, charitable heart, and sharp intellect will be gifts to our seminarians as they train in pastoral care.”

Father Adrian has been certified as an Associate Supervisor by the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE). He presently is pursuing two other certifications: as a Board Certified Chaplain with the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC) and as a CPE Supervisor (“Full”) with ACPE. He anticipates certification by both bodies in the fall of 2015.

Since completing his initial ACPE supervisory training in record time, successfully meeting with two regional committees and two national committees for certification, Fr. Adrian has been serving on the Administrative Board of the ACPE Eastern Region. For his work with ACPE, he was recognized as an “Emerging Leader 2015” at the recent ACPE National Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia.

In a soon to be aired PBS documentary produced by Journey Films, Fr. Adrian will be featured in the 2–hour long production “Chaplains,” which records his experience as a training supervisor at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, along with other men and woman who serve as chaplains in various settings.

Currently, Fr. Adrian is employed as the CPE Supervisor and Coordinator of Clinical Pastoral Education at Bridgeport Hospital in Connecticut, a position he will retain while a faculty member at the seminary. Additionally, since 2011, he has served as priest at St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral, in Brooklyn, New York, where the Very Reverend Thomas Zain is rector.

Upon his appointment as a new faculty member, Fr. Adrian said, “I am truly blessed with the opportunity to give back to my seminary and to the Orthodox Church through teaching at St. Vladimir’s, using an educational model that has been transformational for me personally and pastorally.

“I am indebted to my seminary professors—especially Dr. Albert Rossi—and to my CPE supervisors for their guidance,” he continued, “and I am looking forward to being both part of the faculty and of the students’ spiritual journeys in personal and pastoral formation, competence, and reflection.”

Added Fr. John Behr, “Father Adrian’s new position represents the fruit of our ‘Good Pastor’ program begun as part of our seminary’s ‘Strategic Plan 2010,’ and it also signifies the next stage in the program’s evolution, which will ensure that our seminarians fulfill hundreds of pastoral care hours in a supervised setting under a certified—and Orthodox Christian—instructor.”

Currently, all Master of Divinity students at St. Vladimir’s Seminary are required to fulfill one unit of CPE, which represents 400 hours of hospital visitation and related self-reflection under the watchful eye of a certified CPE supervisor onsite at local hospitals. With the addition of Fr. Adrian to the faculty, the seminary is taking the first steps in offering students CPE with supervision on the seminary campus in a wider variety of institutional settings.

The Very Reverend Dr. Chad Hatfield, seminary chancellor/CEO, noting the importance of expanding the CPE program at St. Vladimir’s, said, "Some critics of CPE say that it is dominated by Mainline Protestants. As a minority, we Orthodox Christians must witness to and also navigate this world of pastoral care, to make us better prepared for ministry." 

Read Fr. Adrian Budica’s resume here.

Read about the Seminary’s current CPE requirements here.

Read about the Seminary’s Master of Divinity program here.

St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary is offering the public an opportunity for input into future course offerings, including degree programs and continuing education classes with online components. Through a brief survey, the seminary hopes to collect data about public preferences regarding course offerings in the liturgical arts, mission work, ethics, and general theology. The courses will be geared toward both pastors and lay people seeking certificates and degrees on graduate and post-graduate levels.

 “We here at St. Vladimir’s are considering a number of new programs in order to better serve the Church and to fulfill the goals set forth in our Mission Statement,” said the Very Reverend Dr. J. Sergius Halvorsen. “The information people provide in this brief 1–5 minute survey will help us in our process of planning and development.

 “We thank ahead of time those who will support St. Vladimir’s Seminary by taking the survey, in our effort to hear the needs of the wider Church.”

Take the survey here!

The Most Blessed John X (Yazigi), Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, will be visiting St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary on Monday, July 27, 2015, to receive an honorary doctoral degree conferred by the seminary Board of Trustees and Faculty Council. The degree will be awarded at a public academic convocation at 6:00 p.m. in the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium of the John G. Rangos Family Building, during which His Beatitude will also give a presentation about the current circumstances of Christians in the Middle East. A public reception will follow.

“As Executive Chair of the Board of Trustees of St. Vladimir’s Seminary,” said Alex Machaskee, “I am extremely pleased that we are conferring an honorary doctorate on His Beatitude John X, patriarch of Antioch and All the East.”

Seminary Dean, the Very Reverend Dr. John Behr, added, “It is our joy to welcome Patriarch John to our campus, and it is our honor that he is willing to accept a Doctor of Divinity honoris causa from our school.”  Father John also mentioned that His Beatitude is known to him through a personal connection: he is a fellow monk at the Monastery of St. Paul on Mount Athos (Agiou Pavlou), the same monastic community at which Fr. John’s brother, Fr. Evdokimos, resides.

The academic convocation will mark the second time within one year that His Beatitude has greeted the Dean and the seminary Chancellor/CEO, the Reverend Dr. Chad Hatfield. In December 2014, the seminary administrators jointly presented a gift of $8,000 to His Beatitude, to aid suffering Orthodox Christians in the Middle East. The gift represented a tithe (i.e., one-tenth) of the total $80,000 donated to the seminary during its highly successful #GivingTuesday campaign, also conducted in December.

Read the official bio of Patriarch John X here.

At the ceremony Dr. Obren B. (Brian) Gerich, a parishioner of St. Steven’s and a Trustee Emeritus of St. Vladimir’s Seminary, who underwrote funding for the book, paid tribute to Fr. Nick and his ministry, saying, “I wanted to honor Fr. Nick’s dedication to our cathedral and his unrelenting willingness to spend his free time serving and contributing to the Serbian Church and the Holy Orthodox Church.”

“According to the Holy Fathers of the Orthodox Church,” Dr. Gerich continued, “our gifts are meant to be used for the benefit of others, which, according to the Church’s teaching, turns them into virtues, which is the ‘entrance fee’ into heaven—and this is what our Fr. Nick has spent his life doing for us.” (Read Dr. Gerich’s full remarks here.)

Archpriest Chad Hatfield, chancellor/CEO of St. Vladimir’s Seminary, presented Fr. Nick with beautifully framed artwork depicting the cover of the children’s book. He remarked, "This book by Jim Forest has been illustrated by iconographer Vladislav Andreyev, who also illustrated our press’s Saint George and the Dragon book, which won the ‘Moonbeam Spirit Award for Preservation’ for children's literature."

See a gallery of photos of the dedication by Andreana Ceko.
Order Saint Nicholas and the Nine Gold Coins.

Eight new spring and summer titles from SVS Press are being launched at major ecclesial, artistic, and academic venues. Some have already have made literary and scholarly news.

In April Arvo Pärt: Out of Silence debuted at the “Arvo Pärt: Journeys in Silence” Live Ideas Festival, sponsored by New York Live Arts. 

In May a major international doctoral and post-doctoral religion conference in Prague, “Ecumenical Reception and Critique of 20th-century Orthodox Theology in Exile and Diaspora,” featured the title The Ways of Orthodox Theology in the West. The book emerged from a larger overall project, “Symbolic Mediation of Wholeness in Western Orthodoxy,” which was financed by the Czech Republic and included prominent Protestant and Orthodox scholars—among them, St. Vladimir’s Seminary Dean, Archpriest John Behr, who wrote the Foreword to the book.

(+2013), at the 18th All-American Council of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), July 20–24, 2015. The release of the volume, published posthumously, was timed to coincide with the opening of the council and to complement its overall theme, “How to Expand the Mission.” SVS Press will feature the new title in a special section of its display, along with Archbishop Dmitri’s other six publications through SVS Press.

In August at the 17th International Conference on Patristic Studies at Oxford University, SVS Press will launch two new Popular Patristics Series titles: Two Hundred Chapters on Theology, by Maximus the Confessor (PPS53); and On the Apostolic Tradition, by Hippolytus (PPS54), the latter being a second edition of the work that employs a recently discovered Ethiopic manuscript. Later in the fall, the Press will release A Layman in the Desert: Monastic Wisdom for a Life in the World, a fresh look at the desert fathers through the writings of St. John Cassian.

“Besides attracting thousands of Orthodox Christian readers annually, our titles fall into some of the most unusual but grateful hands,” said the Reverend Deacon Gregory Hatrak, director of marketing and operations at SVS Press and Bookstore. “For example, last year, the Salvation Army in Australia called to place a large order for our Popular Patristics title On the Human Condition, by St. Basil the Great, for a course they were offering!

“And, while most recently we have produced important scholarly volumes,” he went on, “we also published our other ‘staples,’ for example, the exquisitely illustrated and lively children’s book St. Nicholas and the Nine Gold Coins, and the spiritual biography To Open One's Heart: A Spiritual Path. 

“Our newest eight titles represent the breadth and depth SVS Press typifies,” Dn. Gregory emphasized, “and the fine quality our readership expects.”

Browse our online bookstore to find books for your summer reading.

A concordat between representatives of the Arvo Pärt Centre and St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) was signed in Laulasmaa, Estonia, on June 18, 2015. The concordat agrees to continued cooperation between the Centre and SVOTS, above all in the fields of arts and theology, in mutual counseling, and in joint academic activities.

The signed document is a natural continuation of the existing cooperation between the Arvo Pärt Centre and St. Vladimir's Seminary. This collaborative relationship was begun in 2011 through the work of St. Vladimir's professors Peter Bouteneff and Nicholas Reeves, who founded The Arvo Pärt Project. The Project aims to explore the spiritual roots of the music of famed Estonian composer and conductor Arvo Pärt, who is a devout Orthodox Christian.

The high point of the Project thus far has been a series of performances of the maestro's music in May and June of 2014, both in New York City and in Washington, D.C. On May 31, a capacity crowd at Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall lauded the music and person of Arvo Pärt and listened to a stunning performance of five of his well-known works. Earlier that day the seminary's Board of Trustees and faculty presented an honorary doctorate to Arvo Pärt during St. Vladimir's Commencement ceremonies.

Another outgrowth of the Project is the SVS Press title Arvo Pärt: Out of Silence by Dr. Bouteneff, released early in 2015. Out of Silence examines the connections between Pärt's music and the traditions of Orthodox Christianity. St. Vladimir's is also the American distributor for the Arvo Pärt Centre publication In principio: The Word in Arvo Pärt's Music.

Seminary representatives who signed the concordat were President and Board Chairman His Beatitude the Most Blessed Tikhon, archbishop of Washington and metropolitan of All America and Canada; the Very Reverend Dr. John Behr, dean; and the Very Reverend Dr. Chad Hatfield, chancellor/CEO. Signatories from the Arvo Pärt Centre included Chairman of the Board Michael Pärt, and Anu Kivilo, managing director. Professor Peter Bouteneff and his wife Patricia, as well as Tatiana Lapchuk Hoff, a trustee of the seminary and an active supporter of the Arvo Pärt Project, were part of the delegation from St. Vladimir's Seminary. 

The Concordat documents were created by the hand of a 2015 graduate in the Master of Arts program, Nikita Andrejev. They were made possible by the generosity of the Reverend Dr. Robert Saler, executive director of the Center for Pastoral Excellence at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, IN. In a raffle held by the Arvo Pärt Project, Robert won two tickets to the May 2014 Carnegie Hall concert featuring the composer and his music. He also journeyed from Indiana to New York in January of 2014  to attend Dr. Bouteneff's January term class, "The Music and Faith of Arvo Pärt."

Thirty-one seminarians, including nine ordained to Holy Orders, were granted degrees during Commencement at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary on May 30, 2015. Comprising the graduating class were 12 Master of Divinity, 13 Master of Arts, and 6 Master of Theology candidates, among which were included eight women.

"Today marks a transition point from being students to being alumni," noted seminary Dean, the Very Reverend Dr. John Behr, as he addressed the Class of 2015. "What you've received here isn't just the result of your effort; rather, what you've received here is a 'seed.'

"Seminary means 'a place where the seed is sown,' " he reminded the graduates, "but for a seed to bear fruit, the soil has to be turned over, raked, sifted, watered, and weeded. You've been working really hard, but in the midst of doing that, you've been worked over, stretched, pushed, and extended in ways that seemed to you to be incomprehensible.

"Yet all of that has made you more merciful, resilient, and loving, so that the seed that's been planted here can bear fruit," he explained.

In other remarks, Father John honored the memory of Dean Emeritus Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko (+ March 18, 2015), observing his incalculable impact on hundreds of alumni. He also recalled the invaluable, lasting contributions of two former Trustees, Attorneys Leon J. Lysaght, Jr. and Eric S. Namee, to their respective Board Committees—Statutes and Academic Oversight, and Interchurch Relations and Legal Affairs—as he welcomed them into the ranks of "Trustees Emeriti." He further congratulated faculty member Dr. Peter C. Bouteneff on his promotion to the rank of full Professor, and thanked him for his "outstanding work and service to this institution."

The highlight of the ceremony was the Commencement Address by His Eminence Metropolitan Elia of Oulu, Finland, a St. Vladimir's alumnus (M.Div., '03). He recalled his own days as a student and then addressed the graduates, saying, "You have spent time learning about the great gift that has been given to you: no less than Christ crucified, risen, and manifest in His Church.

"Hundreds of generations in the Church have come before you, ...and you are part of this community, seen and unseen, inspired by God Himself. I hope this realization will always bring you peace and comfort," he continued.

"God will never ask of you more than you can bear," he concluded, "but often He will ask no less."

More than a decade ago, His Eminence had missed his own Commencement ceremony due to the death of his mother, whose funeral had coincided with the day of his graduation. In a touching presentation Alumni Association Board Chair Gregory Abdalah gave Metropolitan Elia the customary gift for St. Vladimir's Seminary graduates: a cherry wooden frame for his diploma.

Other ceremonial high points included the Valedictory Address by Luke Perry Bullock, and the Salutatory Address by William Rettig. As well, this year's St. Macrina Award for Excellence in Teaching—an honor bestowed by the student body—was presented to Dr. George Parsenios, professor of New Testament, by Student Council President the Reverend Theodor Svane. Father Theodor attributed the award to Dr. Parsenios's "engaging teaching style, and his willingness always to go deeper into any subject," as well as "his apparent Orthodox faith, shining through his lectures."

might share that gift with a thirsty world." He further commended spouses of seminarians, calling them "hesychasts" and comparing their efforts to self-martyrdom, which, he said, "you have borne and will continue to bear."

Other honored guests at the Commencement were the Very Reverend Dr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary; and His Eminence, the Most Reverend Melchisedek, archbishop of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, OCA.

Read the Commencement Program 2015 here
View a photo gallery by Leanne Parrott Photography
Listen to the Commencement ceremony

Seven St. Vladimir's seminarians were ordained to Holy Orders during the second semester of the 2014–2015 Academic Year. Our newly ordained priests and deacons belong to three different church jurisdictions, and have rich cultural, educational, and professional backgrounds.

View the photo gallery
Father Theodor Svane, Bergen, Norway

Student status and church affiliation Third-year, Master of Divinity; Archdiocese of Russian Orthodox Churches in Western Europe, Exarchate of the Ecumenical Patriarch

Ordination, Holy Priesthood January 14, 2015, St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Paris, France, by the hand of His Eminence Job (Getcha), archbishop of Telmessos and exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for the Archdiocese of the Russian Orthodox Churches in Western Europe; concelebrant: the Very Reverend Chad Hatfield, CEO/Chancellor, St. Vladimir's Seminary

Educational and professional background Bachelor of Civil Engineering, Bergen University College, Norway; Bachelor of Christian Studies and Master of Christian Studies, NLA University College, Norway; Civil Engineer consultant, Bergen, Norway

Biographical note Father Theodor has been married to Hanne Louise for 12 years. They have one son, Simon Johan, and are expecting their second child. He will be serving a year-long internship at St. Seraphim of Sarov Orthodox Christian Church, Santa Rosa, CA (Orthodox Church in America), under the mentorship of the Very Reverend Lawrence Margitich, rector, prior to returning to Norway to do missionary work.

View the photo gallery
Deacon Stephen Osburn, Jr., Las Vegas, NV

Student status and church affiliation Third-year, Master of Divinity; Orthodox Church in America (OCA)

Ordination, Holy Diaconate March 15, 2015, St. Paul the Apostle Orthodox Church, Las Vegas, NV, by the hand of His Eminence Benjamin, archbishop of San Francisco and the West (OCA); concelebrants: the Very Reverend John Dresko, rector of St. Paul's, and Archdeacon Kirill Sokolov, of Holy Trinity Cathedral, San Francisco

Educational and professional background Bachelor of Arts in Music Composition, Instrumental, University of Nevada, Las Vegas; CEO of Taffer Computers: web design, consultation, and internet marketing

Seminarian parish placement Christ the Saviour Orthodox Church, Paramus, NJ (OCA), under the mentorship of the Very Reverend David Vernak

Biographical note At St. Vladimir's, Deacon Stephen served as the St. Herman Society Secretary and Student Council Class Liaison. After graduation the Osburns will return to Las Vegas to serve in their home parish, St. Paul the Apostle, but they hope to start a mission in St. George, UT in the near future. They have a very loving dog (Bently), which, during the family's years at the seminary, was "adopted" by all kids on campus (and will be sorely missed)!

Aside from his tech expertise, Dn. Stephen is an accomplished musician and composer of notable works, such as: Maeva Suite for Full Orchestra, 42 for String Quartet, and Twist of Fate 2.0 for Solo Horn in F. As well, he has co-written tunes for radio broadcast and has arranged movie scores for high school orchestras.

For his home parish's twentieth anniversary, Dn. Stephen performed his composition Orthodoxy for String Quartet, with himself on violin, his diocesan hierarch, Archbishop Benjamin, on second violin, and two friends on viola and cello.

View the photo gallery
Deacon Michael Rozdilski, Bellevue, WA

Student status and church affiliation Second-year, Master of Divinity; Orthodox Church in America (OCA)

Ordination, Holy Diaconate March 2, 2015, Three Hierarchs Chapel, St. Vladimir's Seminary, by the hand of His Eminence Benjamin, archbishop of San Francisco and the West (OCA), on behalf of His Beatitude Tikhon, archbishop of Washington, metropolitan of All-America and Canada

Educational and professional background Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Indiana University of Pennsylvania;, employed in information technology sector, most recently, Software Development Manager for Amazon

Biographical note Born in Pennsylvania, Dn. Michael grew up as the son of an Orthodox Christian priest. Shortly after beginning the OCA's Diaconal Vocations Program in 2012, he, with his wife, Xenia (Tzila), decided to come to the seminary. After Dn. Michael finishes his studies, they will either return to their home in the Pacific Northwest or minister wherever God may call them.

View the photo gallery
Father Joshua Trant, Dallas, TX

Student status and church affiliation Third-year, Master of Divinity; Orthodox Church in America (OCA)

Ordination, Holy Priesthood Feast of the Annunciation, March 25 2015, Three Hierarchs Chapel, St. Vladimir's Seminary, by the hand of His Beatitude Tikhon, archbishop of Washington, metropolitan of All-America and Canada (OCA)

Educational and professional background Bachelor of Arts in Intercultural Studies from Houghton College, Houghton, NY; Language Surveyor for Wycliffe Bible Translators, (South Asia); 8th-grade English teacher, Dallas, TX

Biographical note While living and working in Dallas, Fr. Joshua, with his wife, Heather, attended St. Seraphim Cathedral. In 2013, the Trants welcomed the newest member of their family, Tabitha.

View the photo gallery
Father Joshua Burnett, Pittsburgh, PA

Student status and church affiliation Third-year, Master of Divinity; Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA)

Ordination, Holy Priesthood May 3, 2015, St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Little Falls, NJ, by the hand of His Grace Nicholas, auxiliary bishop of Brooklyn, on behalf of His Eminence Joseph, archbishop of New York and metropolitan of All North America (AOCANA); concelebrants: the Very Reverend Dimitri Darwich, rector of St. George; the Reverend Michael Ibrahim; and fellow Antiochian St. Vladimir's seminarians, the Reverend Gabriel Tannous, the Reverend Mark Vair, and Deacon Scott Miller

Educational and professional background Bachelor of Arts in English, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; high school English teacher with "Teach for America," St. Louis Public Schools; and director of nonprofit school garden program, Pittsburgh, PA

Seminarian parish placement St. Stephen Orthodox Church, South Plainfield, NJ (AOCANA), under the mentorship of the Very Reverend Stephen Tewfik

Biographical note Father Joshua and Kh. Meredith have four children: Katherine, Naomi, Isaiah, and Gideon.

View the photo gallery
Deacon Paul Girgis, Richland, WA

Student status and church affiliation First-year, Master of Divinity; Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA)

Ordination, Holy Diaconate May 3, 2015, St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Little Falls, NJ, by the hand of His Grace Nicholas, auxiliary bishop of Brooklyn, on behalf of His Eminence Joseph, archbishop of New York and metropolitan of All North America (AOCANA); concelebrants: the Very Reverend Dimitri Darwich, rector of St. George; the Reverend Michael Ibrahim; and fellow Antiochian St. Vladimir's seminarians, the Reverend Gabriel Tannous, the Reverend Mark Vair, and Deacon Scott Miller

Educational and professional background Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Washington State University; Project Controls Professional at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Seminarian parish placement St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Little Falls, NJ (AOCANA), under the mentorship of the Very Reverend Dimitri Darwich

Biographical note Born in Jounieh, Lebanon, during a 15-year civil war, Dn. Paul left his home country (at about age 2) when his family fled to the island of Cyprus; eventually his parents made their way to the United States, where they raised three children. In 2011 Dn. Paul married his wife Dana (Thekla) at Holy Cross Antiochian Orthodox Church, Yakima, WA, and they were blessed with two children, a son and daughter: Elijah Michael and Ana Grace.

View the photo gallery
Deacon John Edward, New York, NY

Student status Senior-year, Master of Arts; Orthodox Church In America (OCA)

Ordination, Holy Diaconate May 10, 2015, Three Hierarchs Chapel, St. Vladimir's Seminary, by the hand of His Eminence Irénée, archbishop of Ottawa and the Archdiocese of Canada, Orthodox Church in America (OCA)

Educational background Master of Divinity, Union Biblical Seminary, Pune India; Master of Theology, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ; Anglican priest, serving in Malaysia, and in the Episcopal Church in the United States; later employed by Catholic Charities

Seminarian parish placement Ss. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, Jersey City, NJ (OCA), under the mentorship of the Very Reverend Joseph Lickwar

Biographical note Deacon John converted to the Orthodox faith in 2014. He and his wife, Suja, have three children.

St. Vladimir's Seminary Press (SVS Press), the publishing house of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, has launched a new series highlighting the history and spirituality of the ancient Coptic Orthodox Church. The first book in the "Coptic Studies Series," titled, The Life of Repentance and Purity, was authored by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III and is scheduled for release by December 2015. His Grace Anba Suriel (Guirgis), bishop of the Coptic Diocese of Melbourne and Affiliated Regions, Australia, who studied at St. Vladimir's from 1998–1999, is Series Editor for the new line of books.

Pope Shenouda's book was first translated from Arabic in 1989 by Bishop Suriel and was published in 1991 by the Coptic Orthodox Publication and Translation Committee in Sydney. The new translation, also by Bishop Suriel, will include editions and patristic references and will be a joint publication between SVS Press and St. Athanasius Press, the fledgling publishing house of St. Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Theological College in Donvale, Australia, where His Grace acts as Dean.

"This is a big step for us," noted Bishop Suriel. "Being in cooperation with SVS Press, which is well known around the world—even outside of Orthodox circles—will provide more recognition of our own theological press.

"I am deeply indebted to Father Athanasius Farag, Father Bishoy Lamie, Phoebe Farag, and several others who worked tirelessly to prepare the manuscript that was presented to SVS Press," he continued. "I am also grateful to Father John Behr, dean of St. Vladimir's, and to Michael Soroka and Dn. Gregory Hatrak, who are employed at SVS Press, for their hard work in assisting in bringing this work to light once more—in a much better edition!

"We hope to be able to publish more works in the future, especially with the new series, which we are very excited about," he said. "We want not only to raise the profile of our school but also to emphasize the importance of Coptic studies."

One of the titles that His Grace will propose for the "Coptic Studies Series" is a book about the life and work of Archdeacon Habib Girgis, former dean of the Coptic Seminary in Cairo, Egypt, who was recently canonized by the Coptic Orthodox Church. St. Habib Girgis greatly influenced the Coptic community by urging its members to develop educational curricula that would revitalize their faith, which in the early 20th century was being challenged by foreign missionaries.

"The ties between St. Vladimir's Seminary and St. Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Theological College have been strengthening during the past few years,"  acknowledged Fr. John Behr. "Both Bishop Suriel and I, as the Deans of two theological institutions—who also happen to be close friends—highly value theological education and acknowledge the importance of rapprochement between the Oriental and Eastern Orthodox traditions in the 21st century."

In 2013 Bishop Suriel hosted Fr. John during an eventful trip to Egypt, where he was guest of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria. During his visit Fr. John delivered a paper titled, "Orthodox Theological Education in the Twenty-First Century," at the "Theological and Ecclesiastical Institutes Seminar," which explored the spiritual formation of theological students. Held at the Anaphora Institute, a retreat and training center near the desert road between Cairo and Alexandria, the seminar featured talks by eminent Coptic bishops, clergy, and scholars.

Bishop Suriel visited St. Vladimir's campus in 2013, at which time he met with Fr. John Behr to discuss greater collaborative efforts between the two theological schools, including exchanges of students and faculty. As a result Fr. John, professor of Patristics at St. Vladimir's and globally renowned in his field, will be teaching a Patristics course at St. Athanasius in the fall of 2015. Further into the future, both deans envision a Coptic House of Studies on the Yonkers campus, at which faculty from the Coptic Church may provide special liturgical and pastoral formation to students from that tradition.

Bishop Suriel was featured in The SVS Vine: Annual Report FY 2014, which included a video of his plea for prayer for persecuted Coptic Christians.