St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary - News Releases News Release SVS Commencement Exercises Conclude the 2004-2005 Academic Year

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Crestwood, NY—Twenty-nine students in four academic programs graduated from St Vladimir’s Seminary at commencement exercises on Saturday, May 21, 2005. His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman of the Orthodox Church in America and president of the seminary, was assisted by His Grace, Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos (GOA), and His Eminence, Zachariah Mor Nicholovous, Assistant Metropolitan of the American Indian Diocese of the Indian Orthodox Church, in conferring degrees. Thirteen Master of Divinity degrees, twelve Master of Arts degrees, two Master of Theology degrees, and two Doctor of Ministry degrees were conferred. Also present at the ceremony were faculty members of nearby St Nersess Armenian Orthodox Seminary: Fr Daniel Findikyan, Dr Abraham Terian, and Dr Roberta Ervine Woods.

The day began with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, with Metropolitan Herman presiding and ordaining Dn Barnabas Powell, a member of the class of 2005, to the Holy Priesthood. A thanksgiving prayer service in the Three Hierarchs Chapel was held after lunchtime at which Metropolitan Herman blessed and commissioned the seminary's Chorale, a group of eleven student singers, who embarked on their spring tour that afternoon. 

The commencement ceremony in the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium began after the thanksgiving service, with hierarchs, faculty, trustees, and the graduating class processing into the full auditorium. This year's keynote speaker was Constantine Triantafilou, executive director of International Orthodox Christian Charities. Mr Triantafilou spoke about his years of experience in overseas missions, giving examples of difficult situations and moments of choice. He described, for example, a stormy night in Kenya when two hitchhikers—a pregnant woman going into labor, and a burn victim—wanted to be driven to a hospital. This route would require him to drive at night in pitch black, travel a potholed road in stormy weather, and go several hours in the opposite direction of the town where he had a comfortable room he called "Little America." As he approached the fork in the road where he had to decide, he prayed for the grace to be selfless, and traveled the potholed road to the hospital. He used this story as a metaphor for a life lived in service to Christ, directing it especially to the class of 2005, who are leaving seminary to serve the Church. His primary message was that to love God is to love people, and that loving people requires us to put ourselves third, after God and others.

Valedictorian Nicholas Belcher spoke about the unique personalities that make-up the seminary community and the ways that the faculty, staff, and administration serve the students. He reminded the student body to be grateful for all that they have received during their seminary years and to continue to support the seminary in prayer. Dn Joshua Lollar, a Master of Divinity student completing his middler year, was this year's salutatorian speaking on behalf of the continuing students.

The St Basil the Great Award for Academic Achievement, given annually to one senior, middler, and junior of the Master of Divinity program who has ranked highest in academic achievement that year, was given to the newly-ordained Fr Barnabas Powell.  The middler and junior recipients will be announced at the start of the fall 2005 semester.

At the end of the ceremony, Fr Steven Belonick, director of alumni relations, reminded the new graduates that they were now officially alumni of the seminary and urged them to stay in touch and to get involved with the St Vladimir's Seminary Alumni Association. He also announced that each graduate would receive a diploma frame as a gift from the Alumni Association.

Commencement Day ended with refreshments outdoors on the porch of the Germack Building, where graduates, their friends and family members, and the entire community celebrated the joyful conclusion to another academic year.