Day

Published by St. Vladimir’s Seminary, October 4, 2005

A Day of Beauty and Culture:

St Vladimir’s Seminary 36^th Annual Orthodox Education Day

Crestwood, NY – On Saturday, October 1, 2005, beauty and culture were present everywhere during the 36th annual Orthodox Education Day at St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. God blessed the day with ideal weather and the sparkling white tents were even more brilliant against the backdrop of a cloudless blue sky. The theme of the day: “Icons and iPods: Finding God in Popular Culture,” invited all those who attended to reflect on our responsibility to engage modern American culture.

The keynote address of His Grace Savas, Bishop of Troas, Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (GOA), reminded the audience, “Our God is a God of beauty. Whatever is beautiful belongs to God.” His Grace went on to challenge those gathered to, “Look for what can be affirmed ‘out there’ in the world, denounce what there is to denounce, but be a participant in this world, not just an outside observer or even worse pretend that the world isn’t there. Be engaged enough to know what is out there; what is good and what is not so good. Be alive to the possibilities of culture.”

As well as receiving edification from His Grace’s challenging talk, hundreds of people discovered and rediscovered the seminary on Orthodox Education Day, participating in a beautiful hierarchical Divine Liturgy and spending time with fellow believers. They were uplifted by beautiful choral music, enjoyed a wide range of ethnic food, received spiritual nourishment and were challenged in their faith.

A liturgical procession set the tone for the day. The Cross led the way from Three Hierarchs Chapel to the main tent for the Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Protection of the Mother of God. His Beatitude Herman, Archbishop of Washington and New York, Metropolitan of All America and Canada (Orthodox Church in America) presided. His Grace Tikhon, Bishop of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania (OCA) and His Grace Bishop Savas, the keynote speaker of the day concelebrated with His Beatitude. The beauty of the Liturgy was enhanced by the voices of a guest choir from Holy Trinity Church in Parma, OH and St Vladimir’s Seminary Choir. Fr John Dresko, president of the seminary’s Alumni Association, gave the homily.

The unity of the Orthodox Faith was reinforced during the Liturgy, and our diversity was celebrated by foods and fare highlighting cultures from the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia. Activities for children - including crafts and face painting - helped to create a family-friendly environment. Teenagers tossing footballs on any available green space added to the picnic atmosphere.

Three packed workshops geared to unique audiences expanded on the day’s theme. Fr Thomas Hopko, Dean Emeritus, spoke primarily with clergy while Fr John Garvey, renowned Orthodox author, spoke primarily with the laity. Dr Albert Rossi, Professor of Pastoral Theology, held a session with the youth.

Many of those who gathered for Orthodox Education Day enjoyed guided tours of the seminary grounds including the newly built married-student housing. Some guests found a few moments for quiet reflection in the chapel and others perused the extensive collection in the library. A constant stream of people visited the SVS Bookstore tent, going in empty-handed and coming out with their arms full of spiritually uplifting books, icons and CDs.

As the sun set, all those still on campus headed up the hill to celebrate Great Vespers, following a memorial service for departed loved ones. A church packed with tired, but satisfied people gave glory to God, singing Psalm 103/4, “Bless the Lord all His works in all places of His dominion.”

Visit www.svots.edu to see a photo gallery highlighting the day’s events and to find out more about St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary.

Sofia Lopoukhine, Communications Officer
St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary



Volume 7 Number 41 - Tuesday, October 11, 2005	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY