Mihailo Vlajkovic came to St Vladimir’s Seminary from Serbia in August 2022. He is enrolled in the M.A. program, continuing a theological education that began in his home country many years ago. In this student spotlight interview, Mihailo shared his background, his thoughts on life and study at St Vladimir’s Seminary, and ideas and hopes for the future.
Mihailo, can you tell us about your hometown and your family in Serbia?
My hometown is named Pozega. It's a small town, the whole municipality has around 30,000 people. My family lives there now, not really directly in the city, but in a small village. It's located in the Western region of Serbia, in the Diocese of Žiča, which is most famous because of St Sava, or for American Orthodox people, because of St Nikolaj Velimirović. We have many other famous priests and saints, but those are the most well-known. I have two younger brothers and a sister living there, besides my parents, and they're enjoying their life, their school, and other everyday life activities. I moved away from them seven years ago for my studies. Of course, I always try to come back home and visit them as much as I can.
What did you study before coming to St Vladimir’s Seminary?
I did my bachelor studies in Orthodox theological studies at the University of Belgrade in Serbia, but besides Serbia, I had opportunities to complete short academic programs and internships in a few other countries, such as Croatia, Hungary, and Greece. I participated in several other programs connected to theology, philosophy, and religion that were meant to encourage young scholars to think about modern approaches to problems. I would say that it was a very good opportunity to have all that experience, especially related to issues connected with the Balkan region. I also had the opportunity to study the Greek language in Greece for a summer, which I actually continued doing in Belgrade. That helped me a lot to start to understand and feel more familiar with people in other Orthodox churches.
How did you decide to come to St Vladimir's Seminary?
During my bachelor program, I was always listening to Fr Schmemann and Fr Florovsky and other famous theologians who have a very strong tradition in relation to the Serbian Orthodox Church. I was always thinking about how nice it would be to one day at least visit this school; I was dreaming of coming here. I didn't really believe that it would be possible, but after a very long process, here I am.
How did you become interested in theology?
Basically, I’ve spent my whole life in church. My family has a long tradition connected with the Church. Both my grandfather and my grandmother went to a monastery around the time when I was born. My aunt, my father's sister, went to a monastery when she was 17 years old, and has been a nun for more than 30 years now. My uncle is a priest here in the States, at St Sava Orthodox Church in Cambridge, MA, and somehow all my life I was going to different churches and many monasteries to visit, in many different dioceses. I was not really sure during my high school years that I would go into theology, because I was very interested in literature and in theater. I like acting, I was active in theater and acting during my high school and undergraduate programs. But somehow, I figured out that I really like theology. And I wanted to connect all those things, what I'm interested in, with theology.
What class or professor has impacted you so far at St Vladimir’s Seminary?
This is a little bit of a difficult question. One class that has impacted me greatly was the class on the Philokalia with Father Maximos. I remember, when we were picking our classes for the semester, I wasn’t sure if I would choose this class, as I had taken classes on the Philokalia before. But I actually heard from my uncle, who studied at Holy Cross, that Fr Maximos is a very good professor, so I took the class. Now, after four months, I would say it feels like a miracle. I came here expecting to develop myself academically, pursuing my master’s degree and so on. But with that class, although it was at a very high academic level (it was my first time having to write so many pages about Patristics!), it also had this deeper side of spirituality, which I might say I had lost, in a sense, in constantly studying all this theology. I will remember all of the Philokalia classes; I could make half a book from the notes I took, things that hit me so strongly, and that changed my way of looking at my life or future.
I would say that I'm not the same person as I was in August when I came here. No matter how hard it was sometimes over the past few months, I'm very thankful for it all now, and I think I will be even more thankful as time goes on. For example, I'm very thankful that these three months have shown me the differences between the way schools are run here and in Europe, because it's a totally different system. I think I have started to get used to all of these differences, and I think the professors here are so open, which I really find very helpful; they are so open to help and give advice, to see when you have struggles, and to be there for you. I think that's something to be respected.
What is it like for you to live and study here at St Vladimir's Seminary?
I feel like maybe it's too early to say it, but it feels like home, maybe because I'm here every day. When you start the morning with prayer and end the day with prayer, and you talk with and listen to all these people around you, you cannot be unaffected by all this. I'm a very open person, I like to meet people. And then when you connect all of this to theological study, it sometimes can be hard, as we all come here for different reasons, and from different perspectives, but ultimately, for one main reason: to serve God.
So, I really found a life here. People sometimes say to me, theology seems like the hardest thing to study in the world – how is it going for you? I always answer, theology is only hard if you want to live that which you study; if you're just trying to get grades, it shouldn't be that hard. If you want to really change your life, to follow what you are reading, that can be difficult – but that is actually what makes it more interesting, more lovely.
Life here is full of things to do, like classes or church. We have our service to the community, and we try to give our best because all of us are part of one big family. Then we have free time. Of course, we spend this together -- meeting for movies and discussions, poetry nights, and sports are also included. We have a gym here, we often play basketball when the weather is nice.
What do you hope to do, God willing, after seminary?
This is the hardest question. The thing which I have definitely learned since coming here, is that plans are something which are so easy to change, and I changed a lot of them since I came here. So, I would say that my plan is to give my best with school, and to see what the opportunities are like for me, and where the Church needs me.
Also, I want to say, as a part of the Serbian Orthodox Church, I'm very thankful to professors and priests here for the opportunity to go and meet our bishop and visit a few parish churches. That's something which is very important for us, as foreigners in this country, to see the Orthodox world in such a different sense, with so many different conditions. It can be hard sometimes, but in essence, it's something which we all need. If we are always just stuck inside our own walls, in our own rooms, nothing good can happen. So I'm very thankful for these opportunities.
I don't know what God and the Church will give me in the future, with my future serving, but I'll do my best to take all these experiences and the advice of smarter and more spiritual people to make myself better and one day, God willing, to serve where they send me in the best way I can. So that would be my plan.
2022: By God’s grace, St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) grew and expanded in multiple areas. A few highlights were: accepting the largest student body (43) in recent history for the Fall 2022 semester (the entire student body, across degree programs totaling 101 seminarians, including 14 women), rebuilding seminarian scholarship funds on Giving Tuesday, and starting the development of online Orthodox theological courses and continuing education for clergy nationwide. As always, the primary mission and focus of St Vladimir’s Seminary continues unchanged: to train priests, lay leaders, and scholars to be active apologists of the Orthodox Christian Faith—focusing on academic rigor and spiritual formation within a residential Orthodox community.
JANUARY: On the feast of Theophany, SVOTS President, The Very Rev. Dr Chad Hatfield blessed the Seminary “Troublesome” Creek as part of a festal procession through the campus.
JANUARY: A large group of seminary faculty, staff, and students traveled to Washington D.C. for the annual March for Life.
JANUARY: His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon of All America and Canada led the SVOTS community in celebrating the Synaxis of the Ecumenical Teachers and Hierarchs, Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom, the patronal feast of the campus chapel.
FEBRUARY: The seminary community joined Fr Chad in a “house blessing” for the entire SVOTS campus.
MARCH: Seminarians saying the Prayer of St Ephraim during Presanctified Liturgy in the first week of Great Lent.
MARCH: World-renowned iconographer, Dr George Kordis gave a talk entitled “Tradition and Innovation: The Theology of Rhythm as a Guide in a Sea of Creative Possibilities” at an academic roundtable hosted by the Institute of Sacred Arts.
APRIL: Seminary students and community members participated in a unique, four-day icon-painting workshop given by Dr George Kordis as part of his tenure as an artist in residence with the Institute for Sacred Arts for the Spring 2022 semester.
APRIL: Seminary children sang the Troparion for Palm Sunday in preparation for the festal procession.
APRIL: Let God arise! Let his enemies be scattered! Fr Chad censes the congregation at Pascha.
MAY: Commencement - the graduating class of 2022 with His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, visiting hierarchs, and faculty and trustees of St Vladimir’s Seminary.
JUNE: Practice makes perfect - a participant of the Summer Music Institute hones her choir directing craft.
JUNE: Seminary faculty help train diaconal candidates on campus for the Orthodox Church in America (OCA)’s Diaconal Liturgical Practicum.
JULY: Renowned scholar Dr Michael Legaspi joins SVOTS as associate professor of Biblical Studies (Old Testament).
AUGUST: Education Day was held online via Zoom; the event featured six hours of presentations conducted by SVOTS faculty members, was attended by hundreds online, and raised over $47,000 for seminarian scholarships.
SEPTEMBER: Several distinguished SVOTS faculty members were honored by the announcement of faculty chairs, sponsored by long-standing endowments.
OCTOBER: Over one hundred teens and parents gathered at St Vladimir's Seminary for a Teen SOYO retreat, during which ten SVOTS seminarians from the Antiochian Archdiocese and three from the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) shared their experiences at the seminary.
OCTOBER: St Vladimir’s Seminary hosted its inaugural Annual Academic Symposium, inviting noted scholars to give presentations related to liturgical theology.
OCTOBER: Seminary families gathered for the annual Fall Festival, which included a chili cook-off, games and crafts, and a children’s costume contest.
NOVEMBER: In one of several ordinations held at Three Hierarchs Chapel this year, 3rd year M.Div. student, Dn Alexander Earl, was ordained to the priesthood by the hand of His Eminence, the Most Reverend Alexander, Archbishop of Dallas, the South and the Bulgarian Diocese of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) on Sunday, November 6 - the commemoration of the seminary’s reception of the relics of the Holy Prince Vladimir, Equal to the Apostles and patron saint of the Seminary.
NOVEMBER: Faculty dish up Thanksgiving dinner for seminary students and their families, in a longstanding SVOTS tradition.
DECEMBER: Seminary children gathered at the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium for a special visit from St Nicholas (played by a seminarian)!
DECEMBER: The first post-pandemic Christmas Concert was performed by the St Vladimir’s Seminary Chorale, under the direction of Dr Harrison Russin, singing “Hymns of the Nativity,” a selection of Christmas hymns and carols from various traditions to celebrate the Birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
St Vladimir’s Seminary families gathered in the Rangos Auditorium on the afternoon of Sunday, December 4, in anticipation of a special visit from St Nicholas. Before entering the auditorium, children were instructed to take off their shoes and line them up against the wall in the hallway.
To start things off, Fr John Vazquez (M.Div.’23) read the story of St Nicholas and engaged with the children as they asked questions. At the end of the story hour, each child received $5 to give to someone anonymously, in the same way that St Nicholas gave to the needy in secret. Lindsey Birdsall (Josh Birdsall, M.Div.’23) then led the children in singing a few traditional carols about St Nicholas.
For the main event, St Nicholas (played by seminarian Josh Williams, M.A.’24) arrived in full festal array and visited with the children, who were then sent back out to the hallway, where they found gold coins and clementines in their shoes! The fun continued with hot chocolate and sweet treats, followed by some time to get creative with Christmas crafts.
To conclude the celebration of St Nicholas Day (organized by Denisa Tudorie), the Very Rev. David Garretsen and Matushka Shari gave out gifts to each child from the Fellowship of Orthodox Christian in America (FOCA). Each year, FOCA arranges for different parishes to “adopt” a seminarian family, giving Christmas gifts to the children of students at St Vladimir’s Seminary, in appreciation for their commitment to future service in the Church.
An evening of glorious music to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
On Friday, December 9, at 7 p.m. the St Vladimir’s Seminary Chorale, under the direction of Dr Harrison Russin, will perform “Hymns of the Nativity.” Join us as we prepare our hearts and minds to exalt the birth of Jesus Christ.
The concert will take place in the Three Hierarchs Chapel at St Vladimir’s Seminary.
You can attend the concert in person or watch live online. We will send you a link to watch the concert after you register.
With faith in Christ and hope in the resurrection, we share news of the repose of Leon J. Lysaght, Jr., who served on the Board of Trustees at St Vladimir’s Seminary from 1997 to 2014.
Leon Joseph Lysaght Jr. (Rocky) peacefully departed this earthly life on Dec. 2, 2022, while his family and priest held vigil by his bedside. Leon was born Aug. 25, 1940, to his devoted parents, Helen and Leon Lysaght, Sr. in Butte, Montana. He had an idyllic childhood immersed in Serbian and Butte culture, and he was blessed to have grown up around his beloved grandparents, Soke and Jovo Vucanovich. The profound intellectual and spiritual guidance fostered by his father and grandfather incited Leon's evolving and passionate thirst for knowledge, truth, and his Eastern Orthodox Christian faith.
As an aspiring student-athlete, Leon started his academic journey at Whitman College, majoring in Philosophy. He excelled at track and field and was deeply influenced by his distinguished college track coach, Bill Martin. His philosophical studies inspired an interest in the field of law, and Leon earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago Law School. After practicing law in Helena, Montana, and serving in the United States military as a medic, Leon received a teaching fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania to pursue a Ph.D. in Philosophy. This led to an academic career in which he taught philosophy and law at five universities, in three countries, and on two continents.
Leon's first faculty position was at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, teaching philosophy, which led to a teaching position at Queen's University Belfast in Ireland. After receiving a professorship offer at the University of Detroit School of Law, he and his family moved to Michigan. This position progressed into a distinguished academic career that spanned four decades, which also included serving on the University of Windsor Faculty of Law. His greatest vocational joy was engaging in intellectual discussions with colleagues and students. Leon was born to serve as a teacher. He impacted thousands of students and received numerous teaching awards throughout his career. He was also instrumental in founding the Dual JD Program between the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and the University of Windsor Faculty of Law.
In conjunction with his professional teaching accomplishments, Leon sought to deepen his understanding of the Eastern Orthodox Christian faith. He served for two decades on the Board of Trustees at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, and he developed numerous initiatives and theological dialogues with Orthodox theologians in the United States and abroad. During his long tenure on the Board of Trustees, he served as Chairman of the Legal, Academic Affairs and Statue Revision Committees as well as being a member of the Executive Committee. He took the lead and helped to establish new academic programs and initiatives for the Seminary. Through his leadership, dedication, and skills he played an important role for the cause of theological education at St. Vladimir's Seminary. Upon his retirement in 2014, the Board elected him as Trustee Emeritus, and he was given a gramota in appreciation for his many years of dedicated service.
Fellow long-time SVOTS trustee, Alex Machaskee, served on the board for many years with Leon, and remarked in tribute, “It was a pleasure to serve with Leon on St. Vladimir's Seminary board because of his legal intellect, love of the seminary and candid, constructive suggestions. He took a strong interest in all seminarians and was especially helpful to the Serbian students. May his memory be eternal.”
Leon also found ways to integrate his legal knowledge with his faith by serving as Advisor to the Episcopal Council and Member of the Central Church Council Legal Risk and Compliance Committee of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North, Central, and South America, and as Consultant to the Legal Matters Committee of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America. Additionally, he was a founding member of the Orthodox Christian Attorneys Network. He was the proud recipient of the Czar Dushan Award from the Serbian Bar Association of America.
In 2015, Leon and his cherished wife and spiritual partner, Pam, moved to Glen Arbor permanently after being summer residents since 1994. They became founding members of St. Sebastian Orthodox Christian Church in Traverse City. Leon was filled with gratitude and great joy to see the parish grow well beyond its founding members.
Throughout his life, Leon was a devoted father and grandfather and was passionate about photographing and chronicling their countless activities. Leon's intellectual and spiritual footprint will be greatly missed, but his teachings and his memory will be celebrated by all those he has touched, and most certainly by his family, whose love for him is eternal.
Leon is survived by his loving wife, Pam; his children, Aidan (Carolina, who is a second daughter to him) and Tupper Wierbicki (Robert); and his grandchildren, whom he loved beyond measure, Nolan Lysaght, Cielo Lysaght, Soren Wierbicki, Vuko Wierbicki, and Stevan Martinez (Samantha) whom he considered another grandson.
With faith in Christ and hope in the resurrection, Jack Hill (M.Div.’84) fell asleep in the Lord on November 30, 2022.
Jack Hill loved Christ and the Church, history, the civil war, guns and target shooting, picking on the guitar or banjo, fixing things, making things, solving problems, trains and trollies, animals, backyard squirrels and birds, children, astronomy, and traveling. He had two beautiful daughters through his first marriage and then his beloved son through his second.
Jack Hill was born on December 16, 1943, in Augusta Georgia. As a young man, Jack served in the Army Reserves and then the Air Force. When he left the military, Jack went to work at NASA in Texas, and was a Junior Field Engineer at Mission Control at the time they put a man on the moon.
After the NASA position, Jack worked in Florida with Southern Bell as a Sales Manager and then an Account Manager. While working as an Account Manager he decided to act on a lifelong calling to the ministry. This eventually took him to St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in Yonkers, NY where he earned a Master of Divinity in 1984.
After graduation, he returned to Florida and was hired as Associate Director for Missions at the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC), helping it grow from a small organization to a major focus operation.
In 1995, Jack applied for ordination to the priesthood; upon his ordination, he was assigned and served as a priest for the Greek Archdiocese for 11 years at St. Andrew’s Orthodox Church in Lubbock, Texas. During that time, he guided two young men to go to Seminary and both are now Orthodox priests in the States.
In retirement, Jack enjoyed many joyful years in Canada with his wife, Julianna (M.Div.’84).
He is survived by his loving wife, Dianne Julianna Storheim; children, Danal Ruane (Kevin), Kelly Haven (Glen+), and John-Paul Hill; his grandson, Robert Hickey (Andrea Burnham); great-grandchildren, Kaydence, Robert Jr, Landon, and Remington; siblings, Michael Kilpatrick (Rae), Joan Stallworth (Barney +), and Laura Deragon; and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, extended family and a host of friends.
Jack was predeceased by his mother, Lena Belle Kilpatrick (nee Trader), father, Jack Donald Hill, step-Father, Lloyd Kilpatrick, and brother Kenneth David Hill.
St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) has welcomed women students since the early 1960’s, and its female alumni have gone on to be chaplains, professors, teachers, counselors, missionaries, choir directors, writers, scholars, and lay ministers in the Orthodox Church. No student body in the past, however, has been joined by more than a few women at a time - until this year, when eight women enrolled, bringing the total number of women currently attending SVOTS to 14.
The fourteen women currently studying at St Vladimir’s Seminary come from a wide range of cultural, professional, and educational backgrounds. All, however, are united by one conviction - living, learning, and praying at St Vladimir’s Seminary will form and strengthen their hearts, minds, and souls to serve the Church to the best of their ability.
This student spotlight series on the women at St Vladimir’s Seminary will be presented in three parts, highlighting their varying paths to seminary, their experiences as students, and their ideas and hopes for future service in the Church.
In this third installment, women studying at St Vladimir’s Seminary share hopes and ideas about next steps following the completion of their degree programs. The question discussed here is:
What are your future plans after graduating from SVOTS?
Sophia Mitchel Mattias
My plan is to enter into a Certified Educator Candidate training program to have a part in training and educating future chaplains. I also hope to continue my education in a Marriage and Family Doctoral program. With that, I hope to serve the Church in providing counseling services, education, and research to support couples, marriages and families.
Naomi DeHaan
I hope to continue my studies, whether as a ThM student or up to doctoral level is yet to be determined. I hope to explore more Biblical and near-East poetry as part of my continuing interest in beautiful language.
Mother Veronica Abaskharoun
To be honest, I do not have a particular or specific project because I do not usually set a long-term plan for my life, but I try to give the Lord the chance to reveal His plan for me step by step. Then I can cooperate with Him in that plan. His plans for me were always much higher and greater than my own plans and ambitions.
Mother Cassiana Colchester
Wherever the Lord leads, I will follow.
Julia Yingnan Ji
I aspire to serve adults in their learning and development–lifelong catechesis. I would also like to serve in leadership development work: caring for clergy, supporting religious leaders in their being, and becoming, including caring for their wellbeing and supporting their continued development. Well cared for, supported leaders who continue self-development maximize their serving to our churches. Further, I aspire to contribute to attempts and discourse on spiritual formation in public spheres. I hope, rooted in my spiritual home as an Orthodox Christian, to collaborate with people with common values to forge a path of transformation as an interactive, loving relationship with Jesus Christ, and with one another, that is, an approach of spiritual friendship–accessible to all who live life as pilgrimage.
Andjelka Stankovic
I want to continue my education, and to work in the field of theology, if I get a chance. That way I would fulfill my goal, and that is to give my contribution to the Church and people.
Kripaya Varghese
After graduating from SVOTS, I have a desire to bring my two masters degrees together (Social Work and Theology) and help those in need within the church, as well as outside. I also look forward to speaking with young women in the church about their roles and empowering them to actively seek Christ in their lives. I hope that there will be many more Malankara Orthodox females after me who pursue a degree in theology here at SVOTS. All in all, wherever God leads me, there I will follow.
Mother Devorah Salamon
I'm kind of reluctant to speak about my future plans just because I really just try to put it all in the hands of God. The way I got here, the way I got to DC, and the way that I got to my university - all have been these spontaneous callings that I answered; there was a lot of grace that helped me get to the point when I felt like okay, God is putting a particular thing on my heart. So, I don't want to analyze and plan out too much. I just know that if I feel like something is being put on my heart, I will look into it and see if God opens the doors.
Laura Ionescu
I’m very interested in iconography, and music as well. I’ve been thinking about trying to go to Romania during the summer to do an internship or a workshop on iconography. And hopefully, if God wills, I can become an iconographer.
In terms of music, I’ve also thought about becoming a cantor. My mom was really the seed of music for me. She came from Romania, where she took part in musical education through high school. When she came to America, she taught piano lessons; she also taught me how to harmonize in church. So, she was the seed of both my religious and musical education, and everything sprung from there.
I don’t know for sure what will come next - we’ll see how things go. Wherever God wants me, that’s where I’ll hopefully be.
Nino Tskitishvili
I want to apply for the Master in Theology (Th.M.) to develop my skills in academic thesis-writing and research. After that, I will probably pursue a PhD.
I want to stay in America for up to ten years, to gain the knowledge and education I am seeking. Afterwards, I will go back to Georgia to be an educator. Unfortunately, educated people are mostly leaving Georgia right now, because the situation there is really bad. What I want to do is go back after I finish my education and gain some working experience, and be useful there. I believe some good changes can be made there in the future.
Amber Prather
We have too many ideas for the future, and none of them are set in stone. Part of the difficulty is that he and I are from different dioceses in the OCA - I'm from the Diocese of the West, he's from the Diocese of the Midwest, so there are a lot of conversations that still have to happen. If Andrew is ordained, one idea we love is for him to serve as a deacon in an active parish for a couple of years and then as a priest of a mission parish somewhere. We would love, if possible, to even spend some time serving in Norway, where I had originally planned to become a missionary.
St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) has welcomed women students since the early 1960’s, and its female alumni have gone on to be chaplains, professors, teachers, counselors, missionaries, choir directors, writers, scholars, and lay ministers in the Orthodox Church. No student body in the past, however, has been joined by more than a few women at a time - until this year, when eight women enrolled, bringing the total number of women currently attending SVOTS to fourteen.
The fourteen women currently studying at St Vladimir’s Seminary come from a wide range of cultural, professional, and educational backgrounds. All, however, are united by one conviction - living, learning, and praying at St Vladimir’s Seminary will form and strengthen their hearts, minds, and souls to serve the Church to the best of their ability.
This student spotlight series on the women at St Vladimir’s Seminary will be presented in three parts, highlighting their varying paths to seminary, their experiences as students, and their ideas and hopes for future service in the Church.
In this second installment, women studying at St Vladimir’s Seminary speak about daily life, study, and prayer at Seminary, exploring their research interests and the impact of living in a church-centered community on their own spiritual and personal development. The questions discussed here are:
What is your current program of study at St Vladimir's?
Are there any particular classes or professors that have made a particular impact on you? If yes, please elaborate.
What is your daily life like at St Vladimir's Seminary?
Sophia Mitchell Matias
I am currently in my third year in the Master of Divinity degree program.
While at St Vladimir’s Seminary, there have been many encounters that have left an imprint on my life, both inside and outside of the classroom. One moment stands out and that is when Fr. Bogdan Bucur took the time to ask me about me, my journey, and what led me to the Orthodox Church. His expressed genuine curiosity and the retelling of my journey, helped me to be reminded of how my arrival at this place and time in my life is providential. It also exemplified the importance of asking people about their story.
Daily life at St Vladimir’s Seminary is like attending a dance. The dance is the Church and the services she provides us in a rhythmic pattern. The Church teaches us to follow her pattern-- she teaches, nourishes, and gives us purpose. Everything revolves around her rhythm. We have the honor of being invited to assist in maintaining her rhythm-- we attend, we learn, we work. Sometimes keeping up with her pace is challenging, but it's the introduction needed to know what it means to serve her. We pray, we learn, we eat, we work, we feel weak, we feel strong, we feel inadequate, we feel smart, we feel not so smart, we feel overwhelmed and we rest any moment we can.
Naomi DeHaan
I am studying for a Master of Arts in theological scholarship and research.
The class that made the most impact on me was a year ago, during my time in the visiting scholar's program. I was auditing Fr Bogdan's Old Testament class, which came highly recommended from other students. It was life-changing. I learned ways of seeing the Scriptures that I had never imagined. I am very much looking forward to studying under him again next semester, in the patristics class.
Daily life at St Vladimir’s Seminary is intense! It also varies, depending on which day of the week, and which week of a three-week rotation for meal crew. The morning starts with a matins service at 0730. That is followed by breakfast and a few minutes to review class materials. First class starts at 0915. If it is the one morning in the week that I don't have class, then I'm usually in the library, working on research projects, or meeting with professors. If I'm in class, we usually have a break at 1030 for coffee and stretching. Lunch is usually at 1215. If I'm on lunch meal crew, then I have to run to the refectory right after class to get lunch set up. We have a chef who does the cooking for lunch and supper, but some students are assigned "obediences" that include meal set up and cleanup. I'm usually doing dishes right up till the 1300 mid-day-meeting activity, which for me is two different choir rehearsals (in fact, I'm usually late for rehearsal when it's my week for lunch crew). After rehearsal, I go to my afternoon class, which runs until 1645, 15 minutes before Vespers, with a short break usually around 1530. If I'm on the evening meal crew, I have to run to the refectory to get the warmers going before Vespers. If meal crew is on either breakfast or supper that week, I have to leave the service after about 20 minutes in order to set up the meal. Much of my student life is dominated by my "obedience," which requires constant attention and focus.
There are a few evening activities that I participate in. One of the third year students is offering a course on Byzantine notation which meets once a week. I also participate in a Hebrew reading group. Sometimes we have evening rehearsals for women's ensemble pieces for concerts or upcoming feast days, but that's not a regularly scheduled event. Once every two months or so, I participate in a student-led poetry get-together. Often, I can be found in the library late working on my research projects, as late evenings are often the best time to lay aside the distractions of the day and focus on writing.
Mother Veronica Abaskharoun
I am a first-year Master of Arts (M.A.) student in general theological studies.
I am especially impressed by the humility of the teaching staff members. All the teachers that I have known here in SVOTS, with no exception, even though they are of high standing and reputation, they are always patient, willing to listen and help.
They always give the impression that whatever you have to offer is a gain for them. Having a previous background of dealing with university teachers, I can now discern the huge difference between working in a secular university and in a place founded on faith like St Vladimir’s Seminary.
The day begins very early in the morning and is divided between personal cell-rule and chapel services, hours spent in classes, working in the library, or my community assignment. Meal times are the best opportunity for fellowship with the other seminarians. The weekends also have a more relaxed schedule, which means I need to know how to manage my time well.
Mother Cassiana Colchester
I am in my second year in the Master of Arts program.
All of the professors have touched me by their humility and willingness to help. Fr Bogdan's class on the Old Testament last year particularly inspired me—he taught Scripture in such a profound and creative way, always offering a unique perspective and opening the eyes to see the deeper meaning of a text.
The day is bookended by prayer and chapel services. I usually begin working after Matins and finish some time after dinner. I try and spend as much time soaking in the silence and stillness of my room, looking out onto the trees as they turn with the seasons...
Sister Anastasia Colchester
I am in the second year of the MA program, with a focus on Research and Scholarship.
There are many professors and classes that have made an impact on me! In terms of what is happening at the moment, I am currently taking a patristics course with Fr Maximos Constas on the Philokalia which is excellent. I like any class which interweaves the theological/conceptual with the practical/mystical. I am also part of Dr Legaspi’s Hebrew course, which is unfolding in a very exciting and unusual way. Although this is probably not what is meant by the question, I am constantly surprised by the level of support and the amount of love given to the students by the professors, and the faculty as a whole, here. So, this has had a huge impact on me. It is definitely a very unusual institution, in that regard.
Daily life at St Vladimir’s Seminary is busy! The communal day begins and ends with worship, which is wonderful. This semester I am working in the kitchens, so chapel services are followed by serving my fellow seminarians, and then it’s either classes or studying in the library. Choir practice takes place after lunch two days of the week, and Student Council once a month. The library is really beautiful and has a peaceful atmosphere, especially in the evenings. Some nights I also attend extra classes: Byzantine notation and Hebrew reading. There’s a special atmosphere on campus this year, because lots more people are studying in the library, so there’s always people pottering about, which is nice.
Julia Yingnan Ji
I am enrolled in the Master of Theology (Th.M.) program.
I had the opportunity and blessing to learn from some professors. Their way of being and relating to us together with their knowledge made a particular impact on me.
Fr Chad - His knowledge and experience in adult catechesis, adult learning and leadership development in his teaching of Missiology and Chiristian Education; the welcome and hospitality extended by Fr Chad and Mutushka Thekla. Fr Chad's responsiveness, deep care, and encouragement in dealing with us students. All these played a crucial role in my "becoming a human'' and "becoming an Orthodox Christian" experience as I walked my path to return to my spiritual home, and largely encouraged me to apply to study at St Vladimir's Seminary.
Fr Bogdan and his wife Cristina - The conversations I had the opportunities to have with Fr Bogdan and Cristina - spiritually, faith, and intellectually forming, and very helpful to decision making; and their hospitality, being conversation partners speaking to me Orthodox spiritual tradition and Christian love.
Dr Barnet - his patience in his communication with us, his extensive and rich knowledge of his field, his deep care for students’ learning, and connecting his teaching to Orthodox Tradition. In the role of acting registrar, his extensive knowledge of St Vladimir's curriculum and again his superb patience, superb communication, super/timely and caring responsiveness.
Dr Bouteneff - his careful reading, deep understanding of student’s work - taking it to heart, and very careful, extensive feedback to student's work - I experienced these in the process of his help to develop my research proposal; his sincere attitude in dealing with students, his humbleness in receiving student’s genuine feedback. These are crucial to a student, to me.
Dr Legaspi - his humbleness, responsiveness, and deep care for students’ learning: he takes trouble to understand a student’s learning style so as to best support a student to make desired progress - models to me how to support my students to learn and grow the best I can as an instructor, and a servant of Christ. In addition, Dr Legaspi’s rich experience and painstaking manner, proactive and patient communication to meet where students are is a lit Orthodox candle to me as a diaspora. It models to me how to serve my students and people in general, both domestic and international, in a sensitive and encouraging manner, to be a constructive force in their becoming and learning.
All of these witness who they are as professors/instructors and as Orthodox Christians: they are willing to work with the students with the aforementioned virtues to help students to learn and grow. This is most critical to me both as a student and as a person on a pilgrimage of “becoming.”
This is my third month since I joined the St Vladimir's Seminary as a full-time, in-residence seminarian. It has been a significant transition and I'm still trying to fit in. And, daily life in general is captured well by Orthodox expression "how to struggle well."
Andjelka Stankovic
Coming to America was a very big step for me and my family. It was the first time in my life to be so far away from home and them, and I have to admit I was worried about that. However, I also have to admit that this place here has calmed all my worries…I am very grateful for the sense of safety and family we have here on campus.
We have an interesting lifestyle here. To be more precise, we have everything. Church, classes, different extracurricular activities, and of course, free time for just enjoying the beauty of this amazing place with friends.
I am also very glad that I can find time for my hobbies, which is art first and foremost. That is the reason I have to mention we also have a film section and choir rehearsals, which is great - all that is left is to start a dance section!
In a nutshell, this is a beautiful place to be and it is a great honor to be a part of this institution and community.
Kripaya Varghese
I am currently pursuing a Master of Arts in General Theological Studies.
Liturgical Theology with Fr. Varghese M Daniel is one of the classes that have made an impact on me. Being more than halfway through the semester, I understand why we do certain things in some of our sacraments. Growing up in the church, I have been to many baptisms, weddings, funerals and more, but to understand the theology behind them is an entirely different feeling. The significance of certain aspects of our sacraments is something I never knew before. Seeing that there was a biblical reference and reason for the way we conducted our sacraments has been beneficial for me. Really being able to understand the "why" makes me appreciate the little things so much more.
My daily life at St Vladimir’s Seminary is always exciting. The day begins at 6am and does not end until almost midnight some nights. The first thing every morning for me is prayer at the Malankara chapel with my brothers in Christ. Then there will be breakfast (on non-fasting days) which begins and ends in prayer and then morning classes if I have them. Noon prayer is then done some days. After that there is lunch. Then there are afternoon classes and then Vespers at the chapel. Then we have dinner. It is honestly a great experience to sing and pray with our brothers and sisters on campus before and after every meal. My obedience for this semester is meal crew, so depending on the week, you can find me helping in the refectory during a specific meal time. Normally during days where I do not have morning or afternoon class, I will either study or find time to play ping pong or a good game of chess in the solarium. You would be surprised at how good some of the seminarians here are at ping pong and chess! I enjoy talking with other seminarians and faculty when the chance arises about our faith or about life in general. Since we all have come from different backgrounds and lifestyles, the conversations where we get to know each other are always my favorite. Some nights after everything is done, I like to go to the library and do some late night studying. I will always find time to call my parents at the end of the night to let them know how the day went.
Mother Devorah Salamon
I am pursuing a Masters of Arts in theology with a concentration in research. The MA program here offers three concentrations - sacred arts, general theology, and research. I'm finding that what inspires me is studying biblical female characters. I am doing my thesis on the person who I was named after, Deborah. She is a really fascinating character - she kind of sticks out like a thorn. She's this female who became ruler over Israel, which was unheard of in those times. I’m researching why that came to be, what it means from both the perspective of Eve and her curse, and the Virgin Mary, and her breaking up of that curse.
There is a definite connection between my interests now and my earlier interest in women’s studies during college. I was trying to figure out the distinct beauty of womanhood in creation; I was also interested in all of the problems that surrounded womanhood, whether it be inequality or anything within the female experience. Learning how womanhood is perceived in a secular scholarly context was kind of a foreshadowing of my current interest in the women of God. I am learning much more richly and accurately here than I did in my secular undergrad.
All of the professors have had an impact on me. For instance, in Dr Tudorie’s class (Church History), we discussed the rank of resources - how scholars rank different things in different orders, and how things such as hagiography or the Synaxarion tend to be ranked on a lower scale than more “academic” resources. We talked about how many Church resources are neglected in the academic world, because of this bias against things that may be perceived as “too spiritual,” or something like that.
I remember another instance in Fr Bogdan Bucur’s class (Old Testament), where we talked about the account of the creation of the golden calf while Moses was on Mount Sinai retrieving the law, and how there is one particular line in Exodus about keeping the feast of the Lord (Ex 12.14). The Israelites weren't actually trying to replace God with the golden calf, but rather they replaced the tabernacle or God's instruction of worship with the golden calf - they made their own form of worship without the instruction of God. That was very much a light bulb moment for me; that made a distinction between the idea that perhaps we can regulate how we worship, as compared to what the Orthodox always go back to: trying to determine what was divinely ordained, as it were.
Another professor, Dr. Barnet, at the conclusion of one of his classes, said something that really struck me. He pointed out a dichotomy - not between sin and righteousness, but between sin and faith. That was a very personal forming moment for me, to see things in that light - that we strive for this faith in God that brings about righteousness, rather than striving for righteousness, which is kind of how our intellect is used to doing things.
Finally, for my thesis about Deborah, Dr Legaspi is helping me navigate the Old Testament and the Hebrew, which has been great because of the linguistic insights he has, which shed so much light on the hermeneutics. The more I find out, the more excited I am about delving in deeper and deeper.
In my daily life at St Vladimir’s Seminary, I try to wake up pretty early, as I'm accustomed to doing in the monastery, finish my rule, and have some time for contemplation in the morning before we go to matins. After matins, I like to go and sit in the solarium, enjoy the view a little bit, and maybe also get in my Bible reading during that time, if possible. From nine to five, I'm doing classwork; I'm either in class or working in the library. I like to reserve that midday time for classwork so that after going to Vespers and having dinner, I can turn my brain off for a little while. That isn’t always possible, but ideally, I like to have the last few hours of my day be more relaxed, whether I'm reading, or just sitting with the sisters or the seminarians. Finally, I finish my night rule, go to sleep, and get up and do it again.
Laura Ionescu
I'm in my first year studying sacred arts, which is my concentration for the Masters of Arts program. I share a lot of the same core classes as any M.A. student and the M.Div. students, but I have an additional concentration class on sacred arts. I'm not required to take the language courses, but I chose to take those, as well.
The sacred arts class focuses on church architecture and iconography. We touch a little bit on hymnography and music within the Church, but that's covered in more depth by Dr Russin in his liturgical music class. We focus on the visual aspect of the Church and the symbolism behind icons, how icons talk to each other within the church, how they're connected to each other and to us in how they're oriented. For example, two icons that are opposing each other might introduce a paradox, which encourages contemplation and deepening your theological understanding.
All of my professors have impacted me in some way. For example, my Old Testament professor, Dr. Legaspi - I think that l have a lot to learn from his humble personality and patience, as well as his understanding of the content that we're learning.
In terms of the Sacred Arts concentration, Dr Rossitza Schroeder's class on iconography has blown my mind with her deep analysis of the symbolism within sacred images. Dr Bouteneff visited our Sacred Arts class and gave a talk about Arvo Pärt and his music, and showed us a video of Arvo Pärt’s speech when he visited St Vladimir’s Seminary - his humility also impressed me. I listened to his composition, Adam’s Lamentation, and looked at the translation, and I just cried after class - it's just so beautiful and deep. The fact that his music has Orthodox ideas and influence, and yet everyone listens to it, is huge. People that aren't Orthodox are saying, if I believed in God, I would because of his music. I'm amazed that music can have that much power on people. I’m sure art has that power, too. We learned about Hagia Sophia and how people back then understood art so differently than we do. They might have looked at an image and have been absorbed in that world in a way that we can't really do anymore. I think that through studying the sacred arts, I’ve realized how far we've strayed from appreciating beauty as God intended. It's a humbling thing, but I think regaining that sensibility to beauty is something to strive for.
The routine here at St Vladimir’s Seminary is repetitive but I like it a lot. In the morning, I go to chapel and then afterwards, I may or may not get breakfast, depending on how much homework I have, and then I go to class. Some days I have two classes, with lunch in between, and I often have a night class on Wednesday for Byzantine notation. It can get pretty busy, especially with the obediences; my obedience is cleaning the upper floor of North Dorm. I'm just the one that vacuums, takes out the trash, and makes sure the fridge is clean. I also clean the laundry room. I think what makes the routine doable is the people. People here are just so wonderful! I haven't met a single mean person on this campus or someone that I don't like - everyone is super friendly.
I'm just so grateful to be here, even though it's a lot of work. It's one of those things where I wouldn't be anywhere else if I could choose to, so I’m just very grateful for God's blessing
Nino Tskitishvili
I am in the Master of Arts program in general theology.
The professors here are really good, and are really trying to help, so I will remember all of them. One class I am going to remember is first semester Greek, with Dr. Barnet. He does a great job explaining everything really meticulously, and even gives us extra credit assignments when we still don’t understand. We have to study really hard for this class because it is so difficult – we joke in our student Whatsapp group that we are Greek martyrs.
Otherwise, I'm always going to remember the effort Dr Tudorie made in teaching us canon law. I love church history in general, so his entire class was very interesting. As the dean, he really does everything he can to make us feel comfortable and supported on campus; he has also integrated the community a lot.
Overall, I love all of the professors - they're all trying to help. And if there's going to be some issue, if there's something you don't like, you can always communicate with them further. Basically, there's a lot of support here for students.
Daily life at St Vladimir’s Seminary starts with morning prayers and ends with evening prayers. We have classes, we do our readings, and have lunch together. We have social events with each other, which helps a lot and is very good. When I’m not studying, I enjoy walking, reading prose and poetry, and watching old Russian, French, and Italian movies.
Amber Prather
I am in my third year of the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program.
I love a lot of the professors. I've really enjoyed the classes I've taken with Dr Bouteneff, Fr Bogdan, and Dn Vitaly - they’re my favorites. I think they’ve helped me become “older” theologically. To explain what I mean by that, I tend to try not to be too controversial, especially when it comes to theology, but I've learned by being here that some battles are worth fighting. Sometimes rocking the boat a little bit is necessary, despite the fact that it makes me supremely uncomfortable. I've learned by being here that the willingness to push a little bit more for the sake of deeper understanding can really be worth it.
In terms of my daily life here at St Vladimir’s, right now, it's very different from when I started two years ago.
When I got to Seminary in 2020, I said, I'm not dating anybody here. I was healing from damaging past relationships and I wanted to focus on my studies. Then I met Andrew, who was also in his first year at Seminary. We talked a lot. One time, on a Friday, we had lunch out on the porch of the Germack building, and we talked until dinner. At first I thought, oh no, this is not good - what is happening? Then I started to realize that with Andrew, I never felt like things seemed out of control, like I had in past relationships. One of the amazing things about Andrew is that he was very patient during every step in our relationship. He was ready to take each step before I was, but he waited for me to take them first. I was the first person to say I love you, even though he was very ready – he just knew I needed to get there.
We started dating in October, right before the chili cook-off. Before the winter break, I invited him to come out to Washington to spend Christmas with my family, as he hadn't been planning to go home to Iowa because of COVID - the numbers were just too high at that time.
Two nights before Christmas break started, we were hanging out and I said, I've been thinking about if we are going to get married. He said, me too! We started talking about who our sponsors would be, and that’s kind of how we decided we were getting married. We both knew we wanted to get married at the Seminary because we actually met on the chapel steps.
Over Christmas break, Andrew met my family, and when COVID numbers started falling, Andrew and I ended up flying to Iowa to meet his family, as well. We got married in September that fall, in the beginning of our second year at Seminary. On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, we found out that I was pregnant, and Ellie was born in the beginning of August this year.
So this semester, I'm not in classes. I’m not sure what it's going to be like once I'm back in classes with a baby, because we haven't done it before. Andrew and I will both be required to be in chapel for services. The daily schedule will include getting all three of us up and out the door to get to matins at 7:30 AM every day. Then sometimes we'll hang out in the refectory with people having breakfast; both of us started as single students, so we spend a lot more time with the single students than a lot of the other married students do. I might go to the solarium and nurse Ellie, and then, if one of us has class, the other will probably go back home or to the library, depending on what the baby will allow.
We do generally have lunch in the refectory, especially on days when Andrew has two classes in a day, Ellie and I try and go down, because that’s the only time we see him all day. So we'll have lunch in the refectory, and then whoever has class in the afternoon will go to class. Then the three of us will go to Vespers and have dinner together, work on homework, take care of the baby for a couple hours, and spend a little bit of family time in the evening before we go to bed.
Andrew and I both came to Seminary for spiritual formation and study. He started out as an MA student - he didn't plan to be ordained. He switched to the M.Div. later. Neither of us came here thinking that Seminary was going to give us a career or for practical reasons, we both were in it for the formation and the services - to just become better Christians. I think that's been actually really good for us, because it allowed us to be able to roll with the punches. In terms of spiritual formation, I definitely didn't know what I was expecting to get out of seminary other than a more thorough knowledge of the services, but being married and having Ellie are obviously my vocations - they are essential and integral to my formation as a Christian - God willing, my theosis. I think that these vocations coming out of my time at Seminary is exactly what I was supposed to get by coming here.
