Antiochian Orthodox Church, USA

Annual Seminarian Dinner Held at the Archdiocese Headquarters in Englewood, NJ on October 11, 2011

On October 11, 2011, His Eminence Metropolitan Philip hosted the Annual Seminarian Dinner at the Archdiocese Headquarters. In attendance were all of the Antiochian seminarians and their spouses from St. Tikhon, St. Vladimir, and Holy Cross seminaries. Also in attendance were the three Bishops-Elect who are preparing to travel to Lebanon in December for their consecrations. They are Bishop-Elect John (Abdalah), Bishop-Elect Anthony (Michaels), and Bishop-Elect Nicholas (Ozone).


The evening began with a Vesper service in the Chapel of St. John Chrysostom at the Archdiocese Headquarters. Following the Vesper service, everyone gathered in the large dining room for the group photo, which was then followed by dinner. After dinner, His Eminence Metropolitan Philip addressed the gathered seminarians and their spouses, discussing matters which are important to their future priesthood. He spoke about the importance of practical pastoral theology which touches the lives of people. His Eminence then asked each of the Bishops-Elect to address the students, and to speak of both their pastoral experiences as priests, and their expectations for their episcopal ministry. Finally, we were treated to beautiful chanting by both Fr. Elias Bitar, and seminarian Rassem El-Massih.