On Sunday, October 8th, St. Tikhon's Community gathered together to celebrate Founder's Day.  This is the Sunday closest to the Feast of the Glorification of St. Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow, who founded the monastery.  The day began with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy.  Monastery Abbot, Archimandrite Sergius was the celebrant, together with Archpriest Steven Voytovich, Seminary Dean, and clergy from the seminary and monastery. 

Archimandrite Sergius appealed to all gathered, during the homily, to continue pursuing the vision of St. Tikhon, with continual prayerful support of the mission of Orthodoxy in North America, modeled by the daily prayers of the monastery community.  This year is a special year in that we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of St. Tikhon's elevation to the Patriarchate!

Following the Liturgy, the seminary invited all to come and participate in a festive luncheon.  Fr. Steven thanked all of the members of the Fellowship of St. Tikhon and St. Nikolai for their support of the seminary.  He then thanked the members of the Century Association, inviting Subdeacon John Lasichak to address those gathered for the luncheon.

The Century Association later held their annual meeting.  To see this related story, please click here.

(Photos by Seminarian Robert West)

On Founder's Day, October 8th, following a festive luncheon hosted by the seminary, the St. Tikhon's Seminary Century Association held their annual meeting.  Subdeacon John Lasichak, President, led the meeting, calling upon association leadership to report on successful fundraising activities through the course of the year.  Archpriest Dennis Swencki, Chief Financial Officer, shared heartfelt gratitude, on behalf of the seminary, for all the efforts of the Century Association to support the seminary, including the wonderful annual event they host, Hospitality a la Russe!  

Subdeacon John presented a check, on behalf of the Century Association, to Seminary Dean, Archpriest Steven Voytovich, totaling $7,000 as the meeting concluded.  All shared in enjoying fellowship and deserts following the meeting.  Century Association members support the seminary with annual gifts of at least $100.  You can find out more about the Century Association here.

After several email correspondences over the past few years between the St. Tikhon’s Student Government and local OCF chapters, on Saturday, October 14th, St. Tikhon’s Seminary received the blessing of hosting five Orthodox Christian college students of the local Orthodox Christian Fellowship to gather for a day of fellowship and pilgrimage. Scranton University senior and OCF area president Alaina N. Dimitriou and Wilkes University senior and OCF area secretary Eleni Moustardas were joined by Orthodox college students Gregory Yannes, Andrea Boosalis, and Alexandra Pavuk.

The sunny Fall day began at Ritter’s Cider Mill. Dimitriou, Moustardas, Boosalis, and Yannes were joined by St. Tikhon’s second-year Isaac Lampart and first-year Ephraim Tauck, the latter of whom was accompanied by his wife Athanasia Tauck, and their little Lucia and baby Nikolai. The friends shared Ritter’s fresh cider donuts and enjoyed petting the farm animals with Lucia, after which all took part in a hayride through the farm and forest, crowning the morning with cold apple cider.

The students and seminarians convened at the Monastery Bookstore for coffee, where they were joined by Father Timothy Cremeens of Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Wilkes-Barre, PA, who accompanied the group to the Seminary Dining Hall for a generous brunch specially prepared by STOTS cook, Zena Hatez. During lunch, Director of Student Affairs Father Ignatius Gauvain welcomed the OCF students to St. Tikhon’s Seminary, and offered a pointed word on the seminary’s unique role in the formation of servant leaders of the Orthodox Church in America, after which second-year Subdeacon Timothy Kolb of Wasilla, AK offered a thought-provoking and poignant thirty-minute presentation on his personal experiences of Orthodox Christianity in Alaska.

After lunch, Subdeacon Timothy Kolband and Seminarian Isaac Lampart escorted the students to the Monastery Refectory. St. Tikhon’s Monastery Abbot, Father Sergius, offered a word on the life of the monastery for the Church, and lovingly encouraged the OCF students to endure in the Orthodox Christian life, even in college.  Fr. Sergius stated: "Never be afraid to be an Orthodox Christian. You will never regret it.”

Following Father Sergius’ presentation, Monastery Igumen Father Gabriel kindly conveyed the group into St. Theodosios’ Chapel to venerate the Miracle Working Icon of St. Anna. Afterwards, Father Gabriel offered a tour of the Monastery Museum, accompanied the group on a walk to the Monastery’s fresh-water spring, and invited all into the Monastery Church to venerate the holy icons and relics of the saints of St. Tikhon’s and North America.

The students departed with smiles and thanksgiving. “Thank you very much for hosting us, St. Tikhon's!” remarked Moustardas. “It was such a blessing to receive your warm welcome and tour of the Monastery grounds.”

St. Tikhon’s Seminary Student Government looks joyfully forward to continued friendships with the local OCF chapter over the years to come.

(Story and photos by Seminarian Isaac lampart)

Archpriest Stephen Mack (STOTS, 1976), long-time pastor of St. Nicholas Church, Auburn, NY, fell asleep in the Lord on Sunday, October 22^nd. Please see the full story of his ministry and repose on our OCA website, here. Memory eternal to Fr. Stephen, and our prayers are with his family.

Matushka Marie Kreta fell asleep in the Lord on Monday, October 23^rd. She was married to Archpriest Joseph Kreta (STOTS, 1952) who was directly involved in founding St. Herman’s Seminary where they remained for thirty years. Burial will be on Monday, October 30, 11am, at St. Tikhon’s Monastery. You can view the full write-up of her repose on the OCA website here. Memory eternal to Matushka Marie.

Also, memory eternal to Protodeacon Keith Russin, who fell asleep in the Lord on Thursday, October 26th..  A graduate of St. Vladimir's Seminary, Protodeacon Keith was known as a deacon who often served with then Metropolitan Herman, and was a partner in a funeral home in Plains, PA, assisting in many burials.   Funeral services will be celebrated at 7pm on Wedneday, Nov. 1st, at Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Wilkes-Barre, where he was serving. 

STOTS Fall Board of Trustees Meeting was quite full, beginning with elections for the coming year. John Della Monica, President, and Popadija Katherine (Kitty) Vitko, Board Member, presented on the work of the Orthodox Church Capital Improvement Fund (OCCIF).

The board also welcomed Dean Harbry, a Professional Certified Coach, and Founder of Internal Innovations, LLC—an Atlanta-based executive coaching firm, established in 2003. He has worked with over 140 nonprofit boards on governance, compliance and organizational best practices. He was invited by Archpriest Steven Voytovich, seminary dean, to assist the board and seminary community to engage in further work together after the most recent reaccreditation review by the Association of Theological Schools.

Dean presented to the board on topics related to shared governance, and guided the whole seminary community through an exercise of working through several hypothetical scenarios designed to reinforce the use of seminary policies and procedures. These areas of emphasis are part of the seminary’s follow-up after the November 2016 ATS site visit.

In the afternoon the board welcomed audit firm representatives completing their audit of this past fiscal year’s financial records.

On Sunday, October 29, Administrative Assistant to the Dean Marshall Goodge (STOTS 2017) and Seminarian Colin Michael Barker, both members of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, attended a Patriarchal Liturgy at St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral in Brooklyn, New York, presided over by His Beatitude John X, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East.

Both were overjoyed to receive the Archpastoral blessings of their chief hierarch, who was visiting the United States to meet with leaders of the United Nations and US Government, as well as to speak at the “In Defense of Christians” summit in Washington D.C.

After the Liturgy, a reception was held, with addresses both by His Beatitude Patriarch John and His Eminence and Beatitude Bechara Peter Cardinal Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch.

On Monday evening, November 6th, St. Tikhon's Seminary hosted Bernard Wilson, of the OCA's Sexual Misconduct Policy Advisory Committee (SMPAC).  He presented on the OCA Sexual Misconduct Policies, applicable to the seminary community.  This presentation is especially important as more children are part of the seminary community at present.  Wilson shared many vignettes to further highlight points being made.

All seminary constitutencies were asked to attend the presentation, and to sign off on their knowledge of these policies.  

[STOTS Communications, South Canaan, PA]  St. Tikhon's Seminary held its annual vocations retreat on Friday, November 10, and Saturday, November 11th.  Four participants heard presentations on Humility and Obedience in St. John Chrysostom, the theme of the retreat.  In the course of their time together the group attended services, toured the seminary and monastery, and participated in presentations by Fr. Ignatius Gauvain, Director of Student Life, Archpriest Steven Voytovich, Dean, and Archimandrite Sergius, Monastery Abbot.   Seminarians participated in the retreat by sharing about their journey now as seminarians.  

Archpriest Daniel Kovalak (STOTS Class of 1974) welcomed His Eminence, the Most Reverend Mark, Archbishop of Philadelphia and the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania, and numerous clergy and faithful who gathered for the 40th anniversary celebration of Holy Cross Church in Williamsport, PA.  This mission parish began by celebrating its first Divine Liturgy on November 6, 1977.  By September of 1978, the newly ordained Fr. Daniel Kovalak moved from Miami, Florida with Mat. Myra and their daughter Daria to begin serving the mission.  He has been there since, as a beautiful church and hall were built in the midst of the congregation that grew in faith, love, and ministry during all these steps.  

Archpriest Steven Voytovich, Seminary Dean, and Deacon Michael Shepherd, Seminarian, particpated in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy.  Archpriest Eugene Pianovich (STOTS Class of 1950), Matushka Myra's father, Archpriest Daniel Ressetar (STOTS Class of 1948), and Archpriest Barnabas Fravel (STOTS Class of  2003, son-in-law of the Kovalak's) were among the concelebrating clergy.  The Women's Auxiliary was recognized with a Gramota.

Following the Divine Liturgy, an incredible banquet was held at the Williamsport Country Club, that opened specially on this day!  Comments were offered by Archpriest David Shewczyk (STOTS Class of 1975), and Fr. Steven.  Fr. Steven read portions of a letter forwarded by His Eminence, the Most Reverend Michael, Seminary Rector.  In his letter, His Eminence extended his heartfelt congratulations and warm best wishes to all who were gathered.  Later in his letter, Archbishop Michael offered his prayers that Archpriest Daniel and faithful would re-dedicated themselves to God's will as they continue their journey.  Fr. Steven brought a seminary icon, recently commissioned, of the saints that have walked the grounds of the monastery and seminary to the Liturgy and banquet, in part to reference the many ways that Fr. Daniel and Mat. Myra have contributed to the greater Orthodox Church, reflected also by the faithful in their dedicated ministry.

Archbishop Mark presented Fr. Daniel and Mat. Myra with the Order of St. Innocent, Silver Class, in celebration of this day.  They were also presented an icon of St. Herman by Council President Eric Affsprung to reflect the missionary spirit, inspired by the Kovalak's that remains so integral to the life of the parish.  The parish also presented the seminary with a contribution of $5,000, and the diocese with a contribution of $1,500 for seminarian support!  Holy Cross has welcomed the Mission Choir on many occasions, and Fr. Daniel has taught a class on missions at the seminary for many years, as well as contributing through his many talents.

May God grant Archpriest Daniel, Matushka Myra, and the faithful of Holy Cross Church many blessed years!

His Eminence, Alexander, Archbishop of Dallas and the Diocese of the South, briefly visited St. Tikhon's Seminary on Monday, November 13th, before joining members of the Holy Synod for their fall meeting.  During his visit he met for dinner with students and family members from the Diocese of the South currently studying at St. Tikhon's.  

Please see two updates recently completed on the STOTS website.  

First, the 2017 Tikhonaire has been loaded onto the Tikhonaire page.  You can find it by clicking here.  Each of the past year editions are available on the same page.  This issue of the Tikhonaire was dedicated to liturgical music, and we anticipate the release of a live recording of the Divine Liturgy early in 2018.

Second, The Institutional Effectiveness Statement has been revised.  This statement reveals how the seminary is fulfilling its mission.  You can see the revised statement here.  

Thanks be to God for these developments, and for the assistance of all those who have made them possible.

In Christ,

Archpriest Steven Voytovich, Dean

Ann (Rosics) Dahulich, 91, of Binghamton, NY, fell asleep in the Lord on Wednesday, December 6, 2017.  She was predeceased by her parents, Michael & Anna Rosics; her husband, Peter Dahulich; 2 brothers, Andrew & Michael Rosics; and her sister, Marie Dancho.  She is survived by two sons and a daughter: His Eminence, Michael, Archbishop of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey, and St. Tikhon's Seminary Rector, George Dahulich (Ret. Capt. USAF), of Centreville, VA., and Barbara Knighton, of Binghamton; 3 grandchildren, Georgia Wimberly (Randall), Shanise Kent (Kyle Wolf) and Jaron Knighton; 5 great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ann was a lifelong member and former secretary of the parish Ladies Guild of St. Michael's Orthodox Church.  She was a retired employee of the City of Binghamton and the Greenman Senior Center. 

A Divine Liturgy with Funeral Service will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Tuesday at St. Michael's Orthodox Church, 296 Clinton St., Binghamton, NY, with Protopresbyter James S. Dutko, Pastor, and area and visiting clergy officiating.  Burial will be in St. Michael's Cemetery.  Family will receive friends from 4:00-7:00 PM on Monday and on Tuesday from 9:00-10:00 AM at St. Michael's Orthodox Church.  Parastas will be celebrated at 7:00 PM on Monday.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Tikhon's Seminary, Box 130, South Canaan, PA. 18459, or to St. Michael's Church, 296 Clinton St., Binghamton, NY  13905, or to Lourdes Hospice Program, 169 Riverside Dr., Binghamton, NY  13905.  

The schedule of services for + Ann Dahulich, Archbishop Michael's mother, is as follows:

Monday, December 11

at St Michael's Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church, 
296 Clinton St., Binghamton, NY  13905

4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Viewing

7:00 PM  Parastas (Panikhida) 

Clergy are invited to serve; wear white vestments.

A light meal will be offered after the Parastas. 

Tuesday, December 12

at St Michael's Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church, 
296 Clinton St., Binghamton, NY  13905

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Viewing

10:00 AM Divine Liturgy with Funeral Service

Clergy are invited to serve; wear white vestments.

Burial will follow at St. Michael's Cemetery.

A lenten luncheon will follow the burial.  

Memory eternal to the newly reposed servant of God Ann.

On Sunday, December 10, Coffee Hour at Saint Tikhon’s Monastery was visited by a special guest. After Divine Liturgy at the Monastery Church the parish community made their way to the Trapeza, where everyone was given the words to the old Saint Nicholas’ Day song “O Kto Kto”. As the community children began to sing, with the adults joining in on the second verse, Seminarian Timothy Kolb, acting as a representative for Saint Nicholas and dressed for the part, made his way up the center isle of the Trapeza and sat in the midst of the children. He told the children stories from the life of Saint Nicholas, and, on behalf of the saint, gave each child a small gift.

Holy Saint Nicholas pray unto God for us!

On December 10^th the St. Tikhon’s Seminary Mission Choir visited Holy Trinity Church. This visit was even more meaningful in that snow the previous day caused other local parishes to close, bringing more to New Britain! Seminarian John Parker preached the homily, his first as a second-year seminarian. Benedict Sheehan, Director of Music, led the Mission Choir.

Following the Divine Liturgy, the seminarians witnessed the visitation of St. Nicholas to the parish youth. The Mission Choir is grateful to Archpriest David Koles and faithful of Holy Trinity Church!

St. Tikhon’s Seminary Mission Choir visited Three Saints Church to offer a concert on Sunday afternoon of December 10^th.   The program was entitled “God With Us: Chants of the East and West for the Coming of Christ”, and featured the Mission Choir, plus members of the Chamber Choir of St. Tikhon’s Monastery, and was led by Benedict Sheehan, Director of Music.

The parish welcomed the Mission Choir with a wonderful luncheon served by Matushka Cindy Voytovich and parish faithful. Dress rehearsal followed, with the concert beginning at 4pm. Well over 100 people attended the concert, standing at the end to express their gratitude! Fr. Steven Voytovich, Seminary Dean, thanked all those attending for taking time out of the busy holiday season to come and listen to liturgical and para-liturgical music, keeping the focus of the coming of Christ during this holy season of preparation.

Following the concert was a reception, at which time Fr. Patrick Burns, Parish Priest and St. Tikhon’s Seminary Alumni President, announced that the parish had raised $10,000 for a seminarian scholarship! This action was inspired also in part by conversations that parishioners had with Fr. Steven, Seminary Dean, about the sacrifices that students make in coming to seminary. Steven Zavednak championed contributions by parishioners.

In addition, Fr. Patrick announced that over $4,000 was raised for the concert.! This came in part by generous contributions from sponsors: Wakelee Funeral Home, G.L. Capasso, Inc., Ralph Hull, Riverview, and Edward Adzima Funeral Homes, and Dr. Arnold Rivera. The Mission Choir wishes to thank parishioners assisting in preparing for this concert: Fr. Patrick and Mat. Mara Burns, Mat. Cindy Voytovich, Kathy Gruttadaria, Nancy Dudchik, Andrew and Lynn Hvizd, Nina Kosowsky, Council President, Subdeacon Paul Juzwishen, and others.

Julie Voytovich, Fr. Steven’s mother, fell asleep in the Lord on Friday, December 16, 2017. The story was featured on our OCA website that you can access here. Fr. Steven and his sister Anne drafted an obituary that you can access here. Memory eternal to the newly departed servant of God, Julie. Funeral services will be held on Friday and Saturday of this week.

Please take a moment to review updated material on the seminary's website.  For each item, a link is included to take you to the specific page.  

Thank you to all who have contributed to these materials being completed.

Academic Bulletin for 2018-2020, link here.

Audit for 2017 fiscal year, link here.

In Christ,

Fr. Steven Voytovich, Seminary Dean

St. Tikhon's Seminary is now accepting applications for the upcoming 2018-2019 academic year.  Many ask about application deadlines.  We prefer having materials by early June, as it takes time to contact your references and to conduct a background check.  Please know also that you do not need to wait to submit a completed packet.  Sending in the application form is a good start, and we will work with you as you forward other materials.

To assist you in the application process, please note the following resources here on the seminary website:

Our admissions page, here, offers general information for those applying.  The application page, here, offers all the essential information necessary for assembling application materials.  

The Seminary Bulletin for 2018-2020 is now available on the seminary website.  View this document, here.  

Please feel free to contact the Admissions Committee either by e-mail:  applicants@stots.edu or for general questions, call the seminary at 570.561.1818.  It is most helpful if you also send application materials in to the applicants e-mail address above.

On Sunday, January 14, 2018, Dn. John Segvich was ordained to the Holy Priesthood in his home parish of St. Luke the Evangelist Orthodox Church in Palos Hills, Ill.

His Grace, the Right Reverend Paul, Bishop of Chicago and the Diocese of the Midwest concelebrated the liturgy with Archpriest Paul Jannakos, Archpriest Andrew Harrison, Priest Danial Doss (STOTS 2010), Protodeacon Andrew Werbiansky, and Dn. John.

After the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, a celebratory banquet was held in the parish fellowship hall. Many members of Fr. John's family were present.

Axios!  May God bless Fr. John, Mat. Wendy and their family as Fr. John completes his pastoral formation this year at St. Tikhon's Seminary.

This year's March for Life recognizes the 45th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion in the US.  Please click here to see Metropolitan Tikhon's address for the Sanctity of Life Sunday (Jan. 21).  Metropolitan Tikhon offered the opening prayer this year!

St. Tikhon's Seminary was well-represented during the March.  Archbishop Michael, Seminary Rector, and Archpriest Steven Voytovich, Seminary Dean, were among those who stood behind His Beatitude as he offered the opening prayer.   Fr. Ignatius Gauvain, Director of Student Life, came with many seminarians to participate in the march.  Hieromonk Herman (Majkrzak) led the choir during the prayer service led by His Beatitude.  Later, he led those gathered, including many from St. Vladimir's Seminary, in singing while the Orthodox group participated in the March.  

The March for Life is one time during the year when our Orthodox Christian community comes together to literally "walk the walk" in witnessing the sanctity of human life!