“It is now possible for students to come to our seminary with their tuition fully funded,” announced Archpriest John Behr, dean of Saint Vladimir’s Seminary here, as he announced a new plan designed to help theological graduate students cover the cost of their education.

“Effective this coming academic year,” explained Father John, “we’re instituting a newly devised ‘matching grant’ program for students seeking either a Master of Divinity or Master of Arts degree in theology, and we’re expanding tuition grants available to students in other categories as well.

“It is our intent,” he continued, “to care for our seminarians by lowering the burden of monetary debt that so often follows priests and lay ministers as they enter the field of church work.”

The plan, which was initiated by the seminary Board of Trustees in November 2011, is simple: the seminary will provide 50% of total tuition costs in outright grants, and up to 25% more in dollar-for-dollar matching funds to qualifying students, that is, students who meet the need-based criteria set by the seminary.  The other 25% of tuition would be paid through matching funds donated by ecclesial sources, such as dioceses, parishes, parish organizations, and parish aid and scholarship funds.

“In this manner,” explained Father John, “the tuition for all our students will be potentially fully funded. Additionally, these funds will be available to incoming and returning students.”

Seminary Chancellor/CEO Archpriest Chad Hatfield further noted the import of the new plan, saying, “We at Saint Vladimir’s are fully committed to fully paid tuition for our seminarians. Just as we built the Married Student Housing complex on our campus to create a close-knit community and to offer our students and their families affordable rental space, we’ve taken a leap of faith in creating this new plan to help students leave here debt free and ready to work in God’s vineyard.”

Both the Dean and Chancellor emphasized that the seminary’s commitment to pay at least 50%, and up to 75%, of the total annual tuition costs per qualifying student represents a substantial increase over what the seminary has contributed to student tuition in previous years.

“This does not mean that we have found a ‘pot of gold at the end of the rainbow’,” remarked Father John, “but rather that we’re absolutely committed to providing for our students in this difficult economy. We are likewise depending upon ecclesial bodies and parishes to take up the challenge to make seminarians debt free through their portion in matching funds, and we will be calling upon them in the future to do so.”

“It is also apparent,” Father Chad observed, “that we are contributing seminary funds to this program in hopes that potential students will seek an education at Saint Vladimir’s.

“Those new incoming students,” he went on, “through their room and board costs — which, by the way, now are comparably low and directly competitive with other Orthodox theological schools in the US — will help us replenish our general operations funds and allow us to continue funding student tuition in a more generous manner.”

Besides helping students in the M.Div. and M.A. programs through the new plan, the Board of Trustees expanded potential financial aid to four other groups of students: 1) seminarians in the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church will receive 60% tuition paid as an outright grant, with 20% in matching funds, and the amount of students eligible for funding is no longer capped at six; 2) monastics of (at least) the rassaphore rank will receive 100% tuition paid in outright grants, and the amount of students eligible for funding is no longer capped at three; 3) highly qualified and select seminarians seeking Th.M. degrees will receive Dean’s Fellowships at 100% paid tuition, and the amount of students eligible for such funding is no longer capped at five; and 4) some residential part-time M.A. and Th.M. students will be eligible for financial aid.

Details of the new plan may be found on the seminary’s Website: www.svots.edu, or by contacting Dr. David F. Wagschal, director of Admissions and Financial Aid, at dwagschal@svots.edu, or 914-961-8313 x328.

2011 FOCA basketball tournament in Cleveland attracted over 500 participants!

The Fellowship of Orthodox Christians in America [FOCA] will be hosting its 73rd annual bowling tournament and national basketball tournament — “Jersey Style” — at the East Brunswick Hilton here Friday through Sunday, May 4-6, 2012.

Sponsored by the South River Senior and Junior “R” Clubs of Saints Peter and Paul Church, South River, NJ, the annual events are open to all Orthodox Christians, regardless of whether or not they are members of the FOCA, according to FOCA national sports director, Anthony Shultz.  The event marks the first time in FOCA history that the tournaments are being held at the same time.  In 2011, over 500 participants traveled to Cleveland, OH for the basketball tournament alone, making it the largest single youth event in the Orthodox Church in America, with most players from OCA parishes.  [See http://oca.org/news/archived/over-500-attend-annual-foca-basketball-tournament.]

In addition to an exciting weekend of bowling and basketball, Saturday evening Great Vespers and the Sunday morning Divine Liturgy will be celebrated.  His Grace, Bishop Michael of New York and New Jersey, will preside.

Additional information, registration and medical release forms, the basketball code of conduct, and other pertinent information may be found on the FOCA’s web site.

Questions may be directed to Michael and Allison Steffaro at michaelsteffaro@comcast.net or 732-698-1952.

FOCA officials also recently announced that the 2012 national summer sports tournament will be held in Columbus Ohio, July 20-21, 2012.  Additional information will be posted on the FOCA and OCA web sites as it becomes available.

Founded in Pittsburgh in 1927 as the “Federated Russian Orthodox Clubs” — the name change was effected in 1998 — the FOCA is a national organization open to all Orthodox Christians seeking fellowship and service projects.  Throughout its history, the FOCA has been especially committed to youth ministry programs on the local, regional, and national levels.  Many parishes of the Orthodox Church in America sponsor active senior and junior chapters.

The Lesser Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America will meet at the Chancery here Tuesday, February 21, 2012.

In addition to His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, other members of the Lesser Synod include His Grace, Bishop Tikhon, Secretary; His Grace, Bishop Nikon; and His Grace, Bishop Benjamin.  His Grace, Bishop Melchisedek, also will be in attendance.

According to Archpriest Eric G. Tosi, OCA Secretary, the hierarchs will hear reports from the officers of the Church on a number of pastoral, administrative and financial issues; review ongoing legal matters; review the 16th All-American Council’s initiatives, resolutions, and Strategic Plan goals; consider plans for the consecration of Archimandrite Alexander [Golitzin], Bishop-elect of the Bulgarian Diocese, slated to be celebrated in Toledo, OH May 4-5, 2012; and set the agenda for the Holy Synod of Bishops’ spring session May 7-10, 2012.  The hierarchs also will meet with members of the Sexual Misconduct Policy Advisory Committee [SMPAC] to review updated policies and procedures, job descriptions and mandates, and ongoing cases.

Concurrently, Priest John Vitko will chair a meeting of the Strategic Plan Committee.

The spring meeting of the Metropolitan Council will open on Tuesday evening with remarks by Metropolitan Jonah and the report of the OCA Chancellor, Archpriest John Jillions, who also will offer a report on the SMPAC.  On Tuesday, Febuary 22, the Metropolitan Council will hear reports by Fathers Tosi and Vitko.  Additional reports will be offered by the Metropolitan Council’s committees on Charity [Archpriest John Reeves], Council Development, Crisis Management [Dr. Dimitri Solodow], Ethics [Archpriest David Mahaffey], Human Resources [Priest David Garretson], and Internal Governance [Dr. Solodow].  The Legal Committee also will offer a report on the Statute issue from the 16th All-American Council and other current and ongoing issues.

Following the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at the Chancery’s Saint Sergius of Radonezh Chapel on Thursday morning, February 23, Mrs. Melanie Ringa, OCA Treasurer, will offer the finance report, review of the 2010 Statement, and present the External Audit report.  Priest Gleb McFatter will present the Finance Committee’s 2012 budget changes, while Mr. David Yeosock will report on financial development.  Reports on the recent meeting of the diocesan chancellors and treasurers—see http://oca.org/news/headline-news/diocesan-chancellors-treasurers-consider-move-from-per-capita-to-proportion for background—the Pension Board, and the OCA’s ministry departments will round out the closing session.

A new issue of “Wonder,” the blog of the Orthodox Church in America’s Department of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministries, is now available.  Titled “This American Saint,” the issue features four articles presenting the personal stories of Church fathers and mothers who have shown forth in North America.

“At the Grave of Saint Raphael” is a personal reflection by Mr. Jamil Malone on his visit to the grave of Saint Raphael Hawaweeny and the impact of this saint on local youth ministry. Mr. Andrew Boyd, managing editor of “Wonder,” discusses evangelism in a campus setting in his article, “Saint Innocent’s Rule’s”. Archpriest Steven Voytovich, director of the OCA’s Department of Institutional Chaplains, shares “My Journey with Saint Alexis”, in which he recounts his journey to understand this American saint. Archpriest John Shimchick speaks about the life of Matushka Olga Michael, a saintly woman credited with working many loving and healing miracles in her life and beyond.

The theme of the next issue, “Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving,” will focus on these traditionally Lenten disciplines. Deadline for submission is March 10, 2012. Readers are invited to submit articles, creative writing, artwork, poetry, photos, and videos for future installments. Suggested topics are always welcome. Send all materials and comments to wonder@oca.org.

To subscribe to “Wonder,” log on to ocawonder.com and click the “sign me up” link on the left side of the page.

The 2011-2014 Institutional Strategic Plan for Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary here was posted on the school’s web site in early February 2012.  The eight-page document may be accessed on St. Tikhon’s Seminary website.

The Plan was developed in response to a November 2009 recommendation by the Board of Commissioners on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools [ATS] calling upon the seminary to “develop a comprehensive and systematic strategic plan that would guide the seminary into coming years,” as noted in the opening introductory summary.

“Taking that charge very seriously, on October 21, 2011, the seminary’s Board of Trustees adopted the following institutional plan—‘A time to plant, and a time to harvest what has been planted’—as a roadmap to help guide the seminary over the years 2011-2014,” the summary reads.  “The Plan seeks to build on the strong institutional foundation laid by previous generations.”

Three major goals, to be accomplished over the next four years, were identified.

“Using these three goals as focal points for institutional planning, the Strategic Plan provides clear objectives to be accomplished in reference to each of the major goals, as well as provides corresponding action steps to be performed in achieving the Plan’s objectives,” the summary concludes.

The seminary’s recently released 85-page Academic Bulletin 2011-2013 also was posted on-line in late January.

On Monday evening, May 7, 2012, Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, Crestwood, NY, will host an exquisite evening of liturgical music sung in the traditional styles of Orthodox Christian churches worldwide.

In a multi-media program that combines luminous icons, sacred texts, and a rich a cappella sound, the Saint Vladimir’s Seminary Chorale will perform “ORIENT: Sacred Song and Image” at the famous Saint Malachy’s, “The Actors’ Chapel,” in the heart of Manhattan, at 239 West 49th Street, New York, NY. This stirring concert will begin at 7:30 p.m.

The concert program will include pieces from the broader Orthodox tradition sung in their original languages — Greek, Georgian, Estonian, Slavonic — as well as choral music by Orthodox composers written for the concert hall. Two visual projections — one of images of Orthodox icons and the other of translations of musical texts — will run simultaneously as the chorale sings. In this multi-media concert, icons, music, and text will expound one another and combine the best elements of a professional choral performance with the depth and authenticity of the Orthodox liturgical experience.

The Chorale will be directed by Hierodeacon Herman, Lecturer in Liturgical Music and Chapel Choir Director at the seminary, and Matushka Robin Freeman, who created the concert format and conducted in its premiere at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music in 2010.

Tickets are $25.00, and may be purchased on-line. Limited seating will be available at the door (cash only) the evening of the concert.

A variety of lenten resources for class and individual study are available free of charge on the web site of the Orthodox Church in America’s Department of Christian Education.

Great Lent begins on Monday, February 27, 2012.

A collection of activities for grades 2-3, 4-6 and 7-8 may be found at http://dce.oca.org/assets/files/resources/lent-activities.pdf. Two activities with teacher guides are available for each grade level.

“Journey to Pascha” — a six-lesson study unit for use in parish Church schools — is available at http://dce.oca.org/focus/pascha. The unit includes lessons for five age groups — ages 4-6, 7-9, 10-12, 13-17, and 18 and over. It is ideal for weekly classroom use on the lenten Sundays.

The unit begins with the story of Lazarus and the celebration of Jesus’ joyful Entrance into Jerusalem. It continues through each day of Holy Week, focusing on what Jesus taught His disciples, and what happened to Jesus as He was brought to trial, put to death, and buried. Finally, the celebration of the events that led to His Resurrection are highlighted.

Each lesson gives the teacher step-by-step instructions for presenting a learning session tailored to a particular age group. The lessons include activities and games, downloadable icons, and resources from our liturgical Tradition.

Weekly Sunday bulletin inserts — beginning February 26, they will feature lenten themes — also are available.

Susie Hamidi photographs Fr. Thomas Mueller, Milwaukee, WI, as Fr. Andrew Harrison, Palos Hills, IL, awaits his turn.

Members of the Orthodox Church in America’s web team will soon update individual portraits of clergy taken by Susie Hamidi, a professional photographer [www.susiehamidi.com], during the 16th All-American Council in November 2011.

“Ms. Hamidi was contracted to set up a photography portraits booth outside the main meeting rooms in the Bellevue, WA Hyatt Regency Hotel throughout the Council,” said Archpriest Eric G. Tosi, OCA Secretary.  “Clergy were encouraged to stop by to have their official portraits taken.”

Clergy may view their portraits and, if they wish, order copies at www.pictage.com/client/event.do?event=1157232.

“Clergy who order soon will get a discount, as she’s running a special two-for-one prints for the first month,” Father Eric added.  “Photos may be edited, mounted, framed, or used to create a card; bulk photos available as well as a selection of sizes.”

The updated photos will appear at oca.org/clergy.

The “Pastoral Changes” for November and December 2011 — the official announcements of ordinations, assignments, releases, etc. affecting the clergy of the Orthodox Church in America, issued by the office of the Chancellor, Archpriest John Jillions — are now available in PDF format.

Listings in the “Pastoral Changes” are posted as they are received from the respective dioceses.

Archpriests Joseph Martin and Michael Hatrak add essential ingredients to the Holy Chrism on Holy Wednesday 2004.

For the first time since his election as Primate of the Orthodox Church in America in November 2008, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah will consecrate Holy Chrism in conjunction with the celebration of the Vesperal Liturgy of Great and Holy Thursday at the Monastery Church of Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk here April 12, 2012.

The consecration of Chrism is a Rite reserved for the Primates of autocephalous Orthodox Churches.  The last time Holy Chrism was consecrated in the Orthodox Church in America was in 2004.

Chrism, unlike Holy Unction and other blessed oils used in Orthodox rites, contains a number of ingredients, including olive oil, white table wine, styrax, benzoin, aromatic incenses extracted in oil, roseoil, basil, balsam, Venetian turpentine, galangal, oils of bergamot, clove, marjoram, thyme and sandalwood, and extracts of ginger root, calamus root, nutmeg, and orris root. The final choice, however, is based on the availability of fragrant oils.

“The preparation for the Consecration of Holy Chrism will begin on Holy Monday morning, April 9, prior to the celebration of Hours and the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts,” according to Archpriest John Jillions, OCA Chancellor.  “Once the process begins with the opening prayer service and the blessing of the ingredients, the Chrism is heated and stirred continuously until Holy Wednesday evening.  While the Chrism is being stirred, the Holy Gospels are read continuously by priests, except when divine services are celebrated.”

After the Holy Chrism is consecrated, it is then distributed to all parishes and missions for use in the celebration of the Holy Mysteries.

“At this time, we are asking for clergy to help with the preparation of the Chrism,” Father John continued.  “It is planned that the reading of the Gospels and stirring of the Chrism will be done in two-hour shifts.”

Clergy who are able to assist at any two-hour period or longer on Holy Monday through Holy Wednesday are asked to contact Archpriest Joseph Martin, who has been entrusted with overseeing the preparation of Holy Chrism, at 570-822-7725 and/or frmartin@epix.net.