Another school year at Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, NY has been successfully completed, and on Sunday, May 28, the seminary celebrated its 69th Annual Commencement with a Thanksgiving Moleben, commencement exercises, and a reception. The seminary graduated six students, four receiving honors ranging from cum laude to summa cum laude.

Along with opening and closing remarks by seminary rector and abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery Archimandrite Luke (Murianka), His Grace Irenei, Bishop of Sacramento, provided the commencement address. A newly elevated vicar bishop of the Western American Dioceses with a doctorate from Oxford in Patristics and experience in higher education, he delivered a very powerful speech about how to bring the light of Christ into the world after receiving a theological education.

Bishop Irenei also emphasized the unique status of Holy Trinity Seminary as a theological institution. It not only provides a traditional Orthodox education, but also shapes the entire lives of its students, allowing them to be completely enveloped in the rhythm of the Church, thus creating lasting habits that help them navigate the modern world.

Throughout the day students, family, and friends shared in the joyful successes of the graduates, and enjoyed fellowship at the reception.