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The V.Rev. Paul Lazor, dean of students, holds the Gospel at the Divine Liturgy celebrated on Orthodox Education Day, 2003. (See page 9)

AUTUMN 2003 sn 0 contents ohn Mindala J features at the seminary ON THE COVER Seminarians from SVS and St Tikhon’s REMEMBERING CAMPUS CHRONICLE Seminary, directed by David Drillock, join OUR LEADERS: Seminary activities voices for the United Nations prayer 1957–1983 8 service held at Holy Trinity Greek As SVS celebrates its 65th anniversary, Orthodox Cathedral in Manhattan on MEMORY ETERNAL October 6, 2003. For a complete story Fr Hopko reminisces about the please go to www.oca.org/pages/events. seminary’s middle years, inspired by the SVS extends its sympathy scriptural command to “Remember those 10 who spoke to you the Word of sn God” • by V.Rev.Thomas Hopko CLASS NOTES Autumn 2003 • volume 1, number 2 2 Alumni news 10 Editor: Julia Mason Wickes, A PROCESS, communications officer NOT A PRODUCT DOWN THE ROAD Advisory board: John H. Erickson, dean; Events calendar David Drillock, chief financial officer Fifteen years ago, SVS launched its 11 Art direction: Amber J. Schley first strategic planning effort. Now,with Production: Alexander Cadman renewed effort, we press forward • by Contributing to this issue: Fr Thomas Protodeacon Peter Danilchick PILLARS Hopko, dean emeritus; Protodeacon Peter SVS thanks the Kasmers Danilchick; Fr Gregory Safchuk; and 6 Dn Jesse Greendyk, advancement officer 12 Excerpts from God with Us (p. 14) used by ALUMNI PROFILE permission, SVS Press SVSNews highlights Fr Gregory READER’S CORNER St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Safchuk, rector of St Mark’s Orthodox John Breck’s God With Us Seminary is a graduate school of theology, whose primary purpose is the preparation Church in Bethesda, Maryland, and his 13 of leaders, both clergy and lay, for service Education Day homily about how the to the Orthodox Church and the world faith of our friends and teachers leads us OFF THE PRESS at large. forward in Christ New releases from SVS Press Web site: www.svots.edu 14 Comments about the SVSNews magazine are welcome. Please e-mail [email protected]. 7 Remembering Our Leaders 1957–1983 AS SVS CELEBRATES ITS 65TH ANNIVERSARY, FR HOPKO REMINISCES ABOUT THE SEMINARY’S MIDDLE YEARS,INSPIRED BY THE SCRIPTURAL COMMAND TO “REMEMBER YOUR LEADERS,THOSE WHO SPOKE TO YOU THE WORD OF GOD; CONSIDER THE OUTCOME OF THEIR LIFE,AND IMITATE THEIR FAITH” (Hebrews 13:7). by Dean Emeritus Fr Thomas Hopko

Fr Thomas Hopko (second from left) is pictured here with the 1962 octet. SVS Dean of Students Fr Paul Lazor (ﬁfth from left) and Chief Financial Ofﬁcer David Drillock (fourth from left) were also members of this class.

2• AUTUMN 2003 sn COMING TO THE SEMINARY I heard about St Vladimir’s in 1956 from a friend, Frank Kulik, now a psychiatrist in Jackson, Mississippi, and a staunch seminary supporter. Frank was a freshman at Drew University in New Jersey while I was enrolled at a small college in upstate New York. He phoned to tell me of a seminar he attended at Drew on the theme of Russian Orthodoxy. He was particularly impressed by one of the speak- ers, a young priest named Fr Alexander Schmemann, a teacher at St Vladimir’s Seminary in New York City. He suggested that we travel to find out more about St Vladimir’s during our Easter vacation in 1957. Driving to New York City in my father’s black and white Chevy (which unfor- Met. Leonty (center), a man of striking spiritual nobility and tunately, by the conclusion of our trip, needed a new humility, laid the foundation of the seminary’s library. clutch), we approached the seminary’s neighborhood, Later that day we met with Fr Schmemann, Fr Daniel “We approached the Hubiak, and Nicholas Ozerov (all of whom, I noted, smoked Camels.) They assured us that we would be most seminary’s neighborhood welcome at St Vladimir’s but needed to enroll in a bachelor’s program at an area college. This requirement looking for golden cupolas. suited me since my father insisted that I obtain a college degree. He wanted people to know that if I became a priest Instead we found a six-story it was “by choice,” and not because I was “too dumb to tenement on the corner of study or too lazy to work.” Such was a widely held view in those days when, as my schoolmate, the late Fr John Psinka, Broadway and 121st Street.” would say,“few were called and all were chosen.” When I arrived at the seminary the fall of that same year, Morningside Heights, looking for golden cupolas. Instead the door was opened to me by another entering seminarian we found a six-story tenement on the corner of Broadway named Frank Lazor, later to be known as Metropolitan and 121st Street. The seminary was housed in several Theodosius of the Orthodox Church in America. After apartments while its classes were held in rooms (usually spending my first night, I was awakened by Kostya Kallaur the boiler room) at Union Theological Seminary. After (now a university professor and faithful seminary locating the office and chapel on the second floor, we supporter) who told me that we had work to do: Union found Fr Schmemann’s apartment on the fourth and rang Seminary was discarding old beds, tables, and lamps which his bell. A gray-haired woman with black wire frame would be useful in our apartments. I’ll never forget my first glasses informed us that Father would be back later. I said to day in seminary, pushing a heavily loaded dolly many times Frank, “I thought you said that Fr Schmemann was young. across Broadway while cars screeched by, blowing their His wife sure looks old!” However, this wasn’t his wife, but horns. a woman named “Vava” who helped the Schmemann The seminary had no refectory so we ate as we could, household—its young working “matushka,” three children, mostly cooking for ourselves in our apartment kitchens. I and several seminarians. (happily) lost thirty pounds my first semester. You can

sn AUTUMN 2003 • 3 imagine my joy in going home for winter break with my pastoral school at St Tikhon’s Monastery in Pennsylvania new “ascetical seminarian look.” opened. Nineteen thirty-eight happened to be the 950th anniversary of the baptism of Kievan Rus by Prince THE SEMINARY Vladimir. Appropriately, the school was dedicated to St There were about twenty-five seminarians in 1957. Around Vladimir both to honor the anniversary and emphasize the half of us were “pre-theological” school’s missionary character. (sometimes referred to as “pre- I remember well Metropolitan logical”). Approximately ten were Leonty’s visits to the seminary, Antiochians sent by Metropol- and our visits to his cathedral on itan Anthony Bashir. Two part- Second Street where we time students were women, a seminarians would go to serve, Copt from Egypt and a convert read, and sing. He was a majestic called “Lady Pepys” from man of striking spiritual nobility England. Frank Kulik and I shared and humility. He loved to joke, apartment sixty-three, along with asking us, with a smile and a Japanese, a Serb, a Romanian, a twinkling eyes, if we knew Heb- post-WWII Russian refugee and a rew and Greek, taunting us with couple of “Americans” like our- feigned severity that it was selves. I learned to imitate each of impossible for us to understand their signatures in order to sign the scriptures without such everyone’s name on the “sign-in knowledge. sheet” that we slipped under Professor Serge Verhovskoy’s door Metropolitan Leonty laid the at ten o’clock each night—proof foundation for the seminary that we were home by curfew. library by securing at his own Professor Verhovskoy (then writ- expense the thousands of books ten and pronounced “Ver-hov- and journals collected by Fr sky,” with the accent on the Anthony Repella. I cataloged second syllable) was the provost many of them during the sum- and also the de facto dean of mer of 1960, and afterwards, as students.The seminary rector was my seminary job. This gave me Metropolitan Leonty, primate of an air of knowledge of Russian the Russian Orthodox Greek theological literature that was Catholic Church in North The Rev John Meyendorff, former dean and professor of quite deceiving, since all I did America, since 1970, the “OCA.” patristics, played an enormous role in the life of the school. was skim each volume to He had assigned himself to this determine, quite unprofession- position after Fr Georges Florovsky left St Vladimir’s to go ally, how it should be identified and shelved. Metropolitan to Harvard and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Seminary in Leonty died in 1965 after having officially appointed Fr 1955. Alexander Schmemann, whom he deeply admired, as seminary dean in 1962. I was blessed to see him on his METROPOLITAN LEONTY deathbed. I think he should be canonized a saint. Metropolitan Leonty, while still a young archpriest in the SCHMEMANN AND VERHOVSKOY 1910s, had been dean of an Orthodox seminary in Minneapolis, Minnesota. However, from 1923 to 1938, the Under Fr Alexander’s leadership, St Vladimir’s came to be so Russian government confiscated many properties belong- joined with his person and work that it was known, ing to what was then considered the “American mission,” affectionately and not so affectionately, as the and no Orthodox theological schools in North America “schmemannary.” The connection, almost identification in existed during this interval. It was after this period, in some circles, of St Vladimir’s with Fr Alexander was under- 1938, that both a graduate school in New York City and a standable but also seriously misleading in that many others

4• AUTUMN 2003 sn Professor Serge Verhovskoy (left), also known as “Prof,” was the seminary’s bulwark and was largely responsible for finding the Crestwood property. Professor Nicholas Arseniev (right) knew about fifteen languages, ancient and modern, and could quote the Greek New Testament from memory. played enormous roles in the life of the school. First among thoughts and convictions about everything, multiple times, them was Professor Sergei Sergeevich Verhovskoy, whom before finally turning things over to me. He threatened me everyone at the school called “Prof.” “Prof” was the with his “eternal malediction” if I ever taught any of my seminary’s bulwark and anchor. He lived at the school from own ideas as Church doctrine. He promised me the same if his arrival from France in 1951 until his death in 1986. He I ever allowed the seminary to cut one minute of the six loved meeting with the seminarians, favoring especially the semesters of required dogmatics. I think I’m still out of women students and seminarians’ wives, of whom he was harms way in regard to the former threat. the most devoted advocate. In addition to teaching he was provost and financial officer, largely involved in finding the ARSENIEV, KESICH, AND MEYENDORFF Prof. Nicholas Arseniev taught from the mid-1950s until “These five men were as shortly before his death in 1977. He was almost totally blind until near the end of his life when he had corrective different from one another surgery.We couldn’t bear to watch him cross the New York streets in traffic not only because of his terrible eyesight, as could be found on Earth. but also because he usually walked in a state of mystical ecstasy. He knew about fifteen languages, ancient and God truly had a sense of modern, and once asked me in all seriousness if I knew Sanskrit! I replied that I hardly knew English. He quoted the humor and divine purpose Greek New Testament from memory (often holding the book upside down because of his poor eyesight), Dante in in bringing them together.” Italian, John of the Cross in Spanish, Goethe in German and Pascal in French. When I was an undergraduate at Fordham Crestwood property that the seminary occupied in the fall and not yet in the seminary’s graduate program, I was of 1962. He loved the Crestwood campus. Woe to the one allowed to take Dr Arseniev’s elective courses on mysticism, who trimmed a tree without “Prof’s” approval! Russian religious literature, and comparative religions. I Prof. Verhovskoy taught dogmatic and moral theology heard many of his lectures before ever having exposure to (which he pronounced “feeology”), and lots of other those of Fr Schmemann, Prof.Verhovskoy,or Fr Meyendorff. things as well. He clearly considered himself the strongest His lectures were always charged with the power of the (if not the sole) defender of Orthodoxy on campus. As his boundless love of God given to us lavishly, freely, in Christ. handpicked successor I met with him for several hours The young Dr Veselin Kesich taught New Testament with Dr every week, even after I began teaching in the graduate Arseniev, as well as Greek, early Christianity, and Serbian division with him in the early 1970s. “Prof” taught me his continued on page 11

sn AUTUMN 2003 • 5 STRATEGIC PLANNING AT SVS the next decade. It was a “process” because it required the seminary to persistently reﬂect upon its performance. How has St Vladimir’s fared in realizing these goals? When one A Process, compares the plan on paper to the tangible results, one can see clear-cut progress. But the needs of the Church contin- Not a Product ually evolve. Thus, in late 2001, the Board of Trustees decided to initiate another major planning effort, by Protodeacon Peter Danilchick “SVS2010.”

Fifteen years ago, in December 1988, St Vladimir’s RENEWED EFFORT–SVS2010 Seminary launched its first strategic planning effort, “SVS2000,” by hosting a workshop for SVS trustees, faculty, During much of 2002, the seminary actively sought the and staff. “Strategic planning” was a new concept for the input of its supporters and friends. SVS conducted inter- seminary then and a bit controversial. In fact, one bishop views with church leaders, held focus groups at church attendee said at the beginning of the workshop: “Strategic gatherings, and mailed surveys to everyone in its database as planning is for corporate business, not for the Church.” well as the current student body.What was the outcome? Indeed, a few others shared his concerns. Even former Dean Fr John Meyendorff was apprehensive as to what this new method might mean. However, after a few days of lectures, “We do not expect anything group exercises and discussions, most of these hesitations evaporated. In fact, when Metropolitan Theodosius asked Fr revolutionary to come out of John his opinion of the proposed plan later, he replied: “Well, we do not expect anything revolutionary to come it…but if it is revolutionary, out of it…but if it is revolutionary, so be it!” The attendees first learned that planning must be placed in so be it!” the context of Christ and His Church. Planning is simply asking questions: “What are we doing? How are we doing? What should we be doing?” And while those of us who The respondents evaluated SVS in seventeen categories. Rat- attended this workshop in 1988 had to ask ourselves such ings improved overall from the 1989 survey in thirteen of questions, it was also essential that we open ourselves to the these while remaining static in the other four. They pro- questions posed by the Lord. Just as he asks Bartimaeus, the nounced the most improvement in the following areas: the blind man, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark library, married student housing, church support, campus 10:51) so he asks us. We learned to consider this question outreach, and financial resources. Among the points of prayerfully.Secondly,we learned that to answer the question, weakness that the surveys brought to bear were internet/ “how are we doing,” we must be absolutely open, honest, distance education, practical parish training, and support of and humble. Such openness requires us to invite the input alumni. of everyone who is invested in the seminary. It is not solely Even though this “report card” was generally favorable, SVS “those in charge” who write the plan, but also those whom leaders perceived that the demands of the Church are ever the seminary serves and the entire Church body. expanding—challenging the seminary to meet them with After attending the 1988 workshop, one lay trustee said: greater rigor. “For to whom much is given, much shall be “Even if we don’t do anything else, this short experience has required” (Luke 12:48). If the seminary fails to press for- shown us all—bishops, laity,faculty,and staff—that we love ward, then it fails the legacy of its founders, notable teach- the seminary,feel strongly about its role, and want to help it ers, alumni, supporters, and benefactors. better serve the Church.” Many others echoed this sentiment Extensive comments were received answering the question in the subsequent seminars, surveys, and interviews that took place throughout the following year.These activities gener- “What is to be done?”The following are just a small sample ated input that SVS leaders considered with care and then of these answers: fleshed out into specific goals and objectives for the next • Develop a distance education program, focusing on several years of seminary operations, beginning in 1990. continuing education for alumni. SVS leaders carried out the strategic planning process over continued on page 11

6• AUTUMN 2003 sn ALUMNUS PROFILE Fr Gregory Safchuk

One of the goals of SVS is to prepare its students to serve the Church. Therefore, the seminary is always pleased to welcome back one of its graduates who has gone on to do just that. This fall on Orthodox Education Day, the V. Rev. Fr Gregory Fr Gregory Safchuk, member of the 1982 graduating class, Safchuck serving communion at was at SVS to concelebrate the Divine Liturgy, at which he the Education gave a homily highlighting the theme for the day: Day liturgy “Orthodox Tradition:Yesterday and Today.” (above) and delivering Before giving an excerpt of this sermon, SVSNews would like the homily. to acknowledge Fr Gregory’s activities in brief. After com- pleting his Master of Divinity degree in 1982, he accepted a three-year teaching fellowship at St Herman’s Seminary in The following is an excerpt of the homily on Luke 5:17-26 Kodiak, Alaska. During this period, he was ordained to the that Fr Safchuk gave on Orthodox Education Day: priesthood on May 19, 1984, at the SVS Three Hierarchs Today we heard a story from the Gospel of St Luke, which describes Chapel by His Beatitude Metropolitan Theodosius. After a the healing of a paralyzed man.A nameless group of people bring him three-year assignment as Associate Pastor of Ss Peter & Paul to Jesus,carrying him on his bed.It is a benevolent effort on the part Church in Detroit, Michigan, he was received into the Dio- of his friends.We can surmise that they make this effort for two cese of the West, where he was priest of St Innocent Church reasons:first,they care for this man,and second,they believe that Jesus in Tarzana,California, for twelve years and dean of the Pacific can heal him.It is their belief and love that motivate them to act on Southwest Deanery for ten years. In 2000 he was made rec- his behalf.This is the basic dynamic of salvation; the fulfillment of tor of St Mark’s Church in Bethesda, Maryland, where he the greatest commandment: to love one’s neighbor as one’s self. currently holds a full schedule of liturgical services, offers pastoral care to all ages, conducts catechetical classes, and is In this gospel story,faith is revealed as an indispensable condition for salvation, not only personal faith, but collective faith; for the paralytic is healed as a direct result of his friends’faith.Moreover,his physical healing is a by-product of the forgiveness of his sins: “I was embraced by spiritual sickness—sin—is what truly paralyzes a man.We are all paralytics in some sense,and,therefore,all need both healing and help yet another community from others. From conception, we are dependent on the care of others.As an infant,my sponsors at baptism made a commitment to of friends who carried me, help me enter into the Church. I was raised in the faith, taught by many others,both family and friends,from home to church school to like the paralytic, closer seminary—this seminary. When I arrived here twenty-eight years ago,this fact was made clear to Christ.” to me by Fr Hopko, who said that no man can be saved alone. I was met here and embraced by yet another community of friends who carried me,like the paralytic,closer to Christ.Lessons were offered in responsible for all aspects of parochial administration. the classrooms, the chapel, and in student life. Many who were my Among other of his noteworthy capacities in the Church, he teachers then are now gone, replaced by others who carry on the was one of the founding members of the Board of Directors cycle of education and inspiration. I will always be grateful to those for Project Mexico and is now serving the second of two six- who taught me:Fr Alexander Schmemann,Fr John Meyendorff,Prof. year terms of membership on the Metropolitan Council of Serge Verhovskoy and Fr Cyril Stavrevsky, most recently of blessed the OCA. SVS encourages Fr Gregory, and all its graduates, memory.Each in his own way taught the same thing:the faith of the “remembering before our God and Father your work of teachers who came before us, from Christ to the apostles— faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord the Word of God.This indeed is the theme for today: “Orthodox Jesus Christ” (I Thessalonians 1:3). Tradition:Yesterday and Today.”

sn AUTUMN 2003 • 7 the construction of additional married CAMPUS CHRONICLE student housing and efforts to expand DEAN OF SAINT Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the the pastoral formation program. Fr Victor Sokolov, rector of the cathedral, SERGIUS INSTITUTE Armenian Church, the Malankara Orthodox Church, and several non- served as host, while Randa Aoun, a IN PARIS HIGH- Orthodox churches. Thirty-eight stu- recent SVS graduate, provided abun- LIGHTS 2003 dents are married. On-campus married dant refreshments as the gathering of COMMENCEMENT student apartments are filled to capac- friends continued into the early ity while nine additional apartments evening. SVS hopes to make such suc- Protopresbyter Boris Bobrinskoy, dean are being subsidized by the seminary cessful reunions a regular occurrence of St Sergius Institute in Paris and one to house the dramatic increase in for alumni across the country. of the world's foremost Orthodox numbers of married students. theologians, was featured speaker at LECTURE SERIES HONORS the May 17, 2003, commencement JAROSLAV PELIKAN’S 80TH exercises. Before Fr Boris delivered SVS his message, Metropolitan Herman BIRTHDAY FACULTY conferred on him the degree of Doc- This December 17, Jaroslav Pelikan tor of Divinity, REPRESENT will turn eighty. His birthday celebra- honoris causa and SEMINARY tion, however, began in May and will presented him AT ALUMNI span the course of eight months, with the doc- GATHERINGS THROUGHOUT punctuated by several scholarly occa- toral cross. In sions across the country.Various semi- THE COUNTRY his talk, Fr naries have collaborated to host a Boris encouraged the graduates and As part of the seminary's outreach to lecture series entitled “Orthodoxy and reminded them of their vocation as its graduates, faculty members who Western Culture” to honor this theo- bearers of the gospel of Christ. travel across the country often meet logical luminary. The participating with alumni to report on seminary institutions, such as Yale University, SVS WELCOMES RECORD- activities and to listen to their con- the University of Chicago Divinity SIZE INCOMING CLASS cerns.Two such meetings took place in School, and Southern Methodist Uni- the month of October, with Fr Alexan- versity, each have a personal connec- In September, forty-five new students der Rentel representing the seminary tion to Jaroslav Pelikan. SVS is honored joined the SVS student body—the at the Diocesan Assembly of the Dio- to be among them. largest incoming class to date. This cese of the Midwest (OCA) in Colum- As part of the series, on September 14, brings the total number of students at bus, Ohio, on October 6-8, and Prof. a sizeable crowd gathered in the Met- the seminary to ninety-five. Of this Paul Meyendorff facilitating a gather- ropolitan Philip Auditorium to hear an total, forty-one represent the OCA, ing of alumni at Holy Trinity Cathedral engaging talk entitled “Orthodoxy and twelve represent the GOA, and ten rep- in San Francisco, California, on Octo- Western Christianity: The Original resent the AOCA. Other students rep- ber 12. resent the Serbian Orthodox Church, European Culture War?” given by Fr Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Fr Rentel had the opportunity to greet John McGuckin. Fr McGuckin is an Russia, the Moscow Patriarchate, the His Grace, Bishop Job, as well as many Orthodox priest, author, and professor Romanian Orthodox Church, the alumni who are members of the Dio- who teaches at both Union Theologi- cese of the Midwest. He made himself cal Seminary and Columbia Univer- available to both alumni and prospec- sity. His salient reflection was on the tive students, fielding inquiries about modern situation of Orthodoxy,which the changes at SVS (new personnel, no longer only thrives in the “East” new facilities, etc.). Prof. Meyendorff but is also present in east London, east- met with a group of eight SVS alumni ern Pennsylvania, and the east side of from the Bay area, updating them on Manhattan. Understanding our mod- recent developments at the seminary ern relevancy in such contexts requires and discussing some of the proposals a right understanding of our Tradition, of the new strategic plan, including the gospel teaching that we have

8•AUTUMN 2003 sn inherited. Ultimately, he exhorted his together and enjoy delicious food and listeners to present the full definition sweets, educational discussions and of Orthodoxy—the Church whose lectures, and the opportunity to Transitions content is the gospel of Jesus Christ. browse the many books published by After many years of dedicated SVS Press. Children kept busy beneath service to the seminary, Kenneth SEMINARY INAUGURATES the Activities Tent, where plentiful art Johnson,director of advancement has decided to take a position in ST BASIL supplies allowed them full range of imagination for take-home treasures. the advancement office of a private THE GREAT school in NYC. Ken was at the High school students and young seminary as a student, as secretary AWARD adults also gathered with Fr Michael to the dean, as member and finally The St Basil the Anderson for discussions about their director of the advancement office. Great Award for Orthodox faith. The faculty, staff, students, and hundreds of benefactors with Academic Achievement was established in The afternoon offered festival partici- whom he had personal contact will 2003 by an anonymous benefactor pants a wide range of sessions to sorely miss him.We wish him the who wished to recognize students attend. Keynote speaker Frederica very best. who have excelled in their studies at Matthewes-Green spoke about what it Jerry Solak, an SVS alumnus and the seminary.It will be awarded annu- means to be a part of the Orthodox the seminary’s bookstore manager ally to one senior, middler, and junior Tradition. Some took advantage of an for more than ten years, has in the Master of Divinity program instructional tour of the Three Hier- decided to leave his position. who has ranked highest in academic During these many years, he has archs Chapel’s iconological program, been a dedicated, competent, and achievement that year. On September given by Prof. Richard Schneider from loyal employee, and contributed 14, Dean Erickson presented this York University in Toronto. OCMC’s much to the building up of award for the 2002-2003 academic Maria Gallos gave a presentation on press/bookstore operations. He will year. The recipients were: Sloan “Tradition and Mission” and Kirill truly be missed, and we wish him Rolando from the senior class, Vitaly Sokolov, director of systems at SVS, the very best. Permiakov from the middler class, gave a how-to workshop on starting a Jeanette Hernandez has been and Johanna Lind from the junior parish website. Some SVS faculty held appointed to the newly created class. May God grant that they, like St a panel called “Theological Perspec- position of bookstore operations Basil, will excel not only in academics manager. She will be responsible for tives on Tradition”; Dr Al Rossi spoke order processing, inventory, but also in wisdom and virtue! on “The Challenge of Sexual Abuse”; supervision of employees, hours of and Elena Silk spoke on “Oral History.” ORTHODOX EDUCATION operation, and events.The Peter Jon Gillquist gave an enjoyable development of the bookstore and DAY 2003 concert.The day ended with Great Ves- acquisitions has been passed to the editorial department of SVS Press. On October 4, SVS held its 34th pers in Three Hierarchs Chapel. annual Education Day: “Orthodox Tra- Julia Mason Wickes, SVS alumni and former managing editor of dition: Yesterday and Today,” which Praxis magazine, joined the staff in began with a Hierarchical Divine September as communications Liturgy beneath the Main Tent.The vis- officer. Her responsibilities include iting choir of St Mark’s Church of editing the SVSNews, writing press Bethesda, Maryland, sang the releases, collaborating with the web responses. Large crowds gathered team, and strengthening the seminary’s relations with the from great distances to worship media. Fr Stephen J. Hryciniak has joined SVS Press as director of marketing. He brings with him a wealth of experience in strategic planning, financial analysis, editorial acquisitions, marketing, and organizational development and looks forward to using these skills on behalf of the press.

sn AUTUMN 2003 • 9 MEMORY ETERNAL The seminary would like to remem- Archpriest Michael Prokurat (M.Div. ’73; M.Th. ’74) fell ber the V. R e v. Cyril Stavrevsky, asleep in the Lord on July 23 after a ten-month struggle with who died unexpectedly on Saturday cancer.We extend our sympathies to his wife, Margaret, and evening, September 27, as he their three daughters and six grandchildren. waited to begin vespers in the sanc- Rev. Charles Austin Dinkler, who attended the seminary tuary of his church, St John the Bap- between 1983 and 1985, fell asleep in the Lord on Septem- tist, in Rochester, New York. For ber 11 after a long illness. May his memory be eternal. those of us who remember him, Fr Cyril was a charming man with a Archpriest Nicholas Behr,father to SVS faculty member Fr great sense of humor. As dean of John Behr, died on September 16 following major surgery; students at SVS from 1969-1977, he was 61 years old. We offer our sympathy to Fr John, his Fr Cyril was responsible for overseeing the day-to-day life of sister, Macrina (Behr) Hopko (‘90), and their entire family. each seminarian, ensuring their well-being as well as super- vising their responsibilities. He had a wonderful way of engaging each student and the unique ability to reprove without offending. He will truly be missed. We extend our deepest sympathies to his wife, Margarite, and his children Fr James (’79) and Ann Carol. May his memory be eternal. Hooda Germack, longtime friend and benefactor of SVS, passed away on June 14 (pictured to the right with His Beat- itude, Metropolitan Theodosius). She will be greatly missed. Rev. Adrian Pollard (M.Div. ’90) fell asleep in the Lord on July 13.We offer our sympathies to his wife, Xenia, and their son, Daniel.

new parents to a son, Michael Kingsland, Deacon Valentine Vassechko (’92), CLASS NOTES born on August 19. head of the Department of Comparative Theology at Moscow’s St Tikhon’s Ortho- Recent graduate Catherine Wason Matti Wallgren (’03) was ordained to dox Theological Institute, was ordained to (’03) was selected as the ﬁrst recipient of the priesthood by Archbishop Leo of Karelia the priesthood on September 21 by His a scholarship for short-term mission and all Finland on September 1. Grace, Bishop Tikhon, Bishop of work with OCMC from the newly estab- Archangelsk and Kholmogory. lished Louis and Helen Nicozisis Endow- Sloan Rolando (’03) and his wife, ment Fund. The scholarship enabled Gina,are parents to a new infant girl,Lucia Deacon Jesse Greendyk (’02) and his Catherine to travel to Romania in August Colleen, born September 2. wife,Tara, are parents of a new daughter, and work at the Protection of the Abigail Helen, born September 23. Fr William Mills (M.Div.’97;M.Th.’00) Theotokos Family Center. and his wife,Taisia, announce the birth of Rev. Presbyter Joel McEachen (’68) Fr Alexander Rentel (’95) and their ﬁrst daughter, Hannah, on Septem- was honored as one of four Orthodox his wife Nancy (’95) are parents ber 4. priests to receive the Prophet Elias Award of a new daughter, Maria for rendering outstanding service to Peter DeFonce (’97), who was mar- Tatiana, who was born Orthodox youth both in Church and in ried on February 16, 2002, to Nadezhda August 4. Boy and Girl Scout programs. Aleksandrovna, was ordained to the dia- Fr Lawrence conate on September 21 at St Mary Do you have news to share? Alumni News will Gaudreau (’00) Church in Cambridge, Massachusetts, by be featured here in SVSNews as well as E- and his wife his Eminence, Metropolitan Philip News and Web-News. Please contact Fr Katherine are (AOCA). Steven Belonick at [email protected].

10 • AUTUMN 2003 sn devotion to the service of the Church. and manner they were in complete Remembering solidarity about the essentials of Fr John helped me personally in Orthodox Christianity and the mis- Our Leaders countless ways. He was my confessor, sion of St Vladimir’s Seminary. continued from page 5 mentor, friend and (sometimes, sadly for me) my severest critic. I babysat My purpose in sharing these subjects. He was the first St Vladimir’s his children and, with other seminar- memories is to convey a sense of the alumnus to get a doctorate in America ians (and my future wife), often had seminary during these years and and then join the seminary faculty. coffee at his apartment with Matushka honor its leaders. I write to proclaim Over the years he “became an SVS Maika after liturgies. (I never had the the extraordinary love, commitment, institution.” Sadly, because of courage to tell him, while working and sacrifices of these exceptional scheduling, I took only one New under him in the library, that the first people who, in the humblest of Testament course from Dr Kesich. His syllable of the word “duplicate” does human conditions, gave their lives to presence at the school during my not rhyme with “cup.”) a motley gang of political refugees, student years, and since, has been one war veterans, and workers’ kids in These five men were as different from of God’s great graces in my life. order to equip them for service in one another as could be found on the Christ’s Church. No words will ever Fr John Meyendorff came to the face of the Earth. God truly had a suffice to hymn the wonders of their seminary from France in 1959 and sense of humor and divine purpose in countless gifts to us, their spiritual played an enormous role in the life of bringing them together. They didn’t children. the school. He was dean from 1984 always like each other and sometimes until 1992 when he retired and sharply criticized one another in both unexpectedly died. Fr John suffered theological and practical matters. much over us—his rough and None was without his personal limi- uncultivated students—and yet how tations, weaknesses, and sins, but they he loved us, cared for us, and inspired worked together marvelously, with us not only by his extraordinary dignity. They were able to do so, by For an unabridged version of this article, please go to our website, learning, but by his childlike love for God’s grace, because whatever their www.svots.edu/Faculty/Thomas-Hopko liturgical worship and wholehearted clashes in temperament, formation,

who had vital interest in a particular Planning at SVS initiative. All participants should be continued from page 6 lauded for their excellent cooperation Down and energetic input. • Improve student life by provid- the Road ing forums for communication The Seminary Board of Trustees will with administration, counseling review the list of proposed objectives DECEMBER 26-28, 2003 support, additional married stu- in their semiannual meeting in Christmas Retreat for college and dent housing, and ﬁnancial aid. November 2003. Those in attendance high school students, featuring presentations by Mother Raphaela, • Enhance public relations to will also propose stewardship mecha- nisms to ensure a regular evaluation of Prof. Peter Bouteneff, and Dr Albert advance awareness of seminary Rossi on the theme “Lord,Teach Us services. progress. As said, the strategic plan is to Pray” not a “report” to be ﬁled upon a shelf, Ten strategic initiative teams were but a process of rigorous self-evalua- JANUARY 30, 2004 asked to develop detailed objectives tion and perpetual rededication to the Annual Fr Alexander Schmemann based upon such input as listed above. service of the Church. We thank you Memorial Lecture with speaker Dr Alexander Lingas Each team consisted of one or two for your support and prayers. “experts” and two or three “questioners.”The “experts” were generally fac- MARCH 27, 2004 ulty and staff; the “questioners” were Annual Lenten Retreat trustees, alumni, students, and others

sn AUTUMN 2003 • 11 PILLARS SVS THANKS THE KASMERS Important enhancements are being speed connections to made to the educational facilities at the seminary network SVS, and we wish to express deep grat- and Internet. Seminari- itude to an exceptional couple who is ans have the capability helping to make this possible.Anthony to view course docu- and Anna Kasmer have been good ments online, engage friends of the seminary family for over in online discussions twenty years. As parishioners of St with professors and Vladimir Orthodox Church in Tren- fellow students, and ton, New Jersey, the Kasmers have had instantly search the priests that graduated from SVS in library’s holdings as both early and recent years—Fr Paul well as databases of Shafran (’45), Pastor Emeritus, and Fr theological journals. Additionally, the Kasmer, and to the countless generous Martin Kraus (’01), the current rector. Bashir Auditorium has been equipped people like them, without whom the Ann and Tony faithfully attend semi- with an LCD projector and screen for continued growth to which we are nary events, consistently contribute to computer-assisted presentations. Much called would be impossible. the annual fund, and offer extraordi- more is planned for the future, God nary hospitality to visitors from Crest- willing, as the seminary’s funds for wood. Just recently, Fr Thomas Hopko technology grow. Scholarship and Dn Jesse Greendyk enjoyed a royal SVS also thanks the Kasmers for Opportunities tour of Tony’s plastics compounding another of their contributions which plant. went toward a multi-faceted project in Most of those called to study In the last two years, the Kasmers took the Education Building. The former Orthodox theology and to train bold action to support theological library area, vacant since the library for ministry in the Church need education at the seminary. Sensitive to moved to the Rangos Family Founda- ﬁnancial help. Last year St modern realities and the need for the tion Building, has been transformed Vladimir’s provided $310,000 in Church to respond, Ann and Tony into the new center for SVS Press oper- scholarship assistance, thanks to established “The Anthony and Anna ations and the bookstore. A new pack- God and to our many pillars of Kasmer Technology Endowment ing and shipping room was created in support who gave generously. Fund” in the fall of 2002.Technology the back to function as the seminary The student body is growing, and with this blessing comes today touches every area of our life, mailroom. All classrooms were reno- greater ﬁnancial challenge—and especially education. In order to pre- vated, and more work is scheduled for a greater opportunity for you pare seminarians adequately for min- the building, including a zoned air- to participate in the prepa- istry in today’s Church, theological conditioning system and exterior ration of Church laborers. and pastoral training must be aug- computer-access security doors. Please consider making a special mented by technological excellence. In many ways—a record-size entering gift this year toward seminarian The Kasmers demonstrated vision and class, new programs and faculty, and scholarships at SVS. leadership in making this gift toward these facility enhancements supported When using the enclosed envelope computers and technological enhance- by the Kasmers—SVS is being blessed for a scholarship contribution, please ments at the seminary. with tremendous growth. Our chal- specify the gift intention. For infor- The Kasmer Fund will help sustain lenge is to be wise stewards of these mation on this year’s scholarship program, or the opportunity to work initiated by the Lilly Technology gifts and to continue improving tech- establish an endowed fund, contact Grant. SVS can report several upgrades nology and all aspects of the education Dn Jesse Greendyk (914.961.8313 in the area of technology. All student we give to our seminarians. SVS is x343). And thank you! residences are now wired for high- truly grateful to Anthony and Anna

12 • AUTUMN 2003 sn This truth is well expressed by a prayer READER’S CORNER many Orthodox Christians say each morning: “Teach me to treat all that demands of modern society and espe- comes to me throughout the day with cially of “today’s woman.”To their way peace of soul and with firm conviction of thinking, however, the exalted roles that Thy will governs all…. In unfore- of child-conceiving, child-bearing, seen events, let me not forget that all and motherhood are seriously threat- are sent by Thee.” od ened by pressures that will lead to the G If, indeed, we take these words seri- fabrication of embryos-on-demand. with Us They are acutely aware that little Adam ously, then this means that God is also Nash was conceived from a genetically directly and intimately involved in the JOHN BRECK selected embryo and brought into the process of human procreation. And world so that the stem cells from his this means that we must leave the umbilical cord could be used to relieve choice—the “natural selection”—of Anyone who has seen a loved one or even cure the Fanconi anemia that which sperm and ovum unite in the wither away under the effects of afflicted his older sister. The process of fertilization to the uncon- Parkinson’s disease or disappear into ineluctable slope, it seems, is getting scious movements of the human their own darkness because of slipperier and slipperier. body—movements that are ultimately Alzheimer’s can only hope and pray directed by God. that these tragic and devastating ill- Just how, as members of the Body of There is no greater mystery in this life nesses soon will be curable. Genetic Christ, are we to evaluate these devel- than the creation of new life that bears engineering and particularly the opments? The problem with the Nash the divine image. And by definition, cloning of human stem cells promises baby is the same as with the cloning of any and every “mystery” or “sacra- just such cures, and many more embryos, although to a lesser degree. ment” derives from God and is to be besides. Who can reasonably oppose We hardly can raise objections to offered up to God as a sacrifice of the research needed to discover those using blood from an umbilical cord, praise. cures? especially since Adam was not at all harmed by the procedure. The prob- The legal cloning of human embryos This is perhaps the chief moral issue, lem, however, concerns the selective in the United States, at least for the and dilemma, of our day.As we all now process that takes the determination of time being, is restricted to the produc- know, Great Britain recently legalized gametes out of the realm of “natural tion of stem cells for purposes of med- human cloning. It is the first country selection” and places it into the realm ical research…. Hundreds of thou- to do so, but it surely will not be the of conscious manipulation. There is a sands already have been created and last. Scientists and philosophers in a question we need to ask ourselves, one destroyed for the sake of scientific number of Western countries are that will seem naive or irrelevant to research. Whatever the motives of the insisting that the “new medicine,” many people, including many Chris- medical teams, whatever the promises which will grow out of the successful tians:What is God’s role in the process of the “new medicine,” we mustn’t sequencing of the human genome, of human procreation? forget that one most basic, if incon- will offer heretofore undreamt of pos- venient, truth:Those embryos, too, are sibilities for healing disease, prevent- Orthodox Christians, in any case, are babies. ing epidemics, correcting genetic convinced that God is directly and defects, and prolonging human life.To intimately involved in literally every realize this medical utopia, though, aspect of human existence and experi- will ultimately require experimenta- ence. The hairs of the head are all tion on literally millions of human counted, the lilies of the field are embryos. arrayed, the birds of the air are nour- ished, and all by the hand of God. Taken from Those who oppose the research on These poetic images are taken very chapter 10 moral grounds are dismissed as retro- seriously. They mean that everything of Breck’s grade: mindless reactionaries who— that occurs in our life and experience God with Us like pro-life people in general—are is known by God and, in some fash- available from SVS Press out of step with the needs and ion, comes under God’s sovereignty.

sn AUTUMN 2003 • 13 OFF THE PRESS Good and Faithful Servant STEWARDSHIP IN THE ORTHODOX CHURCH edited by Anthony Scott “This book invites us to exercise responsible stewardship, to share our resources in a generous but also disciplined and accountable way. To engage in true Christian stewardship, we need a vision:We need to make God’s oikonomia, God’s plan of salvation for humankind, the model for our own human oikonomia,for our stewardship of God’s many gifts to us. This volume anticipates that ideal.” – John H. Erickson In this pioneering volume renowned contributing authors endeavor to develop an Orthodox Christian model of stewardship by drawing on scriptural, patristic, historical, dogmatic, and liturgical foundations. Philanthropia, ultimately, is proven by cheerful giving, in a spirit of love, the source of which is in knowing the Almighty God.

Orthodox Prayer Life St Vladimir’s THE INTERIOR WAY Seminary Press Matthew the Poor to place an order or request a catalog, In this volume a contemporary desert please call: monk imparts to his readers “a whole course” on the life of prayer—the fruit 1-800-204-2665 p of ﬁfty-ﬁve years of solitude.

sn NON-PROFIT ORG St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary US POSTAGE 0 575 Scarsdale Road PAID Crestwood, New York 10707-1699 PERMIT #147 BRIDGEPORT, CT