On Saturday, February 12, the Orthodox Church celebrates the feast of the Synaxis of the Three Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom. These three great hierarchs and luminaries of the Church are considered patrons of every Orthodox seminary, and therefore this feast is recognized as the patronal feast of Holy Trinity Seminary.
All-Night Vigil was celebrated on Friday evening. As is customary, the seminarians read many of the prayers in Greek, and the choir sang a number of Greek melodiesб as well.
Hierarchal Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Wednesday morning, with the greeting of Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada. His Eminence was co-served by Bishop Luke of Syracuse, abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery and rector of the seminary. The hierarchs – Archbishop Gabriel (’84) and Bishop Luke (’78) – are graduates of Holy Trinity Seminary. In addition to monastery clergy, joining in the celebration were Archpriest Michael Taratuchin (HTS ’89; rector of St. John of Kronstadt Memorial Church in Utica, NY), Archpriest Victor Boldewskul (HTS ’91; Deputy Director of the HTS Alumni Association and rector of Holy Epiphany Church in Roslindale (Boston), MA), and Archpriest Dimitri Jakimowicz (rector of St. Nicholas Church in Stratford, CT).
At the end of Liturgy, a short moleben was served to the Three Hierarchs. After the usual festal meal, tea was served in the seminary hall for the bishops, clergy, seminarians, local neighbors, and visiting pilgrims. Bishop Luke opened the gathering with his greetings, followed by remarks from Archbishop Gabriel.
Deacon Michael Pavuk, Director of Development, served as master of ceremonies, read greetings from His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York (HTS ’72), Bishop George of Canberra (HTS ’80), Archpriest Stefan Pavlenko, Director of the HTS Alumni Association (HTS ’71), and Archpriest Gregory Joyce, dean of the Pastoral School of Chicago & Mid-America. In addition, a report was given on the progress made in recent years in the amount of financial aid given to students in the form of both scholarship and bursary funding.
Dean Dr. Nicolas G. Schidlovsky began with the reading of the greeting from Archbishop Peter of Chicago & Mid-America. He then proceeded with his main address, discussing and explaining the vision for and direction of the curriculum at the seminary, leading up to the 75th anniversary in 2023 and beyond.
In addition, recognition was given to members of the seminary’s faculty and administration, particularly those who are also alumni, including Archimandrite Theophylact (Clapper-DeWell HTS ’86), Priest Ephraim Willmarth (HTS ’11), Archpriest Serge Kotar (HTS ’72), Protodeacon Andrei Psarev (HTS ’95), and Deacon Nicholas Kotar (HTS ’14).
