The School Year Ends at Holy Trinity Seminary

On Sunday, 2 June the Graduation ceremony was held at Holy Trinity Theological Seminary in Jordanville. The First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus officiated at the Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Cathedral with Bishop Gabriel of Manhattan and Bishop Michael of Boston as well as a host of visiting clergymen. After the trapeza a moleben of gratitude was served for the end of the school year and the graduation ceremony was held at the Seminary Hall.

The Seminary Choir sang two hymns. His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus, Rector of the Seminary, gave a speech to the graduates in which he wished that they not forget their alma mater and Holy Trinity Monastery. The keynote speech was given by Protopriest Alexander Lebedeff, an alumnus of Holy Trinity Seminary, on the topic: ˆOn Pastoral Temptations.

After the speeches, the official portion commenced: the distribution of awards and the bachelor degrees to the graduates.

On behalf of the graduates, reader Vitaly Efimenkov (Lvov/Los Angeles) gave a speech in Russian and subdeacon Seraphim Chemodakov (Australia) in English.

The Protectress of the Russian Diaspora, the Miracle-working Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God was present in honor of the occasion.