Archive for the ‘Scandinavia’ Category
Heads of Swedish Orthodox Seminary Visit St. Vlad’s
(from left) Chancellor Fr. Chad Hatfield, Olle Westberg, Michael Hjälm, and Dean Fr. John Behr
“We’re here to get inspiration from St. Vladimir’s” noted Mr. Westberg, “to see a picture that can become our goal. We’re here to learn, to get ideas, but also we’re here to find a ‘Swedish solution’ to Orthodox theological education. We chose St. Vladimir’s [as a model] because the cultural similarities between Americans and Swedes are closer than, say, between Swedes and the French.”
“Also, we need the experience and knowledge that St. Vladimir’s has to offer,” chimed in Mr. Hjälm. “St. Vladimir’s, to us, is like an older sister, or like a mother taking care of a daughter.”
Specifically, Mr. Hjälm said that they chose to observe the theological program at SVOTS for three reasons: its emphasis on pastoral theology, “which is similar to liturgical theology, in that sacramental life is primary”; its administrative structure that is organized with a dean and a chancellor, which is very similar to Swedish educational institutions; and its inclusion of Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Christians within its student body, since St. Ignatios is supported by Coptic, Serbian, Romanian, and Syrian church jurisdictions. The school itself is housed in St. Minna Coptic Orthodox Church.
Despite the similarities, Mr. Westberg and Mr. Hjälm noted the distinctions between U.S. and Swedish educational operations. Many schools in Sweden, they said, are related to and opened by trade unions, churches, and so forth; the state provides for their funding but does not control their curricula. “Churches have educational systems parallel to universities,” said Mr. Westberg. “These educational institutions must belong to another ‘official’ state school, but the state cannot interfere in their life or educational aims.” St. Ignatios, he noted, is part of Botkyrka folkhögskola (college) in cooperation with the Orthodox Education and Culture Study Association, which remains in close dialogue with the Orthodox churches in Sweden.
St. Ignatios was founded by a board of representatives of Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox churches, which initially started a school to serve refugees who were believers and who needed to learn to speak English. Now, notes the school’s Website, it is prepared to offer “a year of introduction of Orthodox theology and tradition.” Among its faculty are Fr. Mikael Liljeström, a St. Vladimir’s alumnus.
St. Vladimir’s Seminary Dean Archpriest John Behr, after meeting with our Swedish visitors, said, “I am amazed by the work that they are doing in Sweden, involving not only the various Eastern Orthodox jurisdictions, but also the Oriental Orthodox. They have established a very firm foundation, and I am sure that their school will continue to grow, and look forward, with great anticipation, to building up connections and collaboration.”
Source: SVOTS
Hat Tip: Byzantine, Texas
St. Theodoretus, Enlightener of Lapps
Commemorated August 17.
Saint Theodoritus left home and went to the Solovki Monastery when he was only thirteen years old. The following year he was tonsured and placed under obedience to the wise Fr Zosimas. For the next fifteen years he grew in wisdom and virtue, then was ordained a deacon by the Archbishop of Novgorod.
St Theodoritus spent one more year with his Elder, then asked for permission to visit other monasteries. At each place he spoke with experienced ascetics, deriving much spiritual profit from their conversation. After two years at the White Lake Monastery, St Theodoritus lived alone in the forest around the monastery. During his four years in the forest, he came into contact with other ascetics, from whom he learned many useful things.
Fr Zosimas at Solovki, sensing that he would die soon, wrote to St Theodoritus asking him to return to him. He served his Elder for about a year, taking care of him during his final illness.
St Theodoritus then traveled to the mouth of the Kola River and undertook missionary labors among the Lapps with the Elder Metrophanes. The Lapps worshiped idols and did not live in towns or cities. The monks learned their language so they could teach them about Christ, and also translated prayers for them.
St Theodoritus labored among the Lapps for twenty years. He was ordained to the holy priesthood in Novgorod, and later returned to the Lapps and established a monastery. He then spent two years in the Novgorod area as igumen of a monastery. Later, he was raised to the rank of archimandrite and became the igumen of the Savior-St Euthymius Monastery at Suzdal for five years.
In 1554 St Theodoritus was slandered and confined for two years at the White Lake Monastery. Upon his release, he went to live in a monastery at Yaroslav. Tsar Ivan the Terrible sent him to Constantinople in 1558 to discuss his coronation with the Patriarch.
St Theodoritus returned to Russia with the Patriarch’s reply, and the Tsar gave him twenty-five silver coins and a sable coat. Not wishing to acquire material possessions, the saint sold the coat and gave the money away to the poor.
Searching for peace, he went to the monastery at Priluki in Vologda. From there, St Theodoritus made two visits to the Lapps whom he had converted. He departed to the Lord on August 17, 1571 at the Solovki Monastery where he had been tonsured.
Source: OCA. For St. Theodoretus’ life in Russian, see here. I wasn’t able to find an icon.
