St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary

Fr. Stephen Powley Speaks on the Importance of Prison Ministry

Wed, 09 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

On Wednesday, May 9, 2012 St. Tikhon’s was pleased to have Fr. Stephen Powley, the Assistant Director of Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM), as a guest speaker. OCPM is the official prison ministry of the Assembly of Canonical Bishops of North and South America.

OCPM currently ministers to over 1000 men and women who are currently incarcerated or have been recently so and now are being acclimated back into their own local communities. Currently there are over 300 Orthodox catechumens within the American prison system.

Fr. Stephen gave a moving and thought provoking presentation that challenged everyone present to re-evaluate stereotypes and to take a close and honest look at St. Paul’s instruction to "remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." (Hebrews 13:3)

2012 Field Education Awards Ceremony

Tue, 08 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

On Tuesday, May 8, 2012 the 2012 Field Work Education Awards Ceremony honored this year’s participants and presented each with their program certifications.

Representatives from SCI Waymart, Wayne Memorial Hospital and Wayne Woodlands Manor Assisted Living Facility each came to thank the seminary for their participation in the program. The directors and administrators of each of the care facilities expressed deep appreciation for the seminaries long-standing relationship with their institutions and gratitude for the hope that the seminarians bring to each of their organizations.

“The residence of the facility look forward to their weekly visits from the seminarians for several days leading up to their visit and for some it’s all they talk about for several days after.” said Matushka Marion Swencki, Administrator of Wayne Woodlands, “It is such an important work you do when you give of yourself to take part in the life of a resident.”

This year the student participants went out of their way to thank Fr. Alexander Atty the Dean of the Seminary, Fr. John Kowalczyk the Director of the Field Education Program, as well as Fr. David Shewczyk the Associate Director for the opportunity to take part in the program by presenting them each with a hand-painted icon.

The icons were written by an inmate in the State Prison System who converted while serving his sentence due largely to the ministerial efforts of groups like the Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM).

Third Annual Century Association Event is Tremendous Success

Sun, 06 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

St. Tikhon’s Seminary Century Association hosted Hospitality ala Russe on Sunday, May 6th at St. John’s Center in Mayfield, PA. The festival featured a magnificent “Russian Table” including zakushki (appetizers) of potato pancakes, eggplant caviar, pirozhki, kielbasa, marinated mushrooms, entrees of beef Stroganoff, chicken ala Russe, halupki, halushki, pierogis, and delicious homemade desserts.

Matushka Nina Stroyen was present to sign copies of the newly published cookbook, “HANYA’S KITCHEN: The Orthodox Herald Recipe Collection”, and St. John’s Bookstore offered a wide variety of Russian collectibles.

Entertainment featured the St. John’s Children’s Folkdance Ensemble dancing traditional folk dances and the Podoben chorus, directed by Masha Pavuk, presenting a selection of Paschal liturgical hymns and folk songs.

The Association expresses sincere appreciation to Father John and Matushka Alexandra Sorochka for supervising the event, to St. John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Cathedral for graciously allowing the Association to use their facilities, to the members of St. John’s parish who setup, cooked, served, baked decadent desserts and cleaned up, and to Father Joseph and Matushka Gloria Martin for orgaizing the theme basket raffle and preparing appetizers and entrees for the event. Thank you to the merchants who provided door prizes, to the donors of tickets, raffle prizes and theme baskets, to our platinum, gold and silver sponsors, to the Festival committee and the members of the Association for donating food, time and talent, and to all of our guests who enjoyed a delightful afternoon of superb food, excellent entertainment, and wonderful fellowship.

Through this tremendous outpouring of generosity and the combined effort of all of our contributors and volunteers, President Sarah Jubinski, on behalf of the Century Association, presented to Arch-Priest Alexander Atty, Dean of St. Tikhon’s Seminary, the Association’s second installment check in the amount of $25,000.00.

Myrrh-Streaming and Miraculous Icon to Bless St. Tikhon's for Memorial Day Pilgramage

Fri, 04 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The Myrrh-streaming Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos from Hawaii will again visit the Monastery this Memorial Day from Friday May 25th at 4 p.m. to Monday May 28th at 4:00 p.m.

Healings from cancer, demon possession and blindness have been attributed to the intercessions of the Mother of God through this Miraculous Myrrh-streaming Icon. This event is open to the general public.

St. Tikhon's Monastery Announces 2012 Memorial Day Pilgrimage Schedule

Wed, 02 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

108th Annual Pilgrimage

St. Tikhon of Zadonsk Orthodox Monastery

South Canaan, Pennsylvania

May 25th – 28th, 2012

Friday, May 25th, 2012

3:30 pm Official Opening of the 108th Pilgrimage

Greeting of the Myrrh-streaming Iveron Icon the Theotokos at the Monastery

Archway with Molieben in the Church

4:00 pm Vespers and Matins at the Monastery Church

Dinner in Monastery dining hall for all pilgrims following the services

Saturday, May 26th, 2012

9:00 am Hierarchical Divine Liturgy

Meal for all pilgrims at the Monastery dining hall following the service

1:00 pm 70th Annual Academic Commencement of St. Tikhon's Theological Seminary

4:30 pm Resurrection Vigil – Monastery Church

Dinner in Monastery dining hall for all pilgrims following the services

Sunday, May 27th, 2012

9:00 am Hierarchical Divine Liturgy

Meal for all pilgrims at the Monastery dining hall following the service

4:00 pm Vespers and Matins – Monastery Church

Monday, May 28th, 2012

7:30 am Divine Liturgy – Monastery Church

10:00 am Hierarchical Divine Liturgy

1:30 pm Akathist to St. Alexis – Monastery Church

2:30 pm Molieben to the Most Holy Theotokos and Anointing of the Sick, Infirm

and all Pilgrims – Monastery Bell Tower

4:00 pm Vespers and Matins – Monastery Church

Endicott Diaconal Program Continues to Enjoy Success in 2012

Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The Diocese of New York/New Jersey recently posted an update regarding their Diaconal Program Offering including photos of the Liturgical Practicum as well as ordination photos.

2012 Commencement Announcement (UPDATE)

Wed, 02 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

On Saturday, May 26, 2012 at 1:00pm, St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary will gather to hold its annual commencement exercises. The commencement speaker for this year is His Grace, Bishop John of Worcester and New England, Antiochian Orthodox Christia Archdiocese of North America.

The banquet honoring the graduates will be held immediately following commencement at St. Michael's Center in East Jermyn, PA. Tickets are available for the luncheon; $25 per person. Children under 12 are free. Please contact the seminary office at 570-561-1818 ext. 101 or olga.atty@stots.edu to make reservations.

St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary

Seventieth Commencement Schedule

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the Monastery Church at 9:00am

Coffee Hour following Liturgy in the Trapeza

Commencement Exercises in the Pavilion at 1:00pm

Commencement Speaker, His Grace, Bishop JOHN of Worcester and New England,

Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America.

Graduation Banquet St. Michael's Hall East Jermyn.

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.

Thank you to Everyone Who Supported the Sexton Relief Fund

Tue, 08 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

On behalf of Fr. Adam Sexton and the entire parish community at St. John the Baptist parish in Nanticoke, PA we would like to say thank you to each and every person who gave so generously to the Sexton Relief Fund.

Through your generous efforts St. Tikhon’s Seminary was able to collect nearly $40,000 to help Fr. Adam Sexton and his family begin to replace those parts of their lives that were lost to the rectory fire that broke out on the morning of March 4, 2012.

As the collection portion of the relief fund campaign draws to an end and the hard work of the rebuilding portion begins, we would ask that your continued prayers be with the Sexton family and the St. John’s parish community as they begin to repair the damages sustained in the blaze.

(UPDATED) May 5th-6th Fr. Alexander and the St. Tikhon's Mission Choir Will be in Philadelphia, PA

Sun, 06 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Fr. Alexander Atty and the St. Tikhon's Seminary Mission Choir will be at the St. Stephen's Orthodox Cathedral in Philadelphia, PA the weekend of May 5-6, 2012.

(UPDATED)

Thank you to the parish community of St. Stephen's Orthodox Cathedral.

Your hospitality was appreciated and we look forward to visiting with you again next year.

(UPDATED) April 28th-29th Fr. Alexander and Mission Choir to be in Baltimore, MD

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Fr. Alexander Atty and the St. Tikhon's Seminary Mission Choir will be at St. Andrew Orthodox Church in Baltimore, MD on on April 28-29, 2012.