Saint Vladimir’s Seminary Launches First Online Course for Orthodox Clergy

Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) has announced a new online course for Orthodox clergy, offered through the Saint Vladimir’s Online School of Theology. The course, titled “Let My Prayer Arise: Music and Hymnography of the Lenten Triodion,” is the first in a second category of Online School offerings designed for ordained clergy pursuing continuing theological enrichment. The Online School introduced its first non-degree courses to the general public last summer.

The course will be taught by the Rev. Dn. Dr. Harrison Basil Russin, SVOTS assistant professor of liturgical music. It is limited to 15 students and is described as graduate-level coursework on the connection between the liturgical texts and music of the Lenten Triodion. Russin will lead experienced clergy through a study of varied examples of hymnography across the weeks of Lent, including the interplay of language and music that shapes the experience of parishioners who take part in the services.

Registration is limited to 15 participants, and applicants are invited to apply as soon as possible. Course registration closes on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. The fee for the course is $350.

The Online School is described as an accessible extension of SVOTS that offers online Orthodox education to the general public, taught by seminary faculty. The initiative is supported by a grant awarded in 2022 by Lilly Endowment Inc., which the seminary says helped launch its entry into online education. Courses already offered include Preparing to Read the Fathers, taught by the Very Rev. Dr Bogdan G. Bucur; Orthodoxy and the Old Testament, taught by Dr. Michael Legaspi; and Sacred Artistry: The Living Tradition of Orthodox Church Art, taught by Dr. Rossitza Schroeder.

SVOTS states that it trains priests, lay leaders, and scholars to be active apologists of the Orthodox Christian Faith, with a focus on academic rigor and spiritual formation within a residential Orthodox community. The seminary works with both Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Christian jurisdictions throughout the world. It is chartered and approved by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York and accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada. Its degree programs are the Doctor of Ministry, Master of Theology, Master of Divinity, and Master of Arts. Preparing teachers who can hand the faith to the next generation is part of this work (Psalm 78:4).

The announcement also addresses the Orthodox Church in America. Its faithful and parishes are urged to pray intentionally for vocations and to support the seminaries, students, faculty, and their families. The faithful are also asked to commit to financial support for the three OCA seminaries, which the announcement describes as providing education and spiritual formation for future leaders of the Church.

Parishes are reminded of a resolution approved at the 16th All-American Council in Seattle, which calls on OCA parishes to allocate 1% of their budgets to support these seminaries. Those seeking more information about supporting the seminaries or about vocation and theological formation may use the seminary contact information published with the announcement.

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