Orthodox Inter-Seminary Movement meets at St. Tikhon’s Seminary

His Grace, Bishop Basil of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America ordained Deacon Christopher Morris and Subdeacon George Shawareb to the priesthood and diaconate on February 18, 2006 at St. Tikhon’s Monastery Church.

SOUTH CANAAN, PA [OCA Communications] — Over 80 students from five US Orthodox seminaries attended the spring meeting of the Orthodox Inter-Seminary Movement [OISM] at Saint Tikhon’s Seminary here February 17-19, 2006.

Attending the meeting were students from Saint Tikhon’s Seminary; Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, Crestwood, NY; Saint Herman’s Seminary, Kodiak, AK; Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, Broookline, MA; and Holy Trinity Seminary, Jordanville, NY.

His Grace, Bishop Basil of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, presented the keynote address on Orthodox administrative unity in North America to the assembled seminarians, faculty members, and distinguished guests. In attendance were His Grace, Bishop Tikhon of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, rector of Saint Tikhon’s Seminary; the Very Rev. Michael Dahulich, dean of Saint Tikhon’s Seminary; the Very Rev. Chad Hatfield, dean of Saint Herman’s Seminary; the Rev. John Behr, professor at Saint Vladimir’s Seminary; and the Rev. Matthew Thurman, OISM president and student at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology.

On Saturday morning, the seminarians witnessed Bishop Basil ordain Deacon Christopher Morris and Subdeacon George Shawareb, both students at Saint Tikhon’s, to the priesthood and diaconate respectively, marking the first time in the 69-year history of the seminary that a hierarch from a jurisdiction other than the OCA has ordained his students at Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk Monastery Church. His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman and Bishop Tikhon were present for the historic event.

Later the same day, representatives from the five seminaries held a business meeting and election of officers, attended the All-Night Vigil, and enjoyed a dinner at a local restaurant.

On Sunday, Metropolitan Herman celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the monastery church, after which he extended his prayers and best wishes to the participants.

OISM meets twice annually. The current OISM president is Stephen Vernak, a student at Saint Tikhon’s Seminary.

Over eighty students from five US Orthodox seminaries attended the spring OISM meeting on February 17-19, 2006.