Metropolitan Herman blesses SVS students on opening of academic year

CRESTWOOD, NY [OCA Communications] — His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman, opened the 2006-2007 academic year by celebrating the Divine Liturgy for the Great Feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God and blessing the seminarians on September 8, 2006.

As Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, Metropolitan Herman serves as president of the seminary.

During the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Herman ordained Deacon Matthew Cantrell to the Holy Priesthood and Subdeacon Nicholas Garklavs to the Holy Diaconate.

The Very Rev. Paul Lazor, associate dean for student affairs, thanked Metropolitan Herman for his archpastoral visit and prayers saying, “We thank you for leading us in the celebration of this first great feast day of our academic year together, and for ordaining two of our seminarians to holy orders. You have thereby reminded us, at the very beginning, of our basic purpose as a theological school—to provide the appropriate theological and pastoral training for those who desire to serve God and His people in a Christ-like manner.”

Father Paul’s words embody the spirit and vision of the dean of the seminary, the Rev. John Erickson, who said, “[Saint Vladimir’s Seminary has] a unique opportunity to bear witness to Christ, preserving the essence of our Orthodox heritage while presenting it in new ways to a changing world.”

This year’s incoming class demonstrates the seminary’s commitment to preparing a diverse student body. Of the 38 first-year students, nine are women, while ten are married.

“The numbers are indicative of the recent growth of the seminary and a shift in its demographics, and are a reflection of the seminary’s commitment to building a community in which faculty, staff, students and their families can live, learn, and pray together,” said Protodeacon Kirill Sokolov, a seminary spokesperson. “Saint Vladimir’s is not only a seminary for those seeking to serve Christ in North America, but is internationally renowned and attracts talented student from all over the world.”

Ms. Mariya Simakova is one of these international students who traveled thousands of miles from her home in Russia to study at the seminary. After completing her new student orientation and her first week of classes, Mariya said, “I have always known about Saint Vladimir’s excellent academic reputation, but now I have experienced it as a truly Orthodox community, united in love and faithfulness to Christ. I hope my years of study, prayer, and fellowship here will help me to become a better witness to the Gospel in my home country.”

“Mariya’s sentiments reflect the heart of the seminary’s community life and the ultimate aim of all of its endeavors,” said Protodeacon Kirill. “From the opening of two new lakeside apartment buildings for married students and
their children to the addition of the Rev. Harry Pappas as the full-time associate professor of pastoral theology, Saint Vladimir’s Seminary is growing in exciting ways in order to accomplish its critical mission.”