Nearly ten years in the making, Saint Vladimir’s Seminary (SVS) Press has released A Voice for Our Time: Radio Liberty Talks, Vol. 1, featuring an English translation of Fr. Alexander Schmemann’s broadcasts into the Soviet Union that began in 1953.
In his broadcasts on Radio Liberty, Fr. Alexander Schmemann (1921-1983) spoke to men and women behind the iron curtain who had endured the deprivation, persecution, and state-enforced propaganda of the Stalin years. But his words do not belong to that era alone. They are addressed just as urgently to our own time. He exposes the roots of the lies and misperceptions that abound in our age, and brings all to a proper perspective in light of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
This first of two volumes in the Radio Liberty Talks collection features a foreword by Rod Dreher and an introduction by Serge Schmemann.
“His broadcasts were never propaganda; they could not be,” writes Serge Schmemann. “They were literally, 'besedy,' conversations in which he spoke as a Russian to Russians, sharing truths and knowledge that he knew, instinctively, they hungered for.”
The book’s release is part of St. Vladimir’s Seminary’s “Year of Schmemann” celebrations, marking 2021 as the 100thanniversary of the birth of the Seminary’s beloved and renowned former dean.
The book may be purchased online at SVSPress.com or by calling 1-800-204-BOOK (2665).
The documentary, produced by The Orthodox Fellowship of the Transfiguration and written and directed by Fr. Kaleeg Hainsworth, explores God and nature, faith and climate change, and the experience of Orthodox communities around the world. The film showcases Orthodox clergy—including St. Vladimir’s Seminary President Fr. Chad Hatfield—scientists, politicians, lay leaders, theologians, and communities around the world in an attempt to gather the witness of the whole Church on a defining issue of our time.
“We don't want to leave [future generations] in a state in which things that we have come to appreciate are simply not there for them, because we have been poor stewards,” says Fr. Chad in The Face of God. “And, of course, I use the word, ‘steward,’ but in Orthodoxy environmental issues are not about ‘stewardship’ in the way that many people understand of being, sort of, caretakers—it's all about redemption for you and for me.”
More information about the Orthodox response to climate change and resources are provided on The Face of God website.
Though he reposed nearly forty years ago, hear Fr. Alexander Schmemann speak to us today through the new podcast, Schmemann Speaks.
Schmemann Speaks features the words and wisdom of Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann (1921–1983), from the archives of St. Vladimir's Seminary. His words—captured at various retreats and lectures decades ago—are anything but dated. They are further proof that Fr. Alexander remains a voice for our time.
The podcast is part of St Vladimir's "Year of Schmemann" celebrations, commemorating 100 years since the birth of the Seminary's beloved and renowned former dean and professor. A new episode will be released each week during Great Lent 2021. Additional episodes may be released over the course of the year.
Listen here, or download Schmemann Speaks through Spotify and more platforms to come, including Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and Google Podcasts.
The Seminary offers its sincere gratitude to Frs. Alexis Vinogradov and Vladimir Aleandro for granting access to recordings for the first six episodes.
As part of the retreat, four talks delivered over the two days followed the theme of "Ora et Labora: The Foundations of Spirituality According to the Rule of St. Benedict of Nursia." The meditations were given by Seminary President Fr. Chad Hatfield, Assistant Professor of Liturgical Theology Dr. Vitaly Permiakov, Director of Music Dr. Harrison Russin, and Spiritual Formation Director and Ecclesiarch Fr. Nicholas Roth.
Listen below, or watch recordings of each meditation on YouTube.
Following Seminary custom, classes were cancelled each day of the retreat and seminarians were encouraged to practice silence. The St. Vladimir’s community entered Three Hierarchs Chapel together several times for a fuller cycle of prayers in addition to the meditations.
A new edition of the classic story of Father Arseny, with freshly edited text, a new cover, and a new foreword by Peter Bouteneff, is now available from Saint Vladimir’s Seminary (SVS) Press.
Father Arseny:Priest, Prisoner, Spiritual Father, by Vera Bouteneff, tells the story of Fr. Arseny, a former scholar of church art, who became Prisoner No. 18736 in the brutal "special sector" of the Soviet prison camp system. In the darkness of systematic degradation of body and soul, he shone with the light of Christ's peace and compassion. His sights set on God and his life grounded in the Church, Fr. Arseny lived by injunction to "bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2).
This narrative, compiled from accounts of Fr. Arseny's spiritual children and others whom he brought to God, gives stirring glimpses of his life in prison camp and after his release. It also tells the stories of people whose lives, often during times of almost unimaginable crisis, were touched and transfigured through their connection with the inspiring priest. Emerging from the context of the particular tragedies of Soviet Russia, this book carries a universal impact certain to be felt by readers throughout the world today.
Father Arseny can be purchased online, at SVSPress.com, or by calling 1-800-204-BOOK (2665).
On the Sunday of Orthodoxy St. Vladimir’s Seminary welcomed to campus Archpriest John Parker, dean of St. Tikhon’s Seminary and alumnus of St. Vladimir’s (Th.M. 2004, D.Min. 2018). Father John presided over Divine Liturgy and delivered the homily for the first Sunday of Great Lent.
Following Divine Liturgy, the Seminary community made procession around Three Hierarchs Chapel and read from the Synodikon of Orthodoxy.
View of photo gallery of the celebration below (photos by Seminarian Andrew Prather).
The Song of Tears, a new book from St. Vladimir’s Seminary (SVS) Press, features Olivier Clément's essay on repentance based on the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete.
This book includes a translation of the Great Canon, making The Song of Tears a perfect companion during Great Lent or for reflections on repentance throughout the year.
"A remarkable interpretation of the Bible unfolds throughout the Great Canon....” writes Clément, who reminds readers the Great Fast was originally a preparation for Christian initiation during the Paschal night. “Each day…the bishop would give a biblical catechesis in which the literal and spiritual meaning fitted each other, and in which the entire Bible was interpreted as being the encounter of the two Adams, as one vast parable of the Prodigal Son. These efforts to understand were inseparable from a committed asceticism—as they still should be—for one must approach Scripture with an intelligence that is purified, heart and mind united...."
The Song of Tears may be purchased online, at SVSPress.com, or by calling 1-800-204-BOOK (2665).
Oliver Clément (November 17, 1921–January 15, 2009) was an Orthodox writer and theologian, who served on the faculty of St. Sergius Institute in Paris, France. He is also the author of SVS Press’s Three Prayersand Conversations with Patriarch Bartholomew I.
For this year’s Feast of the Annunciation, the St. Vladimir’s Seminary community was blessed by the visit of The Right Reverend Andrei, Auxiliary Bishop of the Romanian Episcopate (Orthodox Church in America).
His Grace presided over services on the eve of the Feast and for the Feast itself. During the Vesperal Divine Liturgy on March 25, Bishop Andrei ordained second-year seminarian Blake (Silouan) Cohen to the holy diaconate and seminary professor Dr. Vitaly Permiakov to the rank of subdeacon.
With faith in Christ and hope in the resurrection, we share news of the repose of Mitred Archpriest Basil Summer, who fell asleep in the Lord the morning of March 26, 2021, at the age of 95. Father Basil served as Director of the Fellowship of Orthodox Stewards (FOS) for the Orthodox Church in America (now Stewards of the OCA) from 1990-94 following his ministry as rector of St. Mark Church in Bethesda, Maryland from 1972 to 1989. He also possessed a deep and beautiful connection with St. Vladimir’s Seminary, enrolling at St. Vladimir’s in 1966 as a Lutheran and receiving chrismation in 1971 by the hand of Fr. John Meyendorff at the seminary chapel.
Born William Summer on January 28, 1926 in Waynesboro, PA to a devout Lutheran family, he was baptized in the Lutheran Church as an infant. After serving in the US Navy at the end of World War II, William attended Muhlenberg College, where he excelled in track and obtained a bachelor’s degree in history in 1949. He then enrolled at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, receiving a Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1952. After graduation, he embarked upon nearly two decades of ordained ministry in the Lutheran Church, which took him to parishes in several states. While serving a parish in Charleston, South Carolina, Fr. William (as he was then known) attended the Lutheran Federation Assembly in Helsinki, Finland. It was there that he discovered the Orthodox Cathedral located near the Lutheran Cathedral. Enthused by his first encounter with the Orthodox Church, he decided to continue exploring the Orthodoxy through the Greek Orthodox Church in Charleston. He continued to be inspired by the Orthodox faith and deepened his knowledge.
A particularly memorable incident that Fr. Basil recounted with some emotion in recent years occurred when he was a Lutheran pastor in Charleston that also spurred a major step on his road to Orthodoxy. One Sunday, he welcomed an African-American family to services at the church. The parish council vehemently rebuked Fr. William for his action and unanimously opposed such integration in the congregation. Father William promptly resigned as pastor. He then requested a leave of absence from his bishop in order to enroll at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in New York in 1966, where he was greatly inspired by the teaching of the faculty, especially Frs. John Meyendorff and Alexander Schmemann. In 1968, he was assigned to pastor a Lutheran parish in Bay Shore, NY, but continued to strengthen his connections to and knowledge of the Orthodox Church. Having become convinced that Orthodoxy was the true Church of Christ, William Summer was chrismated by Fr. John Meyendorff at St. Vladimir’s Seminary Chapel on October 17, 1971. He was given the name Basil at chrismation. On February 19, 1972, Basil Summer was ordained to the diaconate at the seminary chapel by Bishop Dmitri (Royster) of Washington, DC. His ordination to the priesthood followed on June 18, 1972 by Metropolitan Ireney (Bekish) at Christ the Savior Church in Paramus, NJ. On September 3, 1972, Fr. Basil was assigned as Rector of St. Mark Church in Bethesda, MD, a newly established all English language parish just outside of Washington, DC. Under Fr. Basil’s leadership, the parish grew quickly and acquired land with a church building which was dedicated in 1977 and consecrated in 1982. A dynamic speaker and inspiring preacher, Fr. Basil was also a father confessor to many. Several young men from the parish were moved to enroll in seminary and be ordained to the priesthood. Two other parishes—St. Catherine’s in Hagerstown, MD and Saint Mathew’s in Columbia, MD—were established under Fr. Basil’s leadership as offshoots from the Bethesda parish.
At the end of 1989, Father Basil left the parish in Bethesda, as he was called to serve the Orthodox Church in America as Director of the Fellowship of Orthodox Stewards (FOS). He moved to New York and assumed his new position at the OCA Chancery effective January 1, 1990. His work entailed much travel to visit parishes throughout the United States to preach and conduct retreats, and to instill among the faithful a consciousness of the larger Church outside their own congregations and the stewardship necessary to sustain the work of the departments of the OCA funded through donations to FOS. Father Basil undertook his labors energetically and his own enthusiasm radiated to the faithful, making his efforts successful. After nearly five years of intense labors as FOS Director, Fr. Basil retired. He continued to live near the OCA Chancery and would regularly serve at St. Sergius Chapel there. He was often called upon to substitute for clergy in various parishes and was also invited to churches to serve and preach. He continued to maintain contact with his spiritual children and many friends throughout the country.
Father Basil was a larger-than-life personality not easily forgotten. He loved to socialize and had a keen sense of humor and a distinctive laugh. He made those around him comfortable and a certain charm drew people to him. Among his hobbies and interests were music, reading, bike riding (he would regularly ride several miles until slowed by age and illness just a few years ago), travel, oil painting, theatre, golf, and movies. No matter what he did or where or with whom he spoke, his life was always centered on Christ and His Church. Through his outsized demeanor, he led people to Christ and earned the love and respect of many.
For his labors, Fr. Basil was granted numerous honors and awards, the latest being the mitre that was bestowed upon him by His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon in 2018. Just hours before his repose, on the great feast of the Annunciation of the Mother of God, Fr. Basil was blessed with the opportunity to receive the Holy Eucharist brought to his bed in a hospice facility by Metropolitan Tikhon.
The schedule of services for Fr. Basil’s funeral are as follows:
Monday, March 29 Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, 369 Green Avenue, East Meadow, NY
4pm: Arrival of the Body, Panikhida, and Visitation
6:30pm: Office of the Burial for a Priest
Tuesday, March 30 Transportation of the body to St. Tikhon’s Monastery, South Canaan, PA for interment
Please note that due to COVID restrictions, only invited clergy may serve at the services. For all of these services, clergy and faithful should also be sure to maintain all safety protocols and precautionary measures.
Other than serving clergy and singers, all in attendance must wear a mask. Additionally, due to social distancing requirements, please register to attend the services here.
The alumni of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) recently elected four of their fellow alumni to SVOTS’ Alumni Association Board: Fr. Basil Zebrun (’83), Fr. Photius Avant (’11), Mariam (Ceena) Varghese (‘09, ’10), and Richard Ajalat (’13).
“On behalf of the Alumni Association and the Seminary, we congratulate the newly elected board members and ask God to grant them many years!” said Archpriest David Barr (SVOTS class of ’83), the president of the Alumni Association. “We sincerely appreciate their willingness to serve and represent their fellow alumni in the life and mission of the Seminary.”
Seminary President, Archpriest Chad Hatfield congratulates the new members of the alumni board and expresses his eagerness to work together in service to our graduates and in finding new ways to better serve alumni.
Nominations for Alumni Board members were submitted to the Nominating Committee between January 25 and February 15, 2021. Once the list of nominees was vetted and a list of candidates approved, alumni cast votes electronically between March 3 and March 7, 2021, as the SVOTS’ Alumni Association Board sought to fill four seats on the board.
The Board elections continue a busy and eventful period for the Alumni Association. On February 5, the Seminary’s Board of Trustees approved updated Association Bylaws. And in October of 2020, the Seminary held an online alumni gathering and launched the Alumni Portal to give SVOTS graduates access to resources, news, events, and an alumni directory.
About the Newly-Elected Alumni Association Board Members
Father Basil Zebrun is an archpriest of the Orthodox Church in America who has served the Church in multiple capacities since graduating from SVOTS in 1983. Father Basil began his priestly ministry at Ss. Cyril and Methodius Orthodox Church in Hartshorne, OK and is currently priest of St. Barbara Orthodox Church in Ft. Worth, TX, where he has served since 1987. He has also served as secretary to His Eminence, Archbishop Dmitri (Royster) for nearly a decade; managing editor of the diocesan newspaper The Dawn; dean of the Southcentral (Dallas) Deanery of the Diocese of the South, and recording secretary for three All American Councils and for Diocesan Assemblies. Father Basil and his wife, Matushka Christine (SVOTS Class of ’80 and former co-chair of the OCA’s Department of Christian Education), have two grown sons and a granddaughter.
Father Photius Avant is a native of East Texas. After receiving his BA in Literature from the University of North Texas, he taught middle school and high school English. He graduated St. Vladimir’s with a Master of Divinity degree in 2011 and was assigned to St. Sava Orthodox Church (OCA) in Allen, TX as assistant priest. In 2014, he was made rector. He led the parish through the building of a new temple in 2018. His wife Carissa is an accountant and directs the choir. They have four children.
Mariam Ceena Varghese holds two degrees from St. Vladimir's Seminary, a Master of Theology ('10) and Master of Arts in Theology ('09).She also holds a degree in Bioinformatics & Computational Biology from the University of Maryland. After seminary, Ceena worked as the resource coordinator of the Youth and Young Adult Ministries Department of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America for three years, and taught a few classes at St. Vladimir’s for four years. She also served as a curriculum writer for an Orthodox project of Gospel Light Worldwide & World Vision and was part of the team that represented the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church at the last World Council of Churches, in South Korea. Ceena is involved in various ministries of the Malankara Orthodox Church, working with children, youth, and adults. She now lives in KY where she works as an IT Analyst, and lives with her husband and one-year-old son.
Richard Ajalat graduated from St. Vladimir's Seminary in 2013 with a Master of Divinity degree. He was a youth director in Livonia, MI for one year after seminary. He has been a pastoral assistant at St. Michael Church in Van Nuys, CA for the past seven years, doing everything from keeping fundraising records on the building of the new Church, to youth and young adult ministry, to other typical pastoral assistant duties including liturgical duties and serving as liaison between church leadership and church ministries. Richard serves on the FOCUS NORTH AMERICA national board and the St. Michael parish council, and he is Vice President of the Young Adult Ministry of the Antiochian Diocese of Los Angeles and the West
