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The stavropegial seminaries of the Orthodox Church in America, Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, located in Crestwood, NY and Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, located in South Canaan, PA, held commencement exercises marking the end of the academic year. Both ceremonies took on added significance because they were held without restrictions as the pandemic winds down in the United States.
Saint Vladimir’s Seminary held commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 15, 2021 for both the class of 2021 and 2020. The two classes were made up of men and women from a multitude of Orthodox jurisdictions and other churches—33 from the class of 2020, and 22 from the class of 2021.
Saint Tikhon’s Seminary’s graduation exercises for class of 2021 began the evening of Friday, May 28 and concluded on Saturday, May 29. recognizing 15 graduates, including one woman, who were awarded the Master of Divinity degree. They represented several Orthodox jurisdictions and other churches.
His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, presided at both events. Hierarchical Divine Liturgies and Prayer Services of Thanksgiving preceded the graduation exercises. He also offered remarks at both seminaries, noting the importance of building Christ-centered communities. He charged them to be devoted to creating genuine communities through sacrifice and warned them against the virtual communities and fake friendships of the world.
You can read full accounts of each graduation on the respective websites: Saint Vladimir’s Seminary and Saint Tikhon’s Seminary. Please consider prayerfully supporting our seminaries with sacrificial gifts as they prepare our future church leaders, clergy, theologians, musicians, educators and artists.
