On Sunday May 31, Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary celebrated commencement ceremonies for the graduating class of 2009. His Grace, Gabriel, Bishop of Montreal and Canada, presided over the ceremonies, having celebrated Divine Liturgy on the same morning and All-night Vigil on Saturday night. The graduates were also honored with the presence of Bishop George of Mayfield, who used to be the spiritual father for some of them during his years at Holy Trinity Monastery. According to the seminary’s tradition, all the graduates participated in the Divine Services as altar servers, and on cleros. At two o-clock in the afternoon, the Seminary and Monastery community gathered in the Holy Trinity cathedral for the Thanksgiving moleben, served by His Grace, Bishop Gabriel, who was joined by His Grace, Bishop George, Archimandrite Luke, Rector of Holy Trinity Seminary, the Dean of Students Hieromonk Cyprian, seminary instructor, priest Alexej Pjawka and first year student priest Rodion Aragon. Among honored guests were archpriest Michael Taratukhin, Rector of St. John of Kronstadt parish in Utica, who celebrated this year the 20th anniversary of his graduation from Holy Trinity Seminary, and Hieromonk Joseph from St. Nicholas Cathedral in New York.

The moleben was followed by a solemn procession from the monastery cathedral to the seminary hall. The Rector of the seminary, Archimandrite Luke, congratulated the graduates and welcomed the clergy, students and guests during his opening speech. The graduation address was delivered in English by His Grace, Bishop George. Next, his Grace, Bishop Gabriel, addressed the audience with his reflections on the importance of theological education and the seminary’s traditions, calling special attention to the legacy of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad and its values and mission over the course of its existence.

Following the graduating address, awards for academic distinction were presented to the following students of the Seminary – first year student Stephen Prokopenko, second year student Ivan Denissenko, third year student Maxim Abroskin, fourth year student Sergio Silva, and fifth year student Nikolai Fedkiv.

Baccalaureates of Theology were awarded to ten students – Nikolai Fedkiv, with the distinction of cum laude, Vladimir Davydov, riassophor monk Vitaly (Fedchenko), Sergei Jakubov, Georgii Kaplanov, Dmitrii Kiselev, Arsenii Mikhalev, Vladimir Nedelkin, and Dmitry Filatov. Certificates in Theological Studies were awarded to Ekaterina Anisimova, and Gerd von Dömming. On behalf of the graduating class, Georgii Kaplanov addressed the gathering, thanking the seminary with its Rector, Dean and faculty for spiritual support during these years, and presented the seminary with an icon of St. Sergius of Radonezh and St. Seraphim of Sarov, two spiritual fathers of Russia, whose icon is placed at the entrance of the Moscow Theological Academy in Sergiev Posad, and venerated by everyone entering the building.
 
In conclusion, Protodeacon Vladimir Tsurikov, Dean of Holy Trinity Seminary, presented all students with oil and water, blessed at the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Bari, Italy, and shared some thoughts relating to the seminary’s contact with theological institutions in Russia. He then read a congratulatory address, received from His Grace, Archbishop Evgeny, rector of the Moscow Theological Academy and Seminary. In his letter, Archbishop Evgeny reflected on the fruits of cooperative efforts between the Moscow Theological Academy and Holy Trinity Seminary, one result of which was the graduation of six students, who had come to Jordanville from the Moscow Theological Seminary.

Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary wishes to express its gratitude to all who have labored during the past academic year, and have helped us reach this year’s graduation ceremonies. May God bless you and reward you for your service!