2014 Tikhonaire

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! This year the Tikhonaire ! is dedicated to two

great men whose lives
 forever changed the landscape of not only the St. Tikhon’s Community but the entire Orthodox Church in this country.

The Very Reverend

David Alexander Atty Dean of St. Tikhon’s Seminary

His Eminence Philip

Metropolitan of The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

MEMORY ETERNAL


“Come Home to the Faith of Peter and Paul!” A Remembrance of His Eminence, Metropolitan Philip Saliba (1931-2014) By Rev Fr Andrew Stephen Damick (STOTS 2007)

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When on March 19, 2014, I heard of the departure from this life of Metropolitan Philip, the archbishop of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, after my initial sadness at the personal loss of the presence of this man for us in the Antiochian Archdiocese, I had a strong sense that an era of history had come to a close. Whatever people may have thought of him, Sayidna Philip’s singular vision governed the Antiochian Orthodox Church in the United States and Canada for almost half a century, a longer span of service than any other Orthodox bishop in North American history. And so I have to imagine that I was not alone when my second thought on hearing of his death was, “So what happens now?”

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In my experience serving as a priest of the Orthodox Church, I have come to learn that for every clergyman there are at least two opinions of him—some think he is wonderful while others think he is the opposite. And it also seems that the higher the office and the longer the service, the more intense and polarized such opinions are. But after a cleric’s departure from this life, one would hope that an appreciation of the monuments he has set up to God’s glory would transcend such polarization. And since his election and enthronement in 1966, the monuments that Metropolitan Philip has set up are indeed both numerous and remarkable.

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Coming from the small village of Abou Mizan, east of Beirut in Lebanon, Philip (born Abdullah) Saliba first came to the United States as a deacon in 1956 after having studied in the Middle East and in London and spent some time as a lecturer in Arabic language and literature at the Balamand Seminary in Tripoli,

Lebanon. He studied at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Massachusetts and Wayne State University in Michigan, graduating in 1959. In 1959, Metropolitan Antony Bashir ordained him to the holy priesthood and assigned him to the pastorate of St. George Church in Cleveland. He furthered his studies at St. Vladimir’s Seminary and graduated with a Master of Divinity degree in 1965.

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In 1966, following the death of Metropolitan Antony, Philip was nominated at a special convention to succeed him and then elected by the Holy Synod of Antioch as Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of All North America. His consecration to the episcopacy took place in Lebanon by Patriarch Theodosius VI of Antioch on August 5, 1966, and he was enthroned at the archdiocesan cathedral in Brooklyn, New York, on October 13 of that same year.

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In a 2009 interview with Fr. Peter Gillquist, Sayidna Ph i l ip h i ms e l f p oi nte d to t h re e d i ffe re nt accomplishments which he regarded as most critical during his service. The first one (which is perhaps less


known outside the Antiochian Archdiocese) is the 1975 union of the Antiochian Archdioceses of New York and Toledo. The break between the New York and Toledo archdioceses had been in effect since 1936, when on the same day Metropolitans Antony Bashir and Samuel David were both consecrated. This event perpetuated divisions that had been in place since shortly after the 1915 death of St. Raphael of Brooklyn. At one point, there were four different Antiochian factions in America, which coalesced into two in the 1930s and then fi nally into a single, united archdiocese in 1975 with the historic coming together of Metropolitan Philip and then-Metropolitan (later Archbishop) Michael Shaheen. (Ironically, Philip had come to America to serve in the Toledo archdiocese while Michael had been a priest of the New York one, but they each ended up leading the “other” group.)

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Of more recent significance was the 2003 granting of “self-rule” status to the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America by the Holy Synod of Antioch, which increased the local governance of the archdiocese and also led to t h e multiplication of bishops serving in the archdiocese, something much needed with the proliferation of parishes that had taken place during Metropolitan Philip’s tenure. The more significant reality underlying this recognition from Antioch was this expansion in parishes. When he was enthroned in 1966 his archdiocese had 65 parishes, while at the time of his death in 2014, there were more than 260, a quadrupling of the number of communities.

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The act for which Metropolitan Philip is perhaps best known, however, both within the Antiochian Archdiocese and beyond its borders, is the 1987 reception of more than 2,000 former Evangelical Protestant Christians, formerly known collectively as

the “Evangelical Orthodox Church.” With the reception of those many converts to Orthodoxy, Philip boldly proclaimed during a sermon:

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“We thank God that those faithful people have found the true faith which once and for all was delivered to the saints, this faith which remains the best kept secret in America because of our laziness — we Orthodox — because we have been busy taking care of our little ethnic ghettos. It is time we let this light shine. America needs the Orthodox Faith! I said to the Evangelical Orthodox in these past Sundays—I said: Welcome home! Today I say to America: Come home, America! Come home to the faith of Peter and Paul!”

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Many have read the story of the welcome of those converts in Fr. Peter Gillquist’s Becoming Orthodox and in other sources, and those words from Sayidna Philip have been ringing in many ears now for decades. If there is one monument to this giant of American Orthodox Christian history that I hope will be set up and endure for many long years to come, it is that one. Metropolitan Philip was a man with a foreignsounding accent and a foreign-looking face, hailing from a little Lebanese town most Americans have never heard of, a whole world away for most of us. Yet this man came here and found space in his heart to welcome people home to that ancient, true faith, the faith that was spread so vigorously from Antioch from the earliest years of the Christian story.

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So what happens now? We are even now in that transition between Archbishops in the Antiochian Archdiocese, but whatever happens, I pray that all of us who have been touched by that same apostolic spirit of Antioch, whether within the archdiocese or outside it, may also find that same space in our hearts and the same eloquence of tongue to say with him: “Come home, America! Come home to the faith of Peter and Paul!”


The Very Reverend Alexander Atty ! by Christopher Patton !

It is with a profound sense of loss that the St. Tikhon’s Community marks the passing of its former Dean, the Archpriest Alexander Atty. Fr. Alexander received his rest in the Lord March 23, 2014, the Sunday of the Cross, finally securing a well-deserved peace from his many-year struggle with cancer. Fr. Alexander was Dean and Chief Operating Officer of St. Tikhon’s Seminary from the summer of 2010 to February of 2013. For several years before this he was a devoted member of the Board of Trustees and beloved benefactor of the institution. In his 2 ½ all-too-short years as Dean, Fr. Alexander Atty would leave a dramatic and indelible mark on the life of St. Tikhon’s. Under his direction many improvements were made to the physical property, including: remodeling of the entire front of the the administration building, updating nearly every office space and classroom, and construction of a new dining hall. Also under his tenure, the school would enjoy advances in its networking and communications including a new phone system, upgrades to the website and student email communications system, the purchase of two new seminary vehicles, as well as new heating systems for both the seminary building and for the monastery church. He will be remembered not only for his strong emphasis on campus renewal but also for the love and care that he and his beloved wife, Khouria Olga, took to ensure a certain quality of life for the student body of St. Tikhon’s Seminary. During their time here Fr. Alexander and Kh. Olga, dedicated much of their efforts to ensure the seminarians and their wives and families were included in every aspect of community life. They instituted a family lunch program where wives and children were invited every day to join the seminarians, faculty, administration, and staff to share together in a common meal with one another. Each of these realized, and others not mentioned, were accomplished by Fr. Alexander in 2 ½ short years

while undergoing very aggressive cancer therapy that would have by itself ended lesser men. He will be remembered by all as a dedicated churchman, a husband, a father, a friend, and a leader. He will be remembered by those of us in the Community of St. Tikhon’s as a Dean with an uncompromising love of the beautiful and a steadfast desire to share that with each of us. Father Alexander was born on Aug. 7, 1951, in Johnstown, PA, to the late Dr. Alex and Mary Jane (Heider) Atty. He graduated from Pottsville Area High School in 1969, and received his Bachelor of Science in engineering from Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science (now Philadelphia University), Philadelphia, PA, in 1973. After a brief career as a textile engineer, he earned his Master of Divinity from St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, Crestwood, NY, in 1979, was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by the late Metropolitan Philip (Saliba) in 1979, was elevated to the Dignity of Archpriest in 1988 and earned his Doctor of Ministry from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Pittsburgh, PA, in 2008. Father Alexander's greatest joy was being the pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Antiochian Orthodox Church in Louisville, KY from 1980 to 2010. His


! achievements at St. Michael’s were unparalleled and are often referenced in clergy conversations as a model or template for what it means to grow and pastor a parish community of Orthodox believers. Under his direction St. Michael’s underwent many parish beautification projects, perhaps most significantly, he arranged for the interior of the church to be frescoed in Byzantine style iconography. He also arranged the instillation of a gold-plated chandelier from Greece containing over 250 lights. By the 1990s, St. Michael’s had tripled in size with not only those raised in the Church, but also converts from other faiths. In 1999, St. George Chapel was built on the east side of the property and was made available for 24-hour worship. The Parish Hall was expanded to include new classrooms, a library with a media center, and meeting halls for community education in the Orthodox faith. The Holy Trinity Apartments, a residential facility for the elderly, was also built on the campus, as well as a facility to house special needs children and adults. Father Alexander was a faithful servant of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, undertaking various roles, including dean of the Ohio Valley Deanery, Chancellor of the Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest and SOYO spiritual adviser. Ever working toward the growth of Orthodox Christianity, he was instrumental in the establishment of St. Andrew Antiochian Orthodox Church in Lexington, KY, and Holy Apostles Antiochian Orthodox Mission in B owling Green, KY. Additionally, he was given the opportunity to share his experiences and inspire communities throughout the United States and Canada with presentations on parish growth and revitalization. The prayers of the St. Tikhon’s Community will forever ask for God’s Blessings for Khouria Olga and the entire Atty Family.

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May his memory be eternal!

He will be remembered by those of us in the Community of St.Tikhon’s as a Dean with an uncompromising love of the beautiful and a steadfast desire to share that with each of us.


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2014 TIKHONAIRE


TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S Administration, Faculty & Staff Profiles

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Board of Trustees

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Administration

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Faculty

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Staff & Associate Staff

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Seminarian Profiles

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Graduating Class of 2014

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Seminarians

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Seminarian Families

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Student Government

32

Our Community

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Priestly Ordinations

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Diaconal Ordinations

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Events of 2013-2014

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Wives & Community Activities

56

St. Tikhon’s Monastery Brotherhood

58

St. Tikhon’s Alumni Association

61

Alumni Ordinations

63

Our Community Giving Back

65

Mission Choir

65

Admin, Faculty, Speaking Dates

67

Field Education

69

Lecture Series

70

Elijah’s Mantle

71

St. Tikhon’s Welcomes Local School/OISM

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Summer Camp Progress

73 75

Reflections from our New Dean

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Personnel & Workflow Restructuring

78

Institution Self-Reflection & ATS Preparation

80

Female Graduate and Valedictorian Simona Ireme

81

Stories

82

St. Tikhon’s Historical Initiative

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Stories

84

Founders, Benefactors, and Beautifiers

98

St. Tikhon’s Century Association

99

Novogodny Ball

107

Golf Tournament

108

Scholarships

109

Tikhonaire Ad Sponsors

111

Financial Accountability

115

Faculty & Alumni Publications

118

Faculty Publications

119

Alumni Publications

121

2014 Tikhonaire Credits

123

2014 Pilgrimage Schedule

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Administration, Faculty, and Sta


S T. T I K HO N ’ S SE M I NA RY ! B OA R D of T RU S T E E S

President

Board Members

Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard) Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All America and Canada

Eli Stavisky, Vice-Chair Alexander Bratic Matushka Nancy Gilbert V Rev Emilian Hutnyan V Rev Joseph Martin George Nakonetschny Ron Royhab John Schultz Matushka Nina Stroyen Protodeacon Michael Wusylko V Rev John Perich Tatiana Guba Mark Ropchock R. Mitchell VanDuyn Deacon Mark Hoeplinger

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Vice-President Rt Rev Michael (Dahulich), Rector Bishop of New York and New Jersey

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Chief Operating Officer V Rev Steven Voytovich, Dean

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Chair: Michael Herzak Secretary: Leda Dzwonczyk Treasurer: David Jarrett

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Ex Officio V Rev John Jillions, Chancellor, Orthodox Church in America

!Rt Rev Mark (Maymon) Bishop of the Diocese of Eastern PA !V Rev Theodore Boback, President, Alumni Association !V Rev Igumen Sergius (Bowyer)

Representative, St. Tikhon’s Monastery

Trustee Emeritus V Rev Daniel Donlick V Rev Sergei Glagolev V Rev Yaroslav Sudick Paul Chernay Michael Pasonick


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SEMINARY ADMINISTRATION

Bishop Michael (Dahulich), Ph.D. Rector

Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard), M.Div. President

V. Rev. Steven Voytovich, D.Min. Dean


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ADMINISTRATION, FACULTY, AND STAFF - 2014 TIKHONAIRE

Administration

Diaconate Program Instructors

Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard), M.Div. - President Bishop Michael (Dahulich), Ph.D. - Rector V. Rev. Steven Voytovich, D.Min. - Dean

Rev. Victor Gorodenchuk, M. Div. Lecturer in Scripture (Diaconal Program) V. Rev. Alexey Karlgut, M. Div. Lecturer in Liturgics (Diaconal Program) Rev. Leonid Schmidt, M. Div. Lecturer in Spirituality (Diaconal Program) Rev. Jason Vansuch Lecturer in Liturgics (Diaconal Program) Rev. Joseph Lucas, M.Div. Lecturer in Dogmatics & Spirituality (Diaconal Program) Rev. Phillip Reese, B.A. Lecturer in Liturgical Practicum (Diaconal Program) Rev. Elias Kyprianos Bouboutsis, Ph.D. Lecturer in Scripture (Diaconal Program) Rev. Philip Kontos, M.Div. Lecturer in Church History (Diaconal Program) Rev. Nicholas Bargoot, M.Th. Lecturer in Scripture (Diaconal Program)

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Faculty (Alphabetically by rank) Harry Boosalis, Th.D. Professor of Dogmatic Theology Bishop Michael (Dahulich), Ph.D. Professor of New Testament & Pastoral Theology David C. Ford, M.Div., Ph.D. Professor of Church History Christopher Veniamin, D.Phil. (Oxon) Professor of Patristics Mary Ford, Ph.D. Associate Professor of New Testament & Spirituality V. Rev. Steven Voytovich, D.Min. Associate Professor of Pastoral Arts & Praxis Sergei D. Arhipov, M.S.I.S. (MLS) Assistant Professor of Church Slavonic & Russian, V. Rev. David Hester, S.E.O.D. Adjunct Associate Professor of Church History & Patristics V. Rev. Daniel Kovalak, B.A. Senior Lecturer in Pastoral Arts & Praxis V. Rev. John Kowalczyk, Cand. Th. Senior Lecturer in Pastoral Arts & Praxis Director of Field Education V. Rev. David Shewczyk, M.A. Senior Lecturer in Pastoral Arts & Praxis Associate Director of Field Education V. Rev. Igumen Sergius (Bowyer), M.Div. Lecturer in Spirituality V. Rev. Ilya Gotlinsky, M.A. Lecturer in Scripture Rev. Michael (Juk), M.Div. Lecturer in Philosophy Rev. M.K. Kuriakose, M.Th. Lecturer in Pastoral Arts & Praxis Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Athanasy (Mastalsky) D.D. Lecturer in Pastoral Arts & Praxis V. Rev. Igumen Gabriel (Nicholas), B.A. Lecturer in New Testament Greek Rev. Leonid Schmidt, M.Div. Lecturer in Scripture & Theology Benedict Sheehan, B.Mus., M.Div. Instructor of Music V. Rev. John Sorochka Lecturer in Pastoral Arts & Praxis V. Rev. Dionysius Swencki, M.S. Lecturer in Pastoral Arts & Praxis Paul J. Witek, Ph.D. Lecturer in Pastoral Arts & Praxis V. Rev. Joseph Woodill, Ph.D. Lecturer in Ethics

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Emeritus V. Rev. Daniel K. Donlick Dean Emeritus Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Church History

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Administrative Staff Sergei D. Arhipov Head Librarian & Registrar Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Athanasy (Mastalsky) D.D. Institutional Chaplain Gabriel Monforte Dormitory Resident Assistant Christopher Patton Office & Community Resource Coordinator Sophia Pierce Receptionist, Kitchen & Guest Room Coordinator Mary Sernak Bursar Mat. Dorothy Sulich Secretary Emeritus Interim Secretary to the Office of the Dean (2/13-12/13) V. Rev. Dionysius Swencki Chief Financial Officer Paul J. Witek, M.Div., Ph.D.

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Assistant to the Dean for Academic Affairs

Associate Staff Rev. Michael (Juk) - Assistant Librarian Robert Roth - Library Assistant Sarah Jubinski - Library Consultant


2014 TIKHONAIRE - ADMINISTRATION, FACULTY, AND STAFF

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FAC U LT Y

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Harry Boosalis, ThD

Bishop Michael, PhD

David Ford, PhD

Professor Dogmatic Theology

Prof. Scripture, Pastoral Theology Seminary Rector

Professor Church History

Christopher Veniamin, DPhil

Mary Ford, PhD

V Rev Steven Voytovich, DMin

Professor Pat r ist ic s

Associate Professor New Testament, Spirituality

Assoc. Prof. Pastoral Arts & Praxis Seminary Dean

St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church Dundaff PA Congratulations to the Graduates of 2014 from Fr. Dennis


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ADMINISTRATION, FACULTY, AND STAFF - 2014 TIKHONAIRE

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Sergei Arhipov, MSIS Asst. Prof. Church Slavonic, Head Librarian, Registrar

V Rev David Hester, SEOD

V Rev Daniel Kovalak, BA

Adjunct Associate Professor Church History, Patristics

Senior Lecturer Pastoral Arts & Praxis

V Rev John Kowalczyk, Cand. Th

V Rev David Shewczyk, MA

Igumen Sergius (Bowyer)

Sr. Lecturer Pastoral Arts & Praxis Director of Field Education

Sr. Lecturer Pastoral Arts & Praxis Assoc. Dir. Field Ed.

Monastery Abbot Lecturer in Spirituality

V. Rev. George P. Hasenecz


2014 TIKHONAIRE - ADMINISTRATION, FACULTY, AND STAFF

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Rev Michael (Juk)

Rev M.K. Kuriakose, M Th

Lecturer Scripture

Lecturer in Philosophy Assistant Librarian

Lecturer Pastoral Arts & Praxis

Rt Rev Athanasy (Mastalsky)

Igumen Gabriel (Nicholas)

Rev. Leonid Schmidt, Mdiv

Lecturer in Pastoral Arts & Praxis Institutional Chaplain

Lecturer New Testament Greek

Lecturer Scripture & Theology

V Rev Ilya Gotlinsky, MA

Russin Funeral Home - Wilkes-Barre Area, PA “God Be With Us” Many Years and Blessings


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ADMINISTRATION, FACULTY, AND STAFF - 2014 TIKHONAIRE

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Benedict Sheehan, B Mus

V Rev John Sorochka

Instructor Music

Lecturer Pastoral Arts and Praxis

V Rev Dionysius Swencki MS Lecturer Pastoral Arts & Praxis Chief Financial Officer

Paul J. Witek, PhD

V Rev Joseph Woodill, PhD

Lecturer in Pastoral Arts & Praxis Assistant to Dean, Academic Affairs

Lecturer in Ethics

May God grant many years of ministry to the STOTS Class of 2014! David Jarrett - Board of Trustees


2014 TIKHONAIRE - ADMINISTRATION, FACULTY, AND STAFF

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A DM I N I ST R AT I V E &! A S S O C IAT E S TA F F

Gabriel Monforte

Christopher Patton

Dormitory Resident Assistant

Office & Community 
 Resource Coordinator

Sophia Pierce Receptionist, Kitchen, Guest Room Coordinator

Mat. Dorothy Sulich Secretary Emeritus Interim Secretary to the Office of the Dean (2/13-12/13)

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Sarah Jubinski Library Consultant

Picture Not Available Mary Sernak

Robert Roth

Bursar

Library Assistant

Insurance Systems Group Inc. 800-860-3075 Michael & Paula Herzak


!12 TIKHONAIRE

ADMINISTRATION, FACULTY, AND STAFF - 2012

“The spiritual man does not understand things with his brain alone. The whole of his being becomes dissolved and simplified and becomes, so to speak, and organ of understanding. And the whole person understands in the process of being given over totally to God.� ! Archimandrite Vasileios


Seminarians This Year’s Seminarians & Their Families


"And so, do not let yourself follow only the easy path— the path of collecting and developing knowledge — but plunge the metal of your plough more deeply in your heart. The conditions with which God has surrounded us are the only possible way of salvation for us; these conditions will change as soon as we have made full use of them, having transformed the bitterness of offenses, illnesses, labors, into the gold of patience, absence of anger, meekness.” !

Fr. Alexander Elchaninov


2014 TIKHONAIRE - SEMINARIAN GRADUATES

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G R A D UAT I N G C L A S S of 2 0 1 4

Dn. Edward Batchko

Dmitry Bolbot

Fr. Ignatius Gauvain

Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Philipsburg, PA

Holy Trinity Seminary Jordanville, NY

St. Herman of Alaska Church Minneapolis, MN

Fr. Moses Hibbard

Alexander Koranda

Fr. Joseph Landino

St. Matthew Orthodox Church Green Bay, WI

Sts. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church Burr Ridge, IL

Church of the Redeemer Los Angeles, CA

Congratulations to the Graduates of 2014

from Bishop Michael


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SEMINARIAN GRADUATES - 2014 TIKHONAIRE

Gregory Levitsky

Fr. Michael Lillie

Dn. Theophan Mackey

St. George Orthodox Church Howell, NJ

Holy Archangels Orthodox Church Phoenix, AZ

St. Anthony of the Desert Mission Las Cruces, NM

Grant, O Lord, a long life, peace, health, salvation, and furtherance in all good things to the Graduating Class of 2014, and preserve them for many years! Many Years to the St. Tikhon’s Community And our Graduates - Fr. Steven Voytovich


2014 TIKHONAIRE - SEMINARIANS

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SE M I NA R IA N S

John Andoun

Khader Baramki

Dn. Gabriel Bilas

Dormition of the Theotokos Kosba, Lebanon

St. Jacob Cathedral Jerusalem, Palestine

Saint Elia Orthodox Church Akron, OH

Joel Brady

Michael Danhofer

Joseph Frangipani

Holy Assumption Church Canton, OH

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Vienna, Austria

St. Herman of Alaska Port Townsend, WA

Many Years to the Class of 2014! Dcn. Mark and Mat. Hoeplinger


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SEMINARIANS - 2014 TIKHONAIRE

Fr. John Gryba

Matthew Joyner

John Kotalik

St. Nikolai of Zhitsa Mission Whitehorse, Yukon CANADA

Christ the Savior/Holy Spirit Orthodox Church, Cincinnati, OH

St. Katherine Orthodox Mission Church, Kirkland, WA

Basil Kuriakose

Chrysostom Kuriakose

Fr. Bitty Mathew

St. George Orthodox Syrian Church Borivli, Mumbai

St Mary Indian Orthodox Church Valley Cottage, NY

St. Osios Orthodox Church Naranganam, West Kozhencherry

Archangel Michael Orthodox Church - Broadview Heights, Ohio www.stmichaelscleveland.org


2014 TIKHONAIRE - SEMINARIANS

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Kevin Mellis

Michael Pierce

Michael Skor

Sts. Cyril and Methodius Chico, CA

St. Tikhon’s Monastery Church South Canaan, PA

Holy Trinity Parma, OH

Dn. Theophan Warren

Dn. Gregory White

Timothy Winegar

Christ the Savior Orthodox Church Chicago, IL

Holy Trinity Orthodox Church Elmira Heights, NY

Elevation of the Holy Cross Sacramento, CA

Dr. John Schultz and Family Board of Trustees St. Tikhon’s Seminary


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SEMINARIANS - 2014 TIKHONAIRE

2014 Diaconal Program John Holoduek Dmitry Anopochkin 
 Alexander Weiss Nazar Lukashov

Philadelphia Program Edward F Dawson Russell Komline David Maliniak Michael J McCartney

! Picture Not Available

Endicott Program Lawrence Barlow John Koch Monk Stavros Lever PDn Michael Speck PDn Andrew Boisvert

www.orthodoxinsurance.com Michael G. Herzak, STOTS Board Chair

Miami Program Brian David Allen Christian Anthony Doval Carlos Miranda William B Strom John Wisniewski


2014 TIKHONAIRE - SEMINARIAN FAMILIES

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SE M I NA R IA N FA M I L I E S

Batchko Family

Bilas Family

Dn. Edward & Krista Dorian, Hunter, Elena, Julia

Dn. Gabriel & Laura Lucille

Frangipani Family

Guavain Family

Joseph Magnus & Rachel Anthony (not shown)

Fr. Ignatius & Elizabeth Alexei, Xenia, Veronika, Anna, Maximos

Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Pittsburgh, PA

Archbishop Melchesedek, Archpriest Michael Senyo, Protodeacon Michael Wusylko, and Faithful


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SEMINARIAN FAMILIES - 2014 TIKHONAIRE

Gryba Family

Hibbard Family

Fr John & Sharon

Fr. Moses & Karmin Hannah, Noah

Joyner Family

Landino Family

Matthew & Miriam

Fr. Joseph & Maria Gabriella, Katerina, Mario, Rosalia, Sophia

Three Saints Orthodox Church 26 Howard Ave Ansonia, Connecticut 06401-2208


2014 TIKHONAIRE - SEMINARIAN FAMILIES

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Lillie Family

Mackey Family

Fr. Michael & Melanie Dorothy, Viktoria, Isaac, Jacob

Dn. Theophan & Kristi Maya, Kyra

Warren Family

Pierce Family

Dn. Theophan & Miriam Katherine

Michael, Sophia,& Matthew

Best Wishes to St. Tikhon’s Seminary Holy Trinity Orthodox Church - Parma, OH


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STUDENT GOVERNMENT - 2014 TIKHONAIRE

Student Government

Fr. Moses Hibbard, President; Dn Gabriel Bilas, Vice President; Joel Brady, Secretary; Dn Theophan Mackey, Treasurer; Michael Skor, Grad Rep; Kevin Mellis, Under Grad Rep; Gabriel Monforte, Resident Advisor / Office of Student Affairs Representative

By Fr. Moses Hibbard - Student Government President

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Large strides have been taken during the 2014 academic year to increase student participation in the operative life of the seminary. Student Government has experienced a rebirth under the leadership of the new Dean of St. Tikhon’s Seminary, Very Reverend Steven Voytovich.

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Students have taken a more active role in many areas of seminary life; consequently, the communal bonds of the seminary community have been strengthened and student morale uplifted. One area of great significance is student representation on the Self-Study Steering Committee for ATS (Association of Theological Schools) Accreditation. Student involvement on this level of the seminary’s life increases awareness of seminary operations, making the seminarians more cognoscente of the paramount work and detailed process that goes into pastoral and theological formation for all of its students.

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The current student government has also put forth efforts in drawing the seminary body together in life beyond the academic sphere. Events such as bowling and softball have been held and are being proposed as annual outings to increase the bonds of seminary students and families. The student government, as well as the rest of the student body, has approved the purchasing of a commemorative class icon, upon the graduation of each years classes, to be mounted in the hall of the seminary building. Also, an apparel line of St. Tikhon’s Seminary clothing and other accessories is being revamped and will be made available during the Memorial Day Pilgrimage for 2014.


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Our Community Ordinations & Events Throughout the Year


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ORDINATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD - 2014 TIKHONAIRE

DN. MOSES MCPHERSON ORDAINED to the HOLY PRIESTHOOD by HIS GRACE BISHOP MARK | June 2, 2013

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! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Congratulations Class of 2014 from the Clergy and Faithful ! Washington, DC of St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral !


2014 TIKHONAIRE - ORDINATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD

DN. MICHAEL LILLIE ORDAINED to the HOLY PRIESTHOOD by HIS EMINENCE METROPOLITAN HILARION | July 7, 2013

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ORDINATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD - 2014 TIKHONAIRE

DN. ALEXIS BALDWIN ORDAINED to the HOLY PRIESTHOOD by HIS EMINENCE ARCHBISHOP BENJAMIN | July 14, 2013

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God’s Blessing on the Class of 2014 St. John the Baptist Church - Campbell, OH


2014 TIKHONAIRE - ORDINATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD

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D N . M AT T H EW B R OW N O R DA I N E D t o t h e HO LY P R I E S T HO O D by H I S G R AC E B I SHO P M IC HA E L | Ju ly 3 0 , 2 0 1 3

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In Loving Memory of Former Dean, Archpriest Alexander D. Atty From Archpriest John & Eugenia J. Nehrebecki


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ORDINATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD - 2014 TIKHONAIRE

D N . J O SE P H L A N D I N O O R DA I N E D t o t h e HO LY P R I E ST HO O D by H I S E M I N E N C E A R C H B I SHO P J O SE P H | Janu ar y 1 2 , 2 0 1 4

!

Holy Transfiguration congratulates Fr Moses Hibbard and family. AXIOS!


2014 TIKHONAIRE - ORDINATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD

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D N . IG NAT I U S G AU VA I N O R DA I N E D t o t h e HO LY P R I E S T HO O D by H I S B E AT I T U D E M E T R O P O L I TA N T I K HO N | Febr u ar y 2 , 2 0 1 4

!

St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church 
 980 Bridle Path Rd. Bethlehem PA 18017


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ORDINATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD - 2014 TIKHONAIRE

D N . M O SE S H I B BA R D O R DA I N E D t o t h e HO LY P R I E ST HO O D by H I S G R AC E B I SHO P M IC HA E L | Febr u ar y 1 1 , 2 0 1 4

!

Fellowship of Orthodox Churches in America God’s Blessings to the Class of 2014


2014 TIKHONAIRE - ORDINATIONS TO THE DIACONATE

ROBERT GAUVAIN ORDAINED to the !IGNATIUS HOLY DIACONATE by HIS BEATITUDE METROPOLITAN TIKHON | May 25, 2013

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ALEXIS BALDWIN ORDAINED to the HOLY DIACONATE by HIS EMINENCE ARCHBISHOP BENJAMIN | May 26, 2013

Family First Healthcare – Dr. John Schultz Weirton WV 304-723-3967


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ORDINATIONS TO THE DIACONATE - 2014 TIKHONAIRE

MOSES MCPHERSON ORDAINED to the HOLY ! DIACONATE by HIS EMINENCE ARCHBISHOP ! BENJAMIN | May 27, 2013 ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

JOSEPH LANDINO ORDAINED to the HOLY DIACONATE by HIS EMINENCE ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH | July 7, 2013

St. Stephen's Cathedral Philadelphia www.ststephenscathedral.org


2014 TIKHONAIRE - ORDINATIONS TO THE DIACONATE

MOSES HIBBARD ORDAINED to the HOLY ! DIACONATE by HIS GRACE BISHOP MICHAEL July 20, 2013

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GABRIEL BILAS ORDAINED to the HOLY DIACONATE by HIS GRACE BISHOP ALEXANDER August 17, 2013

Archpriest Vasily Gilbert (’79) and Matushka Nancy Gilbert (BOT)

on the 35th Anniversary of his graduation from St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Seminary


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ORDINATIONS TO THE DIACONATE - 2014 TIKHONAIRE

MACKEY ORDAINED to the HOLY ! THEOPHAN DIACONATE by HIS GRACE BISHOP DANIEL October 20, 2013

To all of Christ’s newly-ordained clergy: May He grant you a blessed ministry for the furtherance of His Kingdom.

ΑΞΙΟΣ! ΑΞΙΟΣ! ΑΞΙΟΣ! St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Church Corner of Walnut & Hudson Jermyn, PA 18433


2014 TIKHONAIRE - COMMUNITY EVENTS TIMELINE

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EV E N T S of 2 0 1 3 - 2 0 1 4

April 28, 2013 - Palm Sunday “Like the children with the branches of victory, we cry out to Thee, O Vanquisher of Death: Hosanna in the highest!”

May 5, 2013 - Great and Holy Pascha “Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death 
 by death and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.”

April 29, 2013 - Holy Week

May 5, 2013 - Pascha Party The Annual Pascha Party is a much needed 
 opportunity for singing, games, great food, and fun.

Holy Spirit Orthodox Church 102 Rt. 284 Wantage NJ www.holyspiritorthodox.org


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COMMUNITY EVENTS TIMELINE - 2014 TIKHONAIRE

May 16, 2013 - Community Softball Game With the entire community in attendance to eat hot dogs and cheer them on, the game was enjoyed by players and spectators alike.

May 23, 2013 - Pizza & Ice Cream Social This annual event is held at the end of “Work Week” as a reward for all of the effort to get the grounds ready for Memorial Day Weekend.

May 20-23, 2013 - Work Week Every year the entire student body, together with 
 family, community members, volunteers, and the Monastic brotherhood, spend the entire week 
 preparing the grounds.

May 25, 2013 - Commencement Students, Faculty, and Staff process behind the cross from the school to the steps of the All-Saints of North America Bell-Tower Chapel, where the Commencement ceremony was held. 15 Masters of Divinity were awarded, with one being awarded to St. Tikhon’s first female Valedictorian, Simona Ireme.

St. Andrew Eastern Orthodox Church V. Rev. Fr. Emilian Hutnyan, Rector


2014 TIKHONAIRE - COMMUNITY EVENTS TIMELINE

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May 25, 2013 - Graduation Banquet Following a wonderful dinner prepared by the faithful of St. Michael's Parish, each of the graduating seminarians approached the podium to share feelings about their time at St. Tikhon's and impart final words of thanks and encouragement to the Seminary Community.

May 25, 2013 - Memorial Day Weekend Over the course of the weekend, pilgrims participated in a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, memorials for the departed, and Holy Anointing for the healing of soul and body, while new deacons and priests were ordained, relics were venerated and ancient icons were beheld.

August 28, 2013 - Bishop Melchizedek Visits Newly-Appointed Dean Father Steven Voytovich converses with His Grace, Bishop Melchizedek of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania.

August 26-28 - New Student Orientation After three full days of introductory instruction on campus life and community praxis, the new students were blessed to begin wearing the black cassock.

St. John’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral Mayfield PA Archpriest John Sorochka-Pastor


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COMMUNITY EVENTS TIMELINE - 2014 TIKHONAIRE

September 2, 2013 - Beginning of the Year Party Food and fellowship was shared at the party, which was jointly hosted by the Pierce and Joyner families.

September 12, 2013 - Annual Alumni Meeting Father Ted Boback, St. Tikhon’s Alumni Association President, addressing the gathered Alumni.

September 12, 2013 - Annual Alumni Picnic The Annual Picnic is just one of the many ways the Alumni Association gives back.

September 14, 2013 - Patriarch Tikhon Choir Vladimir Gorbik and Benedict Sheehan led a Master Class at St. Tikhon’s Seminary, with the Patriarch Tikhon choir.

Holy Trinity Orthodox Church - Wilkes Barre, PA V. Rev. David Shewczyk, Rector


2014 TIKHONAIRE - COMMUNITY EVENTS TIMELINE

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September 17, 2013 - Wives/Faculty Meet & Greet Seminary Dean, Father Steven Voytovich, addresses the wives group for the first time. Afterwards, the wives had a chance to be introduced to the faculty & staff.

October 5, 2013 - Ritter’s Cider Mill The annual community trip to the local cider mill included delicious homemade cider and donuts, fresh apples, pony rides for the children, and a hayride for the group.

September 27, 2013 - Inter-Seminary Event 
 Celebrates Anniversaries in Historic Fashion The 75th Anniversaries of Saint Tikhon’s Seminary and Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, and the 40th Anniversary of Saint Herman’s Seminary were marked with the celebration of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and a picnic at the Chancery of the Orthodox Church in America.

October 10, 2013 - Formal Installation of New Dean In connection with the seminary’s 75th Anniversary celebration, the Very Reverend Steven Voytovich was installed as the new Dean of St. Tikhon’s Seminary

Vladika Insurance Agency 570-876-3940 www.vladikainsurance.com


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COMMUNITY EVENTS TIMELINE - 2014 TIKHONAIRE

October 13, 2013 - Founder’s Day Many from area communities came to South Canaan to participate in the celebration commemorating St.Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow, Enlightener of North America, and founder of the holy habitation of St. Tikhon’s Monastery.

October 16, 2013 - 75th Anniversary Celebration The culmination of the Anniversary Celebration was a Grand Banquet. The St. Tikhon’s Community wishes to express its deepest thanks to everyone who helped plan and organize the 75th Anniversary Celebration.

October 31, 2013 - Bishop George Visits St. Tikhon’s Seminary welcomes His Grace, George, Bishop of Mayfield, and Vicar Bishop of Eastern America and New York (ROCOR).

October 31, 2013 - Talent Show & Costume Gala Seminary families come together to share their unique talents with each other, demonstrate their creativity, and play games, in our Annual Fall Celebration. (Pictured is Noah Hibbard, showing off his support for his home state, and Benedict Sheehan, demonstrating for the children the proper way to eat a doughnut.)

Father Daniel and Matushka Theodora Ressetar Harrisburg, PA


2014 TIKHONAIRE - COMMUNITY EVENTS TIMELINE

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November 5, 2013 - Student Government Bowling Night Everyone enjoyed this time of fellowship, which was generously sponsored by the Rector, Dean, and the St. Tikhon’s Student Government.

December 6, 2013 - St. Nicholas Day Celebration Each year this event provides an important opportunity for the community to gather together for a fun time before finals week and Christmas break.

December 9, 2013 - Community 
 Christmas Caroling Each year, the St. Tikhon’s Community gathers at Wayne Memorial Hospital to spread holiday cheer to those who need it most.

December 25, 2013 - Seminarian Gift Program Saint Tikhon's would like to thank all of the parishes and individuals who gave so generously this Christmas to our seminary families.

Albanian Orthodox Archdiocese (OCA) Congratulations to the Class of 2014!


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COMMUNITY EVENTS TIMELINE - 2014 TIKHONAIRE

December 25, 2013 - Feast of the Nativity Braving the icy roads and blizzard conditions, the Community gathered together in the Monastery refectory to participate in the Nativity Holy Supper before entering the church to begin the Vigil for the Feast.

January 6, 2014 - Feast of Theophany “Today You have shown forth to the world, O Lord, and the light of Your countenance has been marked on us.”

January 13, 2014 - Visit from Archbishop Joseph St. Tikhon's community was honored to welcome His Eminence, Archbishop Joseph of the Antiochian Diocese of Los Angeles and the West.

January 22, 2014 - Annual Sanctity of Life Event As they do each year, representatives from St. Tikhon’s joined with thousands of others in the bitter cold in our nation’s capital to draw attention to Sanctity of Life issues.

All Saints Orthodox Church www.allsaintsolyphant.org Corner of Willow & Grant, Olyphant PA. 18447


2014 TIKHONAIRE - COMMUNITY EVENTS TIMELINE

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January 23, 2014 - Century Association Hosts 
 St. Tatiana’s Day Luncheon Fr. Steven Voytovich, Seminary Dean and the Century Association’s newest member, thanked the organization for all they do to support Orthodox Theological Education.

February 2, 2014 - Presentation of Christ in the Temple “The celestial choir of heavenly angels bends down to the earth and sees the First-Born of all creation being carried into the Temple as a babe.”

February 9, 2014 - Archimandrite Zacharias Visits St. Tikhon’s In what was quite possibly his last trip to America, Fr. Zacharias imparted words of life to the St. Tikhon’s faithful.

February 20, 2014 - Pre-Lenten Celebration The St. Tikhon's Seminary Community enjoyed a time of celebration and fellowship before the beginning of the Lenten season. The festivities were held at Lyrics in Carbondale and included a selection of live music provided by our own Seminarian Matthew Joyner.

Congratulations and Best Wishes St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, Olyphant, PA


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COMMUNITY EVENTS TIMELINE - 2014 TIKHONAIRE

!

March 2, 2014 - Student Presentations on Missions Seminarians Share Stories of Missionary Outreach After spending a week in New Orleans with the IOCC building homes for those displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

March 2, 2014 - Clean Week On Sunday, March 2, the Saint Tikhon's community gathered to begin the Lenten journey together. As an added blessing, His Beatitude Met. Tikhon was able to join us this year.

March 9, 2014 - Sunday of Orthodoxy The children of the community joined together to 
 carry icons, which the faithful venerate in turn.

March 13, 2014 - Pysanky Workshop On the Thursday, March 13, 2014 the St. Tikhon’s Women’s Group gathered in the monastery dining hall to learn the art of creating pysanky eggs.

Holy Cross Orthodox Church, Williamsport PA www.holycrosswilliamsport.org


2014 TIKHONAIRE - COMMUNITY EVENTS TIMELINE

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!

March 25, 2014 - Feast of the Annunciation His Grace, the newly-consecrated Bishop David (Mahaey) of Sitka and Alaska (STOTS 1997) visited to celebrate with us the Feast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos.

April 9, 2014 - Children’s Iconography Class Seminarian Dn. Theophan Mackey, an amateur iconographer, instructed some of the older children in the community in the practice and theory of icon-writing.

April 9, 2014 - Alexis Liberovski Visits Seminary The archivist for the OCA traveled to St. Tikhon's for his annual presentation on the history of the Church in America

April 11, 2014 - Annual Vocations Retreat This two day encounter welcomes all individuals interested in visiting the theological school, to ascertain their calling to serve the Lord and His Church.

Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church, Weirton WV


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ST. TIKHON’S WOMAN’S GROUP - 2014 TIKHONAIRE

St. Tikhon’s Women’s Group Events and activities for this Academic Year

St. Tikhon’s Women’s Group

!

The activities of the Saint Tikhon’s Seminary Women's Group are as varied as the members of the group. Comprised of women currently affiliated the with institution in all of their many and varied capacities, we are women of all ages and backgrounds. What we all have in common, and the thing that binds us together, is that we are Orthodox Christian women who “live, teach, learn, and work” at Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary.

!

At the beginning of each school year, we have a “Meet and Greet” activity where the members of the group, along with our rector, administrators, faculty, and staff members formally meet our newest members. This year the Women’s Group assisted in coordinating some of the community events including the Saint Nicholas Day celebration and the Annual Fall celebration. We schedule weekly children’s play groups, our annual talent show, retreats, choir directing classes, book club, monastery visits, church school retreats, and social activities where we have the opportunity to just relax and enjoy being in each other’s company. The group also organizes our own version of Meals-on-Wheels in which we provide meals for seminary families who have newborns or illnesses. Another community service provided by the Women’s Group is the coordinating of the seminary clothing

2013 Wives, Faculty, and Staff Meet and Greet

closet, where seminary families can pick-up or drop-off clothing or small household items.

!

Though we are only here for a short period of time, it is a time of great change and growth in our lives and in the lives of our families. The Women’s Group provides us the opportunity to form the types of relationships with one another that we will cherish for years to come, and which will provide a valuable support structure for our future work within the Church.

Orthodox Church of the Mother of God, Southern NJ www.churchmotherofgod.org Many Years!


2014 TIKHONAIRE - ST. TIKHON’S WOMAN’S GROUP

2013-2014 Women’s Group Activities

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September 10 - Wives meet with Bishop Michael September 17 - Wives, Faculty, & Staff Meet and Greet November 9 - Women’s Group Fall Social November 13 - Guest Lecturer: Fr. Athanasy January 15 - Guest Lecture: Matushka Charlotte Woodill, St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Whitestone, NY

March 8, 2014 - Guest Lecturer: Panimatka Linda Oryhon, The Protection of the Holy Theotokos Cathedral in Allentown, PA

March 13 - Pysanky Workshop by Cindy Davis April 29 - Women’s Group Spring Social May 15 - Dinner honoring graduating wives

!

Introducing Crafty Co-Op: 
 The St. Tikhon’s Community Online Marketplace

!

A group of entrepreneurially minded individuals from the St. Tikhon's Women's Group have opened online stores offering a variety of creative gift ideas including homemade soaps, clothing for adults and children, perfumes, and quilts as well as many other items.

!

Please consider this as just one additional way to help support seminarian families. These online shops will be a permanent addition to the student-wive’s activities page and can be accessed via the St. Tikhon's Seminary Website at www.stots.edu/wives.html.

!

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ST. TIKHON’S MONASTERY BROTHERHOOD - 2014 TIKHONAIRE

The Monastery Brotherhood America’s Oldest Orthodox Monastery

A Letter from the Abbot Igumen Sergius

!

Beloved of God, Christ is Risen! We greet you with the joy of our Risen God and Savior Jesus Christ! We welcome everyone to the 110th pilgrimage of our beloved Monastery, the Monastery of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk.

!

The fi rst Pilgrimage here in 1905 was established by St. Tikhon of Moscow on Memorial Day weekend reminding us that the greater part of our Orthodox Faith is to remember: to remember our fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters who lived for the faith and those who died protecting our precious Orthodox Faith. We remember not only those who died in defense of country, faith and freedom but also those who have given their lives for the Church, especially here at St. Tikhon’s. Countless bishops, priests, matushki, monks, nuns, and pious laymen and women gave their

heart, soul and treasure to build up the Church here in North America.

!

As it has been said by some, to love is to remember. Let us not forget the labors of countless individuals who have given their lives here at this Monastery, especially the monastics who remembered the world in prayer and in the Liturgy for so many years. May they remind us of our duty to give our time, talent and treasure back to our Orthodox Church.

!

Let us remember our loved ones this year especially in prayer during the Liturgy and Memorial services, asking God to grant them salvation and rest where there is neither sickness nor sighing but life everlasting. Our Faith is alive and well because of the sacrifice of so many who have gone before us. Let us offer something of ourselves back to them and to the world so that others might fi nd the same tremendous blessing that we have received. Asking God’s mercy on all the pilgrims and faithful, we remain,

! Sincerely yours in the Risen Christ, ! Fr. Igumen Sergius, Abbot of St. Tikhon's Monastery

In Memory of Fr. Alexander Atty Christ the Savior Orthodox Church Paramus NJ


2014 TIKHONAIRE - ST. TIKHON’S MONASTERY BROTHERHOOD

L I F E at t h e M O NA S T E RY

! ! ! !

Holy Resurrection Orthodox Cathedral Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

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ST. TIKHON’S MONASTERY BROTHERHOOD - 2014 TIKHONAIRE

Departed Bishops and Monastics

! !

who have been affiliated with St Tikhon’s Monastery

Metropolitan Platon (Rozhdestvensky) Metropolitan Theophilus (Pashkovsky) Metropolitan Leonty (Turkevich) Metropolitan Ireney (Bekish) Metropolitan Makary (Illinsky) Metropolitan Theodosius of Tokyo Archbishop Arseny (Chagovetz) Archbishop Evdokim (Meschersky) Archbishop Alexander (Nemolovsky) Archbishop Adam (Philipovsky) Archbishop Appolinary (Koshevoy) Archbishop Amvrossy (Merejko) Archbishop Benjamin (Basalyga) Archbishop Nikon (deGreve) Archbishop Dimitry (Magen) Archbishop Kiprian (Borisewitsch) Bishop Innocent (Pustynsky) Saint Raphael, Bishop of Brooklyn Bishop Amphilokhy (Vakulsky) Bishop Alexei (Panteleyev) Bishop Anthony (Tereschenko) Saint Nicholai, Bishop of Zica Bishop Vyacheslav (Lyesetsky) Bishop Jonah (Stalberg) Bishop John (Zlobin) Bishop Paul (Gavriloff) Bishop Stephan (Dzubay) Bishop Boris (Geeza) Archimandrite Inna (Kibikoff) Archimandrite Seraphim (Oblivantzeff) Archimandrite Timon (Muliar) Archimandrite Afanasy (Markovich) Archimandrite Sebastian (Dabovich) Archimandrite Policarp (Filatoff) Archimandrite Nikifor (Kapitanchuk) Archimandrite Gerasim (Schmaltz) Archimandrite Andronik (Elpidinsky) Archimandrite Anthony (Repella) Archimandrite Luka (Cirkun) Archimandrite Nikon (Mikulsky) Archimandrite Job (Radziwill) Archimandrite Seraphim (Bobich) Archimandrite Patrick (Mohon)

! !

Archimandrite Kyrill (Bulashevich) Archimandrite Nikita (Kondo) Archimandrite Gabriel (Sokoloff) Archimandrite Theodosy (Kulchitsky) Archimandrite Peter (Zaichenko) Archimandrite Iianniky (Kraskoff) Archimandrite Panteleimon (Niznik) Archimandrite Arseny (Havula) Archimandrite Ignaty (Falovsky) Archimandrite Varnava (Karataeff) Archimandrite Vasily (Fillipov) Archimandrite Innocent (Fryntzko) Archimandrite Jerome (Newville) Igumen Prokopy (Derevenko) Igumen Kallist (Ralcewitsch) Igumen Gennady (Eykalovich) Igumen Sebastian (Gyza) Igumen Benedict (DeSocio) Igumen Ierofei (Lucik) Igumen Afanasy (Shelepoff) Igumen Pachomy (Deliman) Igumen Kyprian (Chupik) Igumen Nicholai (Shambura) Igumen Varsanophy (Stepanoff) Igumen Julian (Troitsky) Igumen John (Morozoff) Igumen Varnava (Luchko) Igumen Joseph (Novak) Igumen Irodion Igumen Makary (Rak) Igumen Lazar (Kirichenko) Igumen Anastassy Hieromonk Leonty (Utkin) Hieromonk Tikhon (Rostovsky) Hieromonk Ipatiy Hieromonk Dionisiy (Pirko) Hieromonk Vasily Hieromonk Pallady Hieromonk Elias (Havriliak) Hieromonk Michael (Orloff) Hieromonk Jacob (Yankulich) Hieromonk James (Mosheruk) Hieromonk Hilary (Madison) Hieromonk Vasily Hieromonk Alexander (Herbut)

Hieromonk Mavriky (Tyrpak) Hieromonk Prokopy Hieromonk Andrew (Sehurke) Hieromonk Tikhon (Bushko) Hieromonk Jacob (Vasiukovich) Hieromonk Miron (Chobak) Hieromonk Roman (Serdynski) Hieromonk Gamaliel (Allman) Hieromonk Panteleimon (Belko) Hieromonk Sava Hieromonk Nikodim Hieromonk Sergei (Udics) Hieromonk Philipos Hieromonk Michael Hieromonk Paul Archdeacon Vsevolod (Andronoff) Hierodeacon Constantine (Shwed) Hierodeacon Elias (Schurkin) Monk Paisiy (Holub) Monk Mitrofan (Kapitanchuk) Monk Naum (Sepciuk) Monk Anastassy (Fehr) Monk Platon Monk Simeon (Nimodovich) Monk Vladimir Monk Philaret Monk Kliment (Homiak) Monk Martin (Doubinsky) Monk Djavich Novice Michael Novice Nikita (Konechin) Novice Andrew (Pristash) Novice Michael (Popelich) Novice Gabriel (Frenchak) Novice George Novice Leonid Novice Isaac (Lambertsen) Novice Alexei (Kovtoshok) Novice Sergei (Husarenko) Novice Vasily (Varian) Novice Thomas (Salogub) Novice Vasily (Bak)

Christ the Saviour, Harrisburg, PA -"Many Years!"


2014 TIKHONAIRE - ST. TIKHON’S ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

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St. Tikhon’s

Alumni Association News and updates from your alma mater

An Update From Your President By V. Rev. Theodore Boback D u r i ng t he D i amond Jubi l e e Celebration of our alma mater, Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, we continue to develop relationships and strategic goals with the administration, faculty, staff, seminarians, and board of trustees. Within our joint venture we are the stewards of public awareness concerning the efforts, works, vital ministry and the many contributions that Saint Tikhon Orthodox Theological Seminary and her graduates make throughout the world. Our administration, staff, faculty, and alumni have done, and are doing vital work. The staff of the Tikhonaire and of our seminary are collecting stories of our predecessors and peers. Your help as an alumnus in providing these important, thought provoking, inspirational, and time relevant stories are needed. Please contact the seminary office for more information as to how you can assist in this project. In February, a joint letter from the Alumni Association president and rector of the seminary was sent to 12 regional alumni in order to assemble regional groups. It is the goal that these groups will gather for Christian fellowship, renewed brotherhood,

Current Students and alumni at the annual Alumni Picnic

and an update about their achievements as well as to learn about the latest development in the life of our theological institution. Several other alumni and I serve on various subcommittees of the Steering Committee for Seminary Accreditation, which is currently underway. I want to thank all who have supported the alumni association in reaching our financial goals this year in support of the seminary. I look forward to seeing you at the seminary graduation and at the Memorial Day Pilgrimage as well as at our annual alumni picnic, to be held on September 11th, 2014 at our seminary campus. The Alumni Association would like to welcome Fr. and Matushka Voytovich and offer our prayers that

Nicholas Orthodox Church 33 Convent Ave. Norwich CT 06360


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ST. TIKHON’S ALUMNI ASSOCIATION - 2014 TIKHONAIRE

we got better and actually started to enjoy it. In November of 2013, we ran our fi rst organized race “The Christmas Story 10k” in Cleveland, OH. Finishing this race was a huge milestone for both of us.

Alumni Meet at St. Tikhon’s to discuss future goals and plans

God grant them His many choicest Blessings and Many Years! We offer our prayers that God grant rest eternal to Archpriest D. Alexander Atty, who fell asleep in the Lord on March 23, 2014. Memory Eternal! We pray that God grant grace, comfort, and peace to Khouria Olga and the Atty family.

I have registered for the “2014 Rock n' Roll Half Marathon” in Cleveland, OH. In an effort to help raise money for the ongoing St Tikhon's Married Student Housing Project, I am seeking sponsors to pledge donations based on the distance of the run - 13.1 miles. Donations can be made on a per mile basis ($1.00 per mile x 13.1 miles = $13.10) or a flat fee of whatever you wish. All proceeds will go to fund the Married Student Housing Project. Donations can be m a d e b y g o i n g t o w w w. y o u c a r i n g . c o m / MarriedStudentHousing.

Let us continue to intensify our dedication, sustain our commitment and remain steadfast in our undertakings in support of our beloved seminary.

! Departed Alumni May Their Memory Be Eternal Four alumni fell asleep in the Lord this 2013/14 academic year. We pray that God grant rest eternal to: Reader Gregory Sulich (STOTS 1994) Archpriest Daniel Pavelchak (STOTS 1956) Theophan (Iyad) Khair (STOTS 2009) Archpriest William DuBovik, Jr. (STOTS 1988)

!

May God grant peace and comfort to their families and may their memory be eternal!

! Alumni Spotlight: Fr. Joseph McCartney I graduated from St Tikhon's in 2010 and was assigned as associate priest to Archangel Michael Orthodox Church in Broadview Heights, OH. Shortly after arriving in Ohio, Mat. Maura was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. This shocking discovery ignited the desire in both of us to get in shape and lead a healthier lifestyle. We began jogging together several times a week. At fi rst we could barely jog a quarter of a mile without stopping, but by sticking to it and not quitting

Fr. Joseph McCartney & Matushka Maura

Alumni Officers President – Very Reverend Theodore Boback, Jr. Vice-President - Very Reverend Joseph J. Gallick Secretary – Very Reverend David Shewczyk Treasurer – Bishop David (Mahaffey)

Regional Alumni Representatives Sub-deacon Paul Abernathy – Pittsburgh, PA Reverend John Baker – Chicago, IL Reverend Patrick Burns – Ansonia, CT Very Reverend Stephen Evanina – Clifton, NJ Reverend Timothy Hojnicki – Mechanicsburg, PA Bishop David (Mahaffey) – Alaska Very Reverend Frank Paul Mayernick – Tallahassee, FL Very Reverend Andrew Nelko – Campbell, OH Very Reverend Philip Reese – Hialeah, FL Reverend George Shawareb – Arvada, CO Mark A. Tarpley, PhD – Fort Worth, TX Very Reverend Joseph Woodill – Whitestone, NY


2014 TIKHONAIRE - ST. TIKHON’S ALUMNI ORDINATIONS

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

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ALUMNI ORDINATIONS ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Monk Phanourios (Paul Sidebottom) ordained ! to the Holy Priesthood by His Beatitude ! Metropolitan Amphilochios. March 8, 2013 ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Dn. Joel Wilson ordained to the Holy Priesthood by ! His Grace Bishop Alexander. December 8, 2013 ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Dn. Matthew Baker ordained to the Holy Dn. Edward Henderson ordained to the Holy ! Priesthood by His Eminence Metropolitan Priesthood by His Eminence Archbishop ! Methodios. January 19, 2014 Benjamin. October 13, 2013 ! ! ! ! ! V. Rev Joseph & Mat.! Gloria Martin & family Congratulations ! to the Class of 2014 !


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ST. TIKHON’S ALUMNI ORDINATIONS - 2014 TIKHONAIRE

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Dn. John Nightingale ordained to the Holy ! ! Priesthood by His Grace Bishop Mark. ! ! ! January 26, 2014 ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Baker ordained to the Holy Diaconate by 
 ! ! Matthew His Grace Bishop Andonios. January 17, 2014 ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Edward Henderson ordained to the Holy Diaconate ! Paul Mcdonald ordained to the Holy Diaconate by ! by His Eminence Archbishop Benjamin. 
 ! His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel. 
 ! ! June 23, 2013 March 23, 2014 ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! St. Mary’s Orthodox Church!-Coaldale, PA ! ! 570-645-2772 - www.stmarysnativity.org ! ! ! !


2014 TIKHONAIRE - OUR COMMUNITY GIVING BACK

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

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Our Community Giving Back

Various ways in which we are able to invest our talents for the building up of Christ’s Church.

MISSION CHOIR Message from the Director Benedict Sheehan

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The amazing dedication of a small group of gifted students, together with the tireless efforts of our multitalented Dean, has made the Mission Choir’s 2013-14 year a highly successful one. The choir visited sixteen different parishes and took part in a number of exciting events. Some highlights of our schedule were a master class with Vladimir Gorbik and the Patriarch Tikhon Choir, attended by His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon; a joint Divine Liturgy at the OCA chancery with St. Vladimir’s Seminary Octet; a Pre-sanctified Liturgy at the OCA chancery; and a Mission Vespers in Glen Gardner, NJ with His Grace, Bishop Michael and many clergy of the New Jersey Deanery. As it does every year, the Mission Choir shouldered the full burden of the glorious services for Holy Week and Pascha at St. Tikhon’s Monastery Church in addition to traveling every weekend during Lent.

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All of this would have been impossible without the dedication of the choir’s student members, but a special mention must be made here of the efforts of our Dean, Fr. Steven Voytovich. Fr. Steven is a skilled singer and choir director, with a degree in liturgical music and a wealth of

The St. Tikhon’s 2013-2-14 Mission Choir

experience. Early in the school-year, a couple key members of the Mission Choir ran into trouble trying to balance family and school commitments, and had to reluctantly stop their participation in the choir. Without missing a beat (no pun intended!), Fr. Steven, in spite of his numerous responsibilities as Dean, agreed to step in and fill out the ranks of the Mission Choir as a singer. Without his truly sacrificial offering of scant time and abundant talent, the Mission Choir would not have been able to maintain such a full schedule. Many thanks go out to Fr. Steven. He is truly an example for all of us.

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In Loving Memory of Mat. Karen Mahaffey from her family Bishop David, Nikolas, Angela, Sterry, Cassandra, Caitrin, Seth, Denise, Peter and Kyra.


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As we move into a new academic year, I know I speak for all the members of the Mission Choir when I say how grateful we are for the generous support and hospitality of all the parishes we visited this past year. You are the reason we continue to do what we do. Please keep St. Tikhon’s Seminary and the Mission Choir in your prayers, and look for us again next year!

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2013-2014 Mission Choir Schedule

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September 28, 2013 - South River, NJ October 6, 2013 - Bethlehem, PA November 17, 2013 - Williamsport, PA January 18, 2014 - Ansonia, CT February 8, 2014 - Baltimore, MD February 15, 2014 - Campbell, OH February 22, 2014 - Watervliet, NY February 24, 2014 - Jordanville Master Class March 8, 2014 - Endicott, NY March 16, 2014 - Randolph, NJ March 16, 2014 - Glen Gardner, NJ March 19, 2014 - Syosset, NY March 22, 2014 - Maple Heights, OH March 30, 2014 - Gradyville, PA April 5, 2014 - Mechanicsburg, PA April 6, 2014 - Harrisburg, PA April 9, 2014 - Clifton, NJ May 3-4, 2014 - Broadview Heights, OH

Our Dean, Father Steven Voytovich, gives the homily in Gradeyville , PA


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ADMINISTRATION & FACULTY SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS Dr. Harry Boosalis

Dr. Mary Ford

September 21, 2013 - St. Silouan the Athonite Mission Parish, Toronto, Canada December 1, 2013 - St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, St. Paul, MN December 27 - 29, 2013 - St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church, Minneapolis, MN March 14 - 16, 2014 - St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church, St. Paul, MN March 29, 2014 - Holy Apostles Orthodox Church, Lansing, NY April 18, 2014 - St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, St. Paul, MN Oct. 25- 27, 2014 - St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church, Minneapolis, MN

April 21, 2014 - Lecture on the New Testament, St. Tikhon’s Monastery Church, South Canaan, PA

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! Dr. David Ford !

April 7, 2013 - Coffee Hour Summer Lecture Series, St. Tikhon's Monastery Church, South Canaan, PA June 20, 2013 - Clergy Continuing Education Symposium, St. Tikhon's Monastery Church, South Canaan, PA August – October, 2013 - Lecture & Discussion, First Presbyterian Church, Carbondale, PA. November 17, 2013 - Advent Lecture Series, St. Tikhon's Monastery Church, South Canaan, PA November 24, 2013 - Advent Lecture Series, St. Tikhon's Monastery Church, South Canaan, PA December 1, 2013 - Advent Lecture Series, St. Tikhon's Monastery Church, South Canaan, PA January - April, 2014 - Advent Lecture Series, St. Tikhon's Monastery Church, South Canaan, PA February 22, 2014 - Lecture on Marriage, St. George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral, Charleston, WV March 23, 2014 - Homily, St. Tikhon's Monastery Church, South Canaan, PA March and April, 2014 - Local Lecture Series, First Presbyterian Church, Carbondale, PA

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! V. Rev. John Kowalczyk !

June 18 - 20, 2013 - Clergy Symposium, St. Tikhon’s Seminary, South Canaan, PA July 24 - 26, 2013 - Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese Convention, Houston, TX July 25, 2013 - Interview on Prison Ministry for the Orthodox Christian Network (OCN), Houston, TX August 22, 2013 - Board Meeting of OCPM, Philadelphia, PA February 21, 2014 - Attended OCPM Board Meeting, Houston, TX February 22, 2014 - Talk on Ancient Faith Radio, Houston, TX March 31 - April 2, 2014 - Annual ACCA NE Training Conference, Long Branch, NJ

! Benedict Sheehan !

November 9 - 10, 2013 - Choir Workshop and Retreat, St. Tikhon’s Seminary, South Canaan, PA November 21 - 24, 2013 - Choir Workshop, St. Gregory's Orthodox Church, Columbus, OH December 13 - 15, 2013 - Choir Workshop, Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Ellwood City, PA February 24 - 28, 2014 - Male Choir Master Class, Holy Trinity Seminary, Jordanville, NY March 13 - 15, 2014 - Choir Workshop, St. Xenia's Orthodox Church, Methuen, MA

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Dr. Christopher Veniamin

V. Rev. Steven Voytovich

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July 6, 2013 - Antiochian Orthodox Eastern Diocese Parish Life Conference, Breinigsville, PA September, 2013 - Elected member of HQAA External Evaluations Committee September 14, 2013 - Deacons’ Retreat at Holy Cross Church, Linthicum, MD October 3, 2013 - Spiritual Focus Group St. Mary and Moses the Black Coptic Orthodox Church, Buffalo, New York. October 5, 2013 - Holy Transfiguration Antiochian Orthodox Church, London, Ontario, Canada December 21, 2013 - Advent Retreat, St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, Syracuse, NY, February 15, 2014 - St. Mary and St. John the Beloved Coptic Orthodox Church, Pickering, Ontario, Canada March 7, 2014 - Lecture and Q&A, St. Barbara Orthodox Church Fort Worth, TX 76133 March 8, 2014 - Lecture and Q&A, St. Seraphim of Sarov Cathedral, Dallas, TX 75219 March 9, 2014 - Sermon & Discussion, St. Sava Orthodox Church, Plano, TX March 9, 2014 - Panegyric Oration, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Dallas, Texas March 14 - 16, 2014 - Lenten Retreat, St. John Maximovich Orthodox Church, Atlanta, GA March 21, 2014 - Lecture, Holy Annunciation Orthodox Church, Berwick, PA March 27 - 30, 2014 - St. Emmelia Orthodox Homeschooling Conference, Antiochian Village, Bolivar, PA April 4, 2014 - Lecture, Holy Annunciation Orthodox Church, Berwick, PA April 6, 2014 - Lecture, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Bethlehem, PA April 10, 2014 - Lecture and Debate, DeSales University Campus, Allentown, PA April 11, 2014 - Lecture, Holy Annunciation Orthodox Church, Berwick, PA June 17-19, 2014 - Clergy Continuing Education Symposium, South Canaan, PA June 26-29, 2014 - International Symposium on Christian Apocryphal Literature, University of Thessaloniki, Greece August 17-20, 2014 - Family Conference, Portland, Oregon September 3-6, 2014 - Guest Presenter at 22nd International Ecumenical Conference on Orthodox Spirituality, Monastero di Bose, Italy

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!August 18, 2013 - St. Mary’s Holy Assumption Russian Orthodox Church, Stamford, CT August 29-30, 2013 - St. Tikhon's Seminary Fall New Student Retreat September 15, 2013 - Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, Yonkers, NY October 12-13, 2013 - Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, New Britain, CT October 29, 2013 - St. Tikhon's Seminary Fall Lecture Series, South Canaan, PA November 17, 2013* - Holy Cross Orthodox Church, Williamsport, PA December 1, 2013 - St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, Bethlehem, PA December 14 - 15, 2013 - St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Allison Park, PA January 12, 2014 - St. George Antiochian Church, Allentown, PA January 18 - 19, 2014* - Three Saints Church, Ansonia, CT February 15 - 16, 2014* - St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church, Campbell, OH February 22 - 23, 2014* - St. Basil’s Orthodox Church, Watervliet, NY March 8 - 9, 2014* - Sts Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, Endicott, NY March 9, 2014 - Holy Resurrection Cathedral, WilkesBarre, PA, Mission Vespers March 16, 2014* - Holy Trinity Church, Randolph, NJ March 16, 2014* - St. Gregory Palamas Orthodox Church, Glen Gardner, NJ March 22 - 23, 2014* - St. Andrew Eastern Orthodox Church, Maple Heights, OH March 30, 2014* - St. Herman Church, Gradyville, PA March 31 - April 2, 2014 - Annual Retreat of the Armenian Clergy, Mid Atlantic Region, Elberon, NJ April 5-6, 2014* - Holy Apostles Church, Mechanicsburg/Christ the Savior, Harrisburg, PA April 9, 2014 - Holy Assumption Church, Clifton, NJ April 11-12, 2014 - St. Tikhon's Seminary Vocations Retreat, South Canaan, PA May 3-4, 2014* - St. Michael's Church, Broadview Heights, OH June 19, 2014 - St. Tikhon's Seminary Continuing Education Symposium, South Canaan, PA

! * Traveling with Mission Choir !


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Field Education “… for I was sick and you visited Me; 
 I was in prison and you came to Me.” (Matt 25) A Letter from the Director Fr. John Kowalczyk

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Field education promotes theological learning and personal i nt e g r at i on t h rou g h a c t i v e engagement in a variety of pastoral encounters, and subsequent theological reflection on those experiences. Seminarians engage persons in crisis or spiritual struggle, at once learning about themselves and the others’ experience and encountering God’s presence in their midst.

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Through theological reflection, students perceive and learn how theology and the tradition of the Church were brought to bear in the pastoral exchange. Th is critical formative process is enriched as seminarians subsequently gain from academic, spiritual and personal formation as glimpsed through the lens of their fi eld education experience. Academic work, spiritual insight and pastoral ministry at once mutually reinforce and inform one another. Theological insights are illumined in the process of reflection, preparing seminarians for effective pastoral ministry.

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Representatives from the field education program with school administration and seminarians at the 2013 Field Education Awards Ceremony.

Theological reflection is critical also for practical learning in a formational context. A complex enterprise that does not take place automatically, such learning can represent significant moments of personal integration, even if related to opportunities lost or unanswered questions lingering on after encounters. Another critical dimension of theological reflection is a growing sense of congruence over time between how the caregiver perceives his or her self and how one is perceived by others. The mutual interaction of theological reflection and the experience of field education promotes personal growth and integration by helping seminarians to sense the presence of God in these experiences, and to relate their personal inner life in Christ to the service of and ministry to the People of God.

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St Herman’s Orthodox Church Shillington, Pennsylvania


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! 2 0 1 4 A N N UA L FA L L L E C T U R E SE R I E S October 14, 2013, the St. Tikhon's Community hosted this year's first lecture in its Annual Fall Lecture series with a presentation by Matushka Natalie Stavrevsky who lectured on "Caring for the Elderly.” This lecture stressed the need for orthodox pastors to educate themselves regarding the needs of the older members of their parish communities to better inform the way they approach spiritual direction. October 22, 2013, the community welcomed Fr. Moses Berry, founder of the Brotherhood of St. Moses the Black. The topic of Fr. Moses's lecture was "An Unbroken Circle: Linking Ancient African Christianity to the AfricanAmerican Experience." October 29, 2013, the third and final of our Annual Fall Lecture Series featured the V. Rev. Steven Voytovich, Dean of St. Tikhon’s Seminary, and Associate Professor of Pastoral Arts and Praxis. Fr. Steven presented an informative and thought provoking lecture on Clinical Pastoral Care and its significant value for providing relational modeling for not only Orthodox pastors but for many of the various types of health care professionals currently working in the field of clinical counseling.

In Memory of Archimandrite Sebastian (Gyza) George and Marilyn Serniak


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! E L I JA H’ S M A N T L E : PA S SI N G T H E M A N T L E By Dn. Theophan Mackey

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Elijah’s Mantle is a seminarian initiated ministry here at St. Tikhon’s which serves as a conduit for underutilized liturgical items to find a new home in missions and small parishes which do not readily have funds for new items.

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Since its inception in July of 2012, Elijah’s Mantle has continued to grow in unexpected ways. The “Mantle” has received very generous donations from all quarters and has been sending items to more varied places than ever. Items donated have been sent out as far as India and Haiti, and there are plans to send items to Africa and the Philippines. Missions in over 20 states have benefited from the program.

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The most common items requested and received are vestments. Over 50 sets of priest’s vestments have been received, inventoried, and sent out, usually for a cost of less than $20 to the receiving priest. Server vestments and altar vestments are also very popular.

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This year, Elijah’s Mantle has received its first Gospel Book, which requires some repair. Once the repairs are complete it will be sent out to fill a request. The Mantle also sent out an iconostasis with recent graduate, Father Benjamin Huggins, who is now using it in the mission he serves in Durango, Colorado. Two Litya trays were donated, cleaned, and sent out; one was sent to the mission in Puerto Rico. All told, over 150 items have been sent out to missions in need, but there are still over 200 more requests that have yet to be filled.

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With God’s grace, generous donations from the clergy and the people of the Orthodox Church, as well as the hard work of the seminarians here at St. Tikhon’s, we will continue this important ministry.

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The founder of Elijah’s Mantle, Deacon Theophan Mackey, will be graduating this May, and will no longer act as its administrator. However, he will remain on as “alumni advisor” and will be available to answer any questions should the need arise. Seminarian Matthew Joyner will take his place and assume the responsibilities to continue this good work. May God bless him in this capacity.

Elijah’s Mantle helps find a home for under-utilized liturgical items. Over 50 sets of priests vestments have been donated and sent out since 2012.

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2013-2014 Recipients Archimandrite Martin (Hohfield) Fr. Marty Watt Fr. Moses McPherson Fr. David Poling Fr. Mark Mancuso Fr. Richard Reed Fr. Michael Dunstan Fr. Steven Tolbert Fr. George Fuchs Fr. David Bozeman Fr. Ignatius Lozano Fr. John Filipovich Fr. David Collburn Fr. Joseph Landino Fr. Ignatius Gauvain Fr. Gregorio Justiniano Fr. David Edwards Fr. Benjamin Huggins Fr. John Filipovich Fr. M. B. George Dcn. Timothy Naylor


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! ST. TIKHON’S COMMUNITY WELCOMES LOCAL SCHOOL On December 11, 2013 the St. Tikhon's community was pleased to welcome students from the Brookside Private School in Honesdale, PA. They were treated to a tour of the seminary and monastery, as well as the Metropolitan Museum, by the Office and Community Resource Coordinator, Christopher Patton. The group was also provided an introductory iconography workshop by Deacon Theophan Mackey, during which he taught the students the Orthodox understanding of the Holy Images as well as instructed them in the traditional manner in which an icon is made. Nathaniel Zaur of Honesdale, who helped organize the group's visit, later commented, "The children were very excited to be able to come visit Saint Tikhon's. It was their first time visiting an Orthodox Church. When we got back to the school we had them sit down and write out

Deacon Theophan Mackey taught the students the Orthodox understanding of the Holy Images.

reflections on how the day impacted them personally." The Saint Tikhon's Community would like to thank Mr. Zaur for his assistance in helping to arrange this visit. We hope that this will be the first of many such visits to St. Tikhon's.

2 0 1 4 SP R I N G O I SM From February 21-23, Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville hosted the Annual Spring Orthodox Inter-Seminary Movement Conference. Many Orthodox seminarians from around North America came to Holy Trinity Monastery to participate in lectures and attend services together. The keynote speaker, Rev. Kevin Kalish, Ph.D. gave a lecture on “The Language of the King James Bible.” Seminarian Nicholas Kotar also gave a lecture about Orthodoxy and culture.

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Representing the St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary chapter at the event were seminarians Khader Baramki, Joel Brady, John Kotalik, and Timothy Winegar.

Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville hosted the Annual Spring Orthodox Inter-Seminary Movement Conference.


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! ST. TIKHON’S SUMMER CAMP The camp program was founded in 1971 as an initiative of the Seminary to encourage Orthodox Christian youths to play and pray together. Mr. Martin Paluch served as Camp Director from its inception until July 2010. In 2011, the camp celebrated its fi rst season operating under the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania, welcoming new leadership from the Office of Young Adult Activities. With the blessing of His Eminence, the then Archbishop Tikhon, (later Metropolitan) and the continued support of the monastery and seminary, the future of the St. Tikhon's Summer Camp is brighter than ever.

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! “…no Christian can exist as an individual

exercising a direct communion with God.” ! “The way to God passes through the "neighbor," who in this case is the fellow-member of the community.” ! Metropolitan John Zizioulas

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Progress


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Reflections from Our New Dean By Archpriest Steven Voytovich

The only means we have to share ourselves with one another authentically is through our respective life journeys, critically reflected on theologically and spiritually. The joys, sorrows, celebrations, and struggles represent moments where we grapple with accepting God’s will in the midst of relationships and events that we have no real control over, and yet represent successive opportunities for us, through faith, to learn more deeply who we each are as children of God and prayerfully glimpse God’s loving hand working in our very lives.

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My relationship with St. Tikhon’s Seminary and those who are part of the St. Tikhon’s community began in conjunction with the 75th anniversary celebration. In being asked to speak at the October dinner, I shared feeling much like the Apostle Paul in joining the Apostolic community in having encountered Jesus Christ only after His earthly ministry. I made reference then to rededicating ourselves to the missionary spirit instilled early on, especially by St. Tikhon, Enlightener of North America and founder of St. Tikhon’s Monastery, of pastorally forming pastors and leaders to minister in this North American context.

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Earlier that day, after the Molieben, I was installed as the new dean including being given temporary custody of the dean’s pectoral cross. This cross

was worn by Archpriest Basil Stroyen, and was shared with the retelling that he had kept the seminary open at a critical juncture. One of my mentors, Archpriest Vladimir Lecko, asked me to share greetings with Matushka Nina when I saw her. In sharing his greeting, I told her that Fr. Vladimir was one of my mentors; she smiled and quietly said in my ear, “and my husband was his.” In that instant, with gratitude, I found myself relationally linked to this community with a living sense of calling being passed on from one mentor to another.

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We mourned the passing of Fr. Alexander Atty, former dean, during Great Lent. During his tenure he facilitated the restoration of the main seminary building. During this past year we have sought to take that restorative effort to a deeper


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relational level. Our faculty, administration, student government, and board have rekindled efforts to be in greater communication and interaction with each other in completing the work before us toward growing and developing our pastoral formation-related mission. It has not only been wonderful to experience this level of collaboration, but also meaningful to perceive the fruit of it in our accomplishments that include initiating our self study for renewed accreditation with the Association of Theological Schools. Efforts are also underway to deepen interactions with and among the alumni association. I remain very grateful for the support and encouragement of Fr. Sergius and the monastic brotherhood, as well as Bishop Michael as Rector, through this first academic year.

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When St. Patriarch Tikhon first came to this land as Bishop of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands, he appealed to those already there to be co-laborers through their experience. On a much smaller scale to be sure, I invite a similar sharing of experience related to the wonderful work of formation that has remained at the core of the seminary’s mission. “Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.” (II Cor. 4:1)

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To our graduating students, I share a reference that Patriarch Tikhon included in his farewell address, quoting the Prophet Jeremiah: “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” (Jer. 29:7) May your vocational steps among those entrusted to your care continue to be blessed and fruitful, and know that you will remain in our prayers.

! With love in the Lord, !

Archpriest Steven Voytovich, Dean

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! ! ! ! ! ! Fr. Steven and Igumen Sergius discussing the new crosswalk that will “bridge the gap” between both sides of the street.

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Fr. Steven blessing the St. Tikhon’s dormitory building.

Fr. Steven leads prayer for victims of 9/11.


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Cultivating the Future Laborers for the St. Tikhon’s Vineyard Personnel & Workflow Restructuring The St Tikhon’s Seminary community is excited to announce changes in our administrative staff. At an executive board meeting on Jan 23, a proposal was approved effecting the following changes: Christopher Patton, who coordinated the office of Media, Publications, and Public Affairs is now assuming the role of Office and Community Resource Coordinator, a title which more clearly captures the length and breadth of his work within the institution. Christopher arrived at St. Tikhon’s as a student with his wife Leslie in 2000. Upon graduation in 2005, they continued to participate in the life of the Seminary, with his wife remaining active in the St. Tikhon’s Women’s Group, which she now co-directs. During his time as a student, Christopher was excited to witness the seminary transitioning and growing each year, and was pleased to be a part of the institution’s initial “self-study” process towards ATS accreditation. Christopher joined the St. Tikhon’s staff in 2010 as “Assistant to the Dean” for the previous COO, Fr. Alexander Atty. With the departure of Fr. Alexander and his wife Matushka Olga Atty in Feb. 2013, Christopher began taking on an ever-increasing amount of responsibilities to ensure that the day to day operations of the institution continued without interruption.

In his new role, he will be coordinating the work of the seminary administration and staff as well as continuing to direct the majority of his previous responsibilities. His responsibilities include facilitating and oversight for seminary communications, technology resources, networking, systems administration, electronic data management, maintaining and overseeing the school’s bulk and email databases, creating and producing publications, overseeing the website, updating and maintaining Alumni database, photography, as well as general oversight of the campus grounds as it relates to the institution. Sophia Pierce, who had been the school cook, will be assuming the role of Receptionist while continuing the oversight of the institutions Food Service Program.Sophia Pierce arrived at St. Tikhon’s with her husband, second year seminarian Michael Pierce, and their two children Elizabeth and Jason, in the Fall of


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2012. While working as the kitchen assistant at St. Tikhon’s over the 2012-13 school year, Sophia also volunteered her time to assist w it h t he 2013 75t h Anniversary Edition of the Tikhonaire. It was during this work on the Tikhonaire that Sophia fell in love with the rich history of St. Tikhon’s and felt herself being drawn to take on more responsibility with the intention of assuming a more lasting role within the institution. Sophia has a professional clerical background, having worked in various office environments before coming to St. Tikhon’s. Her new responsibilities will include fielding incoming calls, greeting visitors, overseeing guest rooms, preparing and disseminating official communications, assisting with and interfacing with visiting potential students and general hospitality. She will participate in administrative meetings where she will take notes and generate records, as well as work with the various seminary offices towards project completion, while continuing kitchen/meal oversight and food ordering. In her new role, she will report to the Office and Community Resource Coordinator, and ultimately to

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the Dean, in representing the school to the public. Her hours at the new reception desk will be 9-11am, and 14pm. Many of the administrative changes resulted in part due to the workplace gaps left after the departure of Matushka Olga Atty in early Spring 2013, as well as the retirement of Matushka Dorothy Sulich. Matushka Sulich selflessly offered time, talent and treasure within the St. Tikhon’s community for 30 years, and also generously agreed to leave her much deserved retirement to offer temporary secretarial assistance from February through December 2013 until a more permanent solution could be found. The school owes her a debt of gratitude for her continued selfless labor! In regards to these recent changes the Dean of the Seminary, Fr. Steven Voytovich, remarked “how moving it was to have two persons who have invested themselves so completely in the life of the school and its future step forward to embrace further investment of their time and talent.” C ongratulations to both Christopher Patton and Sophia Pierce and may God grant many years to both of them and their families as well as an enjoyable and restful retirement for Matushka Dorothy Sulich.


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Self-Reflection & 
 ATS Preparation Preparing for 2016 ATS Accreditation Review By Dr. Paul Witek 
 Assistant to the Dean for Academic Affairs In the realm of academic affairs and institutional assessment, the Seminary is moving forward with the initial phases of a two-year self-study process that is meant to lead to a reaffirmation of our accreditation with the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS). Since the last accreditation review in 2009, the Seminary community has been hard at work in making progress in areas identified through the last selfstudy. Learning from our last process of collective r e f l e c t i o n , w e m a d e s i g n i f i c a n t p hy s i c a l improvements to the Seminary’s main building, made changes to the overall structure and functioning of our Board of Trustees, developed an overarching strategic plan for moving institutional priorities forward, have undertaken a significant review and revision of major policy manuals and documents, and implemented a more comprehensive strategy for assessing the quality of our Master of Divinity Program. In preparing for a 2016 visit by ATS, we have already formed a Leadership Team and Steering Committee responsible for successfully moving the process of self-study forward to completion. We can happily report that the Leadership Team and

Steering Committee are very much at work on the initial phases of this two-year process of collective self-reflection and assessment, and will continue that work through this summer into the next academic year. The Committee has already established principal working groups and a comprehensive structure for the Self-Study. These groups will be working for the next 18 months to prepare our Seminary’s institutional report for ATS by December, 2015. Through these efforts we are seeking a ten-year extension to our accreditation that affirms the standards of excellence that we strive to uphold as an institution in preparing our students for service to Christ’s Church. As a Seminary we are also very proud to report that 2013 saw the first full-time female student, Ms. Simona Irime, graduate from the Master of Divinity Program. With a strong desire to serve the Church in a lay capacity, Ms. Irime excelled in her studies here at St. Tikhon’s, was an active participant in the life of the Seminary community, and graduated as the valedictorian of her class. Her commencement a d d re s s w a s a n i n s p i r i n g t e s t a m e nt t h at demonstrated her growth in a vocation of service to the Church, and it provided a heart-warming charge to her fellow graduates. Through her example, we are happily anticipating the entrance of additional female students into the Program this coming Fall who will be searching out their vocation of service to Christ’s Holy Church here at St. Tikhon’s. Their presence will not only add to the growing diversity within our student body, but these students will also provide unique perspectives to experiences within the classroom and in the life of the Seminary community.


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St. Tikhon’s First Female Graduate 2013 Valedictorian Simona Irime By Sophia Pierce Last year, St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary celebrated our 75th Anniversary. This historic milestone encouraged us to take a collective look back at our history and begin taking steps to protect and preserve the most meaningful events from our past. While remembering and celebrating our past, however, we also celebrated an important “first” last year that has already had a positive impact on our beloved school. For the fi rst time in our 75-year history, a female graduated from St. Tikhon’s Master of Divinity program. That graduate, Simona Irime, was also the Valedictorian for the Class of 2013. Over the many years of our history, other women have registered to audit classes at St. Tikhon’s. These women were often future Matushki and Khourias and Panimatkas; women called to a special leadership role in the Church. The growth that these women experienced in the classrooms and in the community of St. Tikhon’s served to form them into women who were ready to meet the challenges and opportunities that awaited them. It was these women who helped to pave the way for Simona’s acceptance in the classroom, where she fl ourished. While here, Simona was not only a stellar student but also a positive and prayerful influence on the entire student body. All of the students at St. Tikhon’s come here because they feel called to serve God and His Church. For the majority of them, that call is to the ordained Priesthood. St. Tikhon’s graduates are serving as parish priests all over the United States and in foreign countries such as India, Russia, Ukraine, etc. Our graduates have also been entrusted with the highest levels of responsibility within the Church. Examples

include His Grace, newly-consecrated Bishop David (Mahaffey) of Sitka and Alaska, who is a graduate as well as a former Professor of St. Tikhon’s and His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, Archbishop of Washington and Metropolitan of All America and Canada. But not every person who comes to study at St. Tikhon’s is called to Holy Orders, and their time here helps them to discern their true vocation. All too often, the entire responsibility for the well-being of the Church is placed on the priests. As Orthodox Christians, we all bear the responsibility of caring for the Church by discerning our vocation and then living that vocation to the best of our ability. St. Tikhon’s graduates exemplify this by becoming Choir Directors, Authors, Professors, Monastics, Church School Teachers, Academics, Lay Ministers, etc. Simona Irime has, since her graduation, been published in The Orthodox Word, Issues 292-293, with a piece entitled, “A Life of Sacrificial Love: The Life and Teachings of Elder Justin Pârvu.”


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"In the mercy of God, the little thing done with humility will enable us to be found in the same place as the saints who have labored much and been true servants of God.� (St. Dorotheos of Gaza) !


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Stories


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STORIES - 2014 TIKHONAIRE

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Saint Tikhon’s Historical Initiative

Stories and storytelling have from antiquity played a significant role in the preservation and transmission of details, both historical and cultural, from one generation to the next. It was with this in mind that we began the St. Tikhon's Historical Initiative. This time last Spring we introduced in connection with the publication of the 75th Anniversary Edition of the Tikhonaire and the yearlong Celebration of the 75th Academic Year, an historic “call-to-action.” We invited everyone to contribute to the preservation of our shared heritage. To share stories and recollections which would then be added to those of others, to be preserved forever as part of the rich historical narrative of the St. Tikhon's Community.

possible to include a new section in the Tikhonaire each year comprised of the best submissions. As they did last year, seminarians will be standing by this Memorial Day weekend to document for posterity, any stories or recollections that you or your loved ones would like to donate to the endeavor. After the Memorial Day festivities, and for the foreseeable future, a representative of the community can be available (by appointment) to receive your verbal or written contribution to our shared history. These story donations can be anonymous or with attribution. When appropriate, names will be changed or removed to ensure the wholesome integrity of the project. Because we also understand that not every member of our extended community is able to be present each year for the Memorial Day Pilgrimage, we will continue to make teams available to visit your local parish to record and add your stories to the project.

We are pleased to announce that many of you have risen to this challenge. Many have submitted stories depicting your time at St. Tikhon’s or accounts of historically significant moments that have been passed down over the years from one class to the next. Th is year’s feature section is comprised entirely of these story submissions. However, our work in the St. Tikhon’s Historical Initiative is only in its beginning phase. Th is is why the outpouring of support for this endeavor has been so refreshing. Please consider adding your stories and recollections to our “Memory Archive” so that future generations can appreciate and benefit from the rich historical heritage of the St. Tikhon’s Community. If this steady stream of stories continues, it may be

As always your historical contributions, pictures, and written reflections, biographical or otherwise, can also be emailed to communityfeedback@stots.edu or mailed to:

St. Tikhon's Historical Initiative
 PO Box 130
 South Canaan PA 18459

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Matushka Nina Stroyen - Blessings on and in memory of the Stroyen and Bohush families.


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S T O R I E S F R OM 
 T H E S T. T I K HO N ’ S C OM M U N I T Y

a fallen world that is consistently subjected to less than ideal circumstances.

The First Story: The Beginning 
 of St. Tikhon’s

The idea of combining a theological seminary and a monastery in America had existed from the very beginning. As early as 1903 numerous requests appeared within the official Church publication, The American Orthodox Messenger (Viestnik). One such request written by a missionary stated:

The story of St. Tikhon’s begins with a monastery. [South Canaan, PA 1906]

(Written for the Occasion of the 75th Anniversary Celebration) October 10, 2013

T

he Seminary, as a fruitful branch… has grown from the Tree, is nourished by its waters and is kept firm by its roots, which go deep into the traditionfilled ground of our Faith. It has justified the hope of the Church authorities and has put forth from its gates [a multitude of Priests and Church workers]. If only because of this, it is natural that the Seminary enjoys the wide support of both the clergy and the people. This School may be small, materially it may be poor, but everyone knows that it belongs to them, that it is independent of outside pressures, that it is needed by every parish, and that it is attuned to the current needs of the Church. [B. Kamensky, "On the Occasion of the 20th Anniversary of St. Tikhon’s Seminary," South Canaan, Pennsylvania, 1958.] In every creation narrative there is the moment of birth, a moment in time when there is a movement from “what is not” to “what is.” “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” (Gen. 2:7) The tendency in the recounting of an “origin story” is to be brief, succinct, and clear in the enumeration of historical events and to make them as simple as possible so they can be easily recounted for generations to come. Th is tendency, unfortunately, can do a grave disservice to the historical accuracy of real-life events as they unfold in

“Naturally, several persons with higher education could be found for the monastery and they could become the teachers of a theological seminary. It seems that a better place for a seminary could not be found; the maintenance would be cheaper and the students would be shielded from temptations. The location of the seminary in this place would constrain them to study their courses rather than become perplexed by external things.” [Ibid, Vol. 7, No. 13, 1903.] Great joy had filled the small American Church when St. Tikhon’s Monastery was formally dedicated on May 30, 1906. Speaking of the time prior to this dedication, Archbishop Tikhon (later Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia) pointed out that “The life of our Church here was not yet full: we did not have an institution which, since ancient times, has been the companion of the Orthodox Church and constitutes her adornment. I am speaking of monasteries...and now, glory and thanksgiving to God! Th is void is now filled, and we celebrate today the opening of St. Tikhon’s Monastery and the consecration of the Monastery’s first church.” [Russian-American Orthodox Messenger, Vol. X, No. 11, June 1/14, 1906, p.208-210.) Historically, theological education began in North America with the Russian colony in Alaska. Th rough the tireless efforts of Bishop Innocent of Alaska (later Metropolitan of Moscow; glorified by the Russian Orthodox Church in 1977), the first seminary in

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America was founded in 1841, at Sitka, Alaska, for the training of native clergy for the Alaska diocese.

The monks were fond of us since we assisted them in their daily chores.

After the sale of Alaska to the United States in 1868, the focus shifted to the "Lower 48" and in the 1880's the Sitka Seminary was transferred to San Francisco. In 1905, the Seminary was transferred to Minneapolis, Minnesota by Archbishop Tikhon. Later it was transferred to Cleveland, Ohio and then Tenafly, New Jersey, through the efforts of Archbishop (later Metropolitan) Platon (Rozhdestvensky), in 1912.

By September, we had completed our preparatory courses. Attired in our best clothes, our bags packed, we entered the humble little Monastery Church where we spent so many, many hours in prayer and meditation and which we learned to love so well; we sang the Molieben and embracing each of the bratia and receiving the blessing of Father [Igumen] Nikon, we started our journey to the Seminary in Tenafly, New Jersey.” [Protopresbyter Joseph J. Pishtey, "My Recollections," unpublished manuscript.]

In the early days of May, 1915, releases appeared in the Russian Press announcing the opening of classes at the St. Tikhon’s Monastery, South Canaan, Pennsylvania, to prepare applicants for entrance examinations to St. Platon’s Russian Orthodox Theological Seminary at Tenafly, New Jersey. “Approximately 28 young men from various sections of the country enrolled in these classes. The Headmaster was a brilliant young man who had just arrived from St. Petersburg, Russia, by name of Andrey Andreevich Rozdestvensky. He was a strict disciplinarian who believed unalterably that mediocrity [would] not suffice and that superlativeness [was] imperative. We were offered an accelerated course which was completed in three hectic months. Strong emphasis was placed on the Russian language (reading, writing, conversational). Church Slavonic was an absolute prerequisite. The program was a most rigorous one consisting of thirty hours of study a week, perfect Church attendance every morning and evening and choir rehearsals one hour daily. It was demanded that we commit to memory three Russian poems a week. Conditions were not conducive to study. The housing problem was deplorable since the Monastery was ill-equipped to accommodate 28 newly-acquired residents; the summer months included the SS. Peter and Paul and the Dormition [Fasts] which required strict fasting. However, we became reconciled to every demand made upon us. Almost every student possessed a fine voice and our choir attracted many farmers from the area to the Sunday services in the Monastery Church.

With the termination of fi nancial assistance from the Church in Russia in 1918, St. Platon’s Seminary experienced a slow but inevitable fi nancial collapse over the next five years. With the fi nal closing of the seminary in 1923, St. Tikhon’s Monastery continued to offer pastoral courses to those who planned to work in the Church. Although regular classes were not held during this period, candidates for the Priesthood were given some general instructions in Church Order and Liturgics at the Monastery and examinations were given by the Church authorities for all those who were presented for ordination. In October of 1937, the Sixth All-American Church Council convened in New York City, under the leadership of Metropolitan Theophilus. Of primary concern to those present at this historic assembly, was the further stabilization and consolidation of the local American Church, ensuring her continued selfsufficiency and progress. One of the primary issues discussed during these sessions concerned the reopening of a theological school (seminary) within the American continent, an institution vitally necessary for the continued growth of the Church in America. With the closing of the New York Seminary in 1923, following its transferal from Tenafly, New Jersey, no formal theological seminary existed within America for almost fifteen years. The only formal instruction that continued to fill the gap somewhat, was the pastoral education being offered at St.

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Tikhon’s Monastery since the early 1920’s. Following several lengthy discussions at the Council, it was decided to establish three committees to look into the feasibility of opening institutions in three different regions: within the Chicago area, attached to the Theological Seminary of the University of Chicago; within the New York area, attached to Columbia University; and finally, at the insistence of Archbishop Arseny, the establishment of a Pastoral School attached to St. Tikhon’s Monastery in South Canaan, Pennsylvania. Later, after receiving the various committee reports, the church administration under Metropolitan Theophilus sanctioned the opening of t wo inst itut ions of t he olog ic a l e duc at ion: St. Vladimir’s Theological Seminary in New York City, and St. Tikhon’s Pastoral School in South Canaan, dedicated to the memory of Patriarch Tikhon. With the decision to establish a Pastoral School at St. Tikhon’s Monastery, the tasks of organizing and developing such an institution of higher theological education was delegated to the ever-obedient Archbishop Arseny, who, in the later years of his life, was now to assume those awesome responsibilities and duties as the new Pastoral School’s first rector. Metropolitan Theophilus, in commenting on the opening of this institution in l938, wrote: “Let us give thanks to the Lord God, for the Pastor’s School at St. Tikhon’s has received a worthy beginning because of the great efforts of Archbishop Arseny. From henceforth the history of our Church will record that Saint Tikhon’s Pastor’s School is a memorial to the late Patriarch Tikhon of Holy Memory, who gloriously labored in America.” (December 30, l938) From this testimony the reality becomes clear that St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary had its genesis in 1903 and then again in 1906 as well as 1915, 1918, and 1923. These efforts were reaffirmed more formally in 1937, pronounced by statute in 1938 and then again in 1942 when the school was elevated to the status of theological seminary. Its beginnings lay in

the deep and rich cultural heritage of the founders of the Orthodox Church in this country and their preimmigration homelands. It is there where they were taught the Orthodox understanding that thinking and doing are so intimately connected within the life of the Orthodox Faith that it is impossible to speak of one without the other. It is there where they learned that it is not enough to learn theology, but it is also necessary to then “do theology” so as to eventually, by the Grace of God, “become theology.” It is for these reasons that the date October 24th, 1938 only marks a beginning of the story of St. Tikhon’s Seminary. To insist too intently that the story of St. Tikhon’s “began” at 8:30 am on a Monday morning in the Fall of 1938 is to discount the significance of decades of sacrifice by the holy men and women who not only gave of themselves to ensure a continued place for Orthodox theological education in America, but also the ongoing sacrificial support of the St. Tikhon’s Monastic Brotherhood whose tireless efforts have helped to sustain and enrich the St. Tikhon’s Community. As we remember together our shared history on this day of celebration, we are also mindful of our shared future. As noted recently by the Rector of St. Tikhon’s Seminary, His Grace Bishop Michael (Dahulich): “As we mark this Diamond Jubilee of Saint Tikhon’s Seminary, we cannot just look back into history, however glorious it might be. And we cannot just rest on the laurels of the past. We must continue forward, pressing on to the next level, seeking after a greater goal, working toward the next accomplishment… “looking unto Jesus, the author and fi nisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).

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A Conversation With a Bishop Regarding UFO’s and a Yeti

A Saint, a Bishop, the End of the World, and Waterfowl

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eacon: "You know, Vladyka, supposedly that's where a UFO landed - back in the 70s, I think" Bishop: "Really, I didn't know we had that kind of thing around here." D: "Oh yeah, actually there's quite a few reports of supernatural occurrences like that - just the other day I heard a news story that a white Bigfoot had been spotted near Simpson and Forest City." B: "Really? A white Bigfoot, huh? (silence) So.. do they know why its white?" D: "No - its kind of odd, Sasquatch are usually not white, Yeti's are, but its probably not a Yeti - those live in the Himalayas and can be very aggressive.” (more silence) B: "Maybe.. uh... maybe the Bigfoot is the same one that people saw back in the 60's out in California - but it's white now because its old.” D: "Good point, Vladyka. That might explain it." B: "So, this one hasn't attacked anyone or anything?" D: "No - Sasquatch tend to keep to themselves and are generally peaceful. Again, unlike the Yeti, which can be aggressive." (yet more additional silence) B: (Turning around in his seat with a very full smile.) "Wow, Father Deacon, you sure know a lot about this kind of thing.”

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mong the fondest memories I have from my years at St. Tikhon's, which I’m sure is shared by my fellow seminarians from the Midwest diocese, was the annual visit from Archbishop Job, of blessed memory. Once a semester, Vladyka would take his seminarians and their families out to dinner, usually at Tick Tock’s or John’s Restaurant. It was an opportunity to spend time with our beloved archpastor, to share with him how we were coming along at seminary, to hear news from the diocese, and also to hear stories from Vladyka about his time at the seminary. Vladyka Job shared many wonderful, humorous, often larger than life stories about the days, as he would say, ‘before you could just drive to Dickson City in your free time and fi nd something to do.’ They had to be creative back then and often this would take the form of pranks on fellow students. The greatest prank of all time, as Vladyka recounted to us, happened on Halloween eve one year. Someone told us to ask him about the ‘Duck Story’ when he visited. When one of us asked, I can remember this vividly, he sat back in his chair, eyes closed, a mischievous smile on his face, and said, “Oh yes, it was Halloween eve. It was determined that we would plan and execute the greatest prank ever. It had to be great. Originally, it involved cows.” We were then regaled with a play by play of the evening’s events. The original plan had involved cows – namely setting a cow loose in the dorm as part of a three pronged prank designed to create havoc and go down in history among his classmates. The night proved to be too cold for the cows to be out, so Vladyka and his fellow conspirators had to settle for some ducks, which they gathered up from the nearby pond to set loose at a particular moment. The other part of the plan involved acquiring the keys to the

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2014 TIKHONAIRE - STORIES

boiler room, in which the main power supply for the dorm was found. At midnight, the power was to be cut, simultaneously ducks were to be set free on one of the fl oors, while Vladyka personally took part in the last part of the prank. “I dressed up like Bishop Nikolai, who of course later became St. Nicholai of Zicha,” Vladyka told us, “I hope he will have mercy on me for that.” The plan was at the stroke of midnight, with the power cut and the ducks loose, that another of Vladyka’s friends would pound loudly on the ceiling of one unsuspecting seminarian. When the seminarian awoke, Vladyka Job, impersonating Bishop Nikolai, would be standing in front of him lit with a flashlight and staring sternly. When the seminarian came to, Vladyka would run out of the room – the seminarian would then fi nd chaos on his floor, including live ducks running about. “Well, the prank worked,” Vladyka explained, “So well, that it almost killed me.” According to His Eminence, the dorm awakened, and the confusion caused by the prank and the lack of power led to chaos, including one seminarian running towards Vladyka, apparently thinking he was an intruder. The seminarian apparently had a knife to defend himself as he ran towards Vladyka, but just in time, someone had accessed the power supply and the lights came on.

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Baby Left in a Basket

T

he following is an account of one of the most interesting and heart-warming stories concerning the orphanage. The youngest and most publicized lad in the orphanage was Dimitri Tikhonovich Zadonsky. He was found on the doorstep of the seminary building on November 8, l948, by one of the seminarians, John Nehrebecki, in a small basket with a note left by little Dimitri’s mother. No trace of her has ever been found, but little Dimitri Tikhon, who was later baptized in the Monastery Chapel, developed into a beautiful lad whose charm captivates the love of all.

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Bishop Job and Saint Neesa (

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lumnus) “How many stories do you have about

Bishop Job and all the pranks he used to pull?” (Seminarian) “Actually we do have a lot of those…” (Alumnus) “Do you have the one about the duck?”

“We did get in trouble for that,” Vladyka explained, “but not as much trouble as some wanted us to.” The dean at the time, Vladyka surmised, had quite a sense of humor, even though he had to keep up a stern appearance for the sake of good order in the seminary.

(Seminarian) “I believe we do have at least one…”

Apparently, Vladyka Job’s reputation as a prankster became so legendary that he was even blamed for pranks that occurred well after he had graduated the seminary. One involved a young seminarian who became the target for a particularly notable prank involving hiding a speaker (connected to a microphone in the next room) behind the unsuspecting young man’s prayer corner. One can imagine what this prank involved (let’s just say that the young man got surprised when voices started coming from his prayer corner), and it is one that even Vladyka thought bordered on going too far. However, Vladyka told us that he got a call from the seminary office when the prank was reported. “They were convinced I had something to do with it,” Vladyka said, “But I assure you, I did not.”

“It wasn’t a real relic, that’s the prank.”

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“About the relic?”“Uhm no, the duck story we have has no relics in it. I am not sure I want to hear a story about a prank that involves a relic.”

“Oh, I am still not sure I want to hear this story…” “Bishop Job was very good at making things. He would make icons, he would draw, he was very artistic you see. Many of his little sketches ended up in the Tikhonaire. You should go have a look at them for yourself, he was quite talented.” “I’ve seen some of his iconography and I appreciate it very much.” “Well he made this little ornate wooden box and he went outside and found a duck feather on the ground and placed it in the box.” “A feather?”


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“Yes a feather. Then he went up to one of the more gullible of the seminarians and offered it to him as a gift and told him it was a relic of the Archangel Michael.” “Then what happened” “Well there was a few of us standing around who were in on it, so in a way I guess it was all of our prank. I figured when he opened the box he would see it was a feather and know it was a joke. I mean, who doesn’t know angels don’t really have feathers?” “Let me guess, he didn't know?” “That’s the funny part. The seminarian crossed himself and venerated the duck feather right there in front of all of us! Even Job, well Bishop Job (but he wasn’t Bishop then, he was just Job to us), anyhow even Bishop Job was surprised thinking he would see the feather and we would all have a laugh. I mean, don’t get me wrong; we all had a laugh alright. I was laughing so hard I fell off a chair and was having trouble catching my breath.” “So what happened then?” “Finally one of the older students put his arm around the gullible student and said, ‘Johnny why in the world did you just venerate a feather? I mean how could that even be something that’s real, it’s a feather?’ The gullible student replied, ‘Well, when he handed it to me the fi rst thing I thought was “how could it be a feather?” But no one said anything and Job seemed so happy to share it with me, and I didn’t want to disappoint him.’ “So he wasn’t gullible, he was actually being polite?” “Yes. We all kinda felt a little bad about that. It’s not everyday you hear about someone willing to venerate a duck feather so as not to embarrass his brother seminarian.” “Thank you for this story. I think it should definitely be included.”

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STORIES - 2014 TIKHONAIRE

Coffee-hour Announcements

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ne monk from the monastery who went on to take a prominent position of leadership within the National Church announced from the ambo after Liturgy on Sunday morning, “As always, everyone is invited to come to the monastery trapeza after service to enjoy coffee hour. This week there will be a vigil on Tuesday night for the feast with Liturgy in the morning, and oh yes we caught a bear. So, if you’d like to come see it before they come take it away later today it is behind the monastery. I mean you could, it’s not dangerous or anything, it’s in a humane trap, it’s like a tube. So… yeah, Uhm, I mean don't try to pet it or anything, and it should be ok, or you can just go to coffee-hour.”

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Dedicated Faculty and Staff

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ne story that has taken on a legendary character was during one of the worst winters on record and took place on Sunday, March 18, 1993. The Blizzard of '93 was part of the single largest weather incident on record and affected nearly half the population of the US. In South Canaan there was so much windblown snow that it was impossible for the choir director, living in the white house right next to the Seminary, to get to the Monastery Church for the Liturgy that morning, and the same for the students who were stranded inside the dormitory. But unwilling to allow a little (or a lot) of snow to keep him from his responsibilities, one dedicated member of our faculty cross-country skied to the Church for the Liturgy! Only he and the monks were there. (Some side roads were only opened up the following evening by two front-loaders working from opposite directions!).

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Deuteronomy 14:8

of the animals he had fed and cared for for the past 8 months.

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Animal husbandry has not been attempted at St. Tikhon’s Seminary since.

uring the Fall Semester of 1974, the Seminary decided to use some of the grounds to raise pigs. The idea was that the pigs could be fed the table scraps and kitchen garbage from the Seminary kitchen and local churches in addition to “pig feed,” and upon maturity and slaughtering, the pork would be used to feed the students. About twenty five pigs arrived at the Seminary, and the barn behind “Vecherni Zvon” (the old house at the end of the road past the cemetery) was set up to house the Seminary’s stock. The seminarians, especially the freshmen class, were enlisted to feed and care for the pigs. In the beginning the little piglets were adorable and friendly, responding to the attentions of the seminarians. Four students, let’s call them Billy,

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Jimmy, Johnny, and Peter would come each day to bring them food. The fellows named the little pigs and they became good friends. As time goes on, pigs get bigger and more demanding and even meaner. Two of the pigs had to be segregated because they went after the other pigs and the caretakers. One even chased Billy up a ladder as the fellows were cleaning out the sty. Occasionally, the pigs would break down their fences and escape onto the grounds of the Monastery and Seminary, roving into the cemeteries. On those occasions the PA system would crackle to life with the voice of Bernadette Getzie, the secretary, “Would Jimmy, Johnny, Billy, and Peter please report to the old cemetery… the pigs are loose!” The four freshmen would leave classes, get their ropes and round up the pigs. With all the food and attention, the pigs thrived through the winter and into the spring and then one day after Pascha, the fellows went down to feed the pigs and they were GONE! A few days later, the seminarians went down to lunch which was always prepared by Mrs. Mary Dyno, and there were heaping platters of pork chops. Although some of the seminarians undoubtedly enjoyed their meal, but one of the young men could not bring himself to partake

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Hope and Ligonier

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ne of the most hopeful moments for Orthodoxy

in America occurred in December of 1994. The then Bishop Herman, upon arriving back from the Bishops' Conference at the Antiochian Village in Ligonier, PA, announced to the entire community after a Saturday morning Divine Liturgy in the Monastery Church that jurisdictional unity was imminent and that very soon we would see the long sought “One American Church” realized. We have never seen him so radiant, so filled with joy, as we saw him that morning – so filled with hope he was about Orthodox jurisdictional unity in America after that historic meeting.

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Humble Beginnings

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t. Tikhon’s Pastoral School was able to open on an annual budget of only $425.00, barely enough at that time to keep one person alive. The school officially opened for classes on October 24, 1938, with a total of four students and four professors, consisting of Archbishop Arseny (Rector), Archpriest Basil Demidoff, Count Basil Musin-Pushkin and Choir Director Dimitri Ressetar. Initially because of the lack of adequate facilities, the fi rst students of the new school were both housed and instructed in the little white summer home of the old orphanage, situated just a short distance behind the orphanage building itself. The little house which contained only four compact rooms and a basement also served as the bake shop for the monastery, where often one could see Fathers Varsonophy and Vasily baking huge loaves of bread, some as large as twenty-three pounds. At first there were many difficulties and inconveniences created by the numerous shortages of supplies, in both textbooks and food. However, with the faith and


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constant determination of all involved, the first year of study proved extremely successful. As was once stated concerning the initial conditions at the school, “what the school lacked in material needs was more than compensated for by the spirit of dedication and sacrifice of teachers and students alike which inspired all to accomplish the impossible.” (From the The Center of Orthodoxy in America Thesis paper of V Rev John Perich)

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Inner Dialogue (A former seminarian recounts a mistake from the reader’s stand.)

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was told when the curtain was open I should be reading Vespers, if the curtain was closed I should be reading 9th Hour. When I got to the stand the curtain was closed so I began reading 9th Hour. Out of the corner of my eye I could see people waving their arms and heard them shouting ‘STOP READING.’ Looking back I am not sure why I said it, probably nerves and feeling like I had misunderstood the directions, but as I was still chanting and projecting my voice I apologetically chanted at full volume ‘OOPS.’ “I didn't quite understand what had happened in that moment till I noticed everyone staring at me. Just then one of my brothers asked ‘Did you just chant oops?’ I answered “Apparently I did.” I remember thinking shortly after that this would end up being one of those unfortunate stories that become “legendary” around here.

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Northern Lights Over South Canaan

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was here in November of 1990 when Patriarch Alexis II of Moscow and All Russia visited St. Tikhon’s. The pavilion behind the seminary was built for this occasion with a generous donation from long time benefactor Paul Chernay in honor of his late wife Betty Jo Chernay.

STORIES - 2014 TIKHONAIRE

I remember looking up at the sky and being amazed at what I saw! It was, to my knowledge, the first and only display of the Northern Lights in this area, with swirling curtains of various shades of green and blue light. It was a dramatic display that marked the arrival of the Patriarch to visit St. Tikhon’s.

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“Once More Unto the Breach” (William Shakespeare - Henry V)

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t. Tikhon’s Seminary went through a difficult time in 1959, very nearly closing. The majority of the students transferred to other schools. As referenced in the 1988 Tikhonaire, Fr. Basil Stroyen, having returned to civilian life from serving as a chaplain in the Air Force one month earlier, was asked to appear in July 1959 before the Sobor of Bishops to be officially named the Dean of St. Tikhon’s Seminary. Fr. Basil contacted many recent graduates and asked if they might consider offering their services by teaching at the seminary. Several newly-ordained graduates indicated that they would be willing to teach, for one year, asking for no remuneration while the seminary got its financial affairs in order. Some time that fall a delegation went with Fr. Stroyen to see Metropolitan Ireney. They arranged a meeting at the 2nd Street Cathedral. Present for the meeting with the Metropolitan were: Fr. Alexander Schmemann (faculty of St. Vladimir’s Seminary), Alexander Bezsmertny (faculty of St. Tikhon’s), Archpriest Joseph Pishtey, Sr. (Secretary-Treasurer for the Metropolitan Council), and Fr. Yaroslav Sudick. Fr. Stroyen was witnessed getting up to speak, and with a strong voice indicated that St. Tikhon’s was not going to close, that faculty were lined up for the following school year, and that during his tenure the school would remain open. After a period of silence, Fr. Stroyen was blessed by the Metropolitan to proceed with plans for the following school year. The class of 1960 had one graduate, Andrew Shuga, who was married that same year, ordained the next, and among other assignments, served Holy Annunciation Church in Berwick for 30 years before his death in 2001. A number of students and graduates have come back to take an active part in the life of St. Tikhon’s


2014 TIKHONAIRE - STORIES

Seminary, a living testament to the value of the pastoral formation that has been instilled within those who have responded to the Lord’s vocational call by coming to St. Tikhon’s! Since this time there have been other instances of external forces, both seen and unseen that have attempted to put an end to that great commission on which St. Tikhon’s was founded. Each time these attempts have been met by men and women willing to unselfishly put aside their own ideas of happiness and the world’s concepts of success to continue the mission of the St. Tikhon’s Community: to spiritually form and theologically educate the future pastors and leaders of the Orthodox Church on this continent and throughout the world. St. Tikhon’s is not just a school. It is not simply a monastery or a parish community. St. Tikhon’s is a torch. It is a fire made of people; old and young, living and dead. It is a place where saints have walked and prayed and taught. It is a place where individuals lay down their lives For the Life of the World and Its Salvation and then take them up again transformed. St. Tikhon’s is a crucible of becoming where the will of man and the Will of God meet.

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Recollections of a Child 
 of St. Tikhon's

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ife at St. Tikhon’s, as a child, revolved around the seasons, both liturgical and calendar seasons. Winter was long, but as children we didn’t mind. There was sledding on the big hill with the occasional run-in with Ben the seminary bear. We counted down the days until St. Nicholas Day and during the weeks before we would add a prayer for snow to celebrate our favorite Saint. One year, a peppermint candy wreath was hung on the doors of the seminary building. The monks and seminarians would pull one off for us as we waited for the school bus. I think eventually we started helping ourselves.The seminarians “borrowed” milk crates to send us spinning across the frozen lakes. Spring brought the start of lent and lenten meals shared with the seminarians in the dining hall. The cook, whose name has slipped my mind years ago, would carry out huge pots of lenten soups to be shared by all. Seminarians and priests were my best friends in those years…

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giving me handcrafted birthday cards, taking my sister and brothers and me fishing and hiking and showing us the best spots for salamander hunting. Summer, and freedom from school, opened up a world of adventures at St. Tikhon’s. We looked forward to being included in the summer camp and every year would be equally terrified of Martin scaring us in the middle of the night. We gulped gallons of “Bug Juice” as Bishop Herman blessed our outdoor meals and laughed at us splashing in the pool. We would have foot races with my young seminarian father out by the basketball courts. He still beat us in those days. We rode our bikes through the cemetery and memorized the names of those buried there. We picked vegetables in my mother’s huge garden and helped stuff green beans into canning jars. We watched in hushed awe as the monk who reportedly lived on nothing more than dandelion greens gathered weeds among the plants. It was the same monk who, we were told, would be followed by deer and other wildlife as he stood praying in Church. After Church services, we scrounged through the grass for bits of gold leaf that had fallen as the workers covered the church domes. We thought we were rich as kings as we stuffed bits of gold leaf and mosaic tiles in our pockets. We were refreshed by ice cold water from the well and we often stopped at the large cross nearby to run our hands over the splintery wood. Summer gave way to fall as the pool was closed, campers headed home and fall classes began. Our days of running free on the seminary grounds were exchanged for school books and chilly evening walks home from vespers. Sometimes squirrels or bats, also looking for warmth in the chilled night air, would sneak in the eaves of our home, “Evening Bells,” and send us younger children screaming down the stairs. We would, once again, begin to anticipate the first snow. Now, some 35 years later, I can still feel the mosaic tiles from the large icon on the lawn stuffed in my pocket, and if I close my eyes and sit in a quiet place, I can hear the Church Bells ring. Many of the seminarians and priests whom I prayed and played with have now fallen asleep, and both the homes I lived in are gone. I have my own children now and I haven’t walked on the ground of St. Tikhon’s for many years. Much will be changed when I finally do return but I know the peace and joy that I felt as a child will return as a gift from God.


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Recollections of Memorial Day

Seminary Cuisine

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or many years there were very few male pilgrims as the war was still raging on in Europe. Many of those that were present were in uniform. There were few cars as an “A Ration” sticker didn’t give quite enough gas to go any distance. There were quite a few buses. In those days it was taboo to ride under the arch, so the cars and buses were parked in the fi elds where the present seminary building complex now stands. The Seminary building in those days consisted of an old converted two-story farm house and a small “butka” behind it. After the church services were over, people dispersed to their buses and cars for their box lunch. The monastery at this time consisted of the church proper and the bell tower. The living quarters for the monks were in the present church. Since there was no trapeza or dining hall, no food was sold. The monks following old Orthodox tradition made extra borsch and 5 pound loaves of heavy bread and passed it out to the pilgrims as long as it lasted. Those who got a piece of monastery bread cherished it and affirmed that that borsch could never be as good anywhere else. Pilgrims, by and large, had to bring their own food and many acquaintances were made sharing food with those in the next auto and bus. Th is was worthy of mention because many foods were rationed and in short supply. (From the The Center of Orthodoxy in America Thesis paper of V Rev John Perich)

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Rust-Proof

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ere is a detail to include in your story book that most people do not know. In April 1994, when the coffin of St. Alexis Toth was removed from his mausoleum behind the Monastery Church, the frontend loader was barely able to remove it – it looked like the whole piece of equipment would topple over at any moment! The thing that I remember, that stuck with me, was that the outer casket was totally rusted except for a small plate that said “Rust-Proof.”

ver the history of the seminary the thankless

position of cook has been occupied by a colorful variety of individuals whose personalities were as varied as their skill in the kitchen. Many times the position has been filled by one of the members of the monastic brotherhood. Around 1960 there was even a cook who is remembered particularly for being able to “even make jello oily.” On the other side of the spectrum for a few years there was an especially memorable ethnically Russian lady, the mother of one of the students, who had studied at a culinary school, and who was a perfectionist at decorating the food, making presentations that would befit a restaurant at a five-star hotel! One of the cooks who volunteered her services for a particularly long period of time (15 years) was Mrs. Mary Dyno. She was affectionately referred to as “Little Mother.” One of the seminarians would travel to Mayfield each day at 7am to pick up Mrs. Dyno and then return her home at 3:30pm. Below are some of his recollections: “She made dinner, supper and homemade desserts for us. She had all kinds of remedies in case of illness and knew what to do if one got injured. If someone brought in a half a steer or pig or freshly caught fish, she knew exactly what needed to be done and the proper amount of seasonings to make a feast. She was a deeply religious and pious woman not taken to too much laughter. It broke her heart if one were to cause a division and she did not hesitate in voicing her thoughts. She was paid very little, yet would use the talent of cooking given to her by God for one purpose and that was for those boys who wanted to learn to become good and obedient priests or workers for the Holy Orthodox Church.”

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Story of the Dean and 
 the Football Coach

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t was just after a new Dean had been hired. Everyone had gathered together in the monastery trapeza after Sunday Liturgy and the new dean was sitting off to the side and discussing football with some of the students who had stayed during the summer months in between academic years. They were discussing a very successful coach who had left his well paid, perennially top 10 ranked, college football team to take a position with a little known, nationally obscure program for significantly less pay. The seminarians speaking with him offered several reasons for this move, speculating the loss of their allstar seniors, arguments over his coaching style with the university’s board of directors, or even a well deserved climate change as possible reasons for the coach’s decision. The dean stayed engaged in the conversation, agreeing that all of them are possibilities. But it seemed that there had to be a deeper issue at stake for it to make sense. As there was a lull in the conversation, a voice came from a different part of the room and said, “He did it for the same reason you came here to lead us, Father.” “And why was that?” asked the new dean with a grin. “Because it’s easy to just fade into the sunset on the laurels of former accomplishments. It is another thing entirely to become great again regardless of venue and circumstance.” The young man added, “The ones that do however, are the ones that become legendary, the ones we tell stories about, because they do what cannot be done.” The new dean smiled much wider now and said with authority “Exactly!” The dean added, taking a few steps back from his own enthusiasm, “Of course there is always a risk. He might fail and the critics will point out how his former accomplishments weren't that great to begin with.” The young man, understanding the vulnerability of the moment offered, “There are two types of men in the world. The ones that walk away at the pinnacle of their careers, ensuring they are remembered forever as champions, and then there are those others for whom it isn’t enough to simply be great. For some men the word ‘greatness’ falls short of their aspirations. When Michael Jordan retired the fi rst time he retired as a

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champion. When he came out of retirement and went on to win three more championships he redefined what it meant to be great forever.” The dean thought for a minute and said “What about the second time he came back?” Referencing the failed comeback attempt with the Washington Wizards that left him frustrated and injured. The young man thought for several seconds and smiled and said “Well, I suppose you do have a point there.” The new dean laughed a little and said in a reassuring voice “It’s ok, that coach is good, but he's no Michael Jordan.”

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The Monk and the Maiden

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y fi rst year in Seminary I remember walking into the choir room. I was humming a melody, I believe it was the 6th Tone. Just as I was about to sit down a voice came from nowhere and said, “Is that Iron Maiden?” I looked up. Crouched in the corner, preparing the tape deck to play a selection for class, was our music teacher, a monk from the monastery. I looked at him inquisitively and said, “No, but Father how do you know about Iron Maiden?” The monk replied with his characteristic all-too-exuberant smile, “I used to be a DJ!” After that the monk became my spiritual adviser and helped me through many of my struggles in seminary and after.

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The Playful Abbot

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remember a story from before my time about a certain Abbot of the Monastery who would lean on the deacon doors during services so the subdeacons could not get back into the altar. They didn't want to cause a fuss so they would go around through the side room only to be scolded for entering through the wrong entrance. This same Abbot would wait until the sub-deacons had almost completely vested the serving Bishop, then would secretly undo several of the buttons and then send the Bishop out to the ambo “halfbuttoned.”


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The Valley Has Eyes

Why Are You Here?

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remember being told several times “If you are

going to do anything bad, drive 50 miles away, get out of your car and look around. If you see even one person, get back in the car and drive another 50 miles and repeat, because inevitably someone will recognize you and word would get back.” One Holy Week I went with two married students to pick up items for Pascha baskets. We went to the grocery store in Dickson City which is a little over a half-hour away. While in the store we walked around filling the cart up with Pascha items and suddenly a woman who I had never met before came right up to me and said “Seminarians aren’t supposed to be offcampus during Holy Week!” None of us were in cassocks, mind you, we were dressed in street clothes. To this day I am not sure how she knew who we were but I went home just sure I would be called into the office to answer for my crimes. Luckily nothing ever happened.

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nce, the greatly revered and very holy Fr.

Roman Braga, from the Dormition Monastery in Rives Junction, Michigan, brought a new student to the Seminary. He was asked to say some words in one of the classes. He at first remarked that he had nothing to say. Then, when prodded, proceeded to give an entire, ideal “highlights” of a seminary education in one hour, touching upon all the key aspects briefly before taking his seat to the amazement of all.

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n past years, a former dean of the seminary would

open the beginning of the year retreat by posing a seemingly simple question to the incoming class. “Gentlemen, why are you here?” He would then begin going one by one and asking the students to respond to this question. He would always start in the back of the room and work his way forward, something that I would only appreciate for its brilliance later. Students that sit in the front of the room on the fi rst day are sending a clear message that they are ready to give an answer. He wasn't interested in their ready-prepared and generic answer. He wanted to understand their honest motivations so as to best assist them with their journey. One by one each person began giving their answer: “To learn about God.” “To learn to be a priest.” “To learn to do the services.” Each time a student answered, he would then ask them a follow-up question that would challenge their understanding of what their given answer actually meant. “You want to be a priest? Why do you want to be a priest?” We would stammer around, some would say to serve the Church, others would say to follow in their father’s or grandfather's footsteps. The best answer that was given was by my classmate who replied “I am here to see why I am here.” The dean stopped and tilted his head to the side as if he were pondering what was in the young man’s heart and replied “But if you do not know now, how will you know when you see it?” My classmate put his head down and we expected the exchange to be over but the dean wanted an answer to his question, so he waited. After several minutes of long, heavy silence the young man said with an alltoo-clever smile, “Well I hope that you and my other professors will tell me when it arrives.” The dean smiled and said quickly, “This is a very safe answer but I will allow it; you are a very clever boy. That will either be very good for you here or very bad, and yes, we will let you know which it is.”

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our spouse, children, family members, close friends, monastics and any others whom we hold dear to our heart is also required in the daily life of St.Tikhon’s. Without this key element, the community itself would simply cease to be. Yes, some of us are much better at this daily task than others. Some of us more readily and easily provide the words of encouragement that are so often needed, and some of us more easily take action when it is most required. These acts of spiritual and personal development are needed, for they are what fuel each of us and provide the strength and encouragement necessary for us to do God’s will.

Community

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’ve been a part of the St. Tikhon’s community for what most would consider a long time. When asked if it was our plan to remain a part of the community after my husband’s graduation, my resounding answer had always been, “No.” However, this was not God’s answer. Our plan was never for St. Tikhon’s to be the place where we planted ourselves, but merely a rest stop on what I thought was going to be an ongoing journey. Well, it has been an ongoing journey, just not the one that I had conveniently planned and assumed we would have. God truly did know what was best for us… funny how that always seems to be the case. I thought we would be the fi rst ones with the U-Haul packed at graduation, driving off into the sunset to our new destination, but sometimes our destination is not a place on a map, but a place where we arrive by the changing of our hearts and minds. I have come to understand that the fullness of Community is one of the most valuable aspects of life at St. Tikhon’s. When we first unpacked our life into a small one bedroom apartment so many years ago, I had no idea how much the word “community” and being a part of one, would impact my life and profoundly shape me as well as my future. Making a conscious choice each year to remain at St. Tikhon’s is not always easy. You develop deep friendships, and each year new friends come, and old friends go. It is easy to be tempted to not give a part of yourself to the people that come into your life, so you don’t experience that sense of loss, but I realized it is not my choice to make. When being part of a community like St. Tikhon’s, you realize the decisions you make and the life you live has an impact not just on yourself or those closest to you, but affects the lives of everyone. We each become equally accountable for the wellbeing of the community and each other as individuals, and as a result, have an equal responsibility for its successes and its failures. Being part of a community is not easy. We often see individuals at their worst. We see the spiritual struggles and daily mistakes being made by others, and they in turn see ours. This is not simply because we are fallen beings, but because we are called to humble ourselves for one another. The daily humility that is required with

Most individuals who attend St. Tikhon’s seminary are here for a designated amount of time and continue on with their journey. This is the understood life cycle of the community. The time at St. Tikhon’s may be brief, but it is a period of time in one’s life that can never be recreated, a time that is unique unto itself. It is a place where relationships are forged that last a lifetime. It is a place that teaches us how to forgive completely and is a place that teaches us how to love beyond ourselves. It is a place where individuals experience the truth: that we are each essential to one another’s salvation. It is a place where each of us has the ability to leave a lasting imprint that becomes part of the seminary’s history. The St. Tikhon’s community is able to do all of these things because of God’s Grace and because of those that came before us, those that are here now, and those that will follow.


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“No story lives unless someone wants to listen. So thank you, all of you.” (J.K. Rowling)


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Founders, Benefactors, & BeautiďŹ ers


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CENTURY ASSOCIATION - 2014 TIKHONAIRE

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St. Tikhon’s Century Association

By Sarah Jubinski - Century Association President Congratulations to our beloved St. Tikhon’s Seminary for 76 glorious years of service to our Holy Orthodox faith! Memory Eternal to those graduates who have fallen asleep, and Many Years to the graduates, students, faculty, administration and staff who preach the word of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and who dedicate themselves to making St. Tikhon’s a bright light for Orthodoxy in America and throughout the world. Forty-three years ago, a group of devoted Orthodox Christians formed the Century Association to insure the best possible future for St. Tikhon’s Theological Seminary. The primary purpose of the Association is to provide spiritual support and financial assistance for the educational programs offered by the Seminary. Through annual membership contributions, donations, and fund-raising projects such as our annual festival, the Association has contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Seminary. In 2013, the Association contributed $50,000. Th is funding allows the Seminary to continue to provide the highest quality of theological education and spiritual formation to men who are preparing for Ordination to the Holy Priesthood. St. Tikhon’s graduates also serve the spiritual needs of Orthodox faithful in educational and musical positions, strengthening the bonds of Orthodox fellowship throughout the world. St. Tikhon’s Century Association is governed by a Board of Directors under the direction of a Spiritual Advisor. The Board meets regularly, and an Annual Meeting is held each October at St. Tikhon’s Seminary. Our major fund raising project each year is an annual festival. For the past five years, “Hospitality a la Russe” has been a very successful event featuring food, fun, fellowship, and entertainment that has included the Kauriga Balalaika Orchestra, the Podoben Chorus, and St. John’s Children’s Folk-dance Ensemble.

Each January the Century Association hosts a luncheon for Seminarians in honor of St. Tatiana, the patron saint of students. After a brief introduction to the Century Association, students enjoy a special meal and a decadent dessert table prepared by members and friends of the Association. Another very successful fund raising project was the publication of Hanya’s Kitchen - The Orthodox Herald Recipe Collection. The cookbook includes over 270 recipes originally published in the Herald, plus several hilarious letters from Hanya. A unique chapter covers fasts and feasts of the Church. Fascinating folklore and a recipe specific for the fast or feast day makes this book much more than an ordinary cookbook. Special thanks to Matushka Nina Bohush Stroyen for allowing the Century Association to publish this wonderful treasury of our ethnic specialties. The cookbook is available through the Association at $20.00 per copy. Please consider joining the Century Association as we continue in our dedication to protect the sacred and holy work of our Seminary. Joining the Century Association confirms your love of God and His Holy Orthodox Church, and your sincere interest in strengthening our Faith for future generations. Our children, their children, and the generations to follow are depending on us. If you would like to become a member, please send a check or money order made out to “St. Tikhon’s Century Association” and send it to: St. Tikhon’s Century Association
 P.O. Box 130
 South Canaan, PA 18459 Membership levels include: • Lifetime Membership for $5,000 • Ten-Year Membership for $1,000 • One-Year Membership for $100


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T H E C E N T U RY A S S O C IAT IO N ’ S HO SP I TA L I T Y a l a RU S SE 2 0 1 3 Sunday, May 26, 2013, in a true spirit of !On hospitality, guests mingled with family and friends, !filled plates with zakuski, and feasted on traditional !delicacies. ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !


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T H E C E N T U RY A S S O C IAT IO N ’ S 2 0 1 3 F O U N D E R’ S DAY C E L E B R AT IO N On Oct. 13, 2013, many from the local community arrived in South Canaan to participate in the annual Founders Day celebration commemorating St. Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow, Enlightener of North America, and founder of the holy habitation of St. Tikhon’s Monastery. The service was offered by Igumen Sergius, Abbot of St. Tikhon’s Monastery, as well as Archpriest George Alexson (STOTS 1969) and representatives from the St. Tikhon’s Monastery Brotherhood. At the conclusion of the service, the Order of St. Tikhon was awarded to the Century Association on behalf of the entire St. Tikhon’s Community for their tireless efforts to raise support for St. Tikhon’s Seminary and to help ensure the sustainable future of the organization.

After the service a wonderful meal was offered in the monastery refectory that was prepared by volunteers from the St. Tikhon’s Parish Community. This joyous feast concluded with the Century Association holding its annual meeting in the seminary dining hall, where its president Sarah Jubinski, with Association officers and members presented the seminary with the first of several checks to support the general operating fund of the school. It is because of their constant and steadfast support that St. Tikhon’s Seminary continues to thrive and flourish, and it is with their help that St. Tikhon’s will continue to fulfill its holy calling to educate and prepare the future leaders of the Orthodox Church in this country.


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C E N T U RY A S S O C IAT IO N ’ S ST. TAT IA NA LU N C H E O N 2 0 1 4 St. Tikhon’s Century Association held its annual luncheon at the Seminary on Thursday, January 23rd, 2014 in honor of St. Tatiana of Rome, the patron saint of students. Thank you to Sarah Jubinski, President of the Association. Mrs. Jubinski was joined by fellow officers and board members Mary Sernak, Mat. Dorothy Sulich, Elsie Herman, Robert Roth, Alexandra Fedorchak and several Century Association members from the community who were responsible for the delicious dessert table that was enjoyed by students, their families, faculty, staff and guests. A very special thank you to Archpriest Joseph Martin, Spiritual Advisor for the Association, for preparing the meal of sausage and peppers as he does each and every year. Fr. Ian Shipley (STOTS 2012), pastor of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Bethlehem, PA and proud member of the Century Association, gave a moving reflection on the Troparion of the Feast of St. Tatiana and the vital role that sacrifice plays in the theological life of the Church.

The event ended with a check presentation in the amount of $8,000.00 by Mrs. Jubinski and Association officers to Fr. Steven Voytovich, Seminary Dean. Fr. Steven, the organization's newest member, thanked the Century Association for all they do to support the St. Tikhon’s Community and Orthodox Theological Education. He also encouraged those attending to consider becoming members themselves and to invite their families and friends to join with them in becoming members so that together we may all continue the giving legacy that the Century Association has maintained for over 40 years.


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OFFERINGS f rom T H E C E N T U RY A S S O C IAT IO N

Hanya’s Kitchen The Orthodox Herald Recipe Collection This collectible cookbook includes over 270 recipes that were originally published in the Orthodox Herald, with several letters from Hanya to Totya Maria! A unique chapter covers feasts, fasts, and folklore. Recipes specific to fast and feast days with personal notations by Mat. Nina make this a story book - not just a cookbook! HANYA’S KITCHEN is available from members of the Century Association and by contacting the seminary. All proceeds benefit the Seminary.

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M E M B E R S of T H E C E N T U RY A S S O C IAT IO N His Beatitude, Metropolitan TIKHON, Honorary President His Grace, Bishop MICHAEL, Honorary President The Very Reverend Joseph Martin, Spiritual Advisor Sarah B. Jubinski, President Rosalie Luster, Vice President Matushka Gloria Martin, Secretary Matushka Dorothy Sulich, Financial Secretary Kathryn Fedirko, Treasurer

Syosset, New York Bronxville, New York Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Alexandria, Virginia Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania South Canaan, Pennsylvania Jermyn, Pennsylvania

His Beatitude, Metropolitan TIKHON, His Grace, Bishop MICHAEL of New York & New Jersey, and the community of St. Tikhon’s Theological Seminary join the officers of the Century Association in expressing their gratitude to the following individuals who have become members of St. Tikhon’s Seminary Century Association: ARIZONA Harold Homyak Eleanor M. Phillips Kay Slanta CALIFORNIA V. Rev. Alexander & Vickie Federoff Kennedy, S.M. Joseph & Sophia Laychak Protopresbyter William Weir Protonica Mary Anne Plefka-Weir COLORADO V. Rev. Paul S. Fedec CONNECTICUT George A. Cooke, Jr. Barbara Ann Dixon Fr. Vladimir Horoszczak Mat. Elizabeth Pishtey Memory of Archpriest Joseph Pishtey, Class of 1944 V. Rev. Dr. Steven A. Voytovich, Dean, St. Tikhon’s Seminary DELAWARE Margaret Roman DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Phoebe Felk FLORIDA Wasil & Anne Boyko John & Rebecca Hanchak Rose Minarick John M. Peregrim Dennis J. Woomer, M.D. GEORGIA Archpriest John & Denise Stefero

IDAHO Rev. Michael E. Habib ILLINOIS Agnes P. Fryntzko Mat. Eva Hubiak Mary Obmascik Fr. Michael Prevas & Family INDIANA Gene Adamczyk KENTUCKY Mat. Olga Atty Dr. Peter & Angelica Fotos MARYLAND Mrs. Helen K. Cvirko Pauline Karnillow V. Rev. & Mrs. John Mason MASSACHUSETTS Fr. Vasily & Mat. Nancy Gilbert MICHIGAN Dr. John Kopin Fr. Lev & Mat. Victoria Kopistiansky Mrs. Elaine Petouhoff MINNESOTA John & Barbara Leschisin MONTANA Archpriest John W. Anderson NEW HAMPSHIRE Deborah M. Donlick Toby Weir


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NEW JERSEY Mr. Arthur Abig Theodore & Anna Babich Nicholas & Pearl Berezniak Paul & Eleanor Boshko Mr. & Mrs. Robert N. Boulle Robert M. Boulle John & Elena Croker V. Rev. David F. Garretson V. Rev. George P. Hasenecz John & Anne Hutnyan Mrs. Martha W. Lutz Mary Macinsky Mrs. Olya Monchak Mrs. Stefan Nafranowicz Archpriest John & Eugenia Nehrebecki Barbara N. Penn Leo & Nell Radionoff V. Rev. W. Sophrony Royer, Ph.D. H. Lynn Siry Mr. & Mrs. John Wanko Dr. Robert E. Weger Milan & Roza Zivanov NEW YORK Most Blessed Metropolitan TIKHON Anna Bahan Jeanette Z. Bely Michael Brand Mat. Nadine Brown V. Rev. Daniel Degyansky Joseph Domanick Fr. & Mrs. Sergei Glagolev Mr. & Mrs. Bruce D. Keeler Alexander W. Luckanick, Esq. Stephen & Olga Melnick Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Mitchko Walter Palchik** Dennis & Pauline Somple Jerome Tarris William & Eleanor Wasilko NORTH CAROLINA Nonna (Berdy) Skumanich OHIO LTC Raymond Asik (USAF Ret.) - Memory 
 of Sandra Asik Mary E. Bezbatchenko Archpriest Alexander & Carol Garklavs Bill Glushko Mary J. Gresko Samuel & Kathy Jacob Barbara J. Kolesar Mr. Paul Laskovich Subdn. & Mrs. Paul T. Maty V. Rev. Fr. Andrew D. Nelko, Mat. Tanya & Family Dr. & Mrs. Nicola B. Nicoloff Patricia Ann Pavelchak

CENTURY ASSOCIATION - 2014 TIKHONAIRE

Mr. & Mrs. Leon Sheean Michael & Clare Skor Fr. Basil & Mat Nadean Stoyka Jerome & Cynthia Yurch OKLAHOMA Drs. John & Judy Blebea PENNSYLVANIA Most Blessed Metropolitan THEODOSIUS A Friend of the Seminary Anonymous Anonymous Sergei & Irene Arhipov Mara E. Beckage Alice Boga Jeff Bostic John & Florence Boyko** Paul Chernay Emma Collins Mrs. Marie Derkasch Stephen G. Doncevic Archpriest Daniel & Matushka Delores Donlick, Dean Emeritus, St. Tikhon’s Seminary* Subdn. Thomas & Melissa Donlick Michael & Mary Dorosh Damian A. Drasher Elizabeth Dutko Kay Fedirko Alexandra Fedorchak Joseph Fetsko Dr. David C. Ford Annabel Franchak V. Rev. Daniel & Mat. Mary Geeza Mat. Elizabeth Geeza Mr. & Mrs. Roy Glisan Patricia Stetz Grammes Miss Elsie Herman John A. Hockin William Hudak Mary Huniak & Family Archpriest James & Matushka Natalie Jadick Dan & Jean Jubinski Peter & Sarah Jubinski Rose M. Kennedy George Kopestonsky V. Rev. & Mrs. T. Stephen Kopestonsky Sem. Alexander Koranda Vladimir Korba Atty. John Krisa Igor & Aleutina Kropov Mr. & Mrs. John Kuchmanich Mat. Helen Kuchta Gloria Woolever Kundrat Metro Lazorack Dr. Robert Lesniak Mrs. Michelle Lovell Stephen Malec Ralph Mamay


2014 TIKHONAIRE - CENTURY ASSOCIATION

Archpriest Joseph & Mat. Gloria Martin Marina MartinKathryn Mason Paul G. Miller, DVM Helen Panco Moncovich Protodn. Gregory & Mat. Martha Moser Mr. & Mrs. John Nayduch Elsie Skvir Nierle Fr. John & Mat. Kyra Nightingale Arlene Oakill Magdalene Paglieri Dr. George & Elaine Pazin Lonnie Polli Maria Proch Marie Proch Mat. Irene Rachko Fr. Daniel & Mat. Theodora Ressetar Nicholas D. Ressetar Robert H. Roth Nancy A. Sabol Martha Scigliano Mr. & Mrs. Peter Senio Mary Sernak Mr. & Mrs. George Serniak V. Rev. & Mrs. David Shewczyk Mrs. Olga Shewczyk Samuel A. Sokolik, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Sovyrda Gloria Spitko Dr. Eli & Paula Stavisky Joan Stetz Mat. Nina Stroyen Mat. Dorothy Sulich Basil & Irene Sumple V. Rev. Fr. Dennis & Mat. Marion Swencki

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V. Rev. Claude Vinyard Rdr. Edward J. Wawruch Olga Onufer Woodward Rosemary Ziegenfuss John C. Zoranski SOUTH CAROLINA Irene Swirdovich

!TEXAS

Nicholas & Katherine Brasowski Ed & Jody Oppermann Anna Tanchak VIRGINIA V. Rev. & Mrs. George Alexson Ms. Martha Baxtresser Larisa Looby Jim & Rosalie Luster E. Donya Platoff WASHINGTON Alexander & Marie Popoff Sharon Figura Schrenzel WISCONSIN V. Rev. Alexis & Mat. Alexandra Fedec Archpriest Vladimir & Matushka Virginia Lecko * Life Member ** Deceased Life Member

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We also wish to thank the following churches and organizations that have become members of ST. TIKHON’S SEMINARY CENTURY ASSOCIATION:

Carpatho Russian Citizens Club Hudson, Pennsylvania Protection of the Virgin Mary “O” Club Merrillville, Indiana RBOrganization of the USA Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Saint Gregory of Nyssa Orthodox Church Columbus, Ohio Saint John of Damascus Auxiliary Poway, California

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Saint Stephen O.C.F. (F.O.C.A. #82) Swarthmore, Pennsylvania Saints Peter & Paul Orthodox Church South River, New Jersey Saints Peter & Paul Orthodox Church Minersville, Pennsylvania Saints Peter & Paul Orthodox Church Union Dale, Pennsylvania South River "R" Club South River, New Jersey

Grant rest eternal in blessed repose, O Lord, to the souls of Thy servants, the departed members of
 St. Tikhon’s Seminary Century Association, who are fallen asleep, and make their memory to be eternal!


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NOVOGODNY BALL - 2014 TIKHONAIRE

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77th Annual Novogodny Ball

The 77th Novogodny Ball was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cherry Hill, NJ on Sunday, January 19th. This semi-formal event brings together several hundred people annually for dinner, and dancing to the music of the Kauriga Orchestra. The Novogodny Ball is sponsored by St. Stephen’s Fellowship of Orthodox Christians in America (FOCA) Chapter 82. Proceeds for this year’s Ball are benefitting the St. Tikhon’s Married Student Housing!

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V Rev Steven Voytovich, Dean of St. Tikhon’s Seminary attended the Novogodny Ball dinner and danced with his wife Matushka Cindy. Many parishioners came from the Baltimore area as well. As the dance got underway Paul Fedoronko, Master of Ceremonies, invited Fr. Steven to address the group. Fr. Steven thanked FOCA and those gathered for their generosity in supporting married students in attending St. Tikhon’s Seminary.

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During the course of the evening Fr. Steven had opportunity to also meet Larry Skvir, one of the Novogodny Ball organizers. They both, in fact, share having been altar servers for Archpriest Nicholas Timpko. Larry assured that representatives from the local FOCA Chapter are hard at work to ensure the evening festivities go smoothly. This included several food stations where those dancing could have something to eat and a table of raffle items to aid in raising funds for the chapter’s charitable outreach. At 11pm, balloons were dropped amidst all the children attending the event.

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Fr. Steven shared that “The evening was quite enjoyable and that it was evident to all that a great amount of care and planning went into making this event possible. This was a wonderful evening of fellowship benefitting our St. Tikhon’s married student housing!”


2014 TIKHONAIRE - GOLF TOURNAMENT

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16th Annual 
 Golf Tournament

The 16th Annual St. Tikhon’s Memorial Golf Tournament was held this year at Jack Frost National Golf Course in Blakeslee, PA on Saturday, August 17, 2013. This year's winning team was comprised of Nicholas Kowalczyk, Chad McLaud, and Jeff Price. At the end of the tournament, Fr. John Kowalczyk, Director of Field Education at St. Tikhon's Seminary and member of the St. Tikhon's Tournament committee, congratulated the winners and especially his son, Nicholas, whose average carried the team to an impressive score of 62. Thank you to all who helped plan and promote the tournament, for those who attended, and for all those who go the extra mile each year to ensure the future success of St. Tikhon's Seminary. This year's tournament raised nearly three thousand dollars for St. Tikhon's Seminary.

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SCHOLARSHIPS - 2014 TIKHONAIRE

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Scholarships

2013 75th Anniversary Scholarships $7500 for the 75th Anniversary Scholarship Initiative

! Full !

Anonymous (California) Anonymous (Kentucky) Anonymous (Maryland) His Grace, Bishop Michael of New York David & Joanna Davis Elsie Skvir Nierle Fr. Sergius Willis A.D. Diocese of New York and New Jersey (OCA) Holy Apostles Scholarship (Mechanicsburg, Pa.) Mutual Fire Foundation Mutual Fire, Marine and Inland Ins. Endowment

! Partial !

Margaret Banescu Vladimir Demianovich William & Jean Glovinsky Maria N. Kane Lenard & Denise Lynch Stevens F. Mafrige Ralph R. Mamay Joanne Olejnick Christ the Saviour Church (Paramus, NJ) Holy Assumption Church (Marblehead, Ohio) St. Nicholas Albanian Church (Southbridge, MA) Sts. Peter & Paul Church (Uniondale, PA) Protection of the Virgin Mary Church (Merrillville, IN)

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General Scholarships

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Plinio and Matilde Atena Memorial Scholarship Cynthia Barb Scholarship Geoffrey & Ruth Battersby Scholarship Nicholas and Pearl Berezniak Scholarship Radovan Bratic Memorial Scholarship Endowment Teresa Dobrowolska Bratic Memorial Endowment Fr. George Burdikoff Scholarship Bushallow Family Scholarship Foma Filipovich Pushka Bushallow Scholarship Betty Jo Chernay Memorial Scholarship Paul Chernay Scholarship Theodore and Dorothea Cimos Scholarship Norman and Janet Cross Scholarship Katherine DeLarm Scholarship Olga Disko Memorial Scholarship Very Rev. Daniel Donovan Memorial Scholarship Corinne F. Dovekas Scholarship Endowment V. Rev. Michael & Mat. Anna Dziama and Son Peter Scholarship Dr. George J. Farha Scholarship Theodore and Elizabeth Fedora Scholarship Fr. Alexander Fedoronko Memorial Scholarship Fr. Richard and Mat. Cassiane Flom Scholarship John Fritz Memorial Scholarship Mary B. Fritz Scholarship Julia Grabowski Scholarship George and Elie Haddad Scholarship George Hasenecz Memorial Scholarship George and Elaine Heider Scholarship Fr. Paul Holoviak Memorial Scholarship Christine Hotrovich Memorial Scholarship John and Mary Ann Hrywnak Scholarship V. Rev. Michael Hutnyan Memorial Scholarship Jobby and Suja Jacob Scholarship David Jarrett Scholarship Suresh and Molly John Scholarship


2014 TIKHONAIRE - SCHOLARSHIPS

Laura Jones Scholarship Anthony Jubinsky Memorial Scholarship Archpriest Stephen Karaffa Memorial Scholarship Peter Kohudic Scholarship Stephen and Anna Kopestonsky Scholarship Jim Kopoulos Memorial Scholarship Dr. Nicholas Kostich Memorial Scholarship The Ivan V. Koulaieff Educational Scholarship John and Helen Kowansky Scholarship George and Mary Lescisin Scholarship Stevens and Carolyn Mafrige Scholarship Matushka Karen Mahaffey Memorial Scholarship Dr. and Mrs. Nawar E. Mansour Scholarship Joseph and Anna Martin Memorial Scholarship Karen Mashare Scholarship John and Margaret Morris Scholarship John and Lesa Morrison Scholarship David and Jennifer Myres Scholarship Stefan and Barbara Nafranowicz Scholarship Alla Nakonetschny Memorial Scholarship V. Rev. Michael Nakonetschny Memorial Scholarship V. Rev. John and Mat. Eugenia Nehrebecki Scholarship Elsie Skvir Nierle Scholarship Mary Opalak Scholarship Dr. Behzad and Barbara Parhizgar Scholarship Lydia Pelitsch Scholarship Peter and Margaret Pilip Scholarship Raymond and Mary Pisaneschi Memorial Scholarship Protopresbyter Joseph Pishtey Memorial Scholarship Popov Scholarship Fr. Basil Prisacarou Memorial Scholarship Peter and Sue Radakovich Scholarship Mary Romanchak Memorial Scholarship Mark Ropchock Scholarship Robert H. Roth Scholarship Spero Samer Memorial Fund David Sawaged Memorial Scholarship Hani and Lamya Sawaged Scholarship Rev. Roman (Serdynski) Memorial Scholarship V. Rev. Andrew Shuga Memorial Scholarship Dn. Zachariah & Mrs. Shirley Skariah Scholarship Joseph Skvir Memorial Scholarship Mary Skvir Memorial Scholarship Helen Sobolowski Memorial Scholarship V. Rev. John and Kh. Elizabeth Sommer Scholarship Matushka Mildred Soroka Scholarship Fund Archpriest Pavel Soucek Memorial Scholarship George Staley Scholarship Patrick and Judy Stanley Scholarship Dr. Natasha Stavisky Memorial Scholarship Mr. and Mrs. Steve Stolaruk Scholarship Kory Warr Scholarship Fr. William and Popadja Mary Anne Weir Scholarship William and Maria Witiak Memorial Scholarship

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Franklin Homeowners Assurance Endowment Kotzer Karpato-Russ Scholarship Mutual Fire Foundation Scholarship Mutual Fire, Marine, and Inland Ins. Endowment AOAA Scholarship AOCA Scholarship DOWPA Scholarship OCA Archdiocese of Washington Scholarship OCA Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania Scholarship OCA Diocese of New England Scholarship OCA Diocese of New York and New Jersey Scholarship The Russian Orthodox Theological Fund Scholarship SODEA Scholarship Smerznak, Medak and Kidwell Scholarship Christ the Savior Church Scholarship (Chicago, IL) Christ the Saviour Scholarship (Harrisburg, PA) Christ the Saviour Church Scholarship (Paramus, NJ) Holy Apostles Scholarship (Mechanicsburg, PA) Holy Ascension Church Scholarship (Frackville, PA) Holy Cross Church Scholarship (Williamsport, PA) Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos Monastery Scholarship (Weaverville, NC) St. Andrew Church Scholarship (Baltimore, MD) St. Alexander Nevsky Scholarship (Allison Park, PA) St. Barnabas Ministries Scholarship (OK City, OK) St. Elijah Church Scholarship (OK City, OK) St. John Church Scholarship (Memphis, TN) St. Mary Church Scholarship (Coaldale, PA) St. Michael Scholarship (Broadview Heights, OH) St. Michael Church Scholarship (Jermyn, PA) St. Michael Church Scholarship (Louisville, KY) St. Nicholas Church Scholarship (Pittsfield, MA) St. Paul Church Scholarship (Houston, TX) SS. Peter & Paul Scholarship (East Herkimer, NY) St. Thomas Church Scholarship (Washington, DC)

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THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING ORTHODOX THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION


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TIKHONAIRE DONORS - 2014 TIKHONAIRE

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2013 Gold Tikhonaire Donors

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! ! ! !! ! Dr. John Schultz and Family, Board of Trustees St. Tikhon’s Seminary !

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Donors listed below have each given $500 toward the production of this year’s Tikhonaire:

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Congratulations to the Graduates of 2014 from Bishop Michael St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church Dundaff PA Congratulations to the Graduates of 2014 from Fr. Dennis Many Years to St. Tikhon’s Community and our Graduates! Fr. Steven Voytovich

! V. Rev. George P. Hasenecz !

www.orthodoxinsurance.com
 Michael G. Herzak, STOTS Board Chair

St. Tikhon’s Monastery would like to wishes the Class of 2014 Many Years and God’s Due Blessings

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Russin Funeral Home - Wilkes-Barre, PA “God Be With Us” Many Years and Blessings

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THANK YOU

May God grant many years of ministry to the STOTS Class of 2014 David Jarrett - Board of Trustees

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Insurance Systems Group Inc. 800-860-3075 Michael & Paula Herzak

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Many Years to the Class of 2014! Dn. Mark and Mat. Hoeplinger - Board of Trustee member

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Archangel Michael Orthodox Church Broadview Heights, OH www.stmichaelscleveland.org

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!! !! !! !! !! !! !!

FOR SUPPORTING ORTHODOX THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION


2014 TIKHONAIRE - TIKHONAIRE DONORS

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2013 Royal Blue Tikhonaire Donors !

Donors listed below have each given $300 toward the production of this year’s Tikhonaire:

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St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Pittsburgh PA Abp. Melchesedek, Fr. Senyo, Pdn Wusylko, and Faithful

St. Stephen's Cathedral Philadelphia www.ststephenscathedral.org

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Fellowship of Orthodox Churches in America God’s Blessings to the Class of 2014

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Family First Healthcare - Dr. John Schultz Weirton, WV 304-723-3967

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Sts. Peter & Paul Church - Jersey City, NJ Congratulations to the Class of 2014

Three Saints Orthodox Church, 26 Howard Ave Ansonia, Connecticut 06401 Best Wishes to St. Tikhon’s Seminary, Holy Trinity Orthodox Church - Parma, OH Congratulations Class of 2014! From the clergy and faithful of St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral Washington, DC

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Krisa & Krisa, P.C. 570-383-3205
 Attorney’s John & Michael Krisa

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Congratulations and Many Years from The V. Rev. Alexis and Matushka Alexandra Fedec

!

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God’s Blessing on the Class of 2014
 St. John the Baptist Church - Campbell, OH

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING ORTHODOX THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION

In Loving Memory of former dean Archpriest Alexander D. Atty, From Archpriest John & Eugenia J. Nehrebecki

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Holy Transfiguration Congratulates Fr Moses Hibbard and family. AXIOS!

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St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church 980 Bridle Path Rd. Bethlehem PA 18017

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TIKHONAIRE DONORS - 2014 TIKHONAIRE

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2013 Red ! !

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Tikhonaire Donors

Donors listed below have 
 each given $200 toward the production of this year’s Tikhonaire:

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Holy Resurrection Orthodox Cathedral Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

Holy Trinity Orthodox Church - Wilkes Barre, PA, V Rev David Shewczyk, Rector

The Honesdale National Bank - Since 1836 www.hnbbank.com 1.800.HNB.9515

Vladika Insurance Agency 570-876-3940, www.vladikainsurance.com

Keystone Propane Services Inc. 800-598-5047 www.keystonepropane.com

Father Daniel and Matushka Theodora Ressetar, Harrisburg, PA

Archpriest Vasily Gilbert(’79) and Mat. Nancy Gilbert(BOT) on the 35th Anniversary of his graduation from St. Tikhon’s Seminary

Albanian Orthodox Archdiocese (OCA) Congratulations to the Class of 2014

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St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Church Corner of Walnut & Hudson Jermyn, PA

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Holy Spirit Orthodox Church 102 Rt. 284 Wantage NJ www.holyspiritorthodox.org

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St. Andrew Eastern Orthodox Church V. Rev. Fr. Emilian Hutnyan, Rector

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St. John’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral Mayfield PA Archpriest John Sorochka-Pastor

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All Saints Orthodox Church Corner of Willow & Grant, Olyphant PA www.allsaintsolyphant.org

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Congratulations and Best Wishes St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, Olyphant, PA

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Holy Cross Orthodox Church Williamsport PA, www.holycrosswilliamsport.org

! Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church Weirton WV ! ! !


2014 TIKHONAIRE - TIKHONAIRE DONORS

! Orthodox Church of the Mother of God, Southern NJ, www.churchmotherofgod.org Many Years!

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In Memory of Fr. Alexander Atty, Christ the Savior Orthodox Church Paramus NJ

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Christ the Saviour, Harrisburg, PA "Many Years!"

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St. Nicholas Orthodox Church 33 Convent Ave. Norwich CT 06360

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V Rev Joseph & Mat. Gloria Martin & family Congratulations to the Class of 2014

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St. Mary’s Orthodox Church - Coaldale, PA 570-645-2772 - www.stmarysnativity.org

THANK YOU

In Loving Memory of Mat. Karen Mahaffey from her family Bishop David, Nikolas, Angela, Sterry, Cassandra, Caitrin, Seth, Denise, Peter and Kyra.

FOR SUPPORTING ORTHODOX THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION

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St Herman’s Orthodox Church Shillington, Pennsylvania

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In Memory of Archimandrite Sebastian (Gyza) George and Marilyn Serniak

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Joseph W. Scotchlas Funeral Home, Inc. 621 Main Street, Simpson, PA 570-282-3090

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Holy Ascension Orthodox Church, Frackville PA www.haoca.org

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Matushka Nina Stroyen - For blessings on and in memory of the Stroyen and Bohush families.

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Martin Caufield Memorial Works Honesdale PA570-253-3300 www.martincaufieldmemorialworks.com

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FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY - 2014 TIKHONAIRE

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Financial Accountability

A Statement from Your Chief Financial Officer Fr. Dionysius Swencki The support of our Benefactors is far more reaching than simply maintaining a building or paying a salary. First and foremost your contributions support the students and their lives here at St. Tikhon’s. It is also a direct manifestation of our faith, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto to the least of these My brethren ye have done it unto Me.” But it goes so much further when you realize that we are truly, honestly and lovingly participating directly in the lives of these young men, who will one day stand before the Altar of Glory praying for us. We have created an everlasting bond of love with these young men and now, by our support, belong ourselves to the Holy Sacrament of the Priesthood by simply giving the “widows mite”. It is through this participation that we then continue to fulfill our mission, our vision, and our life as Orthodox Christians. As you can see by the illustrations of income and expense that we work very hard to keep costs under control and make certain that it is the students that are our first priority and always will be. You can also see that the majority of our income comes from you the faithful and we cannot express our thanks to you adequately for your incredible show of love and generosity to our St. Tikhon’s Seminary. We cannot do this without you nor do we want to as we are all the one Body of Christ. Please continue with your show of love to our school, our students, our church, our faith, our mission, our vision and be assured our constant prayers for you and your families. I thank you all most kindly for your support and ask you to

please continue with your benevolence, kindness, love and gifts to the Holy Priesthood. May the Lord God of Zion Bless You and the Glory of Jerusalem be with all of the days of your life. Christ Is Risen! Indeed He is Risen! Very Rev. Fr. Dennis Swencki, CFO

TUITION FEE SCHEDULE Application Fee

$15

One-Time

Tuition Deposit (Non-Refundable)

$200

One-Time

Registration Fee

$15.00

Per Semester

Student Activity Fee (Non-Refundable)

$350.00

Per Semester

Dormitory Residence Fee $1800

Per Semester

Graduate Credit

$105.00

Per Credit Hour

Undergraduate Credit

$95.00

Per Credit Hour

Audit Credit

$35.00

Per Credit Hour

Graduation Fee

$50.00

One-Time


2014 TIKHONAIRE - FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY

What are the seminary’s sources of income?

! ! ! ! ! ! How does the seminary spend the money that comes in?

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"To love Christ means not to be a hireling, not to look upon a noble life as an enterprise or trade, but to be a true Benefactor and to do everything only for the sake of love for God." !

(St. John Chrysostom)


Faculty & Alumni Publications


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ALUMNI PUBLICATIONS - 2014 TIKHONAIRE

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New Releases

Christopher Veniamin, DPhil Professor of Patristics

St. Gregory Palamas The Homilies

Faculty Publications

The Enlargement of the Heart

! ! ! ! The Orthodox Understanding! of Salvation ! ! ! ! The Hidden Remember Man Thy ! of the Heart First Love !

Miracles of The Lord

Sermons by 
 St. Gregory Palamas: 
 5 Volumes

The Parables of Jesus

Ecclesial Being

Christ, Our Way and Our Life


2014 TIKHONAIRE - FACULTY PUBLICATIONS

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New Release

! ! ! ! ! Holy Tradition ! !

Harry Boosalis, ThD Professor of 
 Dogmatic Theology

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Taught by God

Knowledge of God

The Joy Of The Holy

Orthodox Spiritual Life

New Release

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! Mary Ford, PhD

Associate Professor of 
 New Testament & Spirituality

David Ford, PhD Professor of Church History

Women and Men in the Early Church (David Ford)

Marriage As A Path To Holiness (New Edition!)

All of these titles and more are available at: www.stspress.com


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ALUMNI PUBLICATIONS - 2014 TIKHONAIRE

Alumni Publications

Igumen Sergius (Bowyer) Seeds of Heaven and Hell in the Heart

Igumen Sergius (Bowyer) Why Monasticism?

Fr. Alexis Trader Ancient Christian Wisdom

Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick Orthodoxy & Heterodoxy

Fr. John Oliver Giver of Life

Fr. John Oliver Touching Heaven

Fr. Joseph Lucas Prayer of the Publican

St. Nikolai Velimirovich The Universe as Symbols & Signs


Dramatic Rendering of the Final Page of the 1969 Tikhonaire

 


2 0 1 4 T I K H O NA I R E CREDITS HIS GRACE, BISHOP MICHAEL - Editor in Chief CHRISTOPHER PATTON - Creative Director INNOCENT NEAL - Layout & Design

! CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Fr. Steven Voytovich (All Sections) Sophia Pierce (All Sections) Benedict Sheehan (Mission Choir) Dn. Theophan Mackey (Elijah’s Mantle) Leslie Patton (Women’s Group Activities) Kristi Mackey (Women’s Group Activities) Fr. Theodore Boback (Alumni Association) Igumen Sergius (Bowyer) (Monastic Brotherhood) Fr. Dionysius Swencki (Finance and Accountability) Fr. David Cowan (Historical Perspective) Sergei Arhipov (Institutional Language) Dr. Paul Witek (Institutional Language) Martin Paluch (Historical Perspective) Sarah Jubinski (Century Association) Mary Sernak (Century Association)

PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY Mat. Miriam Warren

! COPY ! EDITORS !

Fr. Steven Voytovich Sophia Pierce Leslie Patton

TECHNICAL SUPPORT Fr. Joel Wilson


St. Tikhon’s Monastery 110th Memorial Day Pilgrimage Schedule

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Friday, May 23, 2014 3:30 pm

Official Opening of the 110th Pilgrimage Greeting of the Hierarchs with Molieben in the Church

4:00 pm

Vespers and Matins in the Monastery Church All pilgrims are invited to dinner in the Monastery dining hall 
 following the services.

Saturday, May 24, 2014 9:00 am

Hierarchical Divine Liturgy A meal for all pilgrims in the Monastery dining hall following services.

1:00 pm

72nd Annual Academic Commencement of Saint Tikhon’s Theological Seminary

4:30 pm

Resurrection Vigil in the Monastery Church Dinner in the Monastery dining hall for all pilgrims following the services.

Sunday, May 25, 2014 9:00 am

Hierarchical Divine Liturgy A meal for all pilgrims in the Monastery dining hall following services.

4:00 pm

Vespers and Matins in the Monastery Church

Monday, May 26, 2014 7:30 am

Divine Liturgy – Monastery Church

10:00 am

Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the All Saints Bell Tower

12:15 pm

Veteran’s Panihida and Memorial Service, All Saints Bell Tower

1:30 pm

Akathist to Saint Alexis Toth in the Monastery Church

2:30 pm

Molieben to the Most Holy Theotokos and Anointing of the Sick, Infirm and all Pilgrims at the Monastery Bell Tower

4:00 pm

Vespers and Matins in the Monastery Church



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