With the blessing of Archbishop Peter, President of the Pastoral School, a meeting was held on October 2/15, 2024 to begin the planning of a Russian language program within the Pastoral School. Attendees were Archpriest Gregory Joyce, Dean of the Pastoral School, Archpriest Rostyslav Snihirov, and Priest Leontiy Naidzions. With God’s help the goal is to begin Russian Language instruction in the Pastoral School with the Fall 2025 semester.
On the Ecclesiastical New Year, September 1/14, 2024, Pastoral School graduate Deacon Brian Payne was ordained to the priesthood by Metropolitan Mitrophan of Canada (Serbian Church) at the Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Campellville, Ontario. We congratulate Fr. Brian, his family, and parish on this auspicious occasion! May the Lord grant Fr. Brian many years of service to the Holy Church!
With the blessing of Archbishop Peter, the Pastoral School is pleased to announce an important opportunity for present and future clergymen. The Liturgical Practicum aims to teach the practical application of the liturgics that is studied in the classroom. Participants will learn how to serve according to the traditional practices of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia. The topics covered will range from how a clergyman interacts with the choir during the Divine Services, to how to appropriately use the censer, to how to serve the Hierarchal Divine Services, and all else that every Deacon and Priest needs to know. In addition, all participants will receive voice coaching to allow for the proper use of the voice in chanting and singing. The Liturgical Practicum is designed and highly recommended for new clergymen in the Diocese of Chicago & Mid-America, but ALL ARE WELCOME. Limited space is available so please register as soon as possible. Registration deadline is October 15, 2024. The dates of the practicum are November 7-10, 2024. The location of the practicum is St. Vladimir Parish, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
For more information and to REGISTER:
fr.gregory.joyce@orthodoxtheologicalschool.org ~ 734-649-5746
По благословению архиепископа Петра для настоящих и будущих священнослужителей Пастырская школа рада объявить о важном курсе. Литургический практикум направлен на обучение практическому применению литургики, изучаемой в классе. Участники узнают, как служить в традициях Русской Православной Церкви Заграницей. Затрагиваемые темы будут касаться всего: от того, как священнослужитель взаимодействует с хором во время Богослужения, до того, как правильно пользоваться кадилом, как служить Архиерейские Богослужения, и всего прочего, что необходимо знать каждому диакону и священнику. Кроме того, все участники пройдут голосовой инструктаж, чтобы правильно использовать голос при пении и чтении. Литургический практикум разработан и настоятельно рекомендуется главным образом для новых священнослужителей Чикагской и Средне-Американской епархии, но мы ПРИГЛАШАЕМ ВСЕХ. Количество мест ограничено, поэтому, пожалуйста, регистрируйтесь как можно скорее. Крайний срок регистрации 15 октября 2024 г. Даты проведения с 7-го по 10-е ноября 2024 г. Практикум будет в приходе Св. Владымира в городе Анн-Арбор, штат Мичиган.
Для получения дополнительной информации и регистрации: fr.gregory.joyce@orthodoxtheologicalschool.org ~ 734-649-5746
The Pastoral School Fall semester begins on September 9, 2024. We are pleased to announce that the following students have been accepted for this semester:
Demaar, Alexander
DiStefano, Adam
Enck, Moses
Franceschi, Theodore
Funderburk, Thomas
Gleason, Joseph
Heikkila, Ignatius
Herke, Michael
Iovu, Andrei
Katsadas, Ioannis
Makartetskyi, Priest Artemii
Marklund, Johan
Marsan, Jacob
McDonald, Corin
Mogan, Reader Michael
Newton, Reader Paisios
Peskey, Reader John
Prince, Subdeacon Martinian
Reigelman, Gregory
Sietsema, Reader Thomas
Simpson, Daniel
Smiley, Nicholas
Soboleski, Luke
Staser, Christopher
Swiggum, Matthew
Thiessen, Reader Mark
Toussaint, Asher
Vanderburg, Samuel
Vandermerwe, Jerome
We congratulate these students on their acceptance to the Pastoral School! And we ask your prayers for success in their theological academic pursuits. Most will be studying in the Pastoral Theology Program, others in our other PROGRAMS.
The next application deadline for the Pastoral School is February 1, 2025. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so those who would like to apply are welcome to do so at any time for the next semester. The application form can be found here:
We welcome your application! If you have questions, please contact me.
Fr. Gregory Joyce, Dean
fr.gregory.joyce@orthodoxtheologicalschool.org
Cell/SMS/What's App/Viber/Telegram/etc.: +1-734-649-5746
On the great feast of the Lord’s Transfiguration, at the cathedral in Los Angeles named after this feast, Pastoral School student Deacon Joseph MacPherson was ordained to the priesthood. We congratulate Fr. Joseph, his family, and parish on this auspicious occasion! May the Lord grant Fr. Joseph many years of service to the Holy Church!
OFFICIAL REPORT FROM THE WESTERN AMERICAN DIOCESE ROCOR
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The Pastoral School of the Diocese of Chicago & Mid-America is committed to making high quality Orthodox theological education as accessible to as many interested students as possible. Based on this commitment we have made it possible for students to study either full time or part time in our school, have instituted summer courses, accept applicants in both the fall and spring semesters, and offer instruction in both English and Spanish.
Applications for admission for the fall semester are due September 1, 2024. Classes begin September 9, 2024. Applications and further information on the Pastoral School programs can be found at our web site:
http://orthodoxtheologicalschool.org/
Questions should be directed to the Dean of the Pastoral School, Priest Gregory Joyce:
fr.gregory.joyce@orthodoxtheologicalschool.org
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Пастырское училище Чикагской и Средне-Американской епархии стремится сделать качественное православное богословское образование доступным как можно более широкому кругу учащихся. В связи с этим мы даем возможность проходить как полный, так и частичный курс семинарии, организовали летние курсы, предлагаем обучение на английском и испанском языках, и принимаем заявления от абитуриентов как на осенний, так и на весенний семестры.
Заявления о приеме на осенный семестр необходимо подать до 1 сентября 2024 г. Занятия начинаются 9 сентября 2024 г. Заявления и дополнительная информация о программах Пастырского училища размещены на нашем вебсайте:
http://orthodoxtheologicalschool.org/
Вопросы просим направлять Проректору Пастырского училища, священнику Григорию Джойсу:
fr.gregory.joyce@orthodoxtheologicalschool.org
On July 13, 2024 thesis review and defense and comprehensive final examinations were held for graduating students of the Pastoral School of the Diocese of Chicago & Mid-America. At this session five students defended their theses and passed their final examinations. Names and titles of theses are below:
Deacon Theodotus Conrad: Catechizing Souls: A Historiography of Eastern Orthodox Catechisms, 1572-2016
Subdeacon Christopher Leung: The Conflict and Adaptation between the Orthodoxy’s Christians Tradition and Chinese Culture
Deacon Mikhail Moibenko: Orthodox Christian Piety
Deacon Matthew Sundahl: The Tools of the Catechumenate
Deacon Timothy Zieminski: The Mercy and Forgiveness of God: The Orthodox Teaching on the Soul after Death in Light of Purgatory
All theses were reviewed by the examination committee (made up of Archpriest Gregory Joyce, Dean of the School; and Archpriest John Whiteford, Assistant Dean for Operations of the Pastoral School, and Deacon Vladimir Pyrozhenko, Professor University of Michigan). All theses met the high standards for scholarly work of the Pastoral School, with Deacon Theodotus and Deacon Matthew receiving honors.
All students passed their oral final examinations, with Deacon Theodotus and Deacon Mikhail receiving honors.
Later that day the Resurrectional Vigil was held in the Diocesan Cathedral of the Protection of the Mother of God in Des Plaines, IL. The graduates participated in the Divine Service. The next day (July 14, 2024) Divine Liturgy was held in the cathedral, led by Archbishop Peter (President of the Pastoral School). Following the Divine Liturgy the graduates were officially awarded 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.
With the blessing of the President of the Pastoral School, Archbishop Peter of Chicago & Mid-America, the Spring Graduation weekend for 2024 has been rescheduled for July 13-14. On July 13 comprehensive examinations and thesis defense will take place at the Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral in Des Plaines, IL. On July 14, following the Divine Liturgy, diplomas will be awarded to the graduates. Graduating seniors are expected to be present at all the activities on July 13 and 14. Flights out of O'Hare should not be scheduled before 6:00 p.m. on July 14. Please contact me with questions or concerns. Further communication will be forthcoming to graduating seniors. Those who plan to graduate at the July 14 graduation should be in touch with me as soon as possible to finalize any outstanding details.
Very Rev. Fr. Gregory Joyce, Dean
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Our student, Deacon Daniel Warren reports the following:
“On Sunday, 5/18 February, 2024, we received an archpastoral visit from His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America at St. Seraphim of Sarov Orthodox Church in Boise, Idaho. During the reading of the Hours, Seraphim Denno [my godfather and fellow Diaconate Preparation Program student] was tonsured a Reader and I was ordained to the Subdiaconate. On the same day during Diving Liturgy I was ordained to the Diaconate.”
We congratulate our students and ask the prayers of our community for their fruitful ministry!
Fr. Gregory Joyce, Dean
With the blessing of Archbishop Peter, the third Liturgical Practicum of the Pastoral School of the Diocese of Chicago & Mid-America took place at St. Jonah parish in Spring, Texas February 22-25, 2024. The two previous practicums were held at the Diocesan Cathedral of the Protection of the Mother of God in Chicago. Archbishop Peter, President of the Pastoral School, felt it was important that the practicum be offered in the southern part of the diocese as well, which is experiencing much growth, and where many new clergymen have recently been ordained. God willing, the practicum will be held annually in the north and annually in the south going forward. The Pastoral School is very thankful to the St. Jonah parish for hosting the practicum.
The practicum began with registration and introductions on Thursday, February 22, quickly followed by a group meal and the first of the Divine Services of the practicum. After vigil that night a “postmortem” was held, reviewing the evening’s services in the light of the standard liturgical practices of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia. The postmortem was held in a constructive atmosphere of learning and sharing, where questions were welcome and instruction was positive. A postmortem of this type was held after each of the Evening Services and Divine Liturgies of the Practicum, led by the instructors of the Practicum:
Between the Divine Services lectures were held on the following topics:
Additionally, all participants in the Practicum received one on one instruction in the appropriate use of the voice for clergymen by Larissa Kaminsky-Sander, Chair of the Diocese Liturgical Music Committee.
Following the All Night Vigil on Saturday evening a festive banquet was held at a local restaurant. All participants took part in the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, February 25. Shortly thereafter the participants returned to their parishes, ready to put into practice the new information they had learned at the practicum.
On the feast of the Three Hierarchs, the Patronal Feast of Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, New York, Pastoral School student Seraphim Nesch was ordained to the Subdeaconate by Bishop Luke of Syracuse. We congratulate Seraphim and his family on his ordination!
The Pastoral School Spring semester begins on February 12, 2024. We are pleased to announce that the following students have been accepted for this semester:
Balashov, Andrei
Coveart, Matthew
Donohoe, Reader Cyril
Farley, Subdeacon Paul
Fletcher, Patrick
Lawrence, John
Quilty, Kenneth
Sheehan, Adam
Vuckovic, Reader Victor
Yonan, Anderious
We congratulate these students on their acceptance to the Pastoral School! And we ask your prayers for success in their theological academic pursuits. Most will be studying in the Pastoral Theology Program, others in our other PROGRAMS.
The next application deadline for the Pastoral School is September 1, 2024. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so those who would like to apply are welcome to do so at any time for the next semester. The application form can be found here:
We welcome your application! If you have questions, please contact me.
Fr. Gregory Joyce, Dean
fr.gregory.joyce@orthodoxtheologicalschool.org
Cell/SMS/What's App/Viber/Telegram/etc.: +1-734-649-5746
