Orthodox seminarians converged on St. Vlad's for OISM

(STOTS) - On Friday February 26th, five seminarians from St. Tikhon's traveled to St. Vladimir's Seminary to join with students from Holy Trinity Seminary (Jordanville) and Holy Cross/Hellenic College for the spring gathering of the Orthodox Inter-Seminary Movement (OISM). OISM provides a forum for students from different Orthodox seminaries and theological schools to meet one another, visit respective institutions, fellowship, attend lectures and discuss topics of interest to future servants of the Church.

Following the annual STOTS vs SVS basketball game Friday evening, students renewed old friendships and made new ones while chatting over pizza and snacks. The OISM retreat officially began Saturday morning with a molieben, followed by a campus tour. The highlights of the day included a series of talks by Father Vladimir and Matushka Suzanne Aleandro, who shared about their experiences of missionary work among the Turkana people of Northern Kenya, and by Fr. Chad Hatfield, who spoke about Orthodox missiology with a particular focus on the changing religious landscape in America and the world today, and the need for greater Orthodox witness and mission. Afterwards, an OISM general meeting was held and new officers were elected, including St. Tikhon's Megan Haak who will continue to serve as OISM Secretary. (Timothy Winegar has completed his term as OISM President.

The weekend culminated in the celebration of the divine services together, with vigil Saturday evening and a hierarchical liturgy celebrated by His Eminence Irénée, Archbishop of Ottawa and the Archdiocese of Canada, along with an ordination to the priesthood on Sunday morning. The seminarians returned home following a meal together Sunday afternoon, thankful to God for the friendships made and strengthened over the weekend and for the rewarding time spent together. A special thanks also to St. Vladimir's Seminary for hosting the Spring OISM meeting and for their gracious hospitality throughout the weekend.