Seminarians Anticipate New School Year
Students have returned to Jordanville from summer vacation. Over the summer, some went home or traveled while others worked. A group of students stayed at the monastery and helped maintain the grounds and fulfill various obediences.
They will join one of the largest new student enrollments in decades. Hieromonk Cyprian (Alexandrou), the Dean of Students, stated that seventeen students were accepted, and thirteen will enroll. Coming from places like Waco, Texas, Stockholm, Sweden, the new enrollment will be among the most diverse in the history of the seminary.
They will join one of the largest new student enrollments in decades. Hieromonk Cyprian (Alexandrou), the Dean of Students, stated that seventeen students were accepted, and thirteen will enroll. Coming from places like Waco, Texas, Stockholm, Sweden, the new enrollment will be among the most diverse in the history of the seminary.
Seminarians began participating in monastery life as soon as they arrived, serving in the kitchen, in the altar and on kliros. On August 31, three new students assisted Metropolitan Hilarion and visiting clergy in the altar for a liturgy in honor of the namesday of the late Metropolitan Laurus of blessed memory. For Stanislav Matveev it was his first time serving at a hierarchical liturgy: “It was enjoyable and like a celebration with all those priests and deacons…but also very nerve-wracking.”
New students also took entrance exams on September 1 and 2. The exams determine in which year students will be placed. “It was less than I thought, but more than I thought,” said Alexander Brooks, an incoming married student, after one exam. “It’s good to know how little I know.” His sentiment was repeated by other students.
Seminarians helped the brotherhood to prepare the monastery to host its annual Labor Day weekend pilgrimage. They also cleaned and fix up the dormitory in preparation for a visit from the Kursk-Root Icon of the Sign, currently here at Holy Trinity Monastery. We hope that through her Icon, the Most Holy Theotokos will bless the seminarians for the new school year.