Orientation for the new students took place on Monday, September 5 and Tuesday, September 6. On Thursday, September 7, at the conclusion of the 6am daily Divine Liturgy, a Moleben was served by the seminary’s rector, His Grace, Bishop Luke, together with monastery clergy. At the conclusion of the Moleben, Vladyka Luke gave the blessing to each of the new students to wear the cassock as they venerated the cross. Classes began later that same morning.

The 7th annual convocation then took place on Tuesday, September 12 at 2:15pm in the PVL hall. Bishop Luke’s opening remarks included sound advice as always. As in past years, Vladyka again stressed that this blessing carries a great responsibility, stating that once the students put on the cassock, their behavior, actions, and remarks are all a reflection on Holy Trinity Seminary, and that this needs to be considered at all times and in all places, including when they are off campus, and to always comport themselves properly.

In addition, His Grace stated, as he has in years past, that these are formational years in the seminary, and that they will bring blessings, as well as temptations, the latter of which may include an unhealthy preoccupation with media in general, and particularly to continue over-indulging in social media.  Vladyka suggested eliminating, or at least minimizing their daily exposure to these temptations during their time in seminary, and strongly encouraged cultivating the habit of prayer, as well as that of reading. His Grace stressed that if consistent prayer and consistent reading are good habits that can and should be developed while in seminary.

A general welcome and introductory remarks were given next by seminary Dean Nicolas Schidlovsky. Dean Nicolas spoke regarding the many positive developments at HTS in the recent years, including ongoing updates to the curriculum, the creation of new departments at the seminary, the status of the seminary’s accreditation and very importantly, the upcoming 75th anniversary celebration.  Dean Nicolas reminded the students, as he has suggested to them in previous years, to leave their concern about politics behind, and to focus instead on growing spiritually and intellectually while in seminary. 

For this 2023 – 2024 academic year, Holy Trinity Seminary has 12 new/incoming students, including 6 new undergraduate students and 6 new graduate students, bringing the on-campus student population to 35, which includes 21 undergraduate and 14 graduate students.

The 2023 – 2024 academic year has also seen the creation of specific academic departments, and promotions and changes in status with respect to particular faculty as well. All faculty members are now listed in relation to the particular department(s) within which they teach, which includes the following:

Department of Scriptural Studies and Exegesis 

Department of Theology, Patrology, and Canon Law 

Department of History, Philosophy and Humanities

Department of Liturgics, Sacred Arts and Music 

Department of Ministry Practicum and Homiletics 

Department of Translingual Fluency and Language 

Regarding faculty promotions and other status changes, Rev. John Boddecker has been promoted to Senior Lecturer, having achieved ‘Ph.D. Candidate’ status, as he is now ABD (all but dissertation) at the University of Pretoria. Rev. Hierodeacon Methodios (Pranic) has been appointed as Senior Lecturer in the Department of Liturgics, Sacred Arts, and Music. Rev. Hieromonk Theodore (Stanway), B.Th. class ’17 and M.Div. ’21, has been appointed to the full-time faculty as an Instructor in the Department of Theology, Patrology, and Canon Law, as well as continuing in the role of Deputy Dean of Students. Fr Theodore will be teaching Dogmatic Theology for the 2023-24 academic year.

The seminary is also very pleased to announce the addition of V. Rev. Archpriest David Pratt to the ranks of our Part Time, Visiting, and Adjunct Faculty. Fr David will serve as a Visiting Professor in the Department of Theology, Patrology, and Canon Law, and will be teaching Moral Theology for the 2023-24 academic year.

The annual job fair also took place on Monday September 11 at 2:30pm in the seminary’s PVL Hall, at which each department head spoke about opportunities for the undergraduate students to consider a variety of optional ‘work-study’ jobs, by which students can earn up to a $1,000.00 ($10/hr for up to 100 hours) credit per semester, applied as a discount to their room and board fees. This program is in addition to the usual shared community obediences.

Glory to God for a successful beginning of another academic year, which took place almost literally on  the eve of the celebration of the 75th anniversary at the seminary.