On Monday, August 26, 2013 the newly arriving students began their collective seminary journey by participating in New Student Orientation. After three full days of introductory instruction on campus life, seminary communication and email system, library resources, campus stewardship, and community praxis, the new students who until this time were clothed in the customary white dress-shirt and black pants, were blessed by the new Dean of the Seminary, the Very Reverend Fr. Steven Voytovich, to begin wearing the black cassock. The cassock will remain their official uniform until the day they graduate.

 

On Thursday, August 29, 2013 the returning students joined their new classmates for the Beginning of the Year Retreat. 14 new students including 5 Mdiv, 2 Priestly Formation (Undergraduate Remedial) 1 Non-Matriculated, and 7 Diaconal Formation joined with 41 returning students to begin the 2013-2014 Academic Year.

 

The seminary community then enjoyed addresses by the Rector of the Seminary, His Grace Bishop Michael, the Dean of the Seminary, Archpriest Steven Voytovich, the Abbot of St. Tikhon’s Monastery, Igumen Sergius (Bowyer) and other members of the Seminary Faculty and Board of Trustees.

 

Also on Thursday, August 29, 2013 The Board of Trustees hosted a reception for the welcoming of the new dean in the monastery bookstore. This was an opportunity for the Trustees, along with the Faculty, Administration and Staff to welcome him to the community and to share words of encouragement as he begins this next phase of his public ministry.

 

At this time the community also sang many years to His Grace Bishop michael as well as several members of the Board of Trustees who were celebrating their birthdays on Thursday or in the near future.

 

The 2013-2014 Academic Year promises to be a year of dynamic growth and self-reflection for St. Tikhon’s Seminary and for the entire St. Tikhon’s Community.