The seminary was delighted by a visit from Archbishop DMITRI of Dallas and the South (OCA) on the weekend of Orthodox Education Day, October 2, 2004. Besides giving the keynote address at Saturday’s festival, Archbishop Dmitri presided at the Divine Liturgy on the following Sunday morning, ordaining seminarian Justin Patterson to the holy diaconate.

The newly ordained Dn Justin Patterson is currently completing his final year of the M.Div. program at St Vladimir’s Seminary. He is also among the recent recipients of the St Basil the Great Award for Academic Achievement for the 2003–2004 academic year. His wife, Tamara Patterson, is a full time student enrolled in the seminary’s M.A. program and they have a baby boy named John Patrick. The seminary wishes Dn Justin and his family many years!