On Saturday, Jan 30/Feb 12, the Holy Orthodox Church celebrated the Feast of the Synaxis of the Three Hierarchs; SS Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom. These three great hierarchs and luminaries of the Church are considered as the patrons of every Orthodox Theological Seminary, and therefore this feast is recognized as the patronal feast of Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary.

All Night Vigil was celebrated on Friday evening at 7pm.  As is customary, our seminarians read many of the prayers in Greek, and the choir sang a number of Greek melodies as well.

The Hierarchal Divine Liturgy was served on Wednesday morning, with the greeting of His Eminence, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada at 9am. His Eminence was co-served by His Grace, Bishop Luke of Syracuse, Abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery and Rector of the Seminary.  Both serving hierarchs are graduates of Holy Trinity Seminary; Archbishop Gabriel (’84) and Bishop Luke (’78). In addition to monastery clergy, joining in the celebration were Archpriest Michael Taratuchin (HTS ’89) rector of St John of Kronstadt Memorial Church in Utica, NY, Archpriest Victor Boldewskul (HTS ’91), Deputy Director of the HTS Alumni Association and rector of Holy Epiphany Church in Roslindale, MA, and Archpriest Dimitri Jackimowicz, rector of St. Nicholas Church in Stratford, CT.

 At the end of the Liturgy, a short moleben was served to the Three Hierarchs.  After the usual festal meal, a tea was served in the seminary hall for the bishops, clergy, seminarians and our local neighbors and visiting pilgrims.  His Grace, Bishop Luke opened the gathering with his greetings, followed by Remarks from His Eminence, Archbishop Gabriel.

Deacon Michael Pavuk, Director of Development, who served as master of ceremonies, read greetings from His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion (HTS ’72), His Grace, Bishop George (HTS ’80),  Mitred Archpriest Stefan Pavlenko, Director of the HTS Alumni Association (HTS ’71), and Archpriest Gregory Joyce, Dean of the Pastoral School of Chicago and Mid America. In addition, a report was given on the progress made in recent years in the amount of financial aid given to students in the form of both scholarship and bursary funding.

Dean Nicolas G. Schidlovky began with the reading of the greeting from His Eminence, Archbishop Peter of Chicago and Mid America (in Russian). He then proceeded with his main address, discussing and explain the vision for, and the direction of the curriculum at the seminary, leading up to the 75th anniversary in 2023, and beyond.

In addition, recognition is given to members of the seminary’s faculty and administration, particularly those who are also HTOS alumni, including Archimandrite Theophylact (Clapper-DeWell HTS ’86), Priest Ephraim Willmarth (HTS ’11), Protodeacon Andrei Psarev (HTS ’95), Archpriest Serge Kotar (HTS ’72), and Deacon Nicholas Kotar (HTS ’14).

Also, it gives  the seminary great pleasure to share that on the feast day, at Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral in DesPlaines IL, Deacon Nicholas Lochmatow (HTS ’11), son of Protodeacon Victor Lochmatow (HTS ’67) was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by His Eminence, Archbishop Peter (HTS ’71) of Chicago and Mid America [link]. Axios to Fr Nicholas! Read more about this Feast Day in the Chicago and Mid America Diocese, including a photo report here.