St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary - News Releases News Release Clergy from St Vladimir's Direct Late-Vocations Diaconal Practicum

From June 11-13, 2004, in Columbus, Ohio, three clergymen from St Vladimir's Seminary directed a Diaconal Practicum Retreat for participants in the Late Vocations Program of the Orthodox Church in America. With the blessing of His Eminence JOB, Archbishop of Chicago and the Diocese of the Midwest, and at the invitation of Archpriest Daniel Rentel, Dean of the Columbus Deanery, Priest Alexander Rentel, Assistant Professor of Canon Law and Byzantine Studies, Deacon Kevin Smith, Instructor in Liturgical Music, and Deacon Kirill Sokolov, Director of Systems, traveled to Columbus for the purpose of leading the weekend retreat. The retreat was sponsored by the Columbus Deanery and hosted by the parish of St Gregory of Nyssa Orthodox Campus Church.

After Vespers on Friday evening, Fr Alexander gave the opening address. He emphasized that the deacon must proclaim the kingdom of heaven in both his personal life and the fulfillment of his diaconal vocation. Fr Alexander concluded that learning rubrics for the celebration of the liturgical service is not only the task of memorizing how to serve but a necessary reflection on what the deacon is doing, and an understanding of why he is doing it.

On Saturday, the day began with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, during which two of the participant deacons, Deacon John Manutes and Deacon Zachariah Trent concelebrated with Fr Alexander and Deacon Kirill. At this, as at all of the weekend’s liturgical services, the celebrants served with great care in order to provide a rubrically precise model for the participants. After breakfast, the ten participants were divided up into three workshop groups. Fr Alexander held a session that covered such matters as leaving and entering the altar for litanies, the different order for censing, and the various duties the deacon has within the altar area. Dn Kevin coached participants in techniques for understanding, vocalizing, and intoning the liturgical components assigned to the deacon. Dn Kirill led his workshop on the patterns upon which many of the entrances and processions of the services are built. Further workshops and discussions followed after lunch. Later that afternoon, Dn Kirill conducted a mini-workshop for all the participants on the subject of preparing the parish for the visit of a bishop. In the evening, Deacons Kevin and Kirill assisted Fr Alexander at the celebration of Great Vespers. The day concluded with dinner and fellowship at a local restaurant. On Sunday morning, Fr Alexander, Dn Kevin and Dn Kirill served the Divine Liturgy with two of the participant deacons, Philip Lashbrook and Zachariah Trent.

This visit to the Columbus deanery was one of several practicum retreats that have been held during the past year. These sessions are among the many ways in which St Vladimir's Seminary participates in the ongoing life of the Church, particularly in the training of its clergy.