His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America delivered the commencement address at the 74th annual graduation exercises at Saint Tikhon’s Seminary, South Canaan, PA on Saturday afternoon, May 28, 2016.
Prior to addressing the gathering, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, STOTS President, awarded a Doctor of Divinity, Honoris Causa, to Archbishop Demetrios in recognition of his yeoman service to Orthodox Christian theological education, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the USA, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, and world Orthodoxy in general. [See related story.]
The day opened with the celebration of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the Monastery Church of Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk, at which Metropolitan Tikhon presided. Archbishop Demetrios attended the Liturgy and communed.
Metropolitan Tikhon awarded Master of Divinity degrees to Rev. Theodore Gregory, Joseph Frangipani, and Timothy Winegar; a Certificate in Pastoral Studies to Rev. David Gresham; and Certificates in Diaconal Formation to Edward Dawson and Russell Komline. The Valedictorian was Timothy Winegar. Also present to congratulate the graduates was Archpriest Dr. Steven Voytovich, STOTS Dean.
In addition to members of the STOTS Board of Trustees, faculty, seminarians, and numerous guests, other hierarchs attending the commencement exercises included His Eminence, Metropolitan Savas of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh; His Eminence, Archbishop Michael of New York and New Jersey, STOTS Rector; His Eminence, Archbishop Benjamin of San Francisco and the West.
On Saturday evening, the graduates were especially honored at the commencement banquet at the Genetti Manor, Dickson City, PA.
