Connection between seminaries continues
Father Chad lectures to SHS students. |
In an example of inter-seminary cooperation, Archpriest Chad Hatfield, Chancellor of Saint Vladimir’s Seminary and former Dean of Saint Herman’s Seminary here, came to Kodiak March 17-20, 2011, to conduct seminars for the students of Saint Herman’s Seminary.
Father Chad spoke on missions and apologetics, focusing on “Missiology Basics” and “Where Protestants Come From.”
Building on the relationship of the students from both seminaries developed through the Orthodox Inter-Seminary Movement, Father Chad brought two seminarians with him to speak to the students in Kodiak. Continuing the topic of apologetics, Deacon James Bozeman spoke about his journey from Evangelical Protestantism to Orthodoxy, and his brother, seminarian Ephraim Bozeman, gave illuminating sessions on “Culture and Orthodoxy,” a topic very appropriate for Alaska with its many cultures impacted by the Orthodox faith over the past 217 years since the arrival of the mission to Kodiak in 1794.
The areas of missiology and apologetics are vital for today’s seminarians. Today we need Church leaders who realize that missions is an integral part of the Orthodox faith; however, in order to share our faith we need to understand the beliefs of others so we can more clearly communicate the Orthodox faith to our contemporary world.
This visit continues the long-standing relationship between Saint Herman’s and Saint Vladimir’s. Many faculty associated with Saint Vladimir’s Seminary have taught at Saint Herman’s as well, including Fathers Alexander Schmemann, John Meyendorff, and John Breck. In fact, most of Saint Herman’s current administration and faculty have a connection with Saint Vladimir’s, including the Dean, Father John Dunlop; New Testament and Patristics professor Dr. Bea Dunlop; and Archimandrite Juvenaly [Repass].
Speaking of this connection between our seminaries, Father John Dunlop stated, “The historical link between the two schools is paving the way to closer cooperation, particularly in the fields of missions and evangelism.” We trust that God will give more opportunities for our seminaries to cooperate in our common vision to serve the Church.