SVOTS begins academic collaboration with theological school in Romania

YONKERS, NY [SVOTS Communications]

Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary [SVOTS] has signed a concordat of cooperation with Saint Andrei Saguna Faculty of Orthodox Theology, Sibiu, Romania in an effort to encourage future student and faculty exchanges and other collaborations between the two institutions.

The agreement was signed Monday, June 25 at the Faculty in Sibiu by Archpriest Chad Hatfield, SVOTS President, and Priest Nicolae Chifar, Dean of Saint Andrei Saguna Faculty of Orthodox Theology.  The signing of the agreement was attended by His Eminence, Archbishop Laurentiu of Sibiu, Metropolitan of Transylvania, who blessed the agreement between the two institutions.  SVOTS Director of Web Services Alexandru Popovici, a native Romanian, and teachers of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology were also present.

“It is important for us to understand that signing this agreement is only a beginning, and with the help of God we believe that this agreement will evolve and change,” said Father Chad.  “It is very important for us, those studying theology as a minority in different cultures, to have strong ties with the theological faculties of the mother countries, where Orthodoxy is well rooted in the culture of those countries.”

At the signing, Archbishop Laurentiu awarded Father Chad the “Sagunian Cross for Priests” and welcomed him back for future visits to Sibiu.  Father Chad presented His Eminence and members of the Faculty with books published by Saint Vladimir’s Seminary Press.