St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary - Academic Catalog
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St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary - Academic Catalog Academic
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St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary is a graduate professional school whose programs are registered by the New York State Education Department (New York State Education Department, Office of Higher Education and the Professions, Cultural Education Center Room 5B28, Albany NY 12230, 518-474-5851). It is accredited nationally by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada. Students or prospective students may review documents relating to the seminary's registration and accreditation upon request to the Registrar. The seminary is located in Crestwood, New York, in suburban Westchester County, close to nature but only thirty minutes by car or train from the rich cultural and educational resources of New York City.
The fourteen-acre campus is crowned by the beautiful chapel, dedicated in 1983. Four other multi-purpose buildings house classrooms, faculty offices, a large and well-stocked bookstore, dormitories for men and women students and the refectory. The new Rangos Library and Administration Building was completed in Spring 2002. Thirty-two on-campus apartments for married students and homes for faculty and staff on or near the campus contribute to a strong sense of community.
St Vladimir's seeks to serve Orthodox theology through education and scholarship. It educates future priests and church leaders and contributes directly to Orthodox theology through the scholarly activities of its faculty.
Already at its establishment in 1938, the seminary was given a two-fold mandate by the leaders of the Orthodox Church: (1) to prepare clergy and other leaders to serve the Orthodox faithful in this country; and (2) to promote study and research in Orthodox theology, history, and culture. While in the seminary's difficult early years the first aspect of this mandate was particularly urgent, its broader aspects were never forgotten. Now in its second half-century, the seminary is able to explore them as never before.
As its original mandate suggests, an important aspect of the seminary's mission is to serve Orthodox theological education in America. Here the seminary has been guided by the teachings of the Orthodox Church, according to which theology is not a field reserved for the clerical few but is rather the living foundation of the life and activity of the entire community of believers. Theological education means not just the training of clergy but also the preparation of men and women for lay vocations in such areas as music, education, administration, and mission. In practical terms, this has meant the establishment of diverse programs of study at the seminary, each having its own objectives, methods, and techniques but united with the others in a common theological perspective.
The seminary is a center for theological education, but it is also a center for theological research and reflection. Through the effective use of its various resources -- buildings, library, faculty, publications -- the seminary has been able to broaden its outreach, bringing the message of Orthodox theology to thousands who otherwise might be untouched by formal theological education.
The seminary has long served as a forum for inter-Orthodox cooperation and unity and also for ecumenical dialogue. This is reflected not only in its student body but also in its faculty and board of trustees. The seminary is convinced that maintenance of this rich diversity is vital for the fulfillment of its mission.
The seminary is also convinced of the importance of strengthening and deepening the spiritual life of all the members of its community -- faculty and staff as well as students. "The theologian is one who prays, and one who prays is truly theologian," said one of the Desert Fathers. As vital to the seminary as its classrooms and library is its chapel, the focus of its life of prayer, for a true center for theological education and reflection must be grounded in prayer. Without this spiritual depth, the seminary's programs and resources would surely fail to achieve the purpose intended for them.
The need for a center of theological and pastoral training has been felt since the days when the first seeds of Orthodoxy were sown on American soil by eight Russian monks who, in the fall of 1794, arrived in Alaska. They quickly moved to establish a school on Kodiak Island. A few decades later a seminary was founded in Sitka by St Innocent (Veniaminov), then bishop in Alaska, later Metropolitan of Moscow, who in 1978 was officially listed among the saints of the Church as "Apostle to America." These pioneering attempts were short-lived, however. Throughout the 19th century, while the number Orthodox in America steadily grew, the Orthodox Church remained fundamentally an immigrant community served by bishops and priests sent from abroad, primarily from Russia. It was only in 1905 that Archbishop Tikhon, later Patriarch of Moscow (+1925), recognized the need for native American clergy and decided to establish a permanent seminary. Opened in 1905 in Minneapolis, it was transferred in 1913 to Tenafly, New Jersey, and during the eighteen years of its existence produced two generations of priests who, at a difficult moment in the life of the Church, assured the continuity of Orthodoxy in America and its progressive integration into American life.
The Russian Revolution of 1917 inaugurated a deep crisis for Orthodoxy in America. Deprived of material support from Russia, isolated from the Mother Church, suffering from internal divisions, the Church here could no longer financially support the seminary, and it had to close its doors in 1923. Only fifteen years later, after a long period of recovery and reorganization, could the question of theological education be raised again. In October 1937, at the Sixth All-American Church Sobor meeting in New York, Dr Basil M Bensen, one of the first instructors at the Minneapolis school, proposed reopening the seminary. He forcefully insisted that Orthodox priests in this country needed to receive a liberal arts college education -- the normal preparation for clergy of other religious groups -- as the foundation for their theological training. Dr Bensen's plan was approved, and the projected seminary was given the name of St Vladimir -- the prince who in 988 introduced Orthodox Christianity to the Kievan Rus'. On October 3, 1938, Metropolitan Theophilus (+1950), primate of the Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church, conducted the opening service at Holy Trinity Church in Brooklyn, New York, and the next day classes began in the parish house of the Church of Christ the Savior, on East 121st Street in Manhattan.
The first decade of the new seminary's existence proved very difficult for the faculty and administration, however. With no permanent quarters, no funds, helped only by a small group of friends, they struggled to keep the seminary alive and true to its purpose. "They were often faced," wrote one of them later, "with the temptation to lower the standards, to compromise with what seemed to be a difficult situation; yet of all the reasons of these first years, the most inspiring is certainly that of faithfulness to a vision, to the idea of the seminary as it was defined at its beginning." A working agreement was established with Columbia College, and in 1939 a temporary home for the school was found on the campus of General Theological Seminary.
The aftermath of World War II brought unexpected possibilities for the seminary's further growth and development. The arrival from Europe of several renowned scholars -- including George P Fedotov, formerly a professor at St Sergius Institute in Paris (+1951); Nicholas S Arseniev, from the Orthodox Theological Faculty in Warsaw (+1977); Eugene V Spektorsky, formerly of the University of Kiev (+1950); and Nicholas O Lossky, formerly of the University of St Petersburg (+1965) -- made possible further development of St Vladimir's as a graduate school of theology -- an "academy," to use the old Russian nomenclature. Soon the school moved to new quarters rented from Union Theological Seminary -- an unforgettable collection of apartments on West 121st Street -- and on June 18, 1948, St Vladimir's was granted a Provisional Charter by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York, thus officially establishing it as "an institution of higher learning."
The beginning of this new era coincided with the arrival from St Sergius Institute in Paris of the Rt Rev Dr Georges Florovsky, who soon was to be appointed dean (1949-55). Under his leadership the theological curriculum was developed, the faculty grew, and the school was given a definite pan-Orthodox orientation. "A contemporary Orthodox theologian," Fr Florovsky said at the formal inauguration of the seminary in its new status, "cannot retire into a narrow cell of some local tradition, because Orthodoxy ... is not a local tradition but basically an ecumenical one." The seminary's future development was assured by the arrival of other younger theologians from St Sergius: Fr Alexander Schmemann (1951, +1983), Professor Serge S Verhovskoy (1952, +1986), and later Fr John Meyendorff (1959, +1992). Acknowledging its progress, the Board of Regents of the State of New York granted St Vladimir's an Absolute Charter in April 1953.
The next decades of the seminary's history were shaped above all by the Very Reverend Alexander Schmemann, dean from 1962 until his death in December 1983. His vision and energetic leadership brought advances in many areas: increase in support for the seminary on the part of church authorities and Orthodox faithful throughout the country, stabilization of administrative structures, development of the faculty, programs of instruction and the student body, and acquisition of a permanent "home" for the seminary. In 1961, a five-year search for a suitable campus was crowned by the acquisition of a beautiful property in Westchester County, and within a few years, after a successful financial drive, new buildings were erected and housing for faculty and staff was acquired. In June 1966, the seminary was accepted to Associate Membership in the American Association of Theological Schools, becoming fully accredited in 1973. Final recognition of the seminary's maturity was given in March 1967, when the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York granted the seminary the power to award the degree of Bachelor of Divinity (later Master of Divinity), followed in 1970 by the degree of Master of Theology, in 1985 by the degree of Master of Arts, and in 1988 by the degree of Doctor of Ministry. In May 1977, a new dormitory and staff residence, necessitated by the seminary's continued growth, was dedicated by His Beatitude ELIAS IV, Patriarch of Antioch; and in 1983, a few months before Fr Schmemann's death, a beautiful new chapel, together with a new administrative facility containing bookstore, classroom and office space, was dedicated by His Beatitude Metropolitan THEODOSIUS, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America.
Under the leadership of the Very Reverend John Meyendorff, appointed dean in 1984, the seminary expanded and strengthened its programs of study. MA and DMin degree programs were established. Additional on-campus apartment space for the growing number of married students was developed, and property was acquired in order to allow for eventual construction of more married student housing. Dramatic changes in Eastern Europe brought increased numbers of international students to the campus. A vigorous development program was initiated.
With Fr Meyendorff's retirement as dean in June 1992, followed by his untimely death one month later, and the selection of the Very Reverend Thomas Hopko as the seminary's first American-born dean in September 1992, St Vladimir's entered into a new chapter in its history. Programs for institutional advancement and development launched under Fr Meyendorff were vigorously pursued. New faculty members were recruited. Financial support was strengthened and broadened. A major building program -- including additional married student housing, faculty homes, a new library and renovation of older structures -- was completed. The state-of-the-art John J Rangos building, which houses the library, a new auditorium, and the seminary's administrative offices, was dedicated in May 2002.
In July 2002, John H Erickson, longtime Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Church History and Canon Law, succeeded Fr Hopko as dean, becoming the first layman and the first convert to serve in that capacity in the seminary's history. Looking towards the future, the seminary launched a new strategic plan, SVS 2010, which aims at enhancing the formation of seminarians for service to the Church, improving the scope and effectiveness of the seminary's outreach, and developing the human and financial resources needed for sustaining the seminary's work. As part of the implementation of this plan, construction began on 18 new units of married student housing in 2004, new faculty and staff joined the seminary community, and an expanded program of conferences and other activities made use of the seminary's new facilities. While maintaining its historic commitment to academic excellence and service to the Church, the seminary also recognizes the need to reach out in new ways to those who are searching for God's truth in the midst of a troubled world.
St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary is officially described as a "graduate professional school" and an "institution of higher learning," yet it is neither narrowly vocational nor only academic. As its name suggests, it is above all an Orthodox theological seminary. All aspects of its life are moulded by an understanding of theology which seeks to engage the whole person, shunning that compartmentalization and fragmentation which so often characterize higher education.
One graduate described his program at St Vladimir's as "impossible, but realistic." "Impossible": the heavy demands of course work, chapel services, choir trips, field work, parish visits, and work assignments. "Realistic": because active involvement in church life and service is no less demanding. At St Vladimir's the knowledge, skills, and reflexes needed for "real" life are developed in every aspect of seminary life, in the refectory and hallways as well as in the classroom.
Visitors to St Vladimir's are often struck by the sense of common purpose, commitment and endeavor shared by students, faculty and staff alike. This is no accident. Theology in the Orthodox tradition is not simply a task of the mind or an individual matter. It is the life of the mind and heart, body and soul, of persons united in a community of faith. St Vladimir's seeks to live in this tradition, to keep it alive in daily life.
Visitors are also impressed by the richness of the seminary's liturgical life. Daily worship in the chapel, the observance of the Church's fasts and the celebration of her feasts are not mere ornaments added to an otherwise complete program. The very reality of the seminary as a community is grounded upon a common vision expressed in the sacramental life of the Church and experienced in corporate prayer. Without this, seminary life would indeed be impossible.
St Vladimir's, then, is characterized by its sense of unity and community. But this does not mean sterile uniformity. The seminary brings together persons of many different backgrounds and cultures. This can be seen not only in the faculty and Board of Trustees -- which includes bishops of the Orthodox Church in America, the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese, the Greek Archdiocese of America, and the Serbian Orthodox Church -- but also in the student body, past and present. Alumni include thirty bishops and over six hundred Orthodox priests of various jurisdictions not only in America but also in Western Europe, Greece, the Middle East, Japan, and Africa. Others teach in institutions of higher learning or are engaged in other forms of church service. Non-Orthodox graduates are active in their own communities as competent spokespersons for the position of the Orthodox Church.
Enrollment statistics for the seminary suggest something of the rich diversity of the seminary community: we have men and women students from the United States and Canada, and in a typical year also from Russia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Belarus, the Middle East, Armenia, Australia, Indonesia, Japan, India, and Chile.
St Vladimir's thus reflects both the variety and the potential of the world in which the Orthodox Church lives today. Though the seminary is not large, the scope of its witness and mission is global.
St Vladimir's library currently holds some 132,000 volumes and receives over 350 periodicals. The library is considered one of the richest resources available on this continent for research on Eastern Christianity. The collection is especially strong in the areas of Orthodox church history, theology, philosophy and culture, but significant literature in other areas is also systematically acquired. The holdings have been enriched by the donation of several private collections (Anthony Repella, Metropolitan Makary, Georges Florovsky, John Kolchin, Nicholas Arseniev, John Meyendorff, Alexander Schmemann, Nicholas Ozerov, and others). The library serves the needs of the faculty and students of the seminary, and the worldwide scholarly community as well.
The seminary is a founding member of the New York Area Theological Libraries Association (NYATLA), giving faculty and students ready access to the collections of other major theological libraries in the metropolitan New York area.
All library operations have been computerized, thus speeding the processing of new materials and providing greater flexibility in research techniques. The library is committed to the use of modern technology to assist the student and scholar.
The seminary has been connected to the Internet for email and administrative purposes since the 1980s. The Internet connection provides the opportunity for research by faculty and students and the means for external connection to the seminary resources.
The seminary's residential network (ResNet) extends the network to all on-campus student residences, enabling students with their own personal computers to access the seminary library catalog, online databases, and to participate in web-enabled course material (e-campus). Seminary-provided e-mail accounts are an official avenue of communication and are required.
The seminary Systems & Information Technologies department provides technical support for the servers and the network to the seminary administration and staff, faculty, and students.
Complete policies and procedures are available at http://techsupport.svots.edu.
The seminary is not only a center for Orthodox theological education and scholarship. Through its publications and bookstore it has introduced the thought and history of the Orthodox Church to thousands throughout America and around the world.
Under the supervision of the faculty's Committee on Publications, St Vladimir's Seminary Press has become a major publisher of books on Orthodoxy. SVS Press has published over two hundred seventy-five titles, including many by members of the seminary faculty. Virtually all aspects of Orthodox thought and life are represented: theology, history, scripture, spirituality, and worship. In addition, the press publishes an expanding series in liturgical music.
St Vladimir's Theological Quarterly, published by the seminary faculty and edited by the Rev John Behr, is an internationally respected journal devoted to doctrinal, spiritual, and historical research related to the Orthodox Church. It seeks to promote understanding of Orthodox thought and life in the world of today. Subscription requests should be addressed to: St Vladimir's Theological Quarterly, 575 Scarsdale Road, Crestwood, New York 10707-1699.
The seminary bookstore, located in spacious facilities on the seminary campus, provides its services to students, libraries, parishes, conferences, and individuals throughout the world. While the bookstore specializes in Orthodox publications, recordings of liturgical music, icons, and greeting cards, it also carries a wide range of recent publications on biblical, theological, and historical subjects. Further information on the bookstore as well as on seminary press publications can be obtained at http://www.svspress.com or by addressing a request to: SVS Bookstore, 575 Scarsdale Road, Crestwood, New York 10707-1699.
The Office of Institutional Advancement is the fund-raising arm of the school and manages the external relations of St Vladimirç´ Seminary with its various publics. It seeks to develop relationships with parishes, donors, church leaders, professionals, and others in order to advance the mission of the seminary and deepen connections with the Church and society, which the seminary serves. The office coordinaes numerous events, including Orthodox Education Day and the Lenten Retreat.
The seminary's Alumni Association is composed of all graduates and former students of the seminary. Its purpose is to promote spiritual unity and fellowship among its members, to support the development of higher theological education in the Western hemisphere, and to render moral and financial support to the seminary. The members are kept informed of the progress and life of the institution through the publication of SVS News and a monthly electronic newsletter (E-News). The Alumni Association sponsors informal meetings throughout the year in different parts of the country.
