Convocation at the outset of the 2024-25 Academic Year |
Seminary's Office of Development Launches
2024 Year End Appeal
October, 2024
Your generous support of Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary is making a difference. Whenever we think of you and your fellow seminary supporters, our hearts are full of gratitude. Thank you for your continued partnership in the sacred task of forming those whom the Lord has called to serve His Holy Church.
This mission is pursued with great care and responsibility. Only God can call someone to ministry within His Holy Church, and at Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary, we work to thoroughly prepare them for this high and holy service. This serious commitment to formational training, guided by the seminary faculty and the experienced fathers at the monastery, ensures that each seminarian is ready to undertake their pastoral duties.
Thank you for being a part of this mission! We deeply appreciate your generosity.
Jordanville’s natural setting provides an atmosphere of unceasing prayer, daily church services, and a rigorous academic schedule that is ideal for pastoral formation. Students actively participate in the life of the monastery, allowing them to experience the spiritual depth of the Orthodox Church firsthand. This gives future clergy a rare opportunity to gain a thorough foundation in and experience of the Orthodox liturgical life.
Our seminary strives to preserve the high scholarly standards, teaching, and traditions of the Russian Orthodox Church while forming the next generation of clergy. Throughout the past year, we have celebrated the ordination of a number of recent seminary graduates to the diaconate and priesthood. We have continued to make advancements in each of our academic departments, including History, Ministry Practicum, Liturgics, Theology, Scriptural Studies, Church Music, and more. Our programs like the Certificate in Theological Studies and the Online Program for Laity have continued to grow, serving a broader Church community. We are in the process of transitioning to a new accrediting body, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), which will further strengthen our academic standing.
As we look toward the future of Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary, we face both exciting opportunities and critical challenges. Our many accomplishments and impact over the past 75 years are part of the legacy of the Holy Trinity Monastery, whose leaders had the vision and faith to launch the seminary. The monastery’s financial support has also made our work possible. We would simply not be here today without the support of the monastery over the years.
Our urgent appeal is to all church-related friends and faithful. It comes as a heartfelt invitation for everyone to consider the absolute utmost that they can do to allow all interested and qualified students to pursue their pastoral studies here in Jordanville.
Lecture in Protopresbyter Valery Lukianov Hall, September, 2024 |
Holy Trinity Seminary
PO Box 36
Jordanville, NY 13361
All-Night Vigil, September, 2024 |
Our mission of educating and preparing the next generation of Orthodox clergy has never been more vital. To continue this work, we need your support now more than ever. Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary is committed to train and educate any student who has a calling to serve the Church, regardless of their financial means.
We face the reality of the rising cost of higher education daily. We strive to keep costs as low as possible while providing the highest level of education. Currently, the average annual cost of education, room and board and seminary administration exceeds $45,000 per student. Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary does not accept federal or state funding which allows us to be in complete control of what we teach with no government interference. However, it also means our students cannot apply for federal or state funded student loans. Students contribute a portion of the cost but not nearly enough to fully cover the cost. In fact, the amount paid by students and their families covers only 12% of the total annual cost. The rest of the funding depends entirely on the generous support of friends like you—parishes, organizations, and especially individual donors. This means that the seminary must raise nearly $40,000, or over 88% of the average annual cost per student to cover the gap.
Without those donations the seminary would be unable to maintain the current level of education.
This is where your support becomes essential. Every gift, no matter the amount, helps us continue this vital mission of preparing the future clergy and leaders of the Orthodox Church.
There are various ways for you to help. Already, some donors have provided generous scholarship funds while others choose to contribute to the Seminary Annual Fund. This past spring, we launched the Holy Trinity Seminary Patrons initiative. We are excited to already have 60 individuals giving every single month. Our goal is to reach at least 100 Patrons by December 31, 2024.
Whether you choose to make a one-time gift, fund a scholarship or join “Holy Trinity Seminary Patrons” monthly giving program, your contribution directly impacts the future of our Church. Please use the enclosed form to send your most generous gift. Please don’t hesitate to contact us directly if you would like to discuss forming or contributing to a scholarship, structuring a bequest or any other restricted use contribution for the Seminary.
For those who care deeply about the future of the Church in this uncertain world, there is no better investment than in the education of future clergy. When you support these young men who are preparing to serve, you are securing the future of the Holy Orthodox Church for generations to come. Thank you for everything you have already done to support us.
Today, we are asking you to remain a co-laborer in building the future of the Church. Every gift—whether large or small—makes a difference. Your support of the seminary will preserve the clear witness of Holy Orthodoxy. You will help to preserve it not only for yourself, your children, and grandchildren, but for the entire world.
May our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ bless your efforts, done for His glory.
Thank you for your support!
In Christ,
Rt. Rev. LUKE
Bishop of Syracuse
Abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery
Rector of Holy Trinity Seminary
Protodeacon Michael Pavuk
Director of Development
Holy Trinity Seminary
His Grace, Bishop Luke, Rector Labor Day Weekend, 2024 |
Holy Trinity Seminary
PO Box 36
Jordanville, NY 13361
Hieromonk Ignatius, 2nd Year M.Div, Interim Dean Of Students |
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