Episcopal Visits & Not So Episcopal Visit
The month of September was a blessed month for us here at seminary. After hearing about the chicken curry we made, two Metropolitans and a deacon decided to pay their visits to seminary to see what was really cooking.
His Grace Zachariah Mar Nicholovos, Assistant Metropolitan of our Diocese was the first to visit this year. It was a blessed time for all of us as Thirumeni took an active interest to see how we were doing, what we were doing, sharing meals with us and the entire seminary community, and most of all praying with us. Thirumeni attended Vespers at the Monastery Church and was received warmly by the monastic community. On one of the nights, we were all able to go out to dinner with Fr. Michael (Dean of the Seminary). It was a great meal and a great time of fellowship with two of our spiritual fathers. We are thankful to Thirumeni for taking time out to visit and stay with us for a few days.
His Grace Dr. Gabriel Mar Gregorios, Diocesan Metropolitan of the Diocese of Trivandrum, made his first visit to St. Tikhon's Orthodox Seminary & Monastery. Although it was just one night, the time spent together was great. We attended Divine Liturgy at the Monastery Church for the Feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos. Thirumeni joined the Seminary community for breakfast and enjoyed a few discussions with the students. After breakfast, a full tour of the Seminary and Monastery was given to Thirumeni. Some highlights of this tour, His Grace was able to visit the tomb of Protopresbyter Alexander Schememann of blessed memory and watch 2nd year seminarian Abey George, use his monkey like skills by climbing an apple tree to pick off some apples. We came back to the chapel for 6th and 9th hour prayers.
We had some great conversations about the future of the Church and were able to hear Thirumeni's numerous stories and life experiences. His Grace also met with Fr. Michael and discussed their common field of study/love for Holy Scripture (New Testament). Thirumeni joined the seminary community for lunch, which is the main meal for the community. Afterwards, Thirumeni spent some time at the museum and more time at the bookstore. By the end of the day, His Grace didn't want to leave and kept extending the time for departure. Thirumeni's visit was definitely a blessing for all of us here at seminary.
Finally, our very own Dn. Philip Mathew (graduate of St. Vladimir's Seminary) also made his way out to the roads of South Canaan. Jake especially enjoyed the numerous conversations with Semassan from standardizing prayers before meals to why we do the things we do. All in all, Semassan took some time out to eat with us, pray with us, and even attend a few classes with us. Semassan is definitely one of a kind and although sometimes we wonder at his intellect, we still love the guy!
His Grace Zachariah Mar Nicholovos, Assistant Metropolitan of our Diocese was the first to visit this year. It was a blessed time for all of us as Thirumeni took an active interest to see how we were doing, what we were doing, sharing meals with us and the entire seminary community, and most of all praying with us. Thirumeni attended Vespers at the Monastery Church and was received warmly by the monastic community. On one of the nights, we were all able to go out to dinner with Fr. Michael (Dean of the Seminary). It was a great meal and a great time of fellowship with two of our spiritual fathers. We are thankful to Thirumeni for taking time out to visit and stay with us for a few days.
His Grace Dr. Gabriel Mar Gregorios, Diocesan Metropolitan of the Diocese of Trivandrum, made his first visit to St. Tikhon's Orthodox Seminary & Monastery. Although it was just one night, the time spent together was great. We attended Divine Liturgy at the Monastery Church for the Feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos. Thirumeni joined the Seminary community for breakfast and enjoyed a few discussions with the students. After breakfast, a full tour of the Seminary and Monastery was given to Thirumeni. Some highlights of this tour, His Grace was able to visit the tomb of Protopresbyter Alexander Schememann of blessed memory and watch 2nd year seminarian Abey George, use his monkey like skills by climbing an apple tree to pick off some apples. We came back to the chapel for 6th and 9th hour prayers. We had some great conversations about the future of the Church and were able to hear Thirumeni's numerous stories and life experiences. His Grace also met with Fr. Michael and discussed their common field of study/love for Holy Scripture (New Testament). Thirumeni joined the seminary community for lunch, which is the main meal for the community. Afterwards, Thirumeni spent some time at the museum and more time at the bookstore. By the end of the day, His Grace didn't want to leave and kept extending the time for departure. Thirumeni's visit was definitely a blessing for all of us here at seminary.Finally, our very own Dn. Philip Mathew (graduate of St. Vladimir's Seminary) also made his way out to the roads of South Canaan. Jake especially enjoyed the numerous conversations with Semassan from standardizing prayers before meals to why we do the things we do. All in all, Semassan took some time out to eat with us, pray with us, and even attend a few classes with us. Semassan is definitely one of a kind and although sometimes we wonder at his intellect, we still love the guy!
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