After the completion of the Divine Liturgy on June 14, 2009, the Sunday
of All Saints, the graduation ceremony of the Pastoral School of the
Diocese of Chicago & Mid-America took place at the Diocesan
Cathedral of the Protection of the Mother of God in Des Plaines, IL.
This
year there were three students who completed their courses: Priest
Christopher Allen (the Assistant Rector at the parish of St. Innocent
of Moscow in Wheaton, IL), Deacon John Feloniuk (a clergyman of the St.
Vladimir parish in Ann Arbor, MI), and Reader George Zharikov (assigned
to Holy Trinity parish in Vancouver, BC). Reader George received his
diploma “With Honors”. Following the Divine Liturgy the diplomas were
awarded to the graduates and “Many Years” was intoned for them and
their families. It is noteworthy that at the small entrance of the
Divine Liturgy on this day Priest Christopher Allen was awarded the
right to wear the Nabedrinik.
This year marks the fifth year of
the Pastoral School of the Diocese of Chicago & Mid-America. The
courses of the school are conducted using a distance learning format,
not dissimilar to the distance learning courses offered by most major
universities and colleges in the United States and Canada. In addition
to their regular coursework, all those who graduate in the Pastoral
Theology track of the Pastoral School must complete a summer internship
at Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY and participate in the
Liturgical Music School courses offered there. Graduates of the
Pastoral School receive diplomas in either Pastoral Theology or
Orthodox Studies. Students write and defend their senior theses as
well as complete oral examinations before a committee, which this year
was comprised of Bishop Peter of Cleveland (President of the
Pastoral School), Archpriest Andre Papkov (Vice President of the
Pastoral School), Archpriest Martin Swanson (Dean of the Pastoral
School)he instructors of the
Pastoral School).
Copyright 2024 Orthodox Theological School