The long-standing and close relationship between St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, New Rochelle, NY, and St. Vladimir's Seminary was especially highlighted during the Paschal season. In April, Armenian Christian students—who study on both campuses—warmly welcomed St. Vladimir's Chancellor/CEO, the Very Reverend Dr. Chad Hatfield, and his wife, Matushka Thekla, to a family-like dinner in the dining hall at St. Nersess.

The Reverend Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Nersess and graduate of St. Vladimir's (M.Div. '76), acted as host. He presented Fr. Chad and Matushka Thekla with an exquisitely carved, wooden paschal cross; in return, Fr. Chad presented Fr. Mardiros with newly published books from St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, as a gift to St. Nersess' library.

"As we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide," said Fr. Chad, "we stand firmly with our Armenian brothers and sisters, and we recognize rapprochement between Eastern and Oriental Orthodox as the most important ecumenical issue of our times." Father Chad also encouraged senior seminarians in their future ministries.

St. Nersess Armenian Seminary became affiliated with St. Vladimir's Seminary in 1967; at that time Armenian students enrolled in the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program at St. Vladimir's resided on its campus, while maintaining their own liturgical life and taking specialized courses bearing on priestly ministry within the Armenian Church. Upon completion of their joint program, Armenian students received their M.Div. degree from St. Vladimir's and a Diploma in Armenian Church Studies from St. Nersess. In 1971 the first Armenian student graduated from the joint program.

In 1977 St. Nersess purchased its present campus in New Rochelle. In 1982 the Reverend Arshen Aivazyan became the first St. Nersess alumnus to be appointed its Dean, and the Armenian seminary's affiliation with St. Vladimir's was formalized.

Read a reflection by Armenian student Katheryn Ashbahian

Photos by Dn. Levon Altiparmakian

Seminary alumnus Fr. John Leonard (M.Div. '72, M.Th. '73) peacefully fell asleep in the Lord on Tuesday, April 28, 2015, in the late afternoon.

"Father John was a great friend and superlative representative of all that is best in our alumni," said Theodore Bazil, senior advisor for Advancement at St. Vladimir's Seminary.

Father John, who hailed from Grand Rapids, Michigan, was a former foreign-service officer for the U.S. government. After receiving his seminary education, he decided to enter the Melkite priesthood. He and his wife, Barbara, made their home for many years at the secluded Convent of the Annunciation-St. John the Baptist, in Israel, which was also home to several semi-cloistered nuns.

Father John's ministry as chaplain to this community of nuns in Nazareth for twenty-three years allowed him to add a rich component of books on Islamic, Jewish, and biblical archeological studies to his private library, which he carefully had collected over a span of 50 years. In 2011, he donated more than 3,000 books to the seminary's Father Georges Florovsky Library.

The collection attested to Fr. John's own mastery of languages, and included a book in the Samaritan language. The collection also was representative of his lifelong interest and reading in Eastern and Western theology, Christian art and literature, and biblical studies, as well as many other subjects—more than 900 titles of his donation to the seminary's library comprised a section on Christian art and architecture.

The entire seminary community offers prayer for Fr. John, and sends loving condolences to his wife, Barbara, and their family. Memory Eternal!

Details of funeral arrangements and a link to Fr. John's obituary are available here.
Read about Fr. John's generous library donation in 2011.

On April 18, the annual One Day Conference for G.R.O.W. (God Renewing Orthodox Women) Ministry convened on the campus of St. Vladimir's Seminary in Yonkers, NY. This was the fourth diocesan conference hosted by G.R.O.W., the young women's ministry of the Northeast American Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Women from Virginia to Boston attended the gathering.

The theme of the conference was "In God We Trust," based on Psalm 62:5: "For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from Him." As in previous years, we were once again extremely honored to have the Diocesan Metropolitan, His Grace Zachariah Mar Nicholovos, bless us with his presence and his words. His Grace, who formally established the young women's ministry and is an appointed member of the St. Vladimir's Board of Trustees, expressed his joy in the growth of the ministry and in the work God is doing through it. His Grace also encouraged the attendees to take an active role in the ministry.

The main speaker for this year was Ms. Katrina Bitar, a graduate of St. Vladimir's Seminary, and the Director of the Yes! Program of FOCUS North America. Katrina talked about how humans are motivated by fear and love, and said that our relationships grow through our struggles. She emphasized that trusting is more about self-forgetfulness, and that God uses pain to help us meet with Him.

In addition to the main speaker, two workshops were conducted. One workshop was titled "Christian Meditation" and was led by the Reverend Fr. M. K. Kuriakose, the vicar of St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Church, Unruh Avenue, Philadelphia. Father Kuriakose taught participants how proper meditation time can not only strengthen one's mind, but also the soul and body. Women learned how even in silence, God works in us. The other workshop was led by Protodeacon Joseph Matusiak, director of Admissions, Financial Aid, and Alumni Relations at St. Vladimir's. Using the iconography of the Three Hierarchs Chapel at seminary, Pdn. Joseph led the participants in a discussion designed to help them engage with the iconography and sacred space of the Orthodox Church.

Discussions were held in small groups where women met with other women of similar age and had real lively discussions. There was also an open forum where the women had an opportunity to ask the Metropolitan and the guest speaker any questions that they had. In addition, there was a digital scavenger hunt for all the women and an activity for high school, college, and the singles/professional groups.

One of the main highlights of the conference was a campus tour that included a visit to the bookstore, where the women were given some time to browse and purchase books, prayer ropes, CDs, seminary t-shirts, and other items. It was also a beautiful experience to conduct the noon prayers in the Three Hierarchs Chapel, adorned with paschal flowers after the Feast of Resurrection. Women enjoyed the fellowship during lunch time, and were especially blessed with a beautiful sunny day. All women were given journals that highlighted the theme, and there were theme-based t-shirts available on sale.

The conference came to a close as the women spent time in spiritual reflection. During this time, the participants were encouraged to think about the power of the God in whom we trust — the God who has the power to part the Red Sea. They were reminded that like the people of Israel, they were chosen and that each one of them is precious in the sight of God. The participants were given time to write down their own "Red Sea," i.e., their own obstacles in trusting God and the struggles they face in their lives. As they watched a video of the parting of the Red Sea, they were reminded that they can cast their burdens on the Lord. Each woman individually came up before the icon of Christ and was given an affirmation card with the theme verse and a prayer, as well as a prayer card based on this year's conference theme. The spiritual reflection ended with the women reading these prayers together.

Through the support of the clergy and seminarians present, the volunteers from various churches, and the prayerful support from all the various spiritual organizations and friends, the conference was fruitful and uplifting. We acknowledge the cooperation and support of St. Vladimir's Seminary in hosting this conference.

The mission of G.R.O.W. Ministry is to help women be active in their Orthodox faith and to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ, and to help them in their daily lives with the support and prayers of their sisters in the Church. Glory to God for a beautiful and blessed day!

Representatives from St. Vladimir's, St. Tikhon's, Christ the Savior, and St. Herman seminaries joined Hellenic College/Holy Cross (HCHC) Greek Orthodox School of Theology students for the 2015 Orthodox Inter-Seminary Meeting (OISM) hosted by HCHC in Brookline, MA. This year's theme was "Building Community," with talks offered by His Grace The Right Reverend John Abdalah (SVOTS '84), auxiliary bishop for the Antiochian Archdiocese's Diocese of Worcester and New England, and Fr. Edward Hughes (SVOTS '80), the Vicar General of The Western Rite Commission in the Antiochian Archdiocese.

We arrived Friday evening and had an opportunity to get to know one another and compare our typical days and course loads at seminary. On Saturday morning we were given a tour of the Hellenic College/Holy Cross campus, which rests on 30 scenic acres just outside the city of Boston. We were first taken to the Archbishop Iakovos Library, which houses an extensive theological and cultural collection. In the library, we reflected on the legacy of His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos (+2005), former primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, as we viewed sacred artifacts and archives related to his life. We continued the tour through the classrooms and gym, ending up at the chapel.

After brunch we had our first talk by Bishop John. His discussion on community building focused on respecting the unique individuals that comprise a community. He referenced Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann's idea that each person is a cosmos, and should be approached and treated thus. Bishop John asserted that understanding the uniqueness of individuals isn't incongruous with community building, but is in fact important to the health of parishes. He reminded us that our task as church leaders isn't to bring God to any person or situation, but rather to be present, and in so doing reveal the God Who is already there.

After a small break, Fr. Edward led our second talk. He spoke on the upcoming Great and Holy Council of 2016, and what the possible outcomes could be for the Orthodox churches in America. Our evening concluded with Vespers, dinner, and the OISM business meeting. On Sunday we gathered for the celebration of Divine Liturgy, followed by brunch.

All in all, the event offered a meaningful time of fellowship with students from other seminaries, and a timely reminder of the importance of building relationships across jurisdictional lines. The next OISM retreat is scheduled for Fall 2015 at St. Tikhon's in South Canaan, PA.

In his sales trip to the United Kingdom, the Reverend Dn. Gregory Hatrak, director of Marketing and Operations for SVS Press and Bookstore, was reminded once again of the far reach of St. Vladimir's Seminary's publishing house. "I visited major bookshops in London, such as the large stores in Westminster Cathedral. Walking into a store without anyone touring with me, I was greeted with warmth and recognition as soon as I said I was from SVS Press.

"Our distribution agreement with The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (SPCK) has allowed us to reach more shops and stores in the UK," continued Dn. Gregory, referring to the increasingly positive and productive relationship SVS Press enjoys with its UK distributor. "Our sales from that part of the world, both in parishes and the major universities and colleges, have been steadily increasing. We will soon be launching an online presence for SVS Press in the UK through the SPCK, which will expand our reach even further." A venerable English publishing institution, SPCK was founded in 1698 and is under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Deacon Gregory connected with the greater Orthodox community while in London, serving at the Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers in the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Sava. He also took the opportunity to strengthen the Press's Anglican connections, through visits to the Anglican institutions of Sarum College and the Winchester and Salisbury Cathedrals. He was graciously received by his English hosts: Jenny Monds, director of Learning Resources at Sarum College; William Cole, Resources Room coordinator at the Winchester Cathedral; and Alan Mordue, the SVS Press sales representative in the UK. Both at the College and the Cathedrals, the presence of SVS Press books was in evidence.

"We are delighted that the Press is making inroads in the UK religious market," concluded Dn. Gregory after returning to the U.S, "and that our books will increasingly find their way into the hands of inquirers and faithful Orthodox Christians 'across the pond.'"

Read excerpts from some of the latest SVS Press releases.

Of your charity, please join our community in continued prayers for the family of St. Vladimir's Seminary's Dean Emeritus, Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko, who reposed in the Lord March 18, 2015, and for his soul. Father Thomas's family has posted a beautiful, edifying memorial on a special website.

Please keep in prayer also Archpriest Paul Lazor, former Dean of Students, and Matushka Juliana Schmemann, wife of our former Dean, Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann.

Father Matthew Jeremy Baker, a St. Vladimir's alumnus and pastor at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Norwich, CT, died in a tragic auto accident in Connecticut on Sunday evening, March 1, following the service for the Sunday of Orthodoxy. He was 37 years old. He is survived by his wife, Presbytera Katherine, and six children.

A service for the repose of his soul was held Monday, March 2, 2015, at 5 p.m., in Three Hierarchs Chapel on the seminary campus. In his tribute at the end of the service, Fr. Herman (Majkrzak), lecturer in Liturgical Music, noted that "Fr. Matthew, in Christ, is now seeing the triumph of Orthodoxy much sooner than he expected, this triumph for which he labored single-mindedly." 

Father Matthew lived on the campus of St. Vladimir’s Seminary while he attended a Ph.D. program at Fordham University, starting in 2011; during that time, he also took one course at St. Vladimir’s. He had already earned his Master of Divinity degree from St. Tikhon’s Seminary, South Canaan, PA, in 2008, and his Master of Arts degree from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, Brookline, MA, in 2010.

In January 2014 he was ordained to the priesthood by His Eminence Methodios, metropolitan of the Metropolis of Boston of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North America, and in that same month he began teaching as an adjunct professor in Theology at Hellenic College/Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. He also had been just recently assigned as pastor to Holy Trinity.

“Father Matthew Baker was a gifted and talented young scholar whose untimely death is a tragic loss for us all,” noted seminary dean the Very Reverend Dr. John Behr, “but especially of course for Presbytera Katherine and their children.

“They are all in our prayers,” Fr. John said. “May his memory be eternal and may he rise in glory.”

View funeral arrangements.
Read the tribute to Father Matthew by His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of the Metropolis of Boston, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North America.
Read Fr. Herman's tribute, delivered in Three Hierarchs Chapel.
Read Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick's tribute to his brother in Christ.
Donations may be made to Father Matthew's family at gofundme.com.

Fordham University has announced the creation of the “Father John Meyendorff & Patterson Family Chair of Orthodox Christian Studies,” a professorship within the Orthodox Christian Studies Center of the university.  Solon and Marianna Patterson of Atlanta, and their family, endowed the chair with the intention of its being held by a recognized scholar of Orthodox Christian Studies, who also has a specialization in the relationship between Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions.

The inaugural chair holder will be installed in a special public ceremony the evening of Monday, October 5, 2015, at Fordham's Rose Hill campus in the Bronx. The university will be announcing the appointment to the chair in the summer of 2015.

Fordham's president, the Reverend Joseph M. McShane, S.J., remarked on the timely significance of the vision and purpose of the chair, saying, “We are deeply grateful to the Patterson family for making possible this addition to serious scholarship in Orthodox Studies at Fordham. John Meyendorff was the most significant English-speaking historian of Byzantine Christianity in the twentieth century, and a familiar presence at Rose Hill. We are therefore very pleased that his name, as well as that of the Patterson family, will forever be associated with Fordham.”

Appropriately, the new chair honors Protopresbyter John Meyendorff (1926–1992), who was both Professor of Byzantine History at Fordham and also Professor of Church History and Patristics at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, as well as its dean. Father Meyendorff’s scholarly works—particularly his writings on the Great Schism of 1054, the nature of authority in the Church, and the primacy of Peter—greatly contributed to Orthodox-Catholic official dialogues. Besides being a participant in many of those dialogues, Father Meyendorff acted as an astute observer and detailed chronicler of them, with an intensely personal interest in their continuation (e.g., his article, “Orthodox-Roman Catholic Dialogue Faces Snags,” St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Quarterly 30:4, 1986).

Reflecting upon the newly endowed chair, the Pattersons remarked, “We believe the endowment of this chair to be an integral part of our lifetime commitment to encourage and pursue reconciliation between the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, and we are honored to name it after a priest and scholar who was equally committed to dialogue between these two great Christian bodies.”

Father Meyendorff was a member of the North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation from its inception in 1965. His son, Dr. Paul Meyendorff, the Father Alexander Schmemann Professor of Liturgical Theology at St. Vladimir’s Seminary, continues his legacy by actively participating in that body. As well, Professor Meyendorff is a member of the international St. Irenaeus Orthodox-Catholic Working Group, an informal group of Catholic and Orthodox theologians that has been meeting annually since 2004.

The mission of the Orthodox Christian Studies Center is to foster intellectual inquiry by supporting scholarship and teaching that is critical to the ecclesial community, public discourse, and the promotion of Christian unity. The Center was co-founded in 2012 by Fordham professors George E. Demacopoulos and Aristotle Papanikolaou. Dr. Papanikolaou, who holds the Archbishop Demetrios Chair in Orthodox Theology and Culture, also studied with Father Meyendorff. 

Remembering Father Meyendorff’s instruction and sensitivity to Orthodox-Catholic relations, Dr. Papanikolaou, said, “I had the privilege of taking one of Father Meyendorff’s classes at Fordham and having him as my advisor to my Honors Thesis. This chair will always remind us of his invaluable role in the story of Orthodoxy at Fordham.”

Dr. Demacopoulos, in noting the benefit of the new chair to the Orthodox Christian Studies Center, concluded, "Father Meyendorff’s combination of scholarly achievement and constructive friendship with the Jesuit community laid the foundation for the Orthodox Christian Studies Center at Fordham, and we are delighted to be able to honor him in this way."

See related post from Fordham University

Clergy and faithful from parishes across the Diocese of the West in the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) congregated at Holy Trinity Cathedral in San Francisco, CA, for the consecration of Bishop-Elect Daniel (Brum) during the Hierarchical Liturgy. The new Bishop of Santa Rosa will serve as Auxiliary to His Eminence The Most Reverend Benjamin, archbishop of San Francisco and the West. His Beatitude The Most Blessed Tikhon, archbishop of Washington, and metropolitan of All America and Canada (OCA), presided, and six other hierarchs concelebrated.

Bishop-Elect Daniel was canonically elected by members of the OCA's Holy Synod of Bishops on October 21, 2014. On the eve of the consecration, the hierarchs celebrated the Rite of Nomination of the Bishop, after which Bishop-Elect Daniel gave an acceptance speech and then served Great Vespers for the feast of Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg.

Seminary Chancellor/CEO, The Very Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield, and The Very Rev. Dr. Alexander Rentel, assistant professor of Canon Law and Byzantine Studies, represented St. Vladimir's at the consecration, along with many alumni and friends of the Seminary who live within the Diocese of the West. Father Alexander and Bishop Daniel serve together as canonical consultants for the OCA's Statute Revision Task Force; the newly-consecrated bishop received his degree in Canon Law (JCL) from the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., in 1995.

"I've known Bishop Daniel for a number of years now," reflected Fr. Alex, "working with him on any number of projects, most recently the revision of the OCA Statute. I was honored to represent the seminary at his ordination, but also to be there as his friend."

At the conclusion of the Hierarchical Liturgy, Metropolitan Tikhon offered words of exhortation to Bishop Daniel. His Grace Bishop John of Naro-Fominsk, administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, also greeted the newly consecrated Bishop and presented him with an icon of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk.

• Read the full report on oca.org
• View the photo gallery
• Read Bishop Daniel's address

 The Reverend Deacon David George Daumit, alumnus and former member of St. Vladimir's Seminary’s Board of Trustees, reposed in the Lord on January 28, 2015, at the age of 59. Ordained to the Holy Diaconate on March 21, 2010, Dn. David had been serving at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Phoenix, AZ, with The Very Reverend Christopher Salamy.

St. Vladimir's Alumni Association Board Chair and fellow St. George parishioner Gregory Abdalah notes, “As a trustee and an alumnus, Dn. David was an excellent witness to the gospel and to the mission of St. Vladimir's. He provided a wonderful model of service and humility in his years as a student, and then later, when he served on our Board. As a mentor to many, his presence will be greatly missed.”

In addition to earning his M.Div. degree and M.A. in Religious Education degree in 1984 from St. Vladimir’s, Dn. David also earned an M.S. degree in Gerontology. While at Seminary, and following his graduation, Dn. David served as the Assistant Director and Director of the Department of Youth Affairs of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese, and was also given a grant under the direction of The Very Reverend Dr. Joseph Allen, to research the creation of a Department of Ministry to the Aged.

Deacon David spent the last 25 years in the Senior Services industry, most of which have been in the Assisted Living sector. He started his first assisted living company, Potomac Group Home Corporation, in 1989. In 1990, in conjunction with the greater Washington chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, he developed the first specialized activities program for Alzheimer’s residents. He retired from Potomac Homes in 2004.

Deacon David most recently was operating New Dawn, an Assisted Living and specialty Alzheimer’s Care company, of which he was Founder and CEO. He had served on the National Board of Directors of the Alzheimer’s Association, The National Board of Directors of The Assisted Living Federation of America, and several state chapter boards, including Maryland and New Jersey.

Deacon David is survived by his loving wife, Ronice, and three children, Rebecca, Harmony, and Travis; and three beautiful grandchildren, Addison, Jackson, and Nola; and brothers Rick and Ronald.

St. Vladimir’s representatives who will be attending Dn. David’s funeral include Chancellor/CEO The Very Reverend Dr. Chad Hatfield, Board of Trustees Treasurer Anthony Kasmer, Associate Chancellor for Finance Melanie Ringa, and Senior Advisor for Advancement Theodore Bazil.

The funeral schedule is as follows:

Sunday, Feb 1, 2015—Trisagion Prayers following Divine Liturgy

Thursday, Feb 5, 2015—Viewing from 5 p.m.–7 p.m. and Trisagion at 6:30 p.m., St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church

Friday, Feb 6, 2015—Funeral 10 a.m., followed by the Interment at Paradise Memorial Gardens

A Meal of Mercy will be offered in memory of Dn. David in The Legacy Ballroom following the interment.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church (4530 E. Gold Dust Ave., Phoenix, AZ  85028) in Dn. David's memory. All memorial gifts will be used for St. George's ministry to senior citizens.