SVS summer institute to be held June 24-27, 2007

CRESTWOOD, NY [OCA Communications/SVS] — The annual Saint Vladimir’s Seminary Summer Institute will follow a new shorter format this year, opening on Sunday afternoon, June 24 and running through Wednesday afternoon, June 27, 2007.

Registration discounts will also be available for clergy, SVS graduates, and those who pay in full before May 21.

The theme of this year’s institute is “Why Liturgy Matters: Worship as Witness in a Changing World.” The Priestmonk Gregory [Woolfenden] will set the tone on Sunday evening by drawing on his wealth of scholarly, liturgical, and pastoral experience in his keynote address, “Could, or should, there be a common Orthodox liturgical practice in North America:
Learning from the past and searching for the future.” Over the course of the following three days participants will hear from seminary faculty on the importance of the Divine Liturgy.

Reflecting on the theme, the Rev. Alexander Rentel, assistant professor of canon law and Byzantine studies, said, “The Divine Liturgy offers a unique witness of the Christian faith. Although today’s world has little patience for ancient and elaborate rites, our worship remains absolutely necessary.”
Father Alexander will also offer a theme-related presentation.

The daily program will offer specific programs, music practices, and workshops for Church musicians, choir directors, and singers. Those seeking to expand their general knowledge of the faith will participate in traditional lectures and discussion groups on the theme, while a special nine-hour program of instruction in liturgical rubrics will be geared to newly ordained clergy or those who are in a diaconal “late-vocations”
program.

The schedule, list of speakers, a downloadable registration form, and additional institute information are now available on the seminary web site at www.svots.edu.