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UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE USA

CONSISTORY OFFICE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS

PRESS RELEASE

 

Metropolitan Antony and Bishop Daniel Visit St. Sophia Seminary as the Fall Semester Concludes

 

Immersing themselves into the lives of Holy Great-martyr Barbara and Venerable John of Damascus, the distance-learning class of seminarians of Saint Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary gathered on Wednesday morning, December 17, 2014 for the Divine Liturgy celebrated at Three Holy Hierarchs chapel of the Seminary. With blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Antony, the Liturgy was served by His Grace Bishop Daniel, who was assisted by the Provost and Academic Dean of the Seminary Very Rev. Fr. Bazyl Zawierucha as well as the faculty of the academic institution of the Church.

In his remarks to the seminarians, and those gathered at the Chapel for the liturgical celebration, Bishop Daniel reflected on the lives of the venerated saints of the day making a parallel to the many challenges that modern-day Christians face throughout the world. Vladyka spoke of the historical need of true pastors of parish communities, who are willing to lead by example and able to offer themselves unconditionally to those that are entrusted into their spiritual care.

The student body of the Seminary, under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Anthony Perkins, instructor of Church Music, chanted responses to the Liturgy. At the conclusion of the service, Very Rev. Fr. Bazyl Zawierucha welcomed the visitors to the Seminary’s chapel, expressing his most profound gratitude to His Eminence Metropolitan Antony, Rector of the Seminary and Bishop Daniel for their prayerful presence among the students. Moreover. Fr. Bazyl thanked the faculty of the Seminary for their dedication to the academic excellence of the theological school of the Church, informing everyone present of the progress made with the reaccreditation process of the Seminary with the Department of Homeland Security, the State of New Jersey as well the accrediting agencies of the Department of Education.

Following the presentation, Bishop Daniel shared with those in attendance the blessings of various scholarship awards that the students of St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary are able to receive. One of such scholarships is Protopresbyter Volodymyr and Pani-matka Halyna Lewytzkyj Scholarship Fund that is annually awarded to the students of the Seminary from Ukraine, and administered by Pani Luba Lewytzkyj. A Memorial litany was served for the donors of the Fund, in whose name the fund continues to provide its life-giving ministry. This year four full-time seminarians from Ukraine were awarded the scholarship: Subdeacons Ivan Chopko, Volodymyr Sukanets, Volodymyr Yavorskyi and seminarian Ruslan Rolnyi.

The morning concluded with a luncheon prepared by the Seminary’s Chef – Pani Maria Morozovska, who recently celebrated her birthday. As a token of gratitude for dedicated service to the ministry of the Seminary, the students, in the presence of Metropolitan Antony and Bishop Daniel presented Pani Maria with a birthday cake, chanting in Ukrainian, English and Italian – May God grant you many blessed years – Mnohaya Lita. With tears in her eyes, Pani Maria embraced the students and was quick to share her cake with several dozens of people in attendance.

In order to learn more about the ministry and academic opportunities of Saint Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary, please visit the web site of the Seminary at www.stsuots.org

Fall Semester Concludes at St. Sophia Seminary - 12/18/2014

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