St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary - Press Releases
Seminary celebrates 20-Year memorial for Fr Alexander Schmemann
December
13, 2003
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St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary - Press Releases Seminary celebrates 20-Year memorial for Fr Alexander Schmemann |
| St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary |
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE December 13, 2002 |
Crestwood, NY—On Saturday, December 13, many gathered in the Three Hierarchs' Chapel at St Vladimir's Seminary for the feast day divine liturgy of St Herman of Alaska, and for a memorial service honoring the twenty-year anniversary of Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann's death. The V. Rev. Thomas Hopko, seminary Dean Emeritus, who spoke at Fr Schmemann's funeral twenty years ago, also gave the eulogy at the memorial following the divine liturgy. He said that Fr Schmemann "was in love with life — in the deepest and most serious sense of that word. He believed that there was no life without God, and that the Church was the mystery of God given to us now. He inspired others to want to live and not surrender to darkness." Fr Thomas spoke of Fr Schmemann's conviction that the Church in America had a very particular vocation for the world. On behalf of His Beatitude, Metropolitan HERMAN, Archpriest David Brum extended greetings to all who were present, especially Fr Alexander's wife, Juliana Schmemann. On hand were many members of Fr Alexander's family, including children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and other members of his extended family. Together with family members current and former members of the SVS community, students, staff, alumni/ae, and friends assembled for the service and for a fellowship meal afterwards. |
Great Entrance |
Fr Thomas Hopko delivers the eulogy, as he did 20 years ago (see below) |
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Fr Thomas Hopko, speaking at the funeral service of Fr Alexander Schmemann, in December, 1983 |
