On August 28-29, the new and returning seminarians kicked off the 2008-2009 academic year with the annual St. Tikhon’s Seminary Opening Retreat.  This year’s theme was “Seminary Life as Preparation for the Priesthood”, and featured presentations by His Grace, Bishop TIKHON, Very Rev. Daniel Geeza, Very Rev. Michael Dahulich, and Rev. Fr. David Mezynski.  In addition to the lectures, students participated in Divine Services, including Vigil and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy for the Beheading of St. John the Baptist, and a Molieben of Thanksgiving for the Opening of the Academic Year.  Friday morning’s liturgy also included the blessing for new students to wear the cassock.