■ The Year of Schmemann: Honoring a Legacy by Forging a New Era ANNUAL REPORT FISCAL YEAR 2020 ACADEMIC YEAR 2020-2021 Hierarchs, faculty, and members of the graduating classes of 2020 & 2021 ■ A Word from the President A New Era is Underway Very Rev. Dr Chad Hatfield The core principles Schmemann 1 A Word from the President President, St Vladimir’s Orthodox so passionately emphasized still Fr Chad Hatield Theological Seminary imbue the education and training 4 A Word from the Academic Dean he “Year of Schmemann” is more than a future Church leaders receive at Dr Ionuț-Alexandru Tudorie celebration of a profound legacy. It also gives us occasion to assess how we have St Vladimir’s: the centrality of the 6 St Vladimir’s Seminary at a Glance held to the standards and achievements Tof the past, and how we incorporate them to Eucharist, a life of profound and 8 Faculty Note: Fr Schmemann’s Vision address the immense challenges which face ongoing conversion in Christ, and Dr Vitaly Permiakov Christianity today. The year 2021 marks one hundred years since an unwavering commitment to 10 Students of Schmemann, the birth of Protopresbyter Alexander Schme- Past & Present proclaiming the Good News. mann (1921–1983). This towering figure in the history of St Vladimir’s Seminary—our 12 2020 Financials former dean and professor of liturgical theology—remains beloved, revered, and 14 Donor View We keep as our guide Fr Alexander’s vision of a widely read both in and outside the Ortho- theological seminary/academy in the Russian un- 16 SVS Press: The Year in Books dox Church to this day. As we continue this derstanding—that an academy is a place of higher year of events, new publications, resur- learning that engages the culture of its time—blend- 18 Ordinations rected recordings, and more in honor ed beautifully with spiritual and pastoral formation. of this centenary celebration, we are This, quite frankly, is what the Church needs, because 20 New Branding & Website powerfully reminded that Fr Alexander it is what the world needs. Fewer and fewer people, remains a voice for our time. (A Voice especially young people, identify as Christian as a 22 Annual Giving Report for Our Time is, not coincidentally, also diversity of ideas and opinions compete for their the title of a new two-volume series of hearts and minds. Many Orthodox families will sig- Back St Vladimir’s Seminary Schmemann’s radio broadcasts published nificantly reduce their involvement and support of Cover Board of Trustees by St Vladimir’s Seminary Press.) the Church, now that lockdowns and church closures Annual Report 2020 1 Protopresbyter Alexander have afforded them an extended taste of the “com- Father Alexander was not a Schmemann Dean, 1962–1983 fort” and ease offered by a life without the Cross. Professor of Liturgical Theology, 1951–1983 Many already have. And all Orthodox jurisdictions in revisionist, as he was sometimes North America continue to face a critical shortage of misunderstood to be. He was a priests as well as other vocations. During his life, Protopresbyter Alex- ander Schmemann (September 13, Nevertheless, the news is not all gloomy. At the be- restorationist intensely focused 1921–December 13, 1983) was a lead- ginning of the 2020-2021 academic year, St Vladi- on returning us to heart of the ing Orthodox theologian and writer, mir’s Seminary welcomed our largest incoming class an architect of autocephaly in North in years, in spite of these challenges. As we reflect matter, so that we might be truly America, and committed to the souls on a golden era of the Seminary (2021 also marks of believers living under religious the centenary of the birth of another influential faithful to the Tradition Christ oppression in the Soviet Union. He Seminary professor, Dr Veselin Kesich [+2012]), St entrusted us through his apostles. Vladimir’s is today very clearly in the midst of a new remains to this day one of the most beloved and influential Orthodox and exciting phase in its history. This is most visible a revisionist, as he was sometimes misunderstood Fr Chad and class of 2021 graduate Philip McClanahan theologians of recent times. in the recent additions of several renowned scholars to be. He was a restorationist intensely focused on (Antiochian Archdiocese) to the faculty, the further refinement of curriculum returning us to heart of the matter, so that we might Born in 1921 in Estonia to a family leaders for the Church, leaders who are molded by and spiritual formation of seminarians, the estab- be truly faithful to the Tradition Christ entrusted us of Russian émigrés, Fr Alexander the legacy of theological giants together with fresh lishment and activities of the Seminary’s Institute of through his apostles. The core principles Schme- Schmemann spent his youth in insights and approaches of today’s outstanding Sacred Arts, a boom in production and consumption mann so passionately emphasized still imbue the France. He completed theological Orthodox scholars and teachers. Your support also of publications from SVS Press, a refreshed St Vladi- education and training future Church leaders re- studies at the Orthodox Theologi- makes possible the publication of Orthodox liter- mir’s Theological Quarterly, and even the very “look” of ceive at St Vladimir’s: the centrality of the Eucharist, cal Institute of St Sergius in Paris. ature written by Schmemann, Kesich, and many the Seminary (you may have noticed the Seminary’s a life of profound and ongoing conversion in Christ, Ordained to the Orthodox priesthood other authors past and present that is read through- new logo on this annual report or already browsed and an unwavering commitment to proclaiming in 1946, he taught church history at our new website at www.svots.edu). And, critically, out the world. Your support allows public educa- the Good News. Perhaps surprisingly, though, the St Sergius until 1951, when he was our accreditation by the Association of Theological tional events and programs that further broaden the Orthodox Church worldwide is in danger of losing invited to join the faculty of St Vlad- Seminary’s reach. Your engagement with us helps Schools (ATS) was renewed this spring. ground on many of the gains Schmemann’s efforts keep us informed and focused on what is essen- imir’s in New York. He was quickly But there is work to do in order to remain faithful influenced—the return of frequent communion, tial and what is needed for you, your family, and recognized as a leading exponent to Schmemann’s vision. Father Alexander was not the revival of the Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts, the your parish. In short, if you believe in the need for a of Orthodox liturgical theology and reading of the anaphora out loud. His work strong and effective Orthodox witness—“for the life became dean in 1962. During his toward autocephaly and unity must also be of the world”—St Vladimir’s Seminary, her seminar- tenure, the Seminary achieved wide revisited, for dreams of Orthodox unity in ians, her faculty, and her staff need your prayers and recognition as a center of Orthodox North America, let alone globally, seem as your support. theological studies, and Fr Alexan- distant as ever. der was instrumental in educating a We take incredible joy in the fact that our seminar- The Seminary was at the heart of spreading generation of Orthodox priests. ians, faculty, staff, trustees, and donors come from the vision of Fr Alexander in his day. As a diverse jurisdictions, backgrounds, and walks of life. While committed to the cause of an direct inheritor of his legacy, St Vladimir’s is All share a common belief in the mission and work Orthodox Church which would be uniquely positioned to carry on the work and of St Vladimir’s, a belief shared by Fr Alexander, Pro- united and American, Fr Schme- vision of Schmemann and others, includ- fessor Kesich, and others before and after them. mann always remained concerned ing Dr Kesich, today and tomorrow. Their with the fate of believers in the leadership, vision, scholarship, and profound We hope you enjoy this latest annual report from St faith made St Vladimir’s Seminary a center Vladimir’s Seminary, highlighting Academic Year Soviet Union. For thirty years, his of Orthodox culture and learning. 2020-2021 and Fiscal Year 2020. sermons were broadcast in Rus- sian on “Radio Liberty” and gained Now, as it was then, people like you are also And may the memories of Protopresbyter Alexander Fr Schmemann a broad following essential if the Seminary is to be a beacon Schmemann and Dr Veselin Kesich be eternal! Outdoor Divine Liturgies enabled seminarians, faculty, and community across the Soviet Union. members to continue worshiping together during the height of for the Church in the twenty-first century. pandemic restrictions. Without you, the Seminary cannot train new 2 St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary Annual Report 2020 3 ■ A Word from the Academic Dean I find it remarkable that these positive develop- Dr Veselin Kesich ments came despite the global pandemic. It was no small feat for the Seminary to offer in-person Professor of New Testament, 1953–1991 A Year of New Programs, Professors, and Events education and formation in a way that approaches the ideal in Orthodox theological formation: high ac- Professor Kesich (March 12, Dr Ionuț-Alexandru Tudorie ademics in the context of daily worship and fellow- 1921–June 26, 2012), was beloved Academic Dean, St Vladimir’s ship. I truly appreciate our hard-working staff and by generations of St Vladimir’s faculty who made all of this possible while the Semi- Orthodox Theological Seminary alumni, not only for his academic nary stayed in compliance with safety protocols.