On Monday, February 12, the Orthodox Church celebrated the feast of the Synaxis of the Three Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom. These three great hierarchs and luminaries of the Church are considered patrons of every Orthodox seminary, and therefore this feast is recognized as the patronal feast of Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary.

 

All-Night Vigil was served on Sunday evening. As is customary, the seminarians read many of the prayers in Greek, and the choir sang several Greek melodies, as well. On Monday morning, monastery abbot and Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse celebrated Divine Liturgy, co-served by visiting and monastery clergy.

 

During the Hours, Bishop Luke tonsured Seraphim Nesch a reader, then ordained him a subdeacon. Seminarian Reader Noah Reeves was also ordained a subdeacon. Axios and Congratulations To Subdeacon Seraphim and Subdeacon Noah!

 

At the end of Liturgy, a short moleben was served to the Three Hierarchs. After the usual festal meal, a tea was served in the seminary hall for the clergy, seminarians, local neighbors, and visiting pilgrims. The main address was delivered by Archpriest David Pratt, Ph.D. Fr David is the Asst. to the Rector at St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Washington DC, the Orthodox Christian Chaplaincy Director and a Philosophy Professor at Georgetown University, and an HTOS Visiting Professor, Department of Theology, Patrology, and Canon Law.