Fr. Jillions delivers commencement address at St. Herman’s Seminary
Archpriest John Jillions, Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America, delivered the main address at the 40th Anniversary Commencement at Saint Herman’s Orthodox Theological Seminary here on Sunday, May 19, 2013.
The day opened with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at Kodiak’s Holy Resurrection Cathedral.
Archimandrite David (Mahaffey), Administrator of the Diocese of Alaska, presented the awards to the seminarians. A Diploma in Orthodox Theology was bestowed upon Nathanael Anderson, while Reader’s Certificates were presented to Sergius Chocknok, John Kudrin, Nicholas Montiegel, Segei Olsen III, and Leonty Wassilie.
Mary Ann Khoury, Coordinator for Outreach Alaska, spoke about the mission of Outreach Alaska and presented Nathanael with a final check from his sponsor parish and an icon.
A banquet followed the commencement exercises, during which staff, community members, and students shared words and songs. Graduate Nathanael Anderson gave a wonderful speech in which he spoke of his growth while at seminary and and shared the many ways family members, staff and students supported him through the years.
First-year students offered a selection of songs—a first for the seminary choir, which also performed—followed by a duet by David and Nathanael.
Saint Herman’s Seminary is grateful for the generous support of our friends and benefactors, wherever they may be, for making it possible for those desiring to serve the Church in Alaska to receive the necessary training to fulfill their calling in life.
A gallery of photos from the commencement may be viewed on the seminary web site.