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Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary will hold its annual open house, Orthodox Education Day, on the school’s campus here on Saturday, October 7, 2017. The day will open with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.
This year’s timely theme is “Modern Martyrs: Christians of the Middle East and North Africa. In his keynote address—“Dying, and Behold, We Live: Martyrdom in the New Testament”—biblical scholar Rev. Dr. George Parsenios, Associate Professor of New Testament, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Sessional Professor of New Testament at SVOTS, will focus on sections in 2 Corinthians and in the Gospel of Saint John, chapter 9 (the healing of the Blind Man), where suffering is connected to assimilation to Christ and being “in Christ.”
According to Matushka Robyn Hatrak, SVOTS Special Events, Hospitality and Alumni Officer, other Education Day offerings will feature
- an emotionally powerful exhibit of photographs of modern martyrs.
- a presentation by SVOTS alumnus, Father Abraham Wassef, on recent slayings of Christians in North Africa and their effects on Coptic Orthodox parishes in North America.
- a discussion titled “Martyrdom as Witness: Helping the Hopeless in America,” by the nuns of All Saints Monastery, in which they will share their healing ministry for victims of human trafficking.
- a book signing with Christine Chaillot, who will be presenting her latest work, The Dialogue Between Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches
Supplication services for suffering and martyred Christians also will be celebrated during the day. Children will enjoy an activity area, led by Jenny Mosher, while teen talks and activities will be led by Father John Hopko. And, in addition to a buffet of delicious entrées, desserts, and poured-over coffee, a full display of SVS Press and Bookstore books, CDs, icons and other religious items will be available for purchase.
A detailed schedule of the days services, events and activities is available on the SVOTS web site.
The public is invited to attend.
