On Friday, February 20, 2009, nineteen students from Orthodox seminaries gathered at Holy Trinity Seminary for the 2009 spring meeting of the Orthodox Inter-Seminary Movement (OISM). St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, and Christ the Savior Seminary of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the USA were represented. All the students gathered in time to attend a matins service for the Saturday of the Reposed in the Church of St. Job of Pochaev. Afterward, the students gathered for tea and orientation. In keeping with tradition, students shared stories about a typical day in each seminary. The conversations continued long after the meeting ended allowing for additional opportunities to engage in fellowship. The next day began early – seminarians gathered for at 6:00 am for the Divine Liturgy and pannikhida for the reposed. Special commemoration was made for the one-year anniversary of the repose of Sophia Belcher, the former admissions director at Holy Cross, the beloved memory of whom is still fresh in the minds of the students who knew her. It was a comfort to the students who missed a memorial service at Holy Cross in order to attend the OISM event.

After breakfast, the students began a tour of Holy Trinity Monastery and seminary, including the print shop, and icon studio, and Holy Trinity Cathedral. Archimandrite Luke (Murianka), Rector of Holy Trinity Seminary, addressed the students offering some thoughts on pastoral responsibilities. Afterwards, all were anointed with myrrh from the newly revealed myrrh-streaming icon of the Theotokos “Softening of Evil Hearts”. Hieromonk Roman and Ryassophore-monk Benjamin spoke about some of the monks of Holy Trinity Monastery of blessed memory, especially Archimandrite Cyprian.

After lunch, the executive board met and composed an agenda. Then the general assembly met and discussed current business, including upcoming events such as a spiritual retreat and the fall 2009 meeting. The last item of business was the election of a new president, who serves for one year. Ephraim Willmarth of Holy Trinity Seminary was re-elected to that position. Joseph Gingrich of Christ the Savior Seminary was elected vice-president. Paul Truebenbach of Holy Cross School of Theology was elected secretary. After the meeting officially ended, some of the students took advantage of the beautiful weather and went walking up to the cross overlooking the property of Holy Trinity Monastery. After singing the troparion to the Cross in Greek, Slavonic, and English, they went sledding down the hill.