Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary Celebrates 77th Commencement

Source: HTOS

JORDANVILLE — On June 15, 2024, Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary marked the conclusion of its 77th academic year with commencement exercises on the Sunday of All Saints.

The day began with a Hierarchal Divine Liturgy, concelebrated by His Grace, Bishop Luke of Syracuse, seminary rector, and His Grace, Bishop Gerasim of Fort Worth, Auxiliary Bishop to the Diocese of the South of the Orthodox Church in America.

A significant moment during the liturgy was the ordination of Hierodeacon Constantine to the Holy Priesthood by Bishop Luke, preparing him for service at the ROCOR mission in Jamaica. Formerly Brother Moses, Fr. Constantine was tonsured into the angelic (lesser) schema on June 3 and named in honor of the Holy Emperor Constantine. His rapid progression included being tonsured a reader and subdeacon on Pentecost, June 8, and ordained to the Holy Diaconate on June 9, the monastery’s altar feast. 

Commencement ceremonies commenced at 2:00 PM with a procession from the monastery trapeza to the cathedral, led by Bishops Luke and Gerasim, alongside Academic Dean Dr. Nicolas Schidlovsky. The ceremony began with the singing of "O Heavenly King" followed by the National Anthem of the United States, and God Save the Tsar, under the direction of Timothy Zelinski, M.Div. ‘24.

The commencement address was offered by Bishop Gerasim. His Grace reflected on the life and thought of Fr. Seraphim Rose and its relevance to Orthodox missionaries in America today.

A Moleben of Thanksgiving was offered, with responses sung by the choir under Hieromonk Anatoly (Zilin). Following a group photo, a second procession to the Protopresbyter Valery Lukianov Hall began the ceremony, where five graduates received degrees. Bishop Gerasim delivered the commencement address, “The Challenge of Priesthood in the Orthodox Mission Today,” introduced by Protodeacon Andrei Psarev. 

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