On June 27, 2020 thesis review and defense, and comprehensive final examinations were held for graduating students of the Pastoral School of the Diocese of Chicago & Mid-America. This year, for the first time, due to the pandemic, a portion of the examination committee joined the activity remotely. All students were physically present, and all were from the Michigan Deanery. At this session three students defended their theses and passed their final examinations: Hierodeacon Alexei (Dixon), Subdeacon Colin Bower, and Subdeacon Micah Chisholm.Fr. Alexei’s thesis was entitled: “A Proposal for Glorification: First First Hierarch of ROCOR Metropolitan Anthony (Khrapovitsky)”. Subdeacon Colin’s thesis was entitled: “Liturgical Language and Orthodox Evangelism”. And Subdeacon Micah’s thesis was entitled: “Forming Hearts for Mission: Cultivating Evangelical Zeal in 21st Century North America”.
All theses were accepted by the examination committee (made up of His Eminence Archbishop Peter of Chicago & Mid-America, President of the Pastoral School; Archpriest Andre Papkov, Vice President of the School; Archpriest Martin Swanson, Dean Emeritus of the School; Archpriest Gregory Joyce, Dean of the School; and Archpriest John Whiteford, Assistant Dean for Operations of the School), and all students passed their oral final examinations.
Later that day the Resurrectional Vigil was held in the Diocesan Cathedral of the Protection of the Mother of God in Des Plaines, IL. All graduates participated in the Divine Service. The next day (June 28, 2020) Divine Liturgy was held in the cathedral, at which Subdeacon Colin Bower was ordained a Deacon for service at St. Vladimir Church in Ann Arbor, MI. Following the Divine Liturgy His Eminence Archbishop Peter awarded the graduates their diplomas. We congratulate the new graduates and their families on their significant accomplishment. God willing the theses of the new graduates will soon be published for the edification of all.
GRADUATION WEEKEND PICTURES
