JORDANVILLE, NY: February 10, 2016
The Primate of the Russian Church Abroad Sends Congratulations to Holy Trinity Seminary on its Feast Day

From the Editors: On February 10-12, 2016, Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, NY, celebrated the feast day of the Three Holy Hierarchs, the school’s heavenly patrons. The program begins in the evening with alumnus Protopriest Stefan Pavlenko of the Western American Diocese sharing his memories of the archpastors, monks and seminary teachers. The celebration will culminate in the celebration of Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Monastery Cathedral.

His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York sent a congratulatory message to the his alma mater:

Your Eminence, Your Grace, Honorable Teachers and Spiritual Fathers,
Dear Graduates and Students:

On this important day, the Seminary's feast day of the Three Holy Hierarchs, dear teachers, graduates and students of Holy Trinity Seminary, I greet you from Australia and prayerfully join you within the walls of Holy Trinity Monastery which are so dear to me.

With all my heart I would like to thank Father Archimandrite Luke, Dean of the Seminary, and all of you honorable fathers and alumni, for your prayers and efforts, for your zeal, your selflessness and will to serve the Church of Christ. We all remember with gratitude the years we spend at the seminary, our teachers and the divine services in the monastery churches. Today the graduates from many years gather despite all difficulties, those who labor in the harvest field of the Church in those places where the hierarchy assigned them; I believe that the Omniscient God sends to each person what brings him the greatest spiritual benefit, where he cultivates fruitfulness for the Church. St. John Chrysostom spoke these words of wisdom: “To be close to God or far from Him depends on the person himself, because God is everywhere.”

I would especially like to address more recent graduates who have become clergymen. The Lord has guided you to study in this theological seminary and to set out on this path of service during a time when there is disorder in the world and many tribulations and temptations. You are in special need of Divine aid today. Do not forget that the knowledge you have received at seminary is only a foundation, for your future education must be a constant process. For your entire life you will learn from men who have traveled the path of a Christian, the Holy Fathers. In their works you will find answers that can help people who come to you with hope and trust for guidance and consolation. Do not lose these bonds with your own teachers and elder clergyman brethren, be of one mind, quick to understand, eager to help.

Once more I thank God for having the opportunity to study and teach together with you, and I wish the beloved graduates and today’s seminarians wisdom, love, patience and the strength to serve God, His Holy Church and mankind. I invoke upon you God’s blessing!

+HILARION
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York,
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia