On
Sunday May 31, Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary celebrated commencement
ceremonies for the graduating class of 2009. His Grace, Gabriel,
Bishop of Montreal and Canada, presided over the ceremonies, having
celebrated Divine Liturgy on the same morning and All-night Vigil on
Saturday night. The graduates were also honored with the presence of
Bishop George of Mayfield, who used to be the spiritual father for
some of them during his years at Holy Trinity Monastery.
According
to the seminary’s tradition, all the graduates participated in the
Divine Services as altar servers, and on cleros. At two o-clock in the
afternoon, the Seminary and Monastery community gathered in the Holy
Trinity cathedral for the Thanksgiving moleben, served by His Gra
ce,
Bishop Gabriel, who was joined by His Grace, Bishop George,
Archimandrite Luke, Rector of Holy Trinity Seminary, the Dean of
Students Hieromonk Cyprian, seminary instructor, priest Alexej Pjawka
and first year student priest Rodion Aragon. Among honored guests were
archpriest Michael Taratukhin, Rector of St. John of Kronstadt parish
in Utica, who celebrated this year the 20th anniversary of his
graduation from Holy Trinity Seminary, and Hieromonk Joseph from St.
Nicholas Cathedral in New York.
The
moleben was followed by a solemn procession from the monastery
cathedral to the seminary hall. The Rector of the seminary,
Archimandrite Luke, congratulated the graduates and welcomed the
clergy, students and guests during his opening speech. The graduation
address was delivered in English by His Grace, Bishop George. Next,
his Grace, Bishop Gabriel, addressed the audience with his reflections
on the importance of theological education and the seminary’s
traditions, calling special attention to the legacy of the Russian
Orthodox Church Abroad and its values and mission over the course of
its existence.
Following
the graduating address, awards for academic distinction were presented
to the following students of the Seminary – first year student
Stephen Prokopenko, second year student Ivan Denissenko, third year
student Maxim Abroskin, fourth year student Sergio Silva, and fifth
year student Nikolai Fedkiv.
Baccalaureates
of Theology were awarded to ten students – Nikolai Fedkiv, with the
distinction of cum laude, Vladimir Davydov, riassophor monk
Vitaly (Fedchenko), Sergei Jakubov, Georgii Kaplanov, Dmitrii Kiselev,
Arsenii Mikhalev, Vladimir Nedelkin, and Dmitry Filatov. Certificates
in Theological Studies were awarded to Ekaterina Anisimova, and Gerd
von Dömming. On behalf of the graduating class, Georgii Kaplanov
addressed the gathering, thanking the seminary with its Rector, Dean
and faculty for spiritual support during these years, and presented
the seminary with an icon of St. Sergius of Radonezh and St. Seraphim
of Sarov, two spiritual fathers of Russia, whose icon is placed at the
entrance of the Moscow Theological Academy in Sergiev Posad, and
venerated by everyone entering the building.
In
conclusion, Protodeacon Vladimir Tsurikov, Dean of Holy Trinity
Seminary, presented all students with oil and water, blessed at the
relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Bari, Italy, and shared
some thoughts relating to the seminary’s contact with theological
institutions in Russia. He then read a congratulatory address,
received from His Grace, Archbishop Evgeny, rector of the Moscow
Theological Academy and Seminary. In his letter, Archbishop Evgeny
reflected on the fruits of cooperative efforts between the Moscow
Theological Academy and Holy Trinity Seminary, one result of which was
the graduation of six students, who had come to Jordanville from the
Moscow Theological Seminary.
Holy
Trinity Orthodox Seminary wishes to express its gratitude to all who
have labored during the past academic year, and have helped us reach
this year’s graduation ceremonies. May God bless you and reward you
for your service!
Click
here for a photo-report of the commencement.
