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June 9, 2011
Jordanville: Holy Trinity Seminary celebrates its 2011 commencement

On Sunday, May 29, 2011, Holy Trinity Monastery and Seminary celebrated the end of the school year with its annual commencement ceremony.

His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, led the ceremonies; His Eminence was co-served by His Grace Peter, Bishop of Cleveland, at the All-Night Vigil and Divine Liturgy. During the reading of the hours before the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Hilarion tonsured graduate Maxim Abroskin a reader. Among the clergy were Protopresbyter George Dragas (professor at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, MA), Archpriest Vladimir Morin (rector of Christ the Savior Church in London, Ontario, Canada), Priest Sergio Silva (cleric of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Lakewood, NJ), and several deacons, including correspondence course graduate Deacon Nathan Mousselli (cleric of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral).

At 12 o’clock noon, the seminary clergy, professors, and students processed to the main cathedral for  the traditional moleben for the end of the school year. Following the moleben and a group photograph, all processed to the Seminary Hall for the ceremony. Seminary rector Archimandrite Luke started the ceremony, congratulating the graduates, clergy, professorial staff, students and guests. Metropolitan Hilarion then addressed the graduates and all present. His Eminence expressed his hope that today’s graduates would continue their service to the Church, and wished them wisdom, patience, and God’s aid going forward.

Patristics professor Protopresbyter George Dragas then delivered the keynote address, underscoring the uniqueness of Holy Trinity Seminary and Monastery, praising highly their spiritual role in preserving and developing Orthodox traditions in America. Next was the awarding of the diplomas. The Holy Trinity Seminary graduates of 2011 are: Ephraim Willmarth, Alejandro Sandoval, Jovan Marjanac, Maxim Abroskin, Dimitry Bolbot, Miodrag Radovanovic, and Nikolai Lochmatow. Two deacons graduated the correspondence course. Nikolai Lochmatow and Ephraim Willmarth graduated summa cum laude, while Maxim Abroskin graduated cum laude. After the diplomas had been awarded, graduation speeches on behalf of the graduates were delivered by Ephraim Willmarth in English and Maxim Abroskin in Russian.

After the graduates’ speeches, all gathered on the lawn for a festal banquet.

Photos courtesy of www.hts.edu

Official website of Holy Trinity Theological Seminary
www.hts.edu