St. Vladimir's Seminary Signs Agreement with Theological Institute in Russia

The Dean, Archpriest John Behr, and the Chancellor, Archpriest Chad Hatfield of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, have signed an agreement with Ss. Cyril and Methodius Theological Institute of Post-Graduate Studies in Moscow, laying the foundation for the establishment of the “St. Philaret of Moscow Russian House of Studies” at St. Vladimir’s Theological Seminary. The cooperative statement was signed at the culmination of the visit of the Dean and Chancellor to Russia October 7–14, 2013. The Russian House of Studies will become part of the Seminary’s International Houses of Studies program, which will welcome an exchange of teachers and students from the Moscow Patriarchate’s school.

"Our plans for partnering with overseas schools continue apace," said Father John Behr. "Through these collaborative efforts we will be able to serve the Church in the United States more effectively, enriching the formation of our students and laying the groundwork for ongoing dialogue with Orthodox schools of theology overseas."

Representatives who signed the agreement on behalf of Ss. Cyril and Methodius Theological Institute included His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev), Metropolitan of Volokolamsk and Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations; Priest Vladimir Shmaliy, and Hieromonk Ioann(Kopeikin). Metropolitan Hilarion, a member of St. Vladimir’s Seminary’s Board of Trustees, hosted the St. Vladimir’s delegation, which also included the SVS Press Marketing and Operations Manager, Deacon Gregory Hatrak.

The St. Vladimir’s delegation fully participated in Russian Orthodox church life during their week long trip, as demonstrated by highlights in their itinerary:

Tuesday, October 8: Celebration of the Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity St. Sergius Lavra (Sergiev Posad) with Metropolitan Hilarion presiding; celebration of an Akathist in the courtyard of the Lavra with His Holiness Kyrill, Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia presiding, followed by a private audience with the Patriarch; presentation of a complete set of Popular Patristics Series volumes from SVS Press to the Moscow Theological Academy Library.

Wednesday, October 9: Participation in the opening Ceremonial Day at the St. Petersburg Theological Academy with the presentation of a complete set of Popular Patristics Series volumes from SVS Press to the St. Petersburg Theological Academy; visit to the Publishing House of Sretensky Monastery in Moscow to discuss production of Orthodox Christian materials in Russia and North America; meeting with the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) representative to the Moscow Patriarchate, Archimandrite Alexander (Pihach), with the aim in mind of opening an English-language bookstore at the OCA's Representation Church of St. Catherine the Great Martyr, Moscow.

Thursday, October 10, and Friday, October 11: Participation in the Conference“St. Isaac the Syrian and His Spiritual Heritage”, sponsored by Ss. Cyril and Methodius Theological Institute and the Philosophy Department of Moscow State University, with Father John Behr delivering a paper on “St. Isaac of Syria on the Cross.” Other noteworthy speakers included Schema Monk Gabriel (Bunge),
Sebastian Brock, and Archimandrite Vasilios of Iviron Monastery.

Saturday, October 12: Father John Behr informally addressed students at the Ss. Cyril and Methodius Theological Institute concerning the history and contemporary life of St. Vladimir’s Seminary, and his own current theological inquiry, Becoming Human. SVS Press presented a complete set of Popular Patristic Series volumes to Ss. Cyril and Methodius Theological Institute. A meeting took place with the faculty of St. Tikhon’s Orthodox University, Moscow, along with the presentation of a complete set of the Popular Patristics Series volumes from SVS Press to St. Tikhon’s Orthodox University. Lastly, a Vigil was served at the famed Church of the Mother of God, “Joy of All Who Sorrow,” on Bolshaya Ordynka Street, with Metropolitan Hilarion presiding.

Sunday, October 13: Metropolitan Hilarion presided at the concelebration of the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow,” before the signing of the agreement between St. Vladimir’s Seminary and Ss. Cyril and Methodius Theological Institute.

“It was a great joy and blessing to serve in St. Petersburg and Moscow and to see the work of the Holy Spirit in the Church so evident in both of these cities,” Father Chad reflected at the end of their trip. “We look forward to the fruits of our partnership with Russian Orthodox theologians and students.”

Photos of the SVOTS delegation to Russia by Deacon Gregory Hatrak

(From left to right): Archpriest Chad Hatfield, Archpriest John Behr, Metropolitan Hilarion, Hieromonk Ioann (Kopeikin), and Priest Vladimir Shmaliy preparing to sign the cooperative agreement between St. Vladimir’s Seminary and Ss. Cyril and Methodius Theological Institute

(From left to right): St. Vladimir’s delegation presents SVS Press’s Popular Patristics Series to Father Dionisiy Schlenov, librarian of the Moscow Theological Academy at Holy Trinity St. Sergius Lavra