St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary

Arch-Priest Theodore Soroka Falls Asleep in the Lord

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Arch-Priest Theodore Soroka (STOTS 1954) fell asleep in the Lord this morning, Wednesday Feb. 8th 2012 at the age of 89.

His In Memoriam page with a more detailed account of his life of service to the Church can be viewed here.

May God grant him rest in His heavenly kingdom and may his memory be eternal.

Fr. Alexander Atty and Mission Choir Visit York, PA

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Fr. Alexander Atty and the St. Tikhon’s Seminary Mission Choir were at the St. John Chrysostom Antiochian Orthodox Church in York, PA this past weekend.

A few photos from the event can be viewed here.

Volunteers from St. Patrick Orthodox Church Paint New Dining Hall

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

On behalf of the entire St. Tikhon’s Community we would like to take this time to thank Fr. Patrick Cardine and the volunteers from St. Patrick Orthodox Church in Warrenton, VA for the giving of their time and talents to the painting of the newly remodeled dining hall.

James Constable and his sons Daniel and Matthias took time out of their daily lives to come and spend several days with us last week and did an incredible job painting the newly remodeled dining hall.

James Constable owns a contracting company in Warrenton, VA and mentioned feeling compelled to give of his talents to assist with some of the renovation projects currently underway on the seminary campus after listening to Fr. Alexander speak in his parish.

Once again, thank you for giving of yourself to help St. Tikhon’s preserve the buildings and grounds of our beloved institution.

If you or your parish community would like to donate your time or resources to assisting with a renovation project please contact the office of the dean at dean@stots.edu. Many projects are currently underway and it is only by your continued support that we will be able to continue to renew this sacred orthodox treasure.

Photos

Deacon Ian Shipley is Ordained to the Holy Priesthood

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Axios and many years to Dn. Ian Shipley who was ordained to the holy priesthood on Thursday, Feb. 2 at the St. Tikhon's Monastery Church. in South Canaan, PA.

We would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations and prayers for he and his family as they begin this next phase of their public ministry.

2011-2014 Institutional Strategic Plan

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The 2011-2014 Institutional Strategic Plan is now available online under the about us tab on the home page.

Annual Century Association Lunch in Honor of St. Tatiana

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The St. Tikhon’s Century Association held its annual Luncheon on Thursday, Jan. 26th in honor of St. Tatiana of Rome, the patron saint of students.

Thank you to Sarah Jubinski, President of the Century Association. She was joined by fellow officers and board members Mary Sernak, Kay Fedirko, Mat. Dorothy Sulich, Robert H. Roth and Alexandra Fedorchak. A special thank you goes out to St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church in Bethlehem, PA for donating a number of the food items. Thank you to everyone who assisted in the preparation and presentation of the meal and for all you do for St. Tikhon’s.

Fr. Alexander Atty thanked the representatives from the association and stressed the enormous role their organization plays in the life of the community. He also encouraged those attending to consider becoming a member when and if they are ever able to do so.

During the luncheon the group was blessed to hear encouraging words from His Grace Bishop Tikhon, Hieromonk Sergius, Abbot of St. Tikhon’s Monastery, Fr. Alexander Atty Dean of the Seminary, Fr. Nilus Lerro, Dean of Students, and Sarah Jubinski, President of the Century Association.

Thank you to all who attended and helped to make this another fantastic year for the Century Association.

Photos.

Seminary Alumnus Protopresbyter Joseph P. Kreta Falls Asleep in the Lord

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Protopresbyter Joseph P. Kreta (STOTS 1952) fell asleep in the Lord on the evening of February 2, 2012 at the age of 84.

His In Memoriam page with a detailed account of his life of service to the Church can be viewed here.

May God grant him rest in His heavenly kingdom and may his memory be eternal.

2011-2013 Academic Bulletin

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The Academic Bulletin 2011-2013 has now been made available online and can be viewed as a permanent link under the Academics tab on the home page.

Gregory Chernay Falls Asleep in the Lord

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

It is with deep regret that we announce that Gregory Chernay, son of Board of Trustee member Paul Chernay fell asleep in the lord last Saturday, Jan. 28th at his home in Coopersburg.

Funeral services will be held Friday, February 3, 2012 at 12 p.m. from St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church in Bethlehem, PA.

His full obituary can be viewed here.

May his memory be eternal.

Seminary Participates in 2012 March for Life

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Representatives from the St. Tikhon’s Community traveled to Washington DC this past Monday January 23, 2012 to join up with groups from both St. Vladimir’s and Holy Cross to present a unified presence in the 39th Annual March for Life.

This year was of particular significance because it was the first year that an Orthodox hierarch has ever been asked to give the opening prayer that signals the official start of the march.

Archpriest John Kowalczyk (Director of Field Education and STOTS Alumnus 1975) gave the opening remarks and introduction for His Beatitude Metropolitan Jonah who then proclaimed:

“We offer this sign of our visible unity, standing together in unity of mind, with a contrite heart and broken spirit. We offer our repentance, however we have sinned, for all have sinned and fall short, and thus none of us can judge or condemn. We offer our compassion for those in grief, in guilt and despair.”

(Taken from www.oca.org. A full version of the invocation can be found here.)

Leading the group of Orthodox through the enormous and eclectic crowd of marchers was His Beatitude Metropolitan Jonah, as well as His Grace Bishop Tikhon (STOTS 1993), His Grace Bishop Michael, His Grace Bishop Melchizedek, as well as His Grace Bishop Matthias (STOTS 2002).

Accompanying them were Archpriest John Jillions, Chancellor of the OCA, Archpriest John Kowalczyk, Chancellor of the Diocese of Eastern PA (STOTS 1975), Archpriest Gregory Safchuk, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Washington D.C. as well as Archpriest Chad Hatfield, Chancellor of St. Vladimir’s and Hieromonk Sergius, Abbot of St. Tikhon’s Monastery (STOTS 2005).

The group was also accompanied by the Icon of the Visitation that was brought to the march by Bill Talpash from its resting place at St. Michael’s parish in Jermyn, PA. Carrying the Icon during its long march around the capital building were Dn. Michael Pasonick, Dr. David Ford, seminarian Robert Gauvain, as well as Micah Wilson.

Graciously carrying the groups large standard through the pressing crowds for this year were seminarians from St. Tikhon’s: Fr. Philip Halliwell, Dn. Joel Wilson, Jessie Dominick and Nazar Lukashov. Also helping with the banner were Anna and Michael Halliwell, and Emmelia Ford.

Also present were Archpriest Theodore Boback, the President of the St. Tikhon’s Alumni Association (STOTS 1979), Fr. David Cowan (STOTS 2007), Dn. Gregory Hatrak (STOTS 1994), Fr. Thaddeus Franta (STOTS 2011) as well as representatives from each of the three aforementioned seminaries, their families, friends, loved ones, as well as a large representation from the various parish communities throughout the East Coast.

Some sources put the attendance of the march between 250,000 and 300,000 people, all of varying religious and ideological backgrounds, coming together from all walks of life, to speak in a unified voice on the things that unite us and be silent, if only for the day, on the things that keep us apart.

Photos

St. Tikhon’s Annual Marriage Retreat

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The St. Tikhon’s Community participated in its Annual Marriage Retreat this past Saturday, Jan. 21st.

Dr. Philip Mamalakis, Asst. Professor of Pastoral Care at Holy Cross Seminary, led the retreat this year whose focus was to inform and educate the students regarding new resources available to them when the time comes for them to lead others in a parish setting.

The Journey of Marriage in the Orthodox Church is an informative, well-balanced program that equips those engaged in pastoral care and counseling within the orthodox tradition with the necessary framework for guiding the faithful.

The workbook for the program is available here.

Photos

Hexaemeron Icon Workshop Will Be Returning This Summer June 17th-23rd

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The Hexaemeron Icon Workshop entitled: Six Days of Creation will be returning for the 6th consecutive year to our beloved seminary community on June 17th-23rd. This is a nonprofit event in which the proceeds go directly to support St. Tikhon's Seminary. If you are able please come and participate in this worthwhile endeavor and help support the mission of St. Tikhon's.

The workshop is limited to 25 reservations and seats are filling up fast. Please reserve your space as early as possible.

Some testimonials from the 2011 event can be found here.

Some promotional materials have been included with all the details and contact information.

Benjamin Huggins Ordained to the Holy Diaconate

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

On Friday, January 6th, Benjamin Huggins was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by His Grace Bishop Benjamin of San Francisco and the West.

May God bless him and his family as they begin this next phase of their public ministry.

AXIOS!

Photos

Alumni Update: 1977 Alumnus Leads Parish to New Growth

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The Very Reverend Frank (Paul) Mayernick (STOTS 1977), pastor of St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Chapel in Gulf Shores, Alabama will see his parish elevated to mission status when on January 20th His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta comes to consecrate the church.

A more detailed article concerning the consecration can be viewed here.

Feb.9th-11th Fr. John Kowalczyk to Represent Seminary Community in Oklahoma

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Fr. John Kowalczyk (STOTS 1975), Director of Field Education, will be representing the seminary community at the annual meeting of the Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM) in Oklahoma on February 9th -11th.

The OCPM is the only ministry to inmates that is officially recognized by the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in North and South America and among his many duties; Fr. John also serves on the board of directors of organization as its newly elected executive secretary.

Feb. 18th Fr. Alexander to Give Retreat in Steelton, PA

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Fr. Alexander Atty will be giving a retreat on Saturday, Feb. 18th at the St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church in Steelton, PA.

Feb. 17th-20th Drs. David and Mary Ford Will be Speaking at Annual Marriage Retreat

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

On Feb. 17th-20th Drs. David and Mary Ford will be speaking at the Annual Antiochian Archdiocese Marriage Retreat Weekend held at the Antiochian Village in Bolivar, PA.

More detailed information as well as registration details can be found here.

Feb. 11th-12th Fr. Alexander to Give Retreat in Inverness, FL

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Fr. Alexander Atty will give a retreat on Feb. 11th-12th at the St. Raphael of Brooklyn Orthodox Church in Inverness, FL.