sn 0 SPRING 2006

music at seminary •SPRING 2006 2 sn sn rsdn,Saint Vladimir’sPresident, Orthodox Theological Seminary Metropolitan of All andCanada America of Archbishop Washington andNew York +HERMAN With love inChrist, oftheLord. andasaservant St Vladimir’s, Please joinmeinfervent prayer asDeanof for Father John asaprofessor, inhisministry people at theHoly Table. Father John isnow calledtorenewed toGod’s service 2006. onMayHoly Priesthood 7, andtothe thepatrons oftheseminary’s thefeast ofthe chapel, Three Holy Hierarchs, on I amgrateful totheLordthat Iwas able totheHoly Diaconate toordainJohn Erickson asalaytory professor for many years. through thestudy ofthe Church’s his- beenguidingourseminarians has The DeanofSt Vladimir’s Seminary great resistance. oftheGospelinface of of thetruth andthetriumphs the nameofChrist, hasendured in secutions theChurch theper- lives ofourfathers inthefaith, todayChrist requires that we study the twenty-first century.To faithfully serve many ofthe lessonsfor Christians provides through history Church Thelife ofthe study ofHis Word. orbishop requires emulation oftheLordand priest, , teacher, director,Faithful asachoir service 20:27). first amongyou mustbeyour slave obey theLord’s words: student oftheologymust hearand The study theologyat ourseminaries. and women hearthe Lord’s callto men Orthodox Christian Every year, Dearly Beloved inChrist, theMetropolitan Message from Whoever would be

(Matthew Martin Paluch Martin 0 contents spotlight at the seminary

Robert Lisak MESSAGE FROM THE CAMPUS CHRONICLE ON THE COVER METROPOLITAN Seminary activities from April 2005 through February 2006 Students, such as Ealy and Ksenia Words of congratulations from Danylevich, study theories of chant as well Metropolitan Herman of the OCA to the 8 as practice singing and conducting for dean on the occasion of his DOWN THE ROAD chapel services all in preparation for service Events calendar to the Church. 2 9 Opposite: Metropolitan Herman ordains Dean John H. Erickson to the Holy features Student ordinations from January 2005 Diaconate on January 30, 2006. May God through February 2006 grant him many years! (see p. 7 for more on MUSIC MINISTRY... 10 the ordination). An Integral Part of CLASS NOTES St Vladimir’s Seminary Alumni news from September 2004 sn Dn Kevin Smith, Instructor in Liturgical through February 2006 Music, uses a verse from St Paul’s letter 10 Spring 2006 • volume 4, number 1 to the Colossians to illustrate the TRANSITIONS Editor: Sofia Lopoukhine, Communications important role of music Farewells and welcomes to staff and Public Relations Officer 4 13 Advisory board: Fr John H. Erickson, Dean; Dn Jesse Greendyk, Chief SERVING GOD PILLARS Advancement Officer IN A NEW WAY SVS thanks St George Antiochian Art direction: Amber J. Schley Fr John H. Erickson reflects on his Orthodox Cathedral in Wichita, Production: Paul Kachur path to the priesthood as well as Matushka Eva Hubiak and Excerpts from Orthodoxy and Western Culture:A 7 Protodeacon Basil of blessed Collection of Essays Honoring Jaroslav Pelikan on His memory Eightieth Birthday (pp. 31–33) used by ALUMNUS PROFILE: permission, SVS Press. 14 BISHOP BENJAMIN St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary READER’S CORNER is a graduate school of theology, whose SVS News interviews His Grace Bishop primary purpose is the preparation of Excerpt from Dr Jaroslav Pelikan’s leaders, both clergy and lay, for service to Benjamin (SVS ’81),Auxiliary Bishop memoir in Orthodoxy and the Orthodox Church and the world at large. of the Diocese of the West of the Western Culture Comments about the SVSNews magazine are Orthodox Church in America 15 welcome. Please e-mail sofi[email protected]. 11 OFF THE PRESS www.svots.edu New releases from SVS Press 16 Music Ministry...

An integral part of St Vladimir’s Seminary Robert Lisak

The following words from St Paul’s letter to the Colossians By Dn Kevin Smith, indicate music’s power to rally the hearts of the faithful Instructor in Liturgical toward thankfulness to God: Let the word of Christ dwell in you Music richly,teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God (3:16). WHY DOES THE These words establish for all believers a standard of study, CHURCH HAVE, OR teaching, and teachability, that is, the humble spirit of ser- EVEN NEED, MUSIC? vant leadership, the “job description” for every order of church ministry.

4 • SPRING 2006 sn Music has, and always will have, a great power to unite and realize the ministry of the Church in this world. To lead a community in prayer through music is by definition a pastoral ministry: it draws strength from and participates in the ministry of the pastor, or shepherd, of a church community. One recognizable characteristic of a good pastor is the abil- ity to minister competently in liturgical services, standing before an assembly to lead them through prayer and music. In fact, a large proportion of the two or three years that a seminarian spends at SVS is given to exercising this ability in the classroom, in the chapel, and through field work in area parishes. The cornerstone of daily life at SVS is the vibrant liturgical Combined female voices (students and student-wives) sing a worship that “frames the entire academic enterprise,” in the beautiful Eis Polla Eti Despota for one of the many hierarchs words of one observer from the Carnegie Foundation, that frequently visit St Vladimir’s Seminary. which actively supports higher education for ministry.The whole community is called to prayer each day to “com- mend ourselves, each other, and our whole life unto Christ our God.”Those participating in this ministry include fac- discernment to apply these in concrete situations where God ulty, staff, students, and their respective family members will call them to serve.These courses have a strong implica- who chant, sing, conduct the choirs, and serve in the altar. tion for music ministry as well: simply put, anyone serving The same observer adds, “This stands in contrast to many God in a ministry of teaching or preaching within the other seminaries, where the congregation participates as Church will be called upon at some point to minister to oth- ‘audience’ to others’ performances.” By definition, students ers through liturgical music. and members of the seminary community are answering Students in introductory classes aim for competence in the call to serve, and their service begins here, where we singing and chanting, but they primarily strive for excel- daily learn the “ministry of the word of God” in the semi- lence in these areas by preparing for and participating in nary chapel. the divine services each day. By taking responsibility for Music ministry at any level cannot be taught entirely “on the their role in services at the seminary’s Three Hierarchs job,” however, and classroom teaching provides support in Chapel and in their parish assignments, SVS students take an this area for every student, lay or ordained.Thus, to prepare essential step toward realizing their vocation during this period of formation. Whether a seminarian will eventually be called by God to serve as a priest or deacon, chanter, choir director, composer, religious educator, or lay leader, “The cornerstone of daily there is a fundamental musical, liturgical, and pastoral qual- life at SVS is the vibrant ity to each of these ministries that he or she may undertake. liturgical worship.” “LET THE WORD OF CHRIST DWELL IN YOU RICHLY”

Even at the most basic level, the calling to communicate the for the transition to ministry after seminary, each Master of Gospel of Jesus Christ clearly and confidently through the Divinity student spends two or more semesters learning liturgical worship of the Church bears the mark of a min- contemporary liturgical chants: Byzantine Chant, the Com- istry to others, and in liturgy,these texts are elevated through mon Chant of the Russian choral tradition, and others. music. Thus, reading texts and music clearly, finding one’s Courses each year in liturgical theology and practical theol- place in the service, and singing traditional melodies cor- ogy round out students’ liturgical training, opening up to rectly and in tune take on a ministerial quality which semi- future ministers not only the history and practice of Ortho- narians must discover for “all things to be done decently,and dox liturgical worship, but also the necessary pastoral in order” as the Apostle Paul writes (1 Cor 14:40).

sn SPRING 2006 • 5 out and elevate forms from outside their ethnic tradition, both musically and culturally. In this respect, students trace the development of music and liturgy in many historical and cultural contexts: for example, the rich history of psalm antiphons such as the prokeimenon, or the flowering of indigenous musical forms that occurred when Byzantine missionaries carried their chant melodies into the Slavic lands.Then, ideally, students combine these principles with training in pastoral ministry in order to convey the Gospel of Jesus Christ through music in and through the Church where God will call them to serve.The goal of the music pro- gram at SVS is for outstanding candidates to internalize the traditions of chant and choral singing, composition, and conducting, in order to join the ranks of those who lead oth- ers to Christ by the content and demeanor of their liturgical music ministry. Those who serve the seminary’s music ministry—in the Liturgical theology and music that is learned in the classroom classroom, chapel, and outreach ministries—engage con- is lived out in the seminary chapel, preparing all students for stantly with the Orthodox tradition and principles of litur- parish life. gical music. In light of our contemporary calling to minister to an increasingly diverse population within and outside the “TEACH AND ADMONISH ONE ANOTHER IN WISDOM” Musical progress equips the seminarian for training in a “Music ministry in North liturgical ministry, which is to lead the people gathered for worship in the rites and songs of the divine services. At this America is becoming point, simply “playing your own part” in liturgy gives way increasingly pan-Orthodox.” to a higher function of coordinating the ministries of oth- ers, preparing the way for them to fulfill their roles properly. This liturgical ministry requires a higher degree of self- awareness and confidence. Consequently, courses and prac- Church, faculty and students constantly examine and criti- tical training bring students into contact with Orthodox cally reassess current models of the “pastoral music minis- liturgical tradition by research and engagement, studying ter” in Orthodox liturgical communities. This has led us to the principles and history of liturgical theology, and apply- focus on how the ongoing personal, theological, and musi- ing these principles through more direct, interpretive com- cal formation we desire for ourselves and our students will munication of the Gospel teaching. convey more and more the love of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ through liturgical music ministry here and “in “SING PSALMS, HYMNS, AND SPIRITUAL the parishes.” SONGS WITH THANKFULNESS” This is reflected in a long tradition of the seminary’s musi- Some students, however, take a more intentional look at cal outreach ministries, for many people their first intro- music as the primary mode of their pastoral ministry and duction to the work of the seminary. In the past, music pursue a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree specializing in litur- books and liturgical recordings introduced Orthodox faith- gical music. All our M.A. students in liturgical music are ful to new and accessible models of singing and chanting in called to examine in great detail their own liturgical heritage English. A recent flurry of activity culminated in the recent as well as musical traditions outside their “comfort zone.” release by SVS Press of two new compact discs, Chant and We note gladly that music ministry in North America is Vigil, and two long-awaited liturgical music books, Divine becoming increasingly pan-Orthodox, if it is not yet truly Liturgy (rev.ed.) and Holy Week Volume III.These new releases are indigenous to this new home for the Church. evidence of the fertile ground that continues to exist here Thus, students taking M.A. courses or electives in liturgical thanks to the legacy of former professors Boris Ledkovsky, music first explore their own liturgical heritage, then search continued on page 13

6 • SPRING 2006 sn ciation for the role of all the faithful in building up the life of the Church, St Vladimir’s has a long and rich tradition of lay Serving God service in theological education. I was privileged to be part of that tradition. There was little need or reason for me to be in a New Way ordained, particularly during my early years at St Vladimir’s— Fr John H. Erickson, Dean “No doubt I shall continue to I wish to share with you some personal news that affects seminary life. For over three decades I have served the write papers and give lectures, Church and St Vladimir’s Seminary in a variety of lay roles. I expect to continue serving the Church and the seminary in but I also look forward to the future, but I shall be doing so in new ways and with new responsibilities.With the blessing of my spiritual father, the serving the Church in pastoral support of my family, and the encouragement of many friends and colleagues, I was ordained to the Holy Diaconate situations.” by His Beatitude Metropolitan Herman on January 30, the patronal feast of the seminary chapel, and to the Holy Priest- hood on May 7, 2006. to become the fourth or fifth priest in the seminary chapel. I Over the years, I sometimes have been asked why I did not didn’t want to tempt students into thinking that only ordained seek ordination. Now I am being asked why I decided to be people can serve the Church in a serious way. ordained. The answer in both cases is Since becoming Dean, my academic essentially the same. As an Orthodox responsibilities have continued, Christian, I believe that God calls each though fortunately with a somewhat one of us to serve Him in whatever lighter teaching load. But at the same ways will best contribute to building time, I have had an opportunity to up the Church as the Body of Christ, at rediscover many of the joys that drew a given time, in a given place. An me to the Orthodox Church and got authentic calling therefore has an me involved in its life in the first ecclesial and communal dimension. place. This has been particularly true It is not a purely personal matter, a in my activities outside the immediate matter of “feeling called” without ref- seminary community. I have had a erence to context or circum- chance to share the hopes and stances. Rather, it is mediated in concerns of ordinary parish- and through the Church. At this ioners, to visit nursing homes point in my life, as I look at my and hospitals, to meet with responsibilities as Dean and— Orthodox college students, to even more—as I look ahead to a interact with people of deep time when I shall no longer be faith who are involved in a Dean, I believe that God, wide range of ministries to the through His Church, has called marginalized of society.In such me to ordained ministry within situations, as I have come to that Church. realize, people don’t really need For most of my years at the a professor or official seminary seminary, my principal respon- representative.They need assur- sibilities have been as a profes- ance of God’s love and con- sor—teaching classes, writing cern—the kind of assurance books and articles, presenting For more than three decades, John H. Erickson has served the that a priest very often can give Church in a variety of roles, primarily as professor of church academic papers, and serving history and canon law at St Vladimir’s Seminary. On January 30 just by his presence. in various advisory capacities. and May 7, 2006, respectively, he took on new roles: first as Reflecting Orthodoxy’s appre- Deacon and now as Priest. continued on page 13

sn SPRING 2006 • 7 CAMPUS CHRONICLE day: “Icons and iPods: Finding God in Popular Culture.” Metropolitan Her- man (OCA) presided at the Liturgy with fellow bishops and clergy.A visit- ing choir from Holy Trinity Church, Parma, OH, along with the seminary SYMPOSIUM ON THE choir gave concerts and sang at the Liturgy. Workshops for clergy, laity, PASSION OF CHRIST and youth; campus tours; exhibitors; The Symposium on the Passion of and ethnic foods rounded out the day. Christ in April 2005 began with the keynote speaker Bishop Kallistos (Ware), Bishop of Diokleia, to an over- flowing crowd of over 300 people. Bishop Kallistos discussed various “modes of salvation” and evaluated them in light of Patristic teachings and tist, where His Grace Bishop Savas of Scripture.The following day,SVS faculty the Greek Orthodox Church presided and preached.

NEW STUDENTS THE WONDERWORKING SITKA The seminary welcomed another large ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD entering class this year, with 32 new full-time students. Together with 66 The wonderworking Sitka Icon of the returning full-time students and sev- Mother of God visited the seminary eral part-timers, overall enrollment at during its pilgrimage to the “lower the seminary continues to be on the 48” in October 2005. His Grace, increase. Bishop Nikolai, Bishop of Sitka, Anchorage, and Alaska presided at an Akathist Service in the chapel packed with students, faculty, staff, visitors, and alumni. In the early 1800s, Saint members addressed different aspects of the topic. His Grace resided on campus for the week while he spoke at Ford- ham University and other venues.

2005 SUMMER INSTITUTE The 2005 Summer Institute, officially ORTHODOX EDUCATION known as the annual Institute of Litur- gical Music and Pastoral Practice was DAY 2005 held from June 19-24 with the theme Under perfect weather conditions, “Church and World I: Church and Cul- hundreds attended the seminary’s ture.” Participants attended lectures annual Orthodox Education Day in and discussion led by seminary faculty October. The keynote speaker was His and visiting lecturers. The week was Grace, Bishop Savas of Troas, Chancel- highlighted with the Liturgy for the lor of the Greek Orthodox Archdio- Feast of the Nativity of St John the Bap- cese, who spoke on the theme of the

8 • SPRING 2006 sn Innocent commissioned the icon for ORTHODOX-WESLEYAN SCHMEMANN the main iconostasis of Sitka’s Arch- CONSULTATION MEMORIAL LECTURE angel Michael Cathedral. Orthodox and Wesleyan theologians Avery Cardinal Dulles, an internation- convened from January 8-13, 2006. ally known author and lecturer,the fea- This fourth consultation was sponsored tured speaker for the twenty-third by St Vladimir’s Seminary and The annual Fr General Board of Global Ministries of Memorial Lecture, January 29, 2006, the United Methodist Church and had fell ill and was unable to present his as its theme “One, Holy, Catholic, and talk on the “The Imperative of Ortho- Apostolic Church: Ecclesiology and doxy.” In his place Rev Joseph T. Lien- the Gathered Community.” Orthodox hard, SJ, professor of theology at speakers included Fr John Jillions (SVS read the cardinal’s ’80), Prof Dimitar Kirov, Dr Richard prepared speech. Schneider (SVS Visiting Professor), Fr ALUMNI REUNION John Behr, Dr Elizabeth Theokritoff, Dr Tamara Grdzelidze (’92-’93), Fr The second Alumni Reunion, held Sergius Halvorsen (SVS ‘86),Fr Michael October 17-19, remembered the 25th Plekon, Fr Leonid Kishkovsky (SVS anniversary class of 1980 and the 50th ’67), and Fr John H. Erickson. anniversary class of 1955, and at the Down same time honored Fr Thomas Hopko, Dean Emeritus, and his wife, Anne, for the Road their dedicated work at St Vladimir’s Seminary.The Alumni Association pre- sented Fr Tom and Anne with an icon of JUNE 25-30, 2006 St Vladimir. In addition, the Alumni SVS Summer Institute: Board announced that an alumni schol- Liturgical Institute of Music arship fund would be named The Father Thomas Hopko Scholarship Fund. and Pastoral Practice: “A Christian Ending to Our Life: CHRISTMAS RETREAT The Mystery of Death” Over thirty high school and college students attended this year’s Christmas JUNE 24-30, 2006 Retreat from December 27-29 on the campus of SVS. Fr David (’87-’89) Youth Institute for High School and Shari Garretson of South River, NJ, Juniors Fr John Shimchick (SVS ’80) of Cherry SVS CHORALE Hill, NJ, and Fr Steven Belonick (SVS The SVS Chorale, an outgrowth of the JULY 15, 2006 ’77) of SVS presented the theme of the former seminary octets, visited OCA, retreat, “So, You’re Growing Up, But Antiochian,Greek,and Serbian churches Feast of Saint Vladimir Are You Mature in Christ,” to three dif- in southern California from January 5- ferent age groups. 17. The mixed-choir of twelve singers SEPTEMBER 7, 2006 led by Dn Kevin Smith, Lecturer in Litur- gical Music at the seminary, sang the Fall semester begins responses to daily services in parishes and acted as ambassadors of the semi- OCTOBER 7, 2006 nary.One of the many highlights of their tour was a visit to St Innocent Orphan- Orthodox Education Day age at Project Mexico.

sn SPRING 2006 • 9 ian Archdiocese of North America. Dn David Bleam to the Holy Priest- ORDINATIONS Dn Joshua Mosher to the Holy Priest- hood on February 13, 2006, by His Grace, Bishop Thomas of Oakland, PA, and the Joshua Lollar to the Holy Diaconate on hood on September 25, 2005, by His East of the Antiochian Orthodox Christ- January 30, 2005, by His Grace, Bishop Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman of the ian Archdiocese of North America. Seraphim of Ottawa and Canada (OCA). Orthodox Church in America. Dn Christopher Rigden-Briscall to William John Neumann to the Holy Dn Christopher Foley to the Holy the Holy Priesthood on February 2, 2005, Diaconate on October 15, 2005, by His Priesthood on February 22, 2006, by His by His Grace, Bishop Seraphim of Ottawa Grace, Bishop Benjamin, Auxiliary Bishop Eminence, Archbishop Kyrill of Pittsburgh and Canada. of the Diocese of the West of the Ortho- and Western Pennsylvania, and the Bulgar- dox Church in America. ian Archdiocese of the Orthodox Church Barnabas Powell to the Holy Diaconate in America. on February 2 by His Grace, Bishop Joseph Matusiak to the Holy Diaconate Seraphim of Ottawa and Canada and to on November 19, 2005, by His Beatitude, Nikolay Miletkov to the Holy Diaconate the Holy Priesthood on May 21, 2005, by Metropolitan Herman of the Orthodox on February 22, 2006, by His Eminence, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman of Church in America. Archbishop Kyrill of Pittsburgh and West- ern Pennsylvania and the Bulgarian the Orthodox Church in America. Dn Peter Jon Gillquist to the Holy Archdiocese of the Orthodox Church in Peter Jon Gillquist to the Holy Dia- Priesthood on February 2, 2006, by His America. conate on August 21, 2005, by His Grace, Grace, Bishop Mark of Toledo of the Anti- Bishop Thomas of Oakland, PA, and the ochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese AXIOS! God grant all of the above and East of the Antiochian Orthodox Christ- of North America. their families many years!

the pastor of Holy Trinity Church, Over- Peter Stromberg (’76) fell asleep in CLASS NOTES land Park, KS, for twenty-six years. the Lord on December 20, 2005. May his memory be eternal! Rev Noah Bushelli (’04) and his wife Rev Alexander Rentel (’95) and his wife,Nancy (’95) are parents of their third Elizabeth had their third child, Ambrose Abuna Yesehaq Mandefro (Arch- child, Daniel George, born April 26, 2005. Michael, on September 27, 2004. Fr Noah bishop Isaac) (’65) of the Ethiopian and his family are serving St Nicholas Anti- Alexander Cadman (’04), was Orthodox Church in the Western Hemi- ochian Orthodox Church in Bridgeport, ordained to the holy diaconate on July 30, sphere fell asleep in the Lord on Decem- CT. 2005, at Christ the Savior Church, ber 29, 2005. He is credited with leading Very Rev Basil Buchovecky (’53) fell Chicago, IL, by His Eminence, Archbishop thousands of Rastafarians, including reg- asleep in the Lord just after December 25, Job (OCA). Many years! gae great Bob Marley, toward Orthodox 2004. May his memory be eternal! Ann Bezzerides (’00) and her hus- Christianity. May his memory be eternal! Fr Vladimir Misijuk (MTh ’91) and his band Vassilios are proud parents of their Fr Joseph Bittle (’03) and Kh Joanna wife Tania became parents of a little girl, first-born son Nicholas Panteleimon born are proud parents of their first-born child, Nina, on December 29, 2004. August 16, 2005. Nicholas was 9lbs, 6oz, Michael Augustine, born on January 15, and 21 inches. Fr Nicholas Fedetz (’53) fell asleep in 2006. the Lord on January 1, 2005, at the age of Ksenia Babich (’05) and Charles 81. He was pastor emeritus of Ss Peter Bruner (’07) were united in the sacrament Anthony Ishido (’74) fell asleep in the and Paul Church, Bayonne, NJ. of Holy Matrimony on Sunday,August 21, Lord on February 8, 2006. May his mem- Deacon Richard Rene (’04) was 2005, at the Holy Resurrection Church, ory be eternal! ordained to the priesthood by His Grace, Hermitage, PA. Mark Zeremsky (’82) fell asleep in the Bishop Seraphim (OCA) on Michael Azar (’05) was married to Lord on February 23, 2006. May his mem- March 6, 2005 in Calgary, Erin Major at St Elias Orthodox Church in ory be eternal! Alberta, Canada. Many Arvada, CO, on August 21, 2005. years! We are sad to pass on the news that Do you have news to share? Please contact Fr John Platko Nathan Schroeder,husband of SVS alumna Fr Steven Belonick at [email protected]. (’73) fell asleep in Rachel (Ellison) Schroeder (M.A., 2005), For comprehensive alumni news, visit Alumni the Lord on April fell asleep in the Lord on October 17, Web News on the seminary’s website at 18, 2005. Fr John 2005 in an automobile accident. May his http://www.svots.edu/Alumni/Web-News/ was 57 and was memory be eternal! index.html.

10 • SPRING 2006 sn ALUMNUS PROFILE

Bishop Benjamin of Berkeley HIS GRACE, BISHOP BENJAMIN, AUXILIARY BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF THE WEST OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH IN AMERICA, SHARES HIS THOUGHTS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE CHURCH, THE IMPORTANCE OF LITURGICAL MUSIC AND HIS PAST AT ST VLADIMIR’S SEMINARY.

An important characteristic of St Vladimir’s seminary is that SVS News: Thank you for meeting with us today, Your Grace. So, I it is pan-Orthodox because friendships that develop in understand you are a graduate of St Vladimir’s Seminary. school help facilitate pan-Orthodox relationships in the Bishop Benjamin:Yes, class of 1981. parishes and local communities. For example, when hierar- chs speak together, are friendly, brotherly, and supportive SVS News: How would you say that your time at St Vladimir’s helped with each other, they demonstrate the importance of pan- prepare you for service as a bishop? Orthodox relationships. Bishop Benjamin: Well, the diversity of the community at the seminary played a big part of my life as a student and SVS News: Who were some of your classmates, and do you continue to taught me a lot. All the different people and personalities in have relationships with them that influence your ministry? a small setting helped me to practice the art of “giving of Bishop Benjamin:There are many priests who are graduates myself” in a sacrificial way.We were like rocks bumping into of St Vladimir’s, and even if we weren’t classmates together each other that eventually became smooth. My time here we share a bond. These personal connections build bridges taught me not to be focused on myself. I made the best that facilitate institutional connections and cooperation. friends of my life.They were some of my best years and most When I was a student, Bishop Seraphim of Ottawa and difficult years. Canada and I were on the Octet together and now we are While I was here, I learned an important lesson from Fr. both bishops. Alexander Schmemann, Dean from 1962-1983. He taught In fact, when I was a student I participated in two Octets. us to look at what was “good” and redeemable in culture Music was an important part of my life at seminary and has and society, not to be afraid of it, but to see the good in it. I been ever since. While I was here, I regularly directed the carry this outlook of the Church and world with me today choir and worked on compositions. After I left, I served as a in all that I do. choir director for almost ten years.

sn SPRING 2006 • 11 “Music was an important part of my life at seminary and has been ever since.”

In most of our parishes we have a large percentage of con- verts to the Faith.All our parishes are unique from our parish of Slovak cowboys in Colorado to our urbane parish in San Francisco.The regional differences of the country are evident in our parishes and therefore the diocese.We work to reach people where they are.

SVS News: Some people think that our Church is more divided than united because of all our regional and cultural differences.What would you say to them? Bishop Benjamin: It’s true that as North Americans we are a society of many different cultures, but that just means we have a richly laden table full of delicacies from all over the world. In North America we have so much to choose from and we move in and out of different expressions of culture very easily. For example, when we sit down for a meal we decide whether it will be Thai, Mexican, or Italian tonight. In Italy they just eat dinner without thinking what “kind” of cultural fare it will be. For them it is what it always is and what it has been for hundreds of years. I think that as the American Orthodox Church continues to evolve and come Bishop Benjamin was a student at St Vladimir’s Seminary who into its own this ability to select from different expressions embraced the Faith as an adult.Twenty-five years later on His of culture will be its defining characteristic.We will all bring Grace’s most recent visit he ordained Caleb Abetti, another our gifts to the fully-laden table, to the altar table, and offer convert to Orthodox Christianity, to the Holy Diaconate. them to God in the Liturgy. I think that this is especially true with our liturgical music SVS News: Then,in 2004,you were consecrated as a bishop and you now traditions. For example, the second edition of The Divine live in California.Tell us a little about life in the Diocese of the West. Liturgy just released by SVS Press reflects where we are today, Bishop Benjamin: Our diocese has doubled both in the with Serbian, Byzantine, Russian, and new American com- number of parishes and the size of the average parish in the positions. What it reflects is who we are as a Church as a last 18 years. The Diocese of the West takes seriously the whole on this continent. St Vladimir’s does a good job of OCA’s mission to America, our mission to indigenous peo- bringing all our cultures together. ple, which has taken place since the beginning. His Grace Tikhon, Bishop of San Francisco, Los Angeles and REVISED EDITION the West, and our diocesan council are committed to evan- gelism, and their efforts are bearing fruit.They have become The Divine a group of people who specialize in planting churches. For example, a portion of the diocesan budget is set aside for Liturgy new mission parishes and clergy working in these mission now parishes within the diocese. These dedicated funds have available made a tremendous impact. Believe it or not, there are still from some states within the Diocese of the West that have little to p SVS Press no Orthodox presence.There is more work to be done.

12 • SPRING 2006 sn Music Ministry... continued from page 6 Transitions Chris Chichura has been St Fr Sergei Glagolev, David Drillock, and others, who Vladimir's Seminary Bookstore embraced the best of the Orthodox tradition while making Operations Manager since February space for new compositions of chant and choral music.This 2005. He brings with him over ten dual approach continues to inform the work of faculty and years of operations management students at SVS, elevating the best from within the Orthodox experience and is an alumnus of the musical tradition, and encouraging a missionary approach seminary, class of 1998. to liturgical singing. Sofia Lopoukhine, the These are exciting days for the seminary’s music ministry Communications and Public Relations and academic programs.Through its strategic planning pro- Officer, began working at St Vladimir’s Seminary in September 2005. She gram, SVS2010, the seminary established a series of chal- served as the Communications lenges for faculty and staff engaged in service to God in His Director for the Orthodox Christian Church through theological education and research, and to Mission Center (OCMC) for three students through their academic and personal formation for years before joining SVS. SVS sends thanks to Julia Wickes future ministry. Earlier SVSNews articles have enumerated the (SVS ‘02) who worked in Communications since 2003. challenges related to the seminary’s vision of training a Max Goldenko joined the “Good Pastor,” but SVS2010 also spelled out challenges for Technology Department in September the music program, directing attention to the “primarily 2005 as the new Systems Support pastoral” quality of music ministry envisioned for all SVS Specialist. He has a Bachelor’s Degree graduates, especially those who pursue the Master of Arts in in Computer Science from Brooklyn liturgical music. College. As stated in SVS2010, “Singing and listening to the music at Timothy Clark is the newest the liturgical services provides a unique kind of formation, member of SVS Faculty as a a formation into a vibrant member of the living community Lecturer in Biblical Languages. He is of Jesus Christ.”This guides the musical training of pastors an alumnus of St Vladimir’s Seminary, and teachers, as well as the pastoral training of musicians. class of 2000, and began teaching in With this understanding, training for ministry bears a dis- fall 2005. tinctively musical, liturgical, and pastoral quality at St Vladimir’s Seminary, where we prepare all students for a Dorothy Aurisy, St Vladimir’s ministry of communicating the love of God and the Gospel Seminary’s Receptionist and of Jesus Christ in ways appropriate to their calling, at all Administrative Assistant, began working with SVS in November 2005. times and to all people. SVS sends out great thanks to Danielle Eaton for thirteen years of work at the seminary. Yuri Pugachev is now working Serving God in a New Way full-time for SVS in the Press/ continued from page 7 Bookstore packing and mailroom. Many thanks to Adriel van Drimmelen In the future, no doubt I shall continue to write papers and for his three years of service to the give lectures, but I also look forward to serving the Church seminary. in pastoral situations—situations in which I may touch peo- ples’ lives simply by being present and by being as fully Thank you to Randa Aoun, who served as St Vladimir’s transparent as possible to God’s grace. I hope that in such sit- events planner and director of food services and resigned uations, whether at the seminary or elsewhere, people will in June 2005. be able to see me not just as someone who knows a lot about Dr Nicholas Pandelidis is the newest member of the church history,canon law,and seminary life. I hope that they Board of Trustees. He and his family are members of St will be able to see in me an assuring sign of God’s unfailing John Chrysostom Church in York, PA, in the Antiochian care for His people and for all His creation. Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America.

sn SPRING 2006 • 13 support to continue educating pastors PILLARS for Christ’s church. SVS THANKS MATUSHKA EVA AND PROTODEACON BASIL HUBIAK Matushka Eva Hubiak and her hus- band Protodeacon Basil of blessed memory have been friends of St GLORY TO GOD Vladimir’s Seminary for over 40 years. FOR THE GENEROSITY OF Every October throughout the 1960s, ST GEORGE CATHEDRAL they were regular attendees of Ortho- dox Education Day. Matushka says, An exemplary and thriving parish, St “We’ve really watched the seminary liturgical music blossomed and grew. George Cathedral in Wichita, Kansas, grow over the years.” is a faithful participant in the mission In 2002, Protodeacon Basil fell asleep of St Vladimir’s Seminary. The Cathe- Matushka Eva and Protodeacon Basil in the Lord. To honor his memory, dral of the Diocese of Wichita and were both born in Akron, Ohio. They Matushka Eva established a scholar- Mid-America of the Antiochian met as children when she attended ship fund to assist students studying Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of Russian lessons at the church where his liturgical music. “When I lost my hus- North America has financially and father was a priest. Many years later, band, it seemed that a liturgical music spiritually supported the seminary for they were reunited at a wedding where scholarship at St Vladimir’s Seminary many years. St George Cathedral is the she was the maid of honor and he was in his name would be a wonderful seat of His Grace, Bishop Basil, an the best man. Only a year later,in 1956, way to remember him.” they were at another wedding, but this alumnus of SVS, class of 1973. Matushka Eva has been an active servant time as bride and groom. Two years Dr Glenn Kubina, a parishioner of the of the Lord in a number of ways.Today into their marriage, he was ordained a cathedral with his wife Nancy, has she is involved in different ministries at deacon at Holy Trinity Cathedral in served on the seminary’s Board of her parish, Holy Resurrection Church in Chicago by Archbishop John. They Trustees since 1988. Dr Kubina said, Palatine, IL. “We visit shut-ins and ill spent many happy years in Ohio where “We at St George are appreciative of St parishioners and we pray regularly in a their son Gregory and daughter Daria Vladimir’s role in preparing our group for the sick. We pray not just for were born, and Deacon Basil was ele- clergy,educating our laity through SVS parishioners, but for anyone who is vated to Protodeacon. Press, and being a resource for Ortho- sick.” She sums up her servant’s attitude doxy in America.” The Hubiaks later moved to Pennsyl- in the simple phrase, “I try to help out vania, where Protodeacon Basil fre- wherever I can.” This parish has frequently invited and quently traveled with Archbishop hosted seminarian singers and faculty, The Hubiaks have faithfully “helped Cyprian. “About once or twice a including Fr John H. Erickson and Fr out” St Vladimir’s Seminary in many month my husband served in parishes Thomas Hopko. St George Cathedral ways. They were members of the St across Pennsylvania, , New has an active youth ministry, which Vladimir’s Theological Foundation Jersey, and Connecticut, serving in has helped produce several students and active ambassadors of the semi- Slavonic and in English,” Matushka who have pursued theological educa- nary. They organized groups of sup- says, putting particular emphasis on tion, including Jeremy Davis (SVS porters and friends of the seminary, the word “English.” ’04), ordained to the Holy Diaconate hosted SVS Octet members, and estab- in January 2006. St Vladimir’s Semi- Protodeacon Basil became a full-time lished the Hubiak scholarship fund. nary is grateful for the years of friend- choir director at Christ the Savior “I’ve seen the caliber of priests that are ship and mutual support with St Church in Harrisburg, PA, the first graduates of St Vladimir’s Seminary. George Cathedral and the many other parish in the region conceived as a pan- My husband and I believed in St communities for whom we exist to Orthodox, multi-ethnic, and English- Vladimir’s dedication to excellent serve, and upon whom we depend for serving community. Here, his love of priestly formation.”

14 • SPRING 2006 sn mental doubts about the essential READER’S CORNER rightness of the Christian faith, but hav- ing retained a continuing, if often quite I must not, as she often put it to me, unsophisticated, Slavic piety. The kind “get by on brains and glibness.” The of orthodox confessional Lutheranism I Fragments “happy disposition and delight in imbibed from that source may have telling stories” that I have had since been slightly tinged with pietism, but it of a Scholar’s childhood and still (thank God) pos- tended to sit rather loosely to ecclesias- Memoir sess, on the other hand, is a reflection tical institutions and structures. Having of the magical and positive view of the emigrated to the United States with world for which my father was widely their parents in the opening years of the known throughout his life. It included twentieth century, both of my parents a deep and all-but pantheistic sense of attended German-speaking Lutheran affinity with Nature, which I inherited schools: my mother, the first and only JAROSLAV PELIKAN from him, together with a high energy member of her family to go to college, level and a capacity for sustained effort Doctor Martin Luther College in New I like to say that I was born into a fam- for long stretches of time, followed by Ulm, Minnesota (1920); my father, ily that was rich in everything except the ability to fall asleep instantly— Concordia [Junior] College in Fort money—good food in abundance, which has proven to be just the right Wayne, Indiana (1916) and Concordia music, books, languages, and above all combination for a scholar. Theological Seminary in Saint Louis tradition and faith. My parents both (1919). After they married in 1921, came from Slovak families and were As his father had been before him, from my father was drafted by his father to born in Slavic Europe—my father in 1895 to 1930, my father was a Luther- serve as a pastor in the (unsuccessful) what was to become Czechoslovakia an pastor, from 1919 to 1963, and a experiment at a Lutheran church in- (and now Slovakia), my mother in preacher of great eloquence and power, dependent of the state in the new Vojvodina, which eventually became both in his native Slovak and in his Czechoslovakia. adopted English. He and my mother, (and still is, at least as of this writing) a During their two years there, a son who who was a parochial school teacher province of Yugoslavia, polyglot but had my name (or,rather,I was given his before their marriage, were therefore chiefly Serbian-speaking. The genetic name) was born to them and died after my first teachers of theology, which distribution of labor that Goethe a few days; I have long had the deep took the form of Luther’s Small Catechism, described in his autobiographical verses, sense that I grew up carrying responsi- of the Lutheran chorales in the Czech Vom Vater hab’ ich die Statur bility for Jaroslav Ivan as well as for translations of Jirˇi Tranovsky´, and of Des Lebens ernstes Führen, myself, which could be seen as an many tomes in my father’s library that I Von Mütterchen die Frohnatur unfair burden to lay on a young child, read or skimmed long before I was Und Lust zu fabulieren but which may well have helped to pro- ready for them. (My late friend, the [From my father I inherited my vide some of the extra motivating force Benedictine Godfrey Diekmann, in stature that a scholar needs. introducing me for a lecture at Saint And my seriousness about the John’s Abbey, claimed to have discov- conduct of life, Taken from the memoir of Dr Jaroslav Pelikan, ered that when, as a little boy, I could the foremost church From my dear mother my happy not reach the dining room table, my historian of the disposition parents had me sit on volumes of the twentieth century And a delight in telling stories], Patrologia, with the result that I absorbed and a Trustee of St worked out rather differently in my the church fathers a posteriori.) For what- Vladimir’s Seminary, in Orthodoxy and case. Not only am I a couple of inches ever reason, their teaching stuck, so that Western Culture: A shorter than my father was; but my I have had to admit, sometimes with a Collection of Essays “seriousness about the conduct of life” bit of chagrin, that I was quite out of Honoring Jaroslav acquired some of its special qualities step with many in my generation, espe- Pelikan on His Eighti- from my mother,with her iron sense of cially among theological scholars at eth Birthday, available duty and her loving determination that universities, in never having had funda- from SVS Press.

sn SPRING 2006 • 15 OFF THE PRESS Chant CHANT TRADITIONS OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH Sung by the Choirs of St Vladimir’s Seminary.Arranged for English-language liturgical use, these chants draw from various musical traditions of the Orthodox Church. $16.95 Vigil SELECTIONS FROM THE ALL-NIGHT VIGIL OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH Sung by the Choirs of St Vladimir’s Seminary. Jubilant anti- phonal singing and responsorial psalmody, chants, and anthems. $16.95 Praying with Icons Thomas Hopko

Are icons necessary for prayer? Fr Thomas Hopko speaks about the icon as the presence of the living God and dispels prejudices and erroneous practices regarding images and prayer. single CD • $11.95 St Vladimir’s Seminary Press to place an order or request a catalog, please call: 1-800-204-2665 p

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