St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary - News Releases

News Release
SVS clergy direct Diaconal Practicum in Minneapolis;
Alumni gathering held

MINNEAPOLIS, MN—St Mary's Cathedral in Minneapolis, Minnesota hosted a practicum for ten deacons and potential candidates for ordination the weekend of August 21–22, 2004. The dean of the Cathedral, V. Rev. Andrew Morbey, invited Deacons Kevin Smith and Kirill Sokolov from St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in Crestwood, New York, to direct the weekend of training and practice.

The workshops, which took place on the grounds of St Mary's Cathedral, began Friday evening with the serving of a Molieben by Archpriest Morbey. A joint session commenced instruction detailing the deacon's role in the worship of the Church and the necessity for careful attention to rubrical detail, musical performance, recognizable patterns, and timing. Sessions continued through Saturday. Participants rotated between sessions led by Dn Smith on text and music and workshops led by Dn Sokolov on correct liturgical patterns, censing, concelebration, and movement about the altar. A wrap-up session brought all these skills and concepts together with a focus on using patterns of movement, singing, and pitch together.

The day concluded with the singing of Vespers. Dn Smith concelebrated with Fr Morbey. On Sunday morning, Dn Sokolov served at the Divine Liturgy. Dn Smith conducted the Cathedral Choir.

Dn Smith is the instructor of liturgical music and choir director at St Vladimir's Seminary. Dn Sokolov serves as director of systems and information technologies. A similar practicum was held earlier this summer in Columbus, Ohio, led by Fr Alexander Rentel, assistant professor of canon law and Byzantine studies, and Deacons Smith and Sokolov. "These workshops are part of the seminary's commitment to improving educational outreach by our faculty and staff," according to John Erickson, dean of St Vladimir's Seminary. "The seminary's mission to prepare clergy and lay leaders to serve the Church extends to retreats, workshops, and other programs held year-round in our parishes."

On Saturday evening, August 21, an alumni gathering for those in the Minneapolis-St Paul area was held. Eighteen alumni and friends of the seminary came together for fellowship and discussion of developments and issues facing the seminary.

St Mary's Cathedral in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is one of the largest parishes of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA). The parish was founded in 1887 by Galician immigrants from the Slovakian region of the Austro-Hungarian empire. Fr Alexis Toth, the first parish priest, was canonized in 1994. St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary is located in Crestwood, New York. Further information is available on the seminary web site, www.svots.edu.