On September 27, 2014, members of the St. Tikhon’s Community joined with members of the St. Vladimir Seminary Community for the second Annual Joint Seminary Liturgy to celebrate the 700th Anniversary of the birth of St. Sergius of Radonezh, who is the patron saint of the chapel at the OCA Chancery. The liturgy was celebrated outdoors in a walled garden on the Chancery property, which is enjoying its 100th Anniversary. His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard) (STOTS 1993) and His Eminence, Archbishop Benjamin (Peterson) concelebrated. As Metropolitan, His Beatitude Tikhon serves as the President of both St. Tikhon’s and St. Vladimir’s Seminaries.

Also serving were Archpriest John Jillions, OCA Chancellor; Archpriest Eric G. Tosi, OCA Secretary; St. Tikhon’s faculty member Archpriest Joseph Woodill, (STOTS 1981); Priest James Weremedic (STOTS 2001); Priest David Cowan (STOTS 2007); Protodeacon Joseph Matusiak; and Deacon Gregory Hatrak (STOTS 1994). Singing the responses during the liturgy were the St. Tikhon’s Seminary Mission Choir, led by Benedict Sheehan (STOTS 2011), joined by the choir from St. Vladimir’s Seminary, led by Hierodeacon Herman (Majkrzak) (STOTS 2005).

Following the beautiful outdoor ceremony, Metropolitan Tikhon presented awards for the newly-established Order of Saint Romanos. This award was created by the Holy Synod of Bishops to honor those who have made significant contributions in the field of liturgical music. The four recipients were:

• Prof. Dr. David Drillock, “for his multi-faceted, untiring and widely influential work as a teacher, conductor, arranger and administrator, who has influenced decades of seminary choirs, authored numerous books and chairs the Department of Liturgical Music.”

• Archpriest Sergius Glagolev, “for his lifetime of musical contributions as a singer, choirmaster, composer and teacher.  He pioneered the use of English in liturgical services, of which many are now classic parts of the repertoire of parish choirs.”

• Archpriest Igor Soroka, “for his pioneering work and more than 50 years of accomplishments in liturgical music.  Many of his published works are commonly known as the “Soroka” books, which were watershed events in the life of the Church in North America.”

• Mr. Walter Shymansky, “for a lifetime of dedicated services to music and musicians in the Church with decades of directing, arranging, teaching and singing.  His extensive English arrangements of Russian music is the foundation of the Podoben web site.”

Following the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Tikhon welcomed visitors from both schools as well as others who took part in the service to be his guests and to join together in a common meal at the chancery.