Saint Vladimir’s Seminary Dean, Chancellor, call for greater cooperation with Saint Tikhon’s Seminary
As reported on the web site of Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, the Very Rev. Chad Hatfield, seminary chancellor, and the Very Rev. John Behr, dean, have been engaged in informal talks with the faculty and administration of Saint Tikhon’s Seminary to “bring the two seminaries into closer alignment and greater cooperation.”
“We are very pleased to be having this open and constructive dialogue about the future of Orthodox theological education in the US,” says Father John.
“We all, at Saint Vladimir’s and Saint Tikhon’s Seminaries, want to provide the best preparation and foundation for our seminarians so that they can make the best of their abilities and serve the Church fully as good pastors and faithful church leaders,” says Father Chad. “We are one Church serving diverse cultures across a great continent. We need to find ways in which STOTS and SVOTS can cooperate, so that together we will give all seminarians the best that our schools offer. We need a joint vision that embraces the strengths of both institutions—unity and diversity, pastoral and academic.”
The article expresses the hope that, as the two seminaries will find ways “to begin many projects that will benefit the faithful of this land in addition to present and future seminarians.” Areas of cooperation, according to the article, include continuing education, long-distance and online programs, late vocations and diaconal training programs, programs directed toward the Oriental Orthodox, doctoral programs, the training of teachers, etc.
“The possibilities that open up when we begin to cooperate,” said Fr John, “are truly inspiring and visionary.”
The entire article may be found here.