St. Vladimir’s and St. Herman build missiology program

(SVOTS) - Step-by-step, St. Vladimir’s Seminary (SVS) and St. Herman Seminary (SHS) in Kodiak, AK are restoring historic ties and rekindling relationships in order to develop a joint program in the field of missiology.

Their latest cooperative effort occurred in March 2010, when Archpriest Chad Hatfield, chancellor of St Vladimir’s, and two seminarians—Dn. Lucas Rice and Dn. Ignatius Warren—traveled up to St Herman to present weeklong, intensive courses in missiology, homiletics, and pastoral counseling.

Both Fr. Chad, former dean at St. Herman, and Archpriest John Dunlop, its current dean and an SVS alumnus (MDiv ‘94), have been instrumental in nourishing the relationship between the two seminaries, both of which are under the auspices of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA).

Fr. John issued the winter invitation to St. Vladimir’s, stating, “This visit re-establishes a historical connection and builds bonds of friendship and our commitment to common work in educating pastors.”

Fr. Chad concurred, saying, “Our enriching trip was just one more incremental piece in building the connection between St. Herman’s and St. Vladimir’s, and in developing a program around our common emphasis on missiology. The Faculty Council of St. Vladimir’s had given our dean, Fr. John Behr, and our academic dean, Dr. John Barnet, a mandate to create such a program, and to offer an MA in Missiology. To that end, there will be a course offered on the campus of St. Herman Seminary in the near future, which is in my mind, the perfect venue for mission-minded students: the campus provides opportunities for field work, and the site has historic significance as first place on American territory that Orthodox Christian missionaries landed.”

The two student deacons who accompanied Fr. Chad to Kodiak this year enthusiastically testified to the significance of the Alaskan venue for missionary endeavors. Additionally, they witnessed both the wonder and the joy of teaching at the northern seminary.

“This was the trip of a lifetime,” said Dn. Lucas. “Kodiak was a sensory experience: the mountains, the orcas—the wind. Perhaps even more memorable was the faith of the people of Kodiak and the students at St Herman. It was profound blessing to serve in front of St Herman's relics at Holy Resurrection Cathedral, and rivaled only by the fellowship and hospitality of those who are doing holy work in the birthplace of American Orthodoxy.”...

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