Glory to Jesus Christ!
As the Primate of Orthodox Church in America, the ruling hierarch of this Institution, this seminary and its chapel, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, I welcome all of you incoming students to St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary.
St. Vladimir’s is a place with a storied history: names such as Florovsky, Schmemann, Meyendorff, and Hopko immediately come to mind.
But as Orthodox Christians, we know that history is never merely history: it is a patrimony, a tradition.
As new students at Saint Vladimir’s, you are invited to enter into the tradition of this place, and thus into the larger tradition of Orthodox Christian theological study.
You are invited to immerse yourselves in this patrimony at a time of transition. The retirement of Fr Chad Hatfield has brought about a change in the administration of the seminary. But it should be remembered with gratitude that Fr. Chad faithfully served this institution for 17 years and guided it through many seasons of change. In the world, change often implies disruption and discontinuity. But an Orthodox approach to change is one that is rooted in ascetic discipline so that our approach to change is guided not by reaction to fluctuations in external circumstances but rather by the inner attitude of our hearts. This inner attitude is manifested sometimes by repentance, sometimes by humility, sometimes by forgiveness, and sometimes by patience, but always with honesty and love towards all and with confident trust in God’s providential care.
A time of change, a period of transition, also provides us with an opportunity to refocus on the task at hand. And the task at hand for you, as incoming seminarians, is to take up your studies, under the oversight of an interim President and Academic Dean, Dr Alex Tudorie, learning from the distinguished faculty with their many years of collective wisdom and experience, and supported by the hard-working staff. And to take up this task within the often challenging context of the seminary community.
Further, study—as you probably know—is, in the holy tradition of Orthodox Christianity, never isolated from worship and prayer. Even as you grow in knowledge, you are called even more to grow spiritually through attendance at chapel, cultivating and maintaining a rule of private prayer, and service to the community. I urge you especially to prioritize the chapel and its divine services, which are the foundation of all that you will do here.
However, there will be time to discuss the life of the seminarian and the life of the seminary. I hope that these brief mentions of prayer, worship, study, and service are a source of excitement and encouragement—I hope that is why you’ve come here. I should also note that I am scheduled to be on campus on several occasions this coming semester, in this context, that I have retained the position of Rector of the chapel until such a time as a new President and Rector is appointed.
But for now, I wish simply to congratulate you and welcome you to St. Vladimir’s Seminary.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you and guide you in all things.