Visit of Serbian bishop enriches St Vladimir’s Seminary
His Grace, retired Bishop Atanasije [Jevtic] of Zahumlje-Hercegovina of the Serbian Orthodox Church and his delegation visited, enriched, and blessed Saint Vladimir’s Seminary here June 23-25, 2007.
During his visit, Bishop Atanasije was awarded a Doctor of Divinity degree honoris causa. As an author ofnumerous books, Bishop Atanasije is considered the most outstanding Serbian Orthodox theologian of his generation.
The degree was awarded with the following citation: “Guided from his youth by the Serbian Orthodox Church, and standing firmly in the tradition of the Fathers, His Grace, the Right Reverend Atanasije [Jevtic] has worked tirelessly for the truth. A student of Archimandrite Justin [Popovic] of blessed memory, he taught many others as Professor of Patrology and as Dean of the Orthodox Theological Faculty in Belgrad, and yet others through his numerous and diverse books. Consecrated to the episcopacy, Bishop Atansije shepherded hid flock through times of troubles, always holding fast to his convictions. By word and deed, Bishop Atanasije became a father in the faith for many, reaping harvest both in his own country and, through his disciples, in our own. With admiration, therefore, and with deep respect, Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary is honored to bestow upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa.”
As part of Bishop Atanasije’s program, a seminar was held for SVS faculty, during which he spoke about what he termed “the backbone of theology”—Christ’s love for us in creating us and becoming one of us in order to save us. He put great emphasis on the identification of Christ with the Church, especially in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. Afterwards he answered faculty members’ questions about the situation of the Church in Serbia and its liturgical and spiritual renewal.
His Grace, Bishop Tikhon of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, Rector of Saint Tikhon’s Seminary [representing His Beatitude Metropolitan Herman] and His Grace, Bishop Maxim of Western America [Serbian Orthodox Church] concelebrated the Divine LIturgy with Bishop Atanasije in the seminary chapel.