Orthodox Inter-Seminary Movement Fall 2009 Meeting
On Friday, November 6, 2009, three seminarians from Holy Trinity Seminary traveled to Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology and Hellenic College to join with other Orthodox seminarians and students of theology in prayer and fellowship. Besides Holy Cross and Holy Trinity Seminary, St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Seminary, St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary, St. Herman of Alaska Seminary, and Christ the Savior Seminary were represented. Altogether, about twenty students took part in the event.
After Vespers in Holy Cross’ chapel, the students assembled in the Library building, where the OISM meeting opened with a prayer to the Holy Spirit. Following introductions of the students’ and their respective seminaries, all participants gathered at Holy Resurrection Bulgarian Orthodox Church where they met with the rector, Fr. Patrick Tishel, who gave a brief talk on the principles of spiritual life. Afterwards, Holy Resurrection Church hosted an OCF coffeehouse, where many local Orthodox college students gathered for fellowship, food, and music performed by those in attendance. There were many guitarists and vocalists from the different seminaries who played a variety of songs, including original pieces written by the participants themselves. HTS seminarian Felix Lubinin was among the performers, enriching the evening with Russian songs, which received an enthusiastic response.
On Saturday morning, all attended Orthros and the Divine Liturgy in Holy Cross’ Chapel, celebrated by Fr. Peter Chamberas. Many were moved by the beautiful and reverent services. Afterward, several had the chance to venerate the precious relic of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord.
The executive board of OISM, consisting of one or two members from each participating school, met and discussed the agenda over breakfast. The keynote address, “The History of the Image and Devotion to St. Nicholas,” was delivered by Archimandrite Joachim Cotsonis, the director of the Archbishop Iakovos Library and Learning Resource Center at Holy Cross. All were grateful for the thorough and interesting presentation, complete with a PowerPoint presentation showing many examples of early icons of St. Nicholas. After a brief visit to Holy Cross’ bookstore, the general meeting commenced. The students discussed possible dates and themes for the upcoming meeting, how to raise funds to help defer the high cost of travel for seminarians from St. Herman’s Seminary, and how to better keep in touch and share pictures. OISM has its own pages on Facebook and Orthodox Circle.
The meeting ended by singing the troparia for the patron saints of each school, and also the Kontakion of the Protection of the Mother of God, the official feast day of OISM. Some seminarians stayed for a walk along the Freedom Trail in Boston, while others returned home.
After Vespers in Holy Cross’ chapel, the students assembled in the Library building, where the OISM meeting opened with a prayer to the Holy Spirit. Following introductions of the students’ and their respective seminaries, all participants gathered at Holy Resurrection Bulgarian Orthodox Church where they met with the rector, Fr. Patrick Tishel, who gave a brief talk on the principles of spiritual life. Afterwards, Holy Resurrection Church hosted an OCF coffeehouse, where many local Orthodox college students gathered for fellowship, food, and music performed by those in attendance. There were many guitarists and vocalists from the different seminaries who played a variety of songs, including original pieces written by the participants themselves. HTS seminarian Felix Lubinin was among the performers, enriching the evening with Russian songs, which received an enthusiastic response.
On Saturday morning, all attended Orthros and the Divine Liturgy in Holy Cross’ Chapel, celebrated by Fr. Peter Chamberas. Many were moved by the beautiful and reverent services. Afterward, several had the chance to venerate the precious relic of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord.
The executive board of OISM, consisting of one or two members from each participating school, met and discussed the agenda over breakfast. The keynote address, “The History of the Image and Devotion to St. Nicholas,” was delivered by Archimandrite Joachim Cotsonis, the director of the Archbishop Iakovos Library and Learning Resource Center at Holy Cross. All were grateful for the thorough and interesting presentation, complete with a PowerPoint presentation showing many examples of early icons of St. Nicholas. After a brief visit to Holy Cross’ bookstore, the general meeting commenced. The students discussed possible dates and themes for the upcoming meeting, how to raise funds to help defer the high cost of travel for seminarians from St. Herman’s Seminary, and how to better keep in touch and share pictures. OISM has its own pages on Facebook and Orthodox Circle.
The meeting ended by singing the troparia for the patron saints of each school, and also the Kontakion of the Protection of the Mother of God, the official feast day of OISM. Some seminarians stayed for a walk along the Freedom Trail in Boston, while others returned home.