St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary - News Releases

News Release
OCA Hosts 2004 Evangelization Conference at St Vladimir's Seminary

Crestwood, NY—St Vladimir's Seminary was pleased to offer its campus and facilities as the site of the 2004 Evangelization Conference, conducted by the OCA Department of Evangelization. The conference, which was held Monday, August 30 through Wednesday, September 1, was themed "Continuing the Mission of the North American Saints."

The event officially began when Protopresbyter Robert Kondratick, chancellor of the OCA, introduced the conference on Monday. Subsequent speakers were Rev. Vladimir Alexeev, V. Rev. Joseph Hirsch, Rev. Jonathon Ivanoff, V. Rev. Joseph Lickwar, Mr John Mindala, V. Rev. John Pierce, Rev. Thomas Soroka, V. Rev. Matthew Tate, and Rev. Eric George Tosi.

Topics addressed during the conference included: revitalizing parish life, ministry within inner city and ethnic parishes, healing of divisions in parish communities, addressing the needs of parishes in declining demographic regions, establishing outreach programs in mission-oriented parishes, and building communities among parishioners of different backgrounds. Around thirty people—both clergy and lay workers—participated. Even as this conference took place, new and returning students were beginning to arrive at St Vladimir's Seminary for the start of the 2004 fall semester. Thus the conference marked the end of a fruitful summer, in which numerous educational events—hosted by both the seminary and by the OCA— took place.

St Vladimir's Seminary serves the Orthodox Church across all jurisdictions and functions as a center for theological education both through its academic programs and through special lectures, conferences, and symposia available to all throughout the year. Visit the seminary's website, www.svots.edu, often to read about upcoming events and recent happenings.

Please visit the OCA website, www.oca.org, for more information on the 2004 Evangelization Conference.