OCA News
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In association with its 75th Anniversary Celebration, Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary here will host its 2013 Continuing Clergy Education Symposium June 18-20, 2013.

Speakers and presentation themes to be featured include the following.

“The Glory of Christ-Centered Marriage”—David Ford, Ph.D., Professor of Church History, Saint Tikhon’s Seminary.  A brief study of various Church Fathers and contemporary elders extolling the glory of Christ-centered marriage, especially in light of the various attacks on and increasing confusion about traditional marriage in our society as a whole.  In particular, we will undertake a close study of Elder Aimilianos of Simonopetra’s classic sermon, “Marriage: The Great Sacrament.”  References also will be made to the Lives of the married saints.

“Transforming Psychological States into Spiritual Ones: Some Practical Advice from the Fathers” — Christopher Veniamin, D.Phil. (Oxon.), Professor of Patristics, Saint Tikhon’s Seminary.  Description: How do we live as Christians? Or perhaps a better way of framing the question would be, how do we die every day as disciples of Christ in our broken world? This presentation aims to give practical advice on living the commandments of Christ, based on the theology of the Church Fathers.

“Sanctify Those Who Love the Beauty of Thy House”—Igumen Sergius (Bowyer), Abbot of Saint Tikhon’s Monastery and Interim Dean of Saint Tikhon’s Seminary.  Perspectives on living the Liturgy.  The course outcome is to have a renewed appreciation and love for the Divine Liturgy and Liturgical life of the Church with the understanding that it is the school whereby we are initiated into the mystery of eternal life. The lecture will focus on Biblical-Patristic sources to enlighten the listeners as to the centrality of the Church’s liturgical life while gaining a greater understanding of how they are the primary tool for the Church’s outreach and evangelism.

“Exorcism: A Current Perspective”—Archimandrite Athanasy, monk of Saint Tikhon’s Monastery.  The course will offer an overview of ancient and modern understandings of exorcism, the purpose of the exorcism prayers, how to discern case by case what issues might be affecting an individual’s and when and when not to consider an exorcism, the importance of having recourse to the Bishop, modern medicine, and resources for discernment and contextual applications.

“The Exploration and Development of the Ministry of Presence”—Archpriest John Kowalczyk, Senior Lecturer in Pastoral Practice, Director of Field Education, Saint Tikhon’s Seminary.  The Ministry of Presence: “When two or three are gathered in My name, I am in their midst” (Matthew 18:20).  The Orthodox pastor explores the “prayerful ministry of presence” with the application of the theology of the sanctification of time.  The presentation will aid the Orthodox pastor in navigating in difficult pastoral scenarios which will be found “outside his comfort zone.”

Registration fee is $50.00 per participant, which includes room and board.

Courses are available for clergy continuing education, approved by Archpriest Ian Pac-Urar.  This is a service provided by the faculty of Saint Tikhon’s Seminary to facilitate the continuing education of clergy, mandated by the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America.

For additional information visit www.stots.edu.

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Registration information and other resources related to the Orthodox Church in America’s 2013 Parish Ministries Conference, slated to be held at Marymount University, Arlington, VA July 10-13, 2013, were mailed recently to all parishes.

The conference theme—“Faith in Action: Equipping the Saints for Worship, Learning and Service”—will be developed by speakers and personnel from the OCA’s departments of Christian Education, Christian Service and Humanitarian Aid, Liturgical Music and Translations, and Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry.  Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko will deliver the keynote address.

A detailed schedule and on-line registration forms may be found here.  A list of workshop speakers will be available in the immediate future. Early registration at a lower cost is available until May 31.

“We are excited to be adding a new partner this year to our Ministries Conference,” said Daria Petrykowski, conference coordinator. “The newly formed Department of Continuing Education has approved the conference as a venue for clergy to earn continuing education credits. We look forward to partnering with our clergy and lay leaders to better minister to our communities.”

A flyer/mini-poster with conference details may be downloaded in PDF format.

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His Grace, Bishop MARK made a Hierarchical visit to St. Michael's Orthodox Church, Jermyn PA to celebrate Mother's Day with the faithful on May 19, 2013.

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The Diocesan Council met at St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Church in Wilmington, Delaware, on Monday, May 13, 2013. 

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 In association with our 75th Anniversary Celebration, St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary is pleased to present the 2013 St. Tikhon's Continuing Clergy Education Symposium to be held from Tuesday evening, June 18, through lunchtime on Thursday, June 20.

 

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March 22, 2013 (South Canaan, PA)  The Board of Trustees of Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, South Canaan, PA (www.stots.edu) announces a vacancy in the office of Dean, to be filled effective July 1, 2013.  Applications, nominations, and expressions of interest for the position of Dean are now being accepted.
 Saint Tikhon’s Seminary is an institution of professional Orthodox Christian theological education, affiliated with the Orthodox Church in America, chartered by the Department of Education of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and nationally accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada.  St. Tikhon’s Seminary offers the Master of Divinity degree, as well as the Bachelor of Arts in Theology degree, and a certificate in diaconal formation studies. The primary purpose of the Seminary is to provide the necessary theological, spiritual, and moral foundation for Orthodox men to become good shepherds of Christ’s Holy Orthodox Church and for others to pursue advanced theological study and personal enrichment.
Dean’s Role The Dean is the Chief Operating Officer of the Seminary.  The Dean manages and oversees all spiritual, educational, communal, financial, and legal activities of the Seminary. The Dean represents the Seminary before all agencies – ecclesiastical, educational, and civil – to which it is accountable. Candidates for the position of Dean of the Seminary should be deeply rooted in the Orthodox Faith, possess the general qualifications for a full-time position on the Seminary faculty, and hold a terminal degree.  They should have demonstrated success in exercising effective spiritual, academic, pastoral, administrative, and developmental leadership skills as well as the ability to communicate the vision of the Seminary and to interact effectively with the entire Seminary community, constituencies, supporters, donors, and potential students.
Applications Applications should include a detailed letter demonstrating the candidate’s suitability for the position, a current curriculum vitae, and a list of the names and contact information of at least three (3) individuals who have agreed to serve as references.  All communications will be held in strictest confidence.  The Job Description of the Dean is available upon request.  Completed applications are to be mailed to:  Dean Search Committee; Michael Herzak, Chairman; 6709 Springview Drive, Independence, Ohio 44131 (e-mail:  mherzak@inssys.com), and received no later than May 15, 2013, at which time the formal review of applications by the Search Committee will commence. Committee Membership The Search Committee consists of His Grace, Bishop Michael, Rector; Michael Herzak, Board Chair; Igumen Sergius, Acting Dean; Archpriest Theodore Boback, Alumni President; Harry Boosalis, Ph.D., Regular Faculty; Alexander Bratic, JD, Board Member; Leda Dzwonczyk, Board Secretary; Mary Ford, Ph.D., Regular Faculty; Moses Hibbard, Student Government Vice-President; Jason Rossiter, JD, Legal Counsel; Eli Stavisky, DMD, Board Vice-Chair; and Archpriest David Shewczyk, Adjunct Faculty.



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