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New Academic Year at the Seminary

Photos by Subdeacon Volodymyr Yavorsky

With the prayerful chants and the incense smoke filled chapel of the Three Holy Hierarchs, the students and faculty of St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary began the Divine Liturgy for the Feast of Beheading of St. John the Baptist – which also inaugurated new 2017-2018 Academic Year.

In the presence of about 70 people, His Eminence Metropolitan Antony – Prime Hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA and His Eminence Archbishop Daniel entered into the Seminary chapel, while being greeted by Subdeacon Mykola Zomchak (on behalf of the student body) and Very Rev. Fr. Antony Perkins, Assistant Academic Dean (on behalf of the faculty and clergy).

With fifteen priests concelebrating Metropolitan Antony and Archbishop Daniel, the Archpastoral Divine Liturgy was offered, while the student body chanted responses. Among the clergy standing at the Altar of the Seminary’s chapel were Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Perkins, Assistance Academic Dean and pastor of Protection of the Birth-Giver of God Ukrainian Orthodox cathedral in Allentown, PA; Very Rev. Fr. Steven Hutnick, professor of Pastoral Theology and pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox parish in Wilmington, DE; Very Rev. Yuriy Siwko, pastor of St. Andrew the First-Called Ukrainian Orthodox Memorial Church in South Bound Brook, NJ; Very Rev. Fr. Petro Levko, pastor of St. George Ukrainian Orthodox parish in Yardville, NJ; Very Rev. Vitaliy Pavlykivsky, pastor of All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox parish in New York, NY; Very Rev. Fr. Yakiw Norton; Rev. Fr. Vasyl Pasakas, pastor of the Nativity of the Birth-Giver of God Ukrainian Orthodox parish in South Plainfield, NJ and Assistant Dean of Students of the Seminary; Rev. Fr. Vasyl Shak, instructor of Church History; Rev. Fr. James Cairns; Protodeacon Ihor Rusyn and Deacon Ivan Tchopko of Three Holy Hierarchs Seminary Chapel. Among the clergy in attendance were Very Rev. Fr. Todor Mazur, pastor of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orhtodox Cathedral in New York, NY; Very Rev. Fr. Volodymyr Muzychka, pastor of St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in New York, NY; Very Rev. Fr. George Bazylevsky; Archdeacon Vasyl and Deacon Paul Cherkas of Holy Archangel Michael Ukrainian Orthodox parish in Woonsocket, RI.

The faithful gathered for the Liturgy came from various parishes across immediate Tri-State area. However, several parishioners drove from Ohio and Road Island. The entire student body is truly grateful to everyone in attendance and for their support.

The academic program at St. Sophia Seminary for the 2017-2018 is opened to some 30 students that are enrolled into three different tracks of studies. Seminarians are of various academic backgrouds and come from the United States of America, Ukraine, Georgia and Brazil. 

Prior to the beginning of the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence Archbishop Daniel gave a blessing to the new five seminaries of St. Sophia Seminary to wear ecclesiastical cassocks.

In his sermon during the Liturgy, Metropolitan Antony spoke of the spiritual and academic accountability, while stressing the importance of personal discipline.

As always, following the Divine Liturgy, the faculty, seminarians and clergy took a formal 2017-2018 Seminary Photograph. Immediately following that everyone in attendance shared in the Agape meal prepared by the Seminary’s chef – Mrs. Maria Morozovska.

Please continue to pray for the group of seminarians of St. Sophia Seminary and for this new 2017-2018 academic year.  Along with the rigors of academics we wish to develop them in their ministry and spiritual maturity. 

Therefore, we humbly that you consider making a gift to sustain the educational aspirations of our students. If you would like to make a donation, please click here>

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