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In August of 2016, days before the start of the fall semester, Zena Hatez visited the seminary bookstore to look for a gift for a friend’s wedding. She was sent across the street to find Fr. Steven Voytovich, asking him: “Who cooks for you?” Fr. Steven was overwhelmed by this question as the seminary did not yet have a cook for the fall. Zena jumped in to prepare meals for a Board of Trustees Meeting before the students returned.
Zena has not just served as Seminary Cook, she has been preparing to enter the Holy Orthodox Church together with her fiancé, Walter Robert Parker, Jr. On Saturday, February 10, both Zena Marie and Walter Robert Vladimir were received by Baptism and Chrismation, celebrated by Archpriest Steven Voytovich, Seminary Dean. Subdeacon Timothy and Elizabeth Kolb served as sponsors on both Saturday and Sunday, as they had been journeying with Zena and Bobby through the last 1.5 years.
During the Homily Fr. Steven reminded all about the above conversation. He in turn asked a question of Zena and Bobby: “Who prays for you?” while asking them to turn to see the monastery church full of faithful!
The couple received communion at the Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning. Please see related story of their marriage, celebrated on the afternoon of Sunday, February 11th.
May God grant many years to Zena Marie and Walter Robert Vladimir!
