Convocation Ceremony Opens the 78th Academic Year for 2025-26

The 78th academic year for 2025-26 has begun here at Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary. Several days of orientation for new students took place from August 27-30, followed by the traditional Labor Day pilgrimage to the monastery which took place from Saturday August 30 through Monday, September 1. Annual convocation was then held on Tuesday, September 2 at 2:00pm in the Protopresbyter Valery Lukianov hall. The faculty members present in the hall introduced themselves to the new students, explaining which classes they taught and recounting their backgrounds and current academic work. In addition, several faculty members who could not attend in person were able to join in remotely. After the faculty members spoke, the new students introduced themselves. They briefly explained where they were from and what had motivated them to come to seminary in general, and to choose Holy Trinity Seminary in particular.

Next, Dean Nicolas Schidlovsky addressed those assembled for the convocation. In his typically reassuring fashion, Dr. Schidlovsky rallied student commitment to excellence in respect to the new academic year 2025-26. Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary does so many extraordinary things to nurture its student body.  At the same time, in acknowledging the many advantages of academic study within the playing field of today’s post-modern dialectic, the Dean warned students of what he termed as “the most poisonous lozenge of our digital age”, which is the element of distraction, or something that we are all being called to embrace under the falling debris of a toppling tower of Babel—which is the former “modernity.”   As Dr. Schidlovsky noted: “The combined value of Google and its affiliates comprise nearly four trillion dollars, and if we witness that the services they provide are offered free of charge, we see that humanity’s power of attention is something extremely valuable.”  All our students, henceforth, should deeply reflect on this reality and learn to see how precisely Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary’s curriculum teaches a path in close accordance with that chosen by Prophet Daniel and his simple refusal to be defiled any dependency on King Nebuchadnezzar’s tastefully alluring sustenance.  

Next, our seminary rector, His Grace, Bishop Luke shared some very useful insights into how to properly navigate life here at the monastery and seminary. As in previous years, His Grace stressed several pitfalls to avoid, and gave advice on how to manage the stress, workload, and temptations that inevitably arise during any good and praiseworthy undertaking. 

His Grace stated that seminary life would bring both blessings and temptations. The one he stressed the most among the latter sort was the tendency to give up, to imagine that problems cannot be overcome, to get offended by peers and those around oneself, to give in to the demon of criticism, and to simply leave seminary. He stated that overcoming such temptations is foundational to success in seminary studies, and in life in general. 

Bishop Luke also reiterated, as he has increasingly so in recent years, that social media can have quite detrimental effects if overused, and that this has been the cause for many a late assignment and incomplete coursework. Vladyka suggested cutting internet usage in half or taking entire days off as ‘screen-free’ days, using the time to read and/or pray instead. Ultimately, he concluded with encouraging the new students to use these years in Jordanville to acquire at least a small amount of humility, and to develop a habit of prayer. Vladyka focused heavily on the importance of prayer, stating that it will be essential in  their future pastoral life.

Towards the conclusion of the ceremony, and before the group photo, Vladyka Luke gave the new students the blessing to wear their cassocks and belts, charging them never to do anything while not wearing the cassock which they would not do while wearing one. His Grace made it clear that a seminarian does not cease to be a seminarian when out in the world, but on the contrary; he must apply the same discipline wherever he is and whatever he is engaged in.

For this 2025 – 2026 academic year, Holy Trinity Seminary has an on-campus population of thirty-five (35) students, which includes nineteen (19) undergraduate students and sixteen (16) graduate students.

Of these, we had twenty-three (23) returning students and twelve (12) new/incoming students, including six (6) new undergraduate students and six (6) new graduate students whose names are listed below.

First year undergraduate ( B.Th.) students include: Alexander Covell, Zachary Lobel, Savva Nalitov, Silouan Liriano, Victor Maraite, and Andrew Spiropoulos.

First year graduate (M.Div.) students include: Rassophoremonk Seraphim (Coverdill), Lazar Djukic, John Lewis, Jovan Milanovic, David Rhodes, and Caleb Short.

Following the group photos, an ice cream social was hosted for the students to spend some time getting to know the faculty, as well as one another better. 

Following the 6:00am Divine Liturgy on Wednesday, September 3, a Moleben was served by His Grace, Bishop LUKE, and classes began immediately thereafter at 8:00am. Glory to God for the successful start of the 78th academic year at Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary in Jordanville!