Jordanville, NY, June 26, 2025
Photo: hts.edu
The Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia’s Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville held its 77th annual commencement ceremony on June 15, the Sunday of All Saints.
The day began with the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy celebrated by Holy Trinity Monastery abbot and Seminary rector His Grace Bishop Luke of Syracuse and the Orthodox Church in America’s His Grace Bishop Gerasim of Fort Worth, who was invited to offer the commencement address this year, the seminary reports.
Bp. Gerasim (left) and Bp. Luke (right). Photo: hts.edu
During the Liturgy, Hierodeacon Constantine, a native Jamaican, was ordained to the priesthood by Bp. Luke to serve the flourishing ROCOR mission in his homeland.
The graduation ceremony began with an academic procession to the cathedral, a moleben of thanksgiving served by Bps. Luke and Gerasim, and another procession to the seminary. Following the opening remarks from Bp. Luke, Bp. Gerasim offered his address, “The Challenge of Priesthood in the Orthodox Mission Today,” which can be watched below:
Bp. Gerasim’s presentation was largely based on the life and writings of Fr. Seraphim (Rose), who was his own spiritual father when he began as a monk at St. Herman’s Monastery in Platina, California.
Then undergraduate valedictorian Reader Luke Kendrat and graduate valedictorian Deacon John Golovin spoke.
Then began the conferral of degrees, with each of the six graduates receiving his diploma from Dean Nicolas Schidlovsky.
Photo: hts.edu
At the conclusion of these presentations, Rdr. Luke Kendrat and Dcn. John Golovin received the 4th Annual Holy Seminary Achievement Award, sponsored by Stefan, Christian, and Ivan Andreev of the Jordanville Monument Company in memory of their father, Michael Stefanov Andreev. Rrd. Luke received a check for $900 and Dcn. John a check for $1,150.
Dean Nicolas then gave his annual Charge to Graduates, and the ceremony concluded with the chanting of It is Truly Meet. Refreshments and fellowship then followed in Protopresbyter Valery Lukianov Hall.
Follow OrthoChristian on Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, MeWe, and Gab!
