Home
Admissions and Catalog
Faculty
Contact Us
Orthodox Kodiak
All Saints of Alaska Church
St. Dimitrie Program
Dr. Engelhardt Lectures
Alaskan Orthodox Texts
Divine Service Texts
Archive
Donate Online
Web Mail
| |
Saint Herman Theological Seminary

Welcome to the St. Herman Seminary website!
Kodiak newspaper interviews Seminary faculty

Orthodox witness of Nativity
Starring celebrates light of faith in dark world
by Mike Rostad
Kodiak Daily Mirror
January 6, 2012


Because most Orthodox faithful in Alaska use the Julian calendar in observing church holidays, they celebrate Christmas on what in Jan. 7 of the widely used Gregorian calendar.

It's an opportunity for the community to celebrate the birth of Jesus without the secular trappings of Santa Claus, elves, reindeer and mounds of extravagant gifts.

The Feast of Nativity--also known as "Russian Christmas" on the island--occurs Saturday and will be celebrated in morning and afternoon services at island Orthodox churches.

The focus of the celebration, as well as the 40-day fast preceding it, is on Jesus. The Nativity fast provides "a way of making our hearts like that manger or cradle that will receive Christ," said Father John Dunlop, dean of St. Herman's Seminary. "It is a way of purifying our hearts and minds, repenting of our sins, so we can truly receive Christ with joy. Also we have remembrance of Old Testament forefathers such as Abraham, Isaac and Jacob . . . and how they prepare us for the birth of the Messiah."

In the Advent fast, "We live like Adam did," said Irenaios Anderson, deacon at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Cathedral, associate dean of academics at St. Herman's Seminary and instructor of Old Testament and homiletics. "We remove rich foods from our diet, such as meat and dairy products. Adam did not eat meat. He was a vegetarian. So, too, we are seeking to re-enter Paradise. By fasting, we remind ourselves from where we have fallen.

The Nativity fast calls the faithful to "look at our responsibilities to the poor," Anderson said.

Ultimately Nativity transforms the whole human race, restoring what was lost in the Fall in Eden, Dunlop said. That transformation was expounded on by the Church fathers.

"The point of the Orthodox celebration of Nativity is that God has come to us to heal our spiritual sickness, to conquer death, to renew us," Anderson said. "The joy is that God did not send a messenger, an angel, but He came Himself. That's joy. That tells us how important we are."

Alluding to the opening passage in the Gospel of John, Dunlop said that Christmas is a time to acknowledge that "the light has entered the darkness and overcome it. Being a dark time of the year, physically, we get a sense that God has visited his people . . . That Christ is Emmanuel.

"The joy of Nativity is that God has become a man in Jesus Christ, the Almighty appearing as a vulnerable infant in the cavern or manger that God becomes a little child," Dunlop said. "What an incredible condescension it is that the Creator of heaven and earth can become a child in a manger. There is warmth and love that's there. You can feel it, in particular, in Alaska with the celebrations we have here."

Perhaps the most colorful Nativity celebration in alaska is starring, A Ukrainian custom brought here by Orthodox missionaries. In this tradition, a decorated star is taken from the church into the homes where the faithful sing Nativity hymns and petition God to "grant many years" to the hosts, who, in turn, offer food and gifts to the star bearers.

Starring hearkens to the Scripture account of the gift-giving by the Magi, Anderson said.

"We follow the star from home to home, bringing the joy of the Nativity. We bring the gift of Christ. Christ is God's gift to the world and we share that gift with all those around us."

In places such as the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, home to many of the seminarians, starring is a highlight of the Nativity feast.

"The hosts give everyone gifts who come to their house," Dunlop said. "Gift-giving is very much a part of the starring experience, especially from that region."

Dunlop said celebrating the Nativity feast in Alaska has provided him much joy as a priest.

"I enjoy the folk element and customs and traditions of Alaska, such as the starring and feasting. This is a unique connection between winter celebrations and elements in Native cultures that connect and blend with the celebration of the birth of Christ."
Nativity in Kodiak

Seminarians serve at local services - 01/06/12

Christ is born! Glorify Him!

Seminarians who stayed in Kodiak during the break served at the Altar and in the choir for the Nativity services. After the liturgical services seminiarians joined the faithful of Holy Resurrection Cathedral in "following the star." More photos to come. . . .


(30 images)

Nativity and St. Herman

Nativity, St. Herman, and slaviiq - 12/25/11

As we draw near to celebrate the Nativity of Christ, we also remember our patron, St. Herman of Alaska on December 25/26. As our neighbors celebrate the coming of Christ on December 25, we in Alaska remember the one who brought us the light of the Gospel, both by his words and deeds.

Perhaps no other activity is so identified with the Orthodox Church in Alaska at this time of the year as the custom of starring (slaviiq). Here are some thoughts on this custom; may the light of Christ illumine your hearts during this blessed season!

The Story of Starring

The custom of following a large pinwheel-shaped “star” from house to house (and in some places even from village to village), singing Orthodox Christian hymns and Christmas carols originated in the Carpathian Mountains, an area on the border between Russia, Poland, Slovakia and Romania. The peasants in this region observed the Feast of the Nativity of Christ by composing folk carols and “following the star” as the Magi did, to worship the newborn Savior.

How this custom arrived in Alaska really is not known. Certainly there were frontiersmen and settlers in Siberia who brought the custom of “starring” here and some eventually and remained in Alaska when the territory was part of the Russian Empire (1741–1867). They sang these hymns and folk carols and taught them to their wives and children, and the custom has survived since that time.

Within Alaska, customs differ, with lots of singing and then feasting and even gift giving in the Yup’ik homes along the Kuskokwim and Yukon Rivers. In Bristol Bay, along the Nushagak River and around Lake Iliamna, there is less visiting and the singers travel more quickly around their own village before heading for the neighboring communities, where most households give a gift “to the star” as a donation to the parish church the singers represent. Many homes host elaborate memorial dinners during the holiday, if a family member has passed away during the previous year.

The repertoire everywhere includes the tropar of the Feast: “Thy Nativity, O Christ Our God, has shown to the world the light of wisdom, for by it those who worshipped the stars were taught by a star to adore Thee…” the ancient hymn that inspired the custom of “starring.”

The singers in most regions enter each house singing “Glory to God in the Highest,” the song of the angels at Christmas, which in Slavonic is “Slava v vyshnikh Bogu,” from which the name Slaaviq is derived. We give slava (glory) to God, praising Him for sending His Son and adoring Him as Emmanuel, God with us.

The most popular folk carols include “Nebo i Zemlya” (Heaven and Earth), “Divnaya Novina” (Glad Tidings) “Nam Rodilsya” (He is born for Us) and “Vefleyemi Novina” (There is Joy in Bethlehem).

Everywhere, the singers conclude with the hymn “Mnogaya Leta” (God grant you many Years), invoking His blessing on all who have participated in the celebration and asking God to grant them prosperity, peace, and health for many more blessed years.



(3 images)

St. Nicholas party

"All who love Nicholas the saintly . . ." - 12/19/11

With the coming of the feast day of St. Nicholas, the fall semester at St. Herman Seminary comes to an end. After the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, the staff and students of the seminary enjoy a feast (and a little candy for the children) before many head back to their villages for the Nativity break. We also enjoy the presence of several of the faithful from Holy Resurrection Cathedral as together we share the joy of the day.

(42 images)

Pre-Nativity greetings

Early Christmas message - 12/14/11

Although we won't be celebrating Nativity for a while, we wish to give an early Christmas greeting. Here in Alaska, the Nativity of Our Lord is celebrated with special zeal and joy. On wintry nights following the liturgical celebration, carolers follow the “Star of the East” from home to home, bearing the glad tidings of our Savior’s birth. Like the Magi and wonder-struck shepherds, young and old alike, adore the newly born Christ child. So, on behalf of the Seminary students and staff, we wish you a most blessed Nativity season.



(0 images)

Substance abuse counselling seminar

Addressing addiction and recovery - 12/05/11

On December 5-9 St. Herman Seminary held a seminar on substance abuse counseling for our students. The speakers at this event were the Seminary’s adjunct instructor in substance abuse, Floyd Frantz, who is a missionary with the Orthodox Christian Mission Center. For the past 11 years he has served as director of the St. Dimitrie Program, a treatment and outreach ministry in the Archdiocese of Cluj in Romania, which focuses on community education and treatment of substance abuse. Also speaking were Fr. George Aquaro, priest at St. Matthew Church (Antiochian Archdiocese) in Torrence, California, a recently accepted missionary candidate with OCMC. Fr. George spoke on the spirituality of addiction and recovery and hopes to bring that experience to Alaska. Joining him were Fr. Andrew Harrison from St. Luke Church in Palos Hills, Illinois, who has extensive experience in family systems and addictions programs, and Dr. Basil Spyropoulos, a psychiatrist with experience in substance abuse treatment and education. Fr. Andrew spoke on how addiction affects the family, and Dr. Basil spoke on the disease aspect of substance abuse.

All of our speakers have served with the St. Dimitrie Program in Romania, an Orthodox country that suffers much from substance abuse. St. Herman Seminary is unique in that it is the only Orthodox Seminary in North America that provides training in substance abuse counseling training as a part of its standard curriculum.

Our speakers expressed appreciation for their time among the students and will continue to be involved in our training program.The seminar was well received by the students and will serve as a springboard for future substance abuse counseling training at the Semi nary and, God willing, in the Diocese of Alaska as well.



(143 images)

Basketball . . . Kodiak style!

St. Herman Hermits

Everyone needs a little time off. For our students, that means spending one evening a week playing basketball in the Kodiak city league. The student-initiated basketball team St. Herman Hermits plays other teams from Kodiak, giving the seminarians an opportunity to take their faith to the courts. The seminary families enjoy getting out and cheering on the team and spending time together. Go Hermits!


(32 images)

Supporting the Seminary

From My Youth - 11/21/11

Recordings of the St. John's Girls Octet from the early 1970s have been re-released on a CD entitled "From My Youth: An American Orthodox Journey," available from Musica Russica. The octet was invited by the then-newly elected Bishop of Alaska, His Grace GREGORY (Afonsky), on a 6-week tour of Alaska, where they sang before thousands of Native Alaskan Orthodox faithful. This CD was launched in connection with the 16th All-American Council of the OCA. A portion of the proceeds of the sale of this CD will be donated to St. Herman's Seminary. Visit www.musicarussica.com or call 1-800-326-3132. 

(0 images)

All American Council

Alaska at All American Council - 10/31/11

From October 31 to November 5 the All American Council of the OCA met in Seattle. Due to the Diocese of the West hosting the AAC so near to us, we were able to send 50 delegates from the Diocese of Alaska. Both the Seminary and the Diocese had displays and were able to share the life of our Diocese with the many people who stopped to visit our booths. Seminary staff Fr. John Dunlop, Archimandrite Juvenaly (Repass), and Dn. Irenaios Anderson attended the Council as well as seminarians Fr. Michael Nicolai and Dn. Andrew Wasillie. Our seminarians spent many hours in assisting the work of the Council, and our heartfelt thanks goes to them and the many volunteers who made this Council possible. The clergy of the Diocese led the 500-plus delegates in prayer at the Akathist to Our Lady of Sitka. It was a wonderful opportunity to visit our brethren in the "Lower 48" and remind them of God's work in His northern vineyard.

(0 images)

All Saints of Alaska

Continuing the work of the Alaskan saints - 09/24/11

On September 24 we celebrated the feast of All Saints of Alaska (originally the feast day of the Alaskan martyrs St. Juvenaly and St. Peter the Aleut). On this day the mission from Valaam Monastery arrived in Kodiak not only to provide for the religious life for the members of the Russian-American Company but also to bring Orthodox Christianity to "the Americans," as the monastics called the Native peoples of Alaska.

We celebrated Great Vespers and Divine Liturgy, after which new seminarians were blessed to wear the cassock. With joy we continue the apostolic labors of St. Herman, St. Juvenaly, St. Innocent, St. Yakov, St. Peter the Aleut, and "men, women, and children known only to God."


(103 images)

Newspaper interviews Fr. Michael

Thoughts of a recently ordained priest

On September 16, 2011, the Kodiak Daily Mirror published the following interview journalist Mike Rostad had with Fr. Michael Nicolai, fourth-year seminarian at St. Herman's and recently ordained priest:

Newly ordained priest Michael Nicolai has been inspired by family members, elders, teachers and priests, but when asked to identify a powerful force that influenced him to pursue the Orthodox priesthood, he referred to a book whose title doesn't sound particularly spiritual or theological. The book I Dare You was recommended to him more than 10 years ago, when Nicolai first attended St. Herman's Seminary.

"Archimandrite Innocent put in a seed that bothered me many years," Nicolai reflected. Even though he left the seminary after a year, he kept telling himself to come back. He made good on his urging. He is now a fourth-year student.

As the title implies, the book carried a "be all that you can" message.

"It made you want to do more. It clicks your mind," and whets the appetite for adventure. "All the things I learned and wanted to learn was because of that book."

When Nicolai first attended the seminary, he intended to be some king of church leader, such as a Sunday School teacher.

"I didn't know what to expect when I first came. I wanted to learn more about our church. There is a lot of stuff I didn't understand. That first year helped me a lot."

Nicolai said the book helped him in other areas. Growing up around construction and mechanics, he said the book pushed him to learn more about these trades. After his first stint at St. Herman's, Nicolai worked as a journeyman electrician, confident that he was up for the challenge.

But books can go only so far in shaping a person. Nicolai has had mentors who helped him along the way. Many of the words were spoken in Yup'ik, Nicolai's first language.

Nicolai grew up in the Kuskokwim River village of Kwethluk, which spawned many priests who shared their wisdom.

If Nicolai is tempted to think too highly of his position or view it as just another job, he will remember the words of Fr. Stephen Epchook (also a St. Herman's Seminary graduate) who said, "All glory belongs to Jesus Christ," Nicolai recalled. In understanding that "we gain humility." That wisdom came from the mouth of Nicolai's grandfather.

A visiting priest also had words of wisdom for someone such as Nicolai, who was considering the priesthood.

Some of his best advice came from his family.

Nicolai will never forget what he learned from his great-grandparents, Wassillie and Anna Andrew. Their influence is like the Orthodox cross he wears around his neck. Their love and wisdom are always with him and that knowledge gives him a sense of peace and security.

"My great-grandparents played a big role in raising me."

He also recalls the words of his grandfather, Wassillie Nicolai, whose son, Fr. Martin Nicolai, is also a priest.

"My grandpa once told me that "if God calls you, your heart is going to get soft."

Nicolai learned by watching the behavior of his elders, such as his father-in-law, Fr. Stephen Heckman, rector of Transfiguration of Our Lord in Pilot's Station.

"He has been a good example of a good spiritual father," Nicolai said,. "Watching him serve and helping people makes me think that's a good thing."

Heckman's daughter, Roseanne, Nicolai's wife, has been helpful in her own way.

"My wife helped push me," Nicolai said. "It pays to have a good wife."

It also pays to have a good mother. Margaret Ayapan, Nicolai's mother, "pushed us to go for the greater good," he said. "She taught us not to profit for ourselves only, and that everything is given by God."

In July, when Nicolai went to his village for a diocesan conference, he told his mother he was leaning strongly toward ordination.

"My mom confirmed my decision," he said. "She gave me more strength. When I told her that I was going to get ordained, she said she felt like her life's work was complete.

"Going home helped me a lot to prepare for the service" of ordination, Nicolai said. "It was more of a spiritual trip for me than anything else. I didn't know what to expect when I went home. My family was very positive and very happy that I was going to go through with (the ordination).

Many family members traveled to Kodiak for the service, which occurred during the annual St. Herman's Pilgrimage and was officiated by Orthodox Church in America's Metropolitan Jonah Paffhausen.

"For some reason, I was in prayer" during the service, Nicolai said. "I felt that a part that was missing got filled."

Bea Dunlop, one of Nicolai's teachers, was one of many Orthodox faithful who witnessed the ordination.

"When I saw his family drawing near to the royal doors to watch, I felt strongly that this was the right thing. I was very moved by the whole thing," she said.

Nicolai holds a title of ordination, but he has yet to receive a certificate of graduation. He has one more year of school at St. Herman's.

"It's a good thing to be ordained before I graduate," he said. He'll have a whole year to adjust and learn more about the services before being sent to a parish.

"Seminary is a good place to be trained," he said. "I can be corrected here."

Right now Nicolai is "waiting for orders," he said. "There's always a church in need. I want to go where the need is."

Wherever Nicolai is sent, he will consider his wife and their children. "It's not just me that was ordained, it's all of us," he said.

Celebrating a village's feast

Feast in Port Lions - 09/21/11

Seminary priests and several seminarians travelled to the Native Village of Port Lions, approximately 20 miles by air from Kodiak, to celebrate the patronal feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos Church with the faithful. The village was founded by the people of Afognak after the destruction of their village in the tsunami of 1964. St. Herman Seminary graduate Fr. Alexei Knagin, originally from Port Lions, celebrated with Fr. John Dunlop, Archimandrite Juvenaly (who currently is serving the church there), and student clergy Fr. Michael Nicolai and Dn. Andrew Wassillie.

(14 images)

Welcoming additions to the seminary

Baptism: a new beginning - 09/10/11

On September 10 the Seminary community welcomed a new addition as Tikhon Peter Askoak was baptized in the Seminary chapel. We offer our thanks to God and "Many Years" to Tikhon, his family, and sponsors. At the beginning of this school year when we are welcoming the addition of a new class of seminarians, we celebrate the new beginning of Baptism and the growth of the Church.


(8 images)

A new year begins . . .

2011-2012 Academic Year Begins - 08/30/11

On August 30 St. Herman Seminary began orientation for the 2011–2012 academic year. Now our students are settling in to the cycle of classes and worship at the seminary, gaining practical ministry experience at Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Kodiak in the areas of Altar service, singing in the choir, and teaching church school. This year we welcome 7 new students, bringing our community to 15 full-time students, from various regions of Alaska and with varying life experiences. This year we have students from among the Alutiiq, Aleut, Athabascan, Tlingit, and Yup’ik peoples . . . as well as a couple of non-Native students from our Diocese. We also are excited about having 25 children on campus! As we grow together in community we look forward to a new year of training future clergy and laity for “the work of ministry” (Eph. 4:12) in Alaska.

We also welcome a new faculty member, Daria Safronova, a doctoral candidate from Ohio State University. A native of Russia, Daria has 8 years of experience in teaching Russian and most recently has served as a graduate research associate at the Hilandar Research Library and Resource Center for Medieval Slavic Studies, which possesses the largest collection of medieval Slavic manuscripts on microform in the world. She will be teaching Slavonic as well as Russian Church History and Literature at the seminary as well as overseeing the care of the Diocesan Archives and the seminary library. In addition, she will be teaching Russian at Kodiak College, our local branch of the University of Alaska system.



(4 images)

From Greece to Kodiak

Pilgrim from Greece - 08/23/11

On August 23-24, St. Herman Seminary was graced by a visit from Archimandrite Methodios (Alexiou), who travelled to Alaska from Greece. Fr. Methodius made pilgrimage to Spruce Island and venerated the relics of St. Herman. While here Fr. Methodius spoke with the faculty and seminarians about his ministry with the youth of St. Gregory Palamas Cathedral in Thessaloniki. Visit www.neoiagp.gr to learn more about the good work that is being done among the youth in Thessaloniki.



(5 images)

Continued assistance

Gift to help the seminary

Recently a generous donor of St. Vladimir's Seminary--who wishes to remain anonymous--established a newly endowed fund that will enable St. Vladimir's to help support our seminary. The donor created a permanent endowment of $80,000 that will enable St. Vladimir's to continue programs at St. Herman Seminary.

St. Vladimir's has a long history of supplying our seminary with faculty. Recently Archpriest Chad Hatfield, Chancellor of St. Vladimir's and former Dean of St. Herman's has conducted seminars here at the seminary in Kodiak.

Seminary Dean Archpriest John Dunlop commented: "The historical link between the two schools is paving the way to closer cooperation, particularly in the field of missions and evangelism. We trust that God will give more opportunities for our seminaries to cooperate in our common vision to serve the Church."

St. Herman Seminary gratefully acknowledges its debt to such gracious benefactors of St. Vladimir's Seminary that allow our ministry to continue.

Transfiguration on the Yukon

Transfigured marriage - 08/19/11

Seminary Dean Archpriest John Dunlop and faculty member Archimandrite Juvenaly joined Diocesan Chancellor Archpriest Michael Oleksa and the clergy and faithful of the Yukon Deanery at the annual Yukon Deanery Conference. The conference took place during the Feast of Transfiguration at St. Seraphim of Sarov Church in Lower Kalskag and was hosted by Priest Nikolai Isaac, a St. Herman Seminary graduate. The conference theme was "Marriage in the Orthodox Church." Fr. John spoke on various aspects of marriage, which then were discussed by hundreds of participants from area villages. Area clergy and faithful enjoyed the majestic forested setting of the Upper Kuskokwim, fruitful discussion, and joyful services. The conference was the perfect setting for the seminary to continue its pastoral and educational ministry to the Diocese of Alaska.

(73 images)

St. Herman Pilgrimage 2011

Welcoming pilgrims to Kodiak - 08/07/11

At the St. Herman Pilgrimage this year we welcomed His Beatitude Metropolitan JONAH, His Grace Bishop BENJAMIN, and His Grace Bishop MAXIM of the Western Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America to Kodiak. Also present were many clergy, monastics, and pilgrims, including some members of the OCMC mission team that ministered in Old Harbor.

Pilgrims venerated the relics of St. Herman and visited Spruce Island, where the Saint ministered to all he met, especially the Native people of Kodiak and Spruce Island, who continue to venerate St. Herman as they always have.

So many people helped to make this Pilgrimage happen. Among them were the skippers of the boats who transferred people from Kodiak to Spruce Island, the clergy and faithful of Holy Resurrection Cathedral and St. Innocent Academy, "those who serve and those who sing," those who put in extra hours preparing the "new" Cathedral gift shop and serving the Pilgrims as well as those who worked extra hours at Monk’s Rock, providing hospitality and service to all those who attended, the faithful who came from Kodiak and the rest of the Diocese of Alaska, . . . and the people of Kodiak, who opened their arms to make pilgrims feel at home. Finally, a special thanks to the Sisterhoods of Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Kodiak and Nativity of Our Lord Church in Ouzinkie, who provided food and hospitality to our guests. As usual, our brethren of St. Innocent Academy offered openhearted hospitality and joyful singing to the Pilgrimage.

The Pilgrimage culminated with the ordination of Deacon Michael Nicolai to the Holy Priesthood. The presence of several Diocesan clergy and their families helped make this a joyful and memorable event. May God grant the newly ordained Father Michael and his family many years! Axios, axios, axios! Fr. Michael will be entering his fourth and final year of seminary this year and serving on Kodiak until his graduation, then ministering elsewhere in the Diocese of Alaska.



(57 images)

Missions in Kodiak

Go into all the world - 07/29/11

The St. Herman Seminary community welcomed Presbytera Renee Ritsi and the OCMC mission team to Old Harbor to Kodiak for their orientation. Led by Fr. John Parker, priest of Holy Ascension Orthodox Church (OCA) in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, this pan-Orthodox team will be leading a youth camp in Old Harbor. The orientation began with Presbytera Renee giving an introduction to OCMC and Orthodox missions and Seminary Dean Fr. John Dunlop welcoming the team with a brief history of the Church in Alaska, focusing on Kodiak and Old Harbor. The team learned more specifically about Old Harbor and ministry on the island from Fr. Innocent; Dn. Irenaios Anderson gave an introduction of cross-cultural communication and missiology; and Matushka Bea Dunlop spoke on Patristics and cross-cultural teaching and ministry among Native peoples.

At the end of orientation the Seminary community was invited by the Team to a dinner, before they headed out to Old Harbor for a week of ministry. The Alaskan apostolic mission continues!


(69 images)

Return to Russian America

Sailing into Kodiak harbor - 07/21/11

On July 21 the people of Kodiak welcomed the crew of the Pallada, a training vessel of the Far Eastern State Technical University of Fisheries based out of Vladivostok. The cadets, most from Kamchatka, enjoyed shore leave in Kodiak. In return, the people of Kodiak were invited on board to learn about Russian America, including a presentation of a Russian perspective on Alaskan history. In addition to introducing people to Russian explorers, special attention was given to the place of St. Herman and St. Innocent in the history of Russian America. The Pallada next sailed to Sitka before visiting other American Pacific ports.

(27 images)

Mission team comes to Kodiak

Working as service - 07/13/11

From July 13-20, St. Herman Seminary hosted a mission team from the Church of the Annunciation in Milwaukie, Oregon. Led by Archpriest Matthew Tate, a dozen youth and adult leaders worked on several projects at the Seminary and Holy Resurrection Cathedral. While here the team was able to venerate the relics of St. Herman and make pilgrimage to Spruce Island. It was a joy to have them here . . . they even made the front page of the local newspaper!

(27 images)

 
Powered by Orthodox Web Solutions

Home | Back | Print | Top