YONKERS, NY [DOM] – The altar feast of the prominent St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary was celebrated on January 30, 2023, in remembrance of the Three Holy Hierarchs. His Eminence Archbishop Daniel of Chicago and the Diocese of the Midwest presided over the celebration for the seminary community.
The evening before, Sunday, January 29, Archpriest Chad Hatfield, the President of the Seminary, greeted His Eminence at the entrance of the chapel as the faculty and seminarians awaited the start of the All-Night Vigil. The Archbishop presided over the vigil service and was joined by the clergy and students of the seminary.
On the feast of the Three Hierarchs, before the start of Divine Liturgy, Archbishop Daniel tonsured Midwest seminarian Mark Therrien a Reader and ordained him to the Subdeaconate. After the reading of the Holy Gospel, Fr. Chad offered the homily reminding those gathered how the Holy Hierarchs left an incredible impact on the Christian world, and how that impact is the vision and mission for the seminary.
After the consecration of the Holy Gifts, the Archbishop ordained Subdeacon Mark to the Diaconate.
At the conclusion of the liturgy, His Eminence conveyed the greetings of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon to all of those gathered for the significant occasion. Fr. Chad expressed his gratitude for His Eminence leading the divine services and for their friendship which goes back a number of years.
Later that evening, the Archbishop spent time with the seminarians of the diocese and their families by taking them out to dinner.
Photo Credit: Seminarian Andrew Prather
