St. Vladimir's Seminary has begun a new era under a shared governance model between its Chancellor, Fr. Chad Hatfield, and its Dean, Fr. John Behr. The Seminary's Board of Trustees, led by Executive Chair Anne Glynn Mackoul, supports this model and the Seminary's mission of educating future Orthodox clergy. Key developments include a new curriculum launched in 2007, expanded programs for seminarians' spouses, and the addition of new faculty. The annual report aims to strengthen accountability and transparency through profiles of trustees, seminary life, and financial information. It seeks to deepen relationships with benefactors and convey gratitude for their support of the Seminary's vital work of theological education.

1. Continuing the Legacy & Securing the Trust THE SVS VINE ANNUAL REPORT FY08
St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary is
honored that His Grace JONAH, Bishop of Fort
Worth, was elected Metropolitan of All America
and Canada of the Orthodox Church in America
(OCA) at the 15th All-American Council on
November 12, 2008. His Beatitude is an
alumnus of St. Vladimir’s, having received his
Master of Divinity degree in 1985 and a Master
of Theology in Dogmatics in 1988. A complete
profile of His Beatitude may be found on page
8 of our Annual Report FY08.
“This life of the world is
what is sanctified and
made transparent to the
Kingdom. In preaching and
teaching, guiding the
spiritual formation of
monastics and lay faithful,
establishing a monastery
and several missions,
and now undertaking the
guidance of a local Church,
the vision given me by
St. Vladimir’s informs all
my work.”
—His Beatitude,
the Most Blessed JONAH
SVS Chancellor Archpriest Chad Hatfield (left) and Dean Arch-
priest John Behr (right) greet His Beatitude JONAH, just after his
election to the office of Metropolitan of All America and Canada.
20 St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary www.svots.edu
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2. THE SVS VINE
Annual Report FY08
St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary
THE DEAN’S REPORT The new curriculum responds to the The new curriculum
changing nature of our incoming student body. responds to the changing
Seminary students today are coming from ever
more diverse backgrounds, with a wide variety nature of our incoming
I AM THE VINE; of ecclesial as well as life experience. This new student body.
reality, along with the simple fact that there is
YOU ARE THE BRANCHES. now a greater range of literature to be read
(much of it already read by incoming students), we anticipate making a few more faculty hires
IF YOU REMAIN IN ME has prompted a new curriculum that pares for the next academic year. The school contin-
AND I IN YOU, down the number of academic classes and re- ues to grow, and its continued growth depends
structures the daily and weekly schedule, to on nurturing and encouraging the faculty.
YOU WILL BEAR MUCH FRUIT; allow for greater focus in the classes and to open The names of our faculty over our past seventy
APART FROM ME space for more musical, liturgical, and pastoral years read like a roll call of those who have
instruction. A variety of workshops and other done the most to speak Orthodox theology
YOU CAN DO NOTHING. events are also now regular features during the in the twentieth century, to grapple with the
JOHN 15:5 semester, complementing and enriching the ed- spiritual and ecclesial questions of the day,
ucation of our students. and to promote an authentic expression of
In addition to our renewed attention to Orthodox life in the present; I am confident
the education of our students, we have also that as we move further into the twenty-first
turned our attention to their spouses, again re- century, our faculty will appropriate this inher-
sponding directly to the needs of the Church itance and leave its own legacy of excellence.
St. Vladimir’s Seminary (SVS) has begun a new in North America. We are now in the second St. Vladimir’s Seminary has been a beacon for
lease of life. Thanks to the visionary work of the year of a three-year comprehensive Spouses’ the Church throughout the world; its light will
Board of Trustees, former deans, and seminary Program that not only nurtures their growth in continue to shine ever brighter.
administration over the last decade and more, life and faith and spiritual understanding, but But much work still lies ahead. In the
the foundations were laid with the Lakeside also prepares them for the joys and difficulties months and years to come, we expect to be
Contents Apartments and the John G. Rangos building
(with its superb library) for providing housing on
campus for a host of married students and their
families and for setting up a conducive space for
that lie ahead as they accompany their spouses
in their future ministry.
As always, Three Hierarchs Chapel is
the heart of our life on campus. The daily
announcing new programs, drawing upon new
talent and addressing further needs. We need to
refurbish our classrooms, dormitories, and
chapel façade, as well as continue to develop our
study. The work of the faculty over the past pattern of Matins and Vespers, the workshop ability to provide students with adequate schol-
Dean’s Report 1 years has resulted in the development of a new in which we are formed individually and arships, so that students will be prepared here
Chancellor’s Report 1 curriculum, which was inaugurated in 2007, the collectively as the body of Christ, provides the as best as they can be and will go out to serve as
fruits of which we continue to see unfold. And framework for all our other activities. We have debt free as they can be. We face considerable
Executive Chair’s Report 2 the decision of the Board to implement a new begun this year to broaden and deepen our challenges, but by the grace of God and by your
Board Roster 2 governance structure last year, with the appoint- students’ experience of the life of prayer by support we are ready to meet them. I
ment of a Chancellor and Dean, has meant that providing a weekly period of lectio divina and
Father Alexander Schmemann Legacy Society 3
all aspects of seminary life—from the state of the corporate practice of the Jesus Prayer, and
A Year at St. Vladimir’s Seminary 4–6 the grounds to the final examinations—can be we will be celebrating the feast of St. Nicholas
SVS Alumni Association 7 given greater attention, to provide the best pos- with a full All-Night Vigil.
sible environment for the formation of future This year, we have welcomed to our fac- The Very Rev. Dr. John Behr
SVS Profiles 8–13 priests and leaders of the Church. ulty a new professor in Liturgical Music, and Dean
The Case for Support 14
Annual Giving Societies 15–17
St. Vladimir’s Seminary Stewards 18
Enriching Student and Church Life 19
THE CHANCELLOR’S “Accountability” and “transparency” are two connected somehow to extracting money
from people, but as a term that reflects our
Continuing the Legacy & Securing the Trust 20
REPORT words that have found prominence in the
American Public Square in recent years. theological belief that everything is God’s.
The ecclesiastical realm, at least in America, Stewardship calls each of us to account for
has also found these words to carry significant how we use everything that God has given
new weight. to us.
In America we expect our public officials In this Annual Report you will see how
THE SVS VINE to be accountable to the people that they are your contributions, in support of our life and
ANNUAL REPORT FY08 called to serve, and certainly those who serve mission, are invested. You will see where we
VOLUME 1 Christ in his Church must be held to the high- have goals to meet and how you are helping to
est standards possible. make these goals a reality. And, you will see
ARCHPRIEST JOHN BEHR–Dean At St. Vladimir’s Seminary (SVS) we our active efforts to provide the very best theo-
ARCHPRIEST CHAD HATFIELD–Chancellor believe that we have a sacred obligation to logical education possible to better serve the
MR. THEODORE BAZIL–Associate Chancellor for Advancement receive what is given to us and to transform needs of Orthodoxy in the twenty-first century.
MRS. MELANIE RINGA–Associate Chancellor for Finance that gift into our vital mission of service to You will also find the stories of trustees,
THE REV. DN. PHILIP MATHEW–Admissions and Alumni Relations Officer the Orthodox Church. faculty, seminarians, alumni, and supporters.
MRS. DEBORAH BELONICK–Advancement Information Officer/ Editor To assist us in communicating to you, An important part of stewardship centers on
MRS. ROBIN FREEMAN–Advancement Officer (Data) our benefactors, we have, for the first time, relationships, and we hope that the publication
produced an Annual Report. It should be of this Annual Report will help to solidify the
DESIGN–Konstantin Dzhibilov/kdesign:nyc noted that SVS began the practice of inde- relationship that you already have with SVS.
pendent certified audits of our financial As you read this report you may have
records in 1963. Prior to this date all budgets questions or suggestions on how we can make
IF YOU WISH TO BE ON OUR MAILING LIST, were reviewed and approved by the members this second aspect even better, and I welcome
please e-mail us the following information, of our pan-Orthodox Board of Trustees. This your input. Please feel free to contact me at
including the request to be included in our If I were to give a specific first Annual Report is our way of continuing to the Seminary at any time: hatfield@svots.edu
e-mail list:
Christian term to what we be accountable and transparent to those who or 914-961-8313 ext 339. I
I Name have supported us.
I Address are doing in this If I were to give a specific Christian term
I City, State, Zip Annual Report it would to what we are doing in this Annual Report
I Please include me in your e-mail list. it would be “stewardship.” This is a word, that
My e-mail address is: be “stewardship.” in recent years, we Orthodox Christians have The Very Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield
adopted as our own—not as an ugly word Chancellor, CEO
Please e-mail your information to
advancement@svots.edu.
www.svots.edu
r This annual report was printed on 30% post-consumer, recycled paper. 1

3. From the Board THE SVS VINE ANNUAL REPORT FY08
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE CHAIR
EX-OFFICIO BOARD MEMBERS Mr. Anthony Kasmer (2010)
Chair of the Audit Committee
His Beatitude The Most Rev. Jonah (Paffhausen) Chairman of the Board, LTL Color Compounders,
President of the Seminary and Morrisville, Pennsylvania
Chair of the Board of Trustees President of Parish Council, St. Vladimir Church,
Archbishop of Washington and New York and Trenton, New Jersey (OCA)
Metropolitan of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA)
Glenn R. Kubina, M.D. (2009)
His Eminence The Most Rev. Metropolitan Philip (Saliba) Chair of the Trusteeship Committee
Vice-President of the Board Practicing otolaryngologist
Archbishop of New York and President of St. George Parish Council
Metropolitan of All North America St. George Cathedral, Wichita, Kansas (AOCANA)
The Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian
Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA) Mr. Leon Lysaght (2008)
Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee
His Grace The Right Rev. Maxim (Vasiljevic) Chair of the Statutes Committee
Bishop of the Western Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Professor, University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
Church in North and South America (SOC) St. Mary Magdalene Church, Fenton, Michigan (OCA)
Members of the Board of Trustees have been The Board of Trustees
His Grace The Right Rev. Savas (Zembillas) of Troas
Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of
Mr. Alex Machaskee (2010)
Chair of the Communications Committee
blessed to serve the Orthodox Church by offering
their various gifts and talents to St. Vladimir’s
is committed to this
North America (GOA) President of Alex Machaskee & Associates Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVS), an educa- shared governance model
Retired President and Publisher of The Plain Dealer tional institution so very important to the history, and has entrusted me
Metropolitan Mar Barnabas St. Theodosius Cathedral, Cleveland, Ohio (OCA) present, and future of Orthodox Christianity here
American Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church St. Sava Cathedral, Cleveland, Ohio (SOC) in North America and abroad. From the earliest with the privilege of
days of the Seminary, board members have serving as the first
The Very Rev. Dr. John Behr Mr. Eric S. Namee (2008) supported the seminary leadership, faculty,
Dean of St. Vladimir’s Seminary (OCA) Attorney, Hinkle Elkouri Law Firm, L.L.C. staff, students, and alumni, helping to provide elected Executive Chair
President, Virginia H. Farah Foundation the Church with graduates who are grounded of the Board.
The Very Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield St. Mary Church, Wichita, Kansas (AOCANA) in sound theology, spiritually formed to demon-
Chancellor of St. Vladimir’s Seminary (OCA) strate love and compassion to their flocks, and
Nicholas Pandelidis, M.D. (2008) prepared to be beacons of inspiration and en-
The Very Rev. Alexander Garklavs Orthopaedic Surgeon at couragement to Orthodox Christians worldwide.
Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Orthopaedic and Spine Specialists Today, the Seminary enjoys a new model
St. John Chrysostom Church, York, Pennsylvania (AOCANA) of governance, designed to be responsive to cur-
The Very Rev. David G. Barr rent challenges and opportunities facing the
President of St. Vladimir’s Seminary’s Mr. Alexander Popoff, Jr., P.E. (2009) Seminary and many church-related educational
Alumni Association Retired engineer and President, institutions. Our Chancellor (CEO), The Very
Rector, St. Elias Orthodox Church, Austin, Texas (AOCANA) Berger/ABAM Engineers, Inc. Rev. Chad Hatfield, and our Dean, The Very
St. Spiridon Cathedral, Seattle, Washington (OCA) Rev. John Behr, have undertaken new leader-
BOARD OFFICERS AND TERMS ship roles in a model of shared governance in
Mr. Ivan Rudolph-Shabinsky (2008) consultation with an elected Executive Chair of
Mrs. Anne Glynn Mackoul (2009) Co-Chair of the 2010 Capital Campaign Committee the Board of Trustees. While Fr. John is the sev-
Executive Chair of the Board of Trustees and Co-Chair of the Advancement Committee enth dean and Fr. Chad the first chancellor of
Lawyer Senior Managing Director, AllianceBernstein St. Vladimir’s Seminary, both of these roles—
St. Philip Church, Souderton, Pennsylvania (AOCANA) Three Hierarchs Chapel, Crestwood, New York (OCA) Chancellor and Dean as currently defined—are
new to the Seminary. The two together, Fr.
Mr. Albert Foundos (2009) Gregory T. Swenson, D.D.S. (2010) Chad and Fr. John, are the direct successors to
Treasurer of the Seminary Co-founder of Park Dental Group the rich legacy of leaders who preceded them.
Chair of the Finance Committee Past Board Member of ADPI (NASDAQ listing) Fruits from their first year and a half as joint In recent years, the Board has responded
Retired Executive of Fluid Data, Inc. Board of Trustees of Hill Museum and Manuscript Library, leaders reveal a blessed partnership enormously to critical needs on the seminary campus,
St. Nicholas Church, Jamaica Estates, at St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota beneficial to the Seminary. including an administration building with an
New York (Albanian Diocese, OCA) St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church, Minneapolis, The Board of Trustees is committed to auditorium and library, housing for married
Minnesota (Metropolitanate of Chicago) this shared governance model and has en- students and their families, and state-of-the-art
Mr. James G. Bach (2009) trusted me with the privilege of serving as the information technology. Through generous
Corporate Secretary of the Seminary Donald J. Tamulonis, Jr., M.D. F.A.C.P. (2010) first elected Executive Chair of the Board. The gifts of individual board members and friends
Chair of the Buildings and Grounds Committee Neurologist at Advanced Neurology Associates, Inc. work of board committees has been refocused of the Seminary, St. Vladimir’s now has a
Chief Operating Officer of the Louis Berger Group, Inc. St. John the Baptist Church, Campbell, Ohio (OCA) to promote consultation and collaboration, library with the capacity to properly catalogue
St. Anthony Church, Bergenfield, New Jersey (AOCANA) allowing the Board to be more responsive to and preserve, as well as access, its priceless and
Mrs. Anne van den Berg (2009) the needs of the seminary administration and growing treasury of Orthodox texts, and an
BOARD MEMBERS AND TERMS Co-Chair of the 2010 Capital Campaign Committee to build consensus for decisions taken by the auditorium that allows the Seminary to gather
and Co-Chair of the Advancement Committee whole Board during our formal semi-annual the public and attract world-class scholars and
The Very Rev. Michael Abdelahad (2009) Lawyer meetings. Additionally, we continually chal- church leaders for one-day seminars and more
Dean of St. George Cathedral, Worcester, Massachusetts St. Stephen the Protomartyr Church, Orlando, Florida (OCA) lenge ourselves to deepen our Orthodox faith extended colloquia. This academic year, the
(AOCANA) and develop skills for more effective board Seminary welcomed one of the largest first-
TRUSTEES EMERITI service through occasional seminars, while year classes to campus, including the largest
Mr. Michael Bress (2008) working to assure that the Seminary meets the number of married students, filling the newly
Chair of the Legal Advisory Committee The Very Rev. Paul Shafran goals set in the SVS 2010 Strategic Plan. constructed married student apartments
Retired partner in the law firm Dorsey & Whitney, L.L.P. Pastor emeritus, St. Vladimir Church, Who comprises the Board? Currently, bordering Crestwood Lake and newly reno-
St. Mary’s Cathedral, Minneapolis, Minnesota (OCA) Trenton, New Jersey (OCA) men and women drawn from various Ortho- vated suites in existing dormitory buildings.
dox jurisdictions, who have expertise in fields The challenges facing the Orthodox
Protodeacon Peter M. Danilchick (2008) Mrs. Elsie Skvir Nierle such as finance, publishing, law, medicine, churches worldwide, and in fact, the interna-
Chair of the Technology Committee Retired Nursing Instructor, University of Pennsylvania business, and education. In accordance with the tional political situation, all affect St. Vladimir’s
Retired Executive, Exxon Mobil Corporation Holy Cross Church, Williamsport, Pennsylvania (OCA) charter and statutes of the Seminary, the Pri- Seminary. Fluctuating financial markets impact
Protection of the Holy Mother of God Church, mate or locum tenens of the Orthodox Church both the modest endowment and donor capac-
Falls Church, Virginia (Romanian Episcopate, OCA) Mr. Mitchell Zunich in America serves as the seminary ity that assures financial stability at the Semi-
Semi-retired Manager at Barnes and Wendling CPAs, Inc. President and Chairman of the Board of nary. The Board of Trustees has redoubled its
Mr. Brian Gerich (2010) St. George Church, Lorain, Ohio (SOC) Trustees. The pan-Orthodox character of the own efforts to provide leadership in giving and
Senior Vice-President of Public Storage Board is especially notable by the appointment continues to assure faithful stewardship of the
St. Steven’s Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, of representative bishops to the Board, who in generosity of donors to the Seminary. Each
Alhambra, California (SOC) this current term include His Eminence The member of the Board of St. Vladimir’s is
Most Rev. Metropolitan Philip (Saliba), Arch- deeply mindful of the responsibilities entrusted
bishop of New York and Metropolitan of All to us, and we assure you of our intention to
North America of The Self-Ruled Antiochian continue to nurture this beloved place of
Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North theological and spiritual depth. I
America (AOCANA) and Vice-president of
the Board of Trustees by election; His Grace
Maxim (Vasiljevic), Bishop of the Western Dio-
cese of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North
and South America (SOC); and His Grace
Savas of Troas, Chancellor of the Greek Ortho- Anne Glynn Mackoul
dox Archdiocese of North America (GOA). Executive Chair of the Board
2 St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary

4. The Father Alexander Schmemann Legacy Society
FATHER ALEXANDER SCHMEMANN
LEGACY SOCIETY MEMBERS*
In grateful memory of our departed brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ who remembered
St. Vladimir’s Seminary with a charitable bequest:
Paul B. Anderson Anna Kopestonsky
Anne Androshuk Stephen P. Kopestonsky
Olga Antonuk Nikola Kostich
Dorothy D. Antosh Rudolph P. Kunett
Demitry Aristarhoff Mary Kush
The Rt. Rev. Peter (Bankerovich) Thomas Labock
Prof. Georges Barrois Mary Lambrinos
Michael P. Behuniak Clarice J. Laushkin
“To love is to remember”— Metropolitan Ireney (Bekish) Rose Lewis
Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann Paul Belogradsky
D. Berejekoff
Anna Nicholaevna Lielmesch
Sarah D. Lutge
Dimitri Birkin Archpriest Paul Lutov
Nicholas I. Bobil Mary Maddalozzo
On this twenty-fifth year of Father Alexander If you wish to establish a gift in the form Prof. Alexander A. Bogolepov Mary E. Marron
Schmemann’s falling asleep in our Lord Jesus of a bequest in your will or revocable trust; or Fred Boldusoff Konstantine P. Mashevsky
Christ, and in grateful memory for all his myriad in the form of a life income arrangement such Fred S. Bondarchuk Sophie Masko
contributions to the Orthodox Christian Church, as a charitable gift annuity, charitable remain- Emil Boyko Protopresbyter John Meyendorff
and for bequeathing his vision for theological der annuity trust, charitable remainder uni- Alexandra Budaeff Zena Miron
education to the Seminary, the Board of trust; or by the creation of a charitable lead Paul Burns Sophia Noska
Trustees of St. Vladimir’s Seminary is honored trust; or by a promised gift of books or copy- David Buss Helen N. Ostapeck
to establish the “Father Alexander Schmemann rights that the Seminary has agreed to accept; John Chase George Pazin
Legacy Society.” Those who have remembered, or by naming St. Vladimir’s Seminary as a ben- Michael A. Cherwick Margaret Tooker Peterson
and will remember, St. Vladimir’s by including a eficiary of retirement plans or life insurance, John B. Chismark Alexander Piankoff
charitable gift in their estate planning comprise please contact Theodore Bazil, SVS Associate Joseph D. Chwan Joseph Pistey
the society. Chancellor for Advancement: ted@svots.edu Kenneth John Conant Eugenia Pomazneff
We offer you this opportunity to “remem- or 914-961-8313 ext 329. Anne Cornett Constantine C. Popoff
ber with love” Father Alexander, in thanksgiving There are no fees or dues associated with Eva Afton Czap Vladimir and Ethel Prokofieff
for his spiritual insight and clear foresight membership in this society. You need only to Ivan Michaelson Czap Feodor Remiga
concerning the preparation of leaders for the remind the Seminary of your eligibility, and we The Rev. Michael Czap Anastasia Romanoff
Church in America and throughout the world. will notify you before publishing your name. Helen Daderko Olga N. Rosselet-De Douanne
Your planned gift will assure the continuation If you prefer to remain anonymous, we will Julia Dorosh John Rusin
of Father Alexander’s vision and life’s work. respect your decision. I Archimandrite Alexander Doumoras Walter Scarloss
Theodore J. Dran Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann
Virginia H. Farah Ann D. Sencen
Paul Fekula Margaret L. Shimmel
Mary Fletcher Paul Skopic
REMEMBERING PROTOPRESBYTER Mitred Archpriest Georges Florovsky Maria Snehovsky
ALEXANDER SCHMEMANN 1921–1983 Sam Fritskey
John Gamble
Olga Sosenko
Joseph Spratly
Everett Gardner Olga V. Stadnik
Vera Garin Anna Stankevich
The Rt. Rev. Bishop Boris (Geeza) Peter Stosech
Hooda Germack Julia Pawchyk Stuppin
Albert Gessner Rose Tarasar
Sergei A. Gladilin Elizabeth Taton
Nina Gramowich Olga Taton
Catherine Grishkovsky Gregg Leo M. Telep
Anna Gregory Olga M. Telep
Anastasia Grudinoff Boris V. Timchenko
Anna M. Guba Joseph Tich
Rev. Peter Haskell Sergei E. Tulinoff
“Everyone capable of Mary Herbut Sophia Ushakoff
thanksgiving is capable of Robert C. Hunsicker
Vera Hyra
Katherine Vanysheff
Prof. Serge Verhovskoy
salvation and eternal joy.” Metropolitan Macarius (Iliinsky) Victor M. Visotsky
Michael Irvin Mary Walendzik
Anastasia S. Ivanoff Tatiana U. Weiser
Edith Kaplan Howard Albert Welch
Bessie Kibbey Marianna T. Wieland
Father Alexander Schmemann, Dean of because the revelation, the epiphany of Ortho- Lillian C. Kiddon Maria N. Yastreboff
St. Vladimir’s Seminary from 1962 to 1983, doxy, is only here.” Mitred Archpriest John Kivko Alex I. Yazikov
defined the meaning of “liturgical theology” By chanting the daily services, by remem- Julian Klecan Anna Zedlovich
for the Orthodox Christian world, especially bering our Lord’s life in the yearly liturgical Mary S. Klein Peter Zouboff
differentiating it from “liturgics,” the perfunctory cycle, and by participation in the Eucharistic Andrew Klimkosky Michael Zuk
performance of rite and ritual. celebrations, Father Alexander continually Alexandra Kopacz
For Father Alexander, liturgy opened a drank from the living waters of the Spirit; his
heavenly banquet to worshippers, allowing them ever-deepening liturgical experience was his
to enter into the timeless kingdom of God, if source of wisdom. His reflection on the place With gratitude for our living brothers and sisters who have remembered St. Vladimir’s Seminary
they had “eyes to see and ears to hear” (Matt 13: of the Eucharist in worship caused him, in his with a planned gift:
14–16). Beyond an intellectual enterprise, last public sermon, to exclaim: “Everyone
liturgy was for him an entrance into a world capable of thanksgiving is capable of salvation John and Margaret Branch
imbued with the grace of the Holy Spirit, a and eternal joy.” Michael E. and Grace Bress
place where God dwelled and offered to human Marking the twenty-fifth anniversary Maria E. Contos
beings the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, of Father Alexander’s death, St. Vladimir’s The Rev. Pdn. Peter and Tanya Danilchick
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and Seminary is humbled and pleased to remind Fr. Paul Doyle
self-control (Gal 5:22–23). “Theology” speak-
— the Orthodox Christian world of his life’s Frank and Edna Elkouri
ing of God—was possible only by meeting God work in the field of liturgical theology. From Albert Foundos
in worship, and liturgy was meant to effect per- Thursday, January 29 through Saturday, Janu- Brian and Marilyn Gerich
sonal transformation, enabling human beings to ary 31, 2009, St. Vladimir’s will host a major Anthony Kasmer
live as bondservants of Jesus Christ. academic symposium, “The Past and Future Leon and Pamela Lysaght
Only within liturgical worship and sacra- of Liturgical Theology: Celebrating the An- Alexander Popoff, Jr.
mental life, the ascent of the human toward niversary of Father Alexander Schmemann.” The Rev. Dn. John and Evangeline Zarras
the Divine and the bending of God toward The keynote speaker for the annual “Father
Earth, was true theology understood and expli- Alexander Schmemann Memorial Lecture” *Although we have made every attempt to properly list the donors of the planned gifts and
cated. “Without it,” Father Alexander noted in during the colloquium is noted liturgist bequests already established, we apology for any omissions, and we ask that you contact
his daily journal, “any explanation of Ortho- Robert F. Taft, S.J. Mr. Bazil with any correctives to our records: ted@svots.edu or 914-961-8313 ext 329.
doxy is impossible, unconvincing and needless, Memory eternal! I
www.svots.edu 3

5. A Year at St. Vladimir’s Seminary THE SVS VINE ANNUAL REPORT FY08
The very reality of the Students coming to the Seminary from
Seminary as a community traditional Orthodox Christian families and
parish life are now the exception rather than
is grounded upon a com- the rule. Many seminarians are converts to
mon vision expressed in Orthodoxy. Also, many have retired from pro-
fessional careers and are seeking a vocation in
the sacramental life of the the Church. They are frequently married with
Church and experienced in children. These changes reflect the current re-
alities of church life and present the Seminary
corporate prayer. Without with new responsibilities. I
this, seminary life would be
indistinguishable from any
other graduate school. St.
Vladimir’s, then, is charac-
terized by its sense of unity CAMPUS FACILITIES
and community. The Seminary is located in the “Crestwood”
neighborhood of Yonkers, New York, in subur-
ban Westchester County, close to nature but only
thirty minutes by car or train from the rich cul-
tural and educational resources of New York City.
The beautiful Three Hierarchs Chapel crowns
the 12-acre campus. The Seminary owns and
operates eighteen buildings—including the John
G. Rangos Family Administration Building,
COMMUNITY OF DIVERSITY completed in Spring 2002—which house the
impressive library, classrooms, faculty offices,
the seminary press, a large and well-stocked
But this does not mean sterile uniformity. The bookstore, dormitories for single men and Peter Danilchick and his wife, Tanya, and will
Seminary brings together persons of many dif- women students, and the refectory. The thirty- serve not only the SVS community, but also re-
ferent backgrounds and cultures. This can be eight on-campus apartments and suites, includ- searchers worldwide who are interested in the
seen not only in the faculty and Board of ing the newly built Lakeside Student Apartments, Orthodox faith.
Trustees—which includes bishops of the Ortho- serve as married-student housing. Homes for Additionally, SVS seminarians may access
dox Church in America (OCA), the Antiochian faculty and staff on the campus contribute to the all M.Div., M.Th., and D.Min. theses written
Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North Amer- strong sense of community. by not only our alumni but also by scholars
ica (AOCANA), the Greek Archdiocese of Amer- The Father Georges Florovsky Library at across the country, through the Theological Re-
ica (GOA), the Serbian Orthodox Church in St. Vladimir’s Seminary is one of the richest search Exchange Network (TREN), featuring
North and South America (SOC), and the Amer- Eastern Orthodox resources available in the quality indexing and full-text availability. SVS
ican Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian western world. The library currently holds students can now search or browse through the
Church—but also in the student body, past and more than 140,000 volumes and is especially TREN database of over 6,800 theological the-
present. Seminary alumni now include more strong in the areas of Orthodox Christian ses/dissertations and conference papers, not
than 900 ordained clergy—among them 38 church history, theology, scripture, philosophy, only by keywords in the title of the document
bishops, including one patriarch, and metropol- and culture. Significant literature in other areas but also by words inside the document. I
itans, archbishops, and bishops. Besides the of theology, art, music, and education are sys-
SEMINARY LIFE more than 900 clergy worldwide, nearly 900
more alumni are laity, including 266 women.
tematically acquired. The holdings have been
enriched by the donation of many private li-
Out of its total 1,800 alumni throughout the braries, including the libraries of former faculty
St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary is world, more than 1,200 work in the Church as members at St. Vladimir’s Seminary. These in-
officially described as a “graduate professional
school” and an “institution of higher learning,”
full-time laborers for Christ. The SVS Alumni As-
sociation, with its President, The Very Rev.
clude Frs. Georges Florovsky, Alexander
Schmemann, John Meyendorff, Anthony Re-
ACADEMIC ACCREDITATION
yet it is neither narrowly vocational nor merely David Barr (AOCANA), has revitalized its mem- pella, and Thomas Hopko, and Metropolitan
academic. Rather, an understanding of theology bership and now is establishing regional class Makary, John Kolchin, Dr. Nicholas Arseniev, St Vladimir’s Seminary is a graduate profes-
that seeks to engage the whole person—shun- organizers throughout the globe. I Dr. Nicholas Ozerov, Dr. Veselin Kesich, David sional school chartered and approved by the
ning compartmentalization and fragmentation, Drillock, and many others. The library serves Board of Regents for and on behalf of the
which so often characterize higher education— the needs of the faculty and students of the Education Department of the University of the
molds all aspects of seminary life. Seminary, and the worldwide scholarly commu- State of New York. It is accredited nationally
One graduate described the program at nity as well. Visiting scholars are welcome. by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS)
St. Vladimir’s as “impossible, but realistic”: St. Vladimir’s Seminary is a founding in the United States and Canada. I
“impossible” because of the heavy demands of
course work, chapel services, choir trips, hos-
ENROLLMENT member of the New York Area Theological Li-
brary Association (NYATLA), and participates
pital ministry, supervised field work, parish in the METRO system for inter-library loan
visits, and work assignments; but “realistic” Enrollment statistics for the Seminary suggest from libraries in the New York area, as well as
because active involvement in church life and something of the rich diversity of the seminary across the country. All library operations have
service is no less demanding. At St. Vladimir’s
the knowledge, skills, and reflexes needed for
community: we have had men and women stu-
dents from the United States and Canada, and
been computerized, thus speeding the process-
ing of new materials and providing greater
CAMPUS ACTIVITIES
“real” life are developed, in the refectory and in a typical year also from Russia, Serbia, Ro- flexibility in research techniques. The library is
hallways as well as in the classroom. mania, Bulgaria, Belarus, the Middle East, Ar- committed to the use of modern technology St. Vladimir’s Seminary, although a relatively
Visitors to St. Vladimir’s are often struck menia, Australia, Indonesia, Japan, India, and to assist the student and scholar. A pleasant small-sized seminary, acts as a hub of
by the sense of common purpose, commit- Chile. St. Vladimir’s thus reflects both the vari- reading room is available for students and Orthodoxy, hosting national and international
ment, and endeavor shared by students, fac- ety and the potential of the world in which the scholars alike and the campus has wireless symposia and colloquia. Additionally, SVS is
ulty, and staff. This is no accident. “Theology,” Orthodox Church lives today. Though the Semi- computer connections. an integral part of the local neighborhood and
in the Orthodox Christian tradition, is neither nary is not large, the scope of its witness and During the summer of 2008, the library was recently recognized by the Crestwood
simply a task of the mind nor an individual mission is global. software was converted to the Koha open source Historical Society, City of Yonkers, County of
matter. It is the life of the mind and heart, and During the Fall 2007–Spring 2008 semes- system. The Online Public Access Catalog Westchester, and State of New York in a public
body and soul, of persons united in a commu- ters, 82 full-time students were enrolled at SVS, (OPAC) is available to the public through the ceremony, for its valuable services to the wider
nity of faith. St. Vladimir’s seeks to live within and in the fall of 2008, 38 new students en- seminary Web page (www.svots.edu) under the community. Moreover, our faculty and
this tradition in its daily rhythm. rolled, bringing the total number of full-time menu tab, “Library.” The new system is made administration regularly travel off-campus to
Visitors are also impressed by the richness students for FY09 to 86. New and returning stu- possible by a gift from SVS Trustee Protodeacon meet with constituents and make new friends,
of the seminary’s liturgical life. Daily worship in dents represent a multi-jurisdictional, multi-na- through speaking engagements, presentations
the chapel, the observance of the Church’s fasts tional presence, and statistically break down as of retreats and seminars, and gatherings of
and the celebration of its feasts are not mere or- follows: Orthodox Church in America (OCA), alumni and potential supporters. Just a glimpse
naments added to an otherwise complete pro- 29; Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of SVS activities during FY08 attests to SVS’s
gram. As an integral part of their campus life, of North America (AOCANA), 19; Greek Or- dynamic ministry. I
students attend daily chapel services, and thodox Archdiocese of America (GOA), 13; Ar- The Father Georges
ordained students are assigned to celebrate the menian Apostolic Church, 6; Serbian Orthodox
various services; seminary students comprise the Church (SOC), 5; Malankara Orthodox Syrian Florovsky Library at
choir, and direct it as well. The very reality of Church, 3; Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church, St. Vladimir’s Seminary
the Seminary as a community is grounded upon 2; Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia
a common vision expressed in the sacramental (ROCOR), 2; Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese
is one of the richest
life of the Church and experienced in corporate of America and Canada, 2; the Bulgarian Patriar- Eastern Orthodox
prayer. Without this, seminary life would be in- chal Orthodox Church, 1; and the Patriarchate
distinguishable from any other graduate school. of Moscow, 1. Additionally, three non-Orthodox
resources available
St. Vladimir’s, then, is characterized by its sense students, of the Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and in the western world.
of unity and community. I Evangelical faiths, attend the Seminary.
4 St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary

6. A Year at St. Vladimir’s Seminary_continued
JULY 08 Newly elected Dean and Chancellor of SVS, Fr. John Behr AUGUST FY08 The Rev. Alexander Rentel, Assistant Professor of AUGUST FY08 Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko, Dean Emeritus, SEPTEMBER FY08 Dean, Fr. John Behr, and Chancellor, Fr. Chad
and Fr. Chad Hatfield, attended the 48th Antiochian Orthodox Byzantine Studies and Canon Law at SVS and ecclesiarch for the served as keynote speaker for the four-day Orientation of New Stu- Hatfield, were installed in their new offices at a formal convoca-
Christian Archdiocesan Convention in Montreal, Canada, and seminary chapel, follows the tradition of blessing flowers and dents, basing his presentation around the life and teachings of tion, and vested with the crosses of their respective offices. An
were honored by their induction into the “Order of Saint Ignatius,” herbs on the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos. the desert monk, St. Anthony the Great. accompanying academic symposium with world-renowned schol-
a fellowship of people who have received special recognition for ars centered on the theme “The Challenges for Orthodox Theology
“putting ‘feet’ to their faith” in support of various church min- and Theological Education in the 21st Century.”
istries and charities.
SEPTEMBER FY08 Guest speaker Dr. Elizabeth Theokritoff kicked OCTOBER FY08 SVS welcomed hundreds of guests to its annual OCTOBER FY08 His Eminence Nathaniel, Archbishop of Detroit NOVEMBER FY08 Faculty and staff tied on aprons and served the
off a campus-wide initiative for environmental sustainability with open house for alumni, supporters, and the local neighborhood— and the Romanian Episcopate (OCA), was the first to participate seminarian families traditional foods for the feast at the annual
a keynote, “I Believe in the Creator of Heaven and Earth.” The Go- Orthodox Education Day—to explore the theme “Our Church: in the new “Hierarchs in Residence” program at St. Vladimir’s pre-Thanksgiving Dinner.
Green initiative encompasses a broad range of practices—from Her Mission and Her Future.” Seminary: each semester one bishop spends at least one full day
cost-saving energy measures offered by New York State to cooper- at the Seminary, teaching, informally conversing, sharing meals,
ative recycling efforts with city and county agencies. and monitoring classes.
NOVEMBER & MARCH FY08 Prospective seminarians toured the NOVEMBER FY08 The Inter-Seminary Dialogue (ISD) in the greater NOVEMBER FY08 SVS Trustees meet on the seminary campus NOVEMBER FY08 SVS Chancellor Fr. Chad Hatfield was the
campus and attended faculty presentations and a Q&A session New York metropolitan area is a program that gives seminarians semi-annually, fall and spring, and participate yearly in the main speaker at the Indian Youth Conference, and also visited
with current students at the Fall and Spring Open Houses. the opportunity to interact and discuss theological points with commencement exercises. St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Church in Baltimore, MD.
students of other faiths.
DECEMBER FY08 Over 25 SVS alumni and spouses gathered for a DECEMBER FY08 SVS joined with Orthodox Youth Outreach (OYO) DECEMBER FY08 SVS faculty members, students, and alumni DECEMBER FY08 Campus residents celebrated the Feast of St.
pre-performance alumni banquet, and then attended the world in welcoming 35 high school students to the Seminary for a mis- taught at both the East and West Coast conferences of the Ortho- Nicholas; students, faculty, and staff also get together throughout
premiere of “Christmas Oratorio” composed by His Grace Bishop sion-focused Christmas retreat, entitled “Who Is My Neighbor?” dox Christian Fellowship (OCF)—a nationwide college campus the year for cookouts, talent shows, and special events for
Hilarion of Vienna, in Washington, D.C. ministry—during the winter break between seminary semesters. children in the community.
www.svots.edu 5

7. A Year at St. Vladimir’s Seminary_continued THE SVS VINE ANNUAL REPORT FY08
JANUARY FY08 In the midst of winter recess, the Seminary JANUARY FY08 Metropolitan Mar Barnabas of the American JANUARY FY08 Chancellor Fr. Chad Hatfield, seminarians and JANUARY FY08 The Feast of the Three Hierarchs (the patronal
celebrated the great feast of Theophany, and blessed the homes, Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church spent one day their families, and staff participated in the National March for feast of the seminary chapel) included the celebration of the Di-
dormitories, and offices on campus with holy water. Besides at SVS as “Hierarch in Residence.” Metropolitan Mar Barnabas Life, making SVS’s first pro-life witness in Washington D.C. vine Liturgy, an academic symposium on the writings of St. John
celebrating all major and most minor feast days with a Divine shepherds over 10,000 Indian Orthodox Christians in the U.S., Chrysostom, and the 25th Annual Father Alexander Schmemann
Liturgy,, the seminary community worships together twice daily, including many SVS seminarians. Here, The Very Rev. Dr. Daniel Memorial Lecture.
at matins and vespers. Findikyan, SVS Alumnus and Dean of St. Nersess Armenian Semi-
nary, presents Mar Barnabas a welcoming gift.
FEBRUARY FY08 SVS hosted a Red Cross Blood Drive, and the FEBRUARY FY08 In an all-student seminar, parish priest, profes- MARCH FY08 Bishop Joseph, Diocese of Los Angeles and the West MARCH FY08 Faculty reach out to alumni in parishes throughout
Metropolitan Philip Auditorium was transformed into a clinic for sional counselor, and SVS Alumnus [M.Div. (‘90), M.A. (‘91), and of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese in North America the world. On the Sunday of Orthodoxy, SVS Dean Fr. John Behr de-
the local community to offer the “gift of life.” D.Min. (‘99)] Fr. Steven Voytovich shared his experience regarding (AOCANA), presented a two-day Lenten retreat to the seminary livered the sermon at a vespers service held at the Antiochian Or-
pastoral care and addictions. Theo Nicolakis, Director of Information community, centered on the theme “Holy Nation–Holy Priesthood.” thodox Basilica of St. Mary in Livonia, MI, where The Very Rev.
Technology for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and member of the George Shalhoub is the parish priest.
executive committee of the Religious Affiliation Against Pornogra-
phy, discussed “Addictions and Temptations through Technology.”
APRIL FY08 SVS welcomed Orthodox faithful from surrounding MAY FY08 SVS Alumnus, The Very Rev. Dr. Michael Oleksa (‘73)— MAY FY08 At an off-site academic convocation hosted at St. MAY FY08 The SVS Board of Trustees officially appointed Ms. Alla
parishes for the annual campus community Lenten retreat titled, village priest in Alaska, university professor, consultant on inter- George Orthodox Christian Cathedral, Wichita, KS, SVS Trustees Generalow to the full-time faculty position of Director of Liturgical
“The Energized Parish: Clergy and Laity Together,” led by SVS cultural relations and communications, and author of several and faculty bestowed the degree of Doctor of Divinity (honoris Music, with responsibility for the music instruction of seminari-
alumnus The Very. Rev. Constantine Nasr (‘73). books on Alaskan native cultures and history—delivered the com- causa) upon Professor Anthony P. Gythiel. ans and for the supervision and direction of the chapel choirs.
mencement address to twenty-nine students, graduating in five
academic programs.
JUNE FY08 Marking its 80th anniversary, The Fellowship of St. Alban JUNE FY08 Practicum faculty led workshops in chapel and gave JUNE FY08 SVS Chancellor Fr. Chad Hatfield led a retreat for the JUNE FY08 Mark Bailey, Program Director for the Peter P. Prokofieff
and St. Sergius—an Orthodox and Anglican fellowship—held a presentations to participants during the Diaconal Liturgical Annual Assembly of The Serbian Orthodox Clergy Brotherhood of Advanced Certificate in Liturgical Music at SVS, coordinated the
major international conference on the SVS campus, entitled “Rome, Practicum hosted on the SVS campus. North and South America, which convened at the Serbian Ortho- summer Composers’ Seminar, at which Orthodox Christian musi-
Constantinople, and Canterbury: Mother Churches?” dox Cathedral of St. Sava in New York City. cians throughout the U.S. immersed themselves in musical com-
position and study.
6 St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary