JORDANVILLE: June 4, 2008
Letter of His Eminence Archbishop Evgeny of Verey, Chair of the Educational Commission of the Russian Orthodox Church, Rector of the Moscow Theological Academy and Seminary

To His Eminence Hilarion 
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York

To the Very Reverend Archimandrite Luke 
Abbott of Holy Trinity Stavropighial Monastery 
Rector of Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary in Jordanville

Your Eminence! 
Very Reverend Father! 
Dear Graduates!

On behalf of the faculty and students of the Moscow Theological Academy and Seminary, as well as the Educational Commission of the Russian Orthodox Church, I congratulate you and all graduates with the conclusion of the academic year of 2007-2008.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of Holy Trinity Seminary’s establishment on the grounds of Holy Trinity Monastery. Among the Seminary faculty were notable archpastors, pastors and professors, such as Metropolitan Laurus (Shkurla), Archbishops Averky (Taushev) and Alypy (Gamanovich), Bishop Mitrofan (Znosko-Borovsky), Protopresbyter Michael Pomazansky, ND Talberg and others. The Seminary’s faculty was often able not only to preserve the pre-revolutionary traditions in the difficult conditions of their existence in diaspora, but managed to even further develop these scholarly traditions. The beginning of the third millennium of the Christian era was marked by an important historical event – the unification of the Russian Orthodox Church with the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. The result was immediately noted within the sphere of theological education, leading to the development of cooperative efforts between our theological institutions. In 2005, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy gave his blessing for the establishment of a center at Moscow Theological Academy dedicated to the Study of the History of Russian Orthodoxy in the Diaspora. Seminarians from the Moscow Theological Seminary now have the opportunity to complete their studies at the Jordanville Seminary, and Holy Trinity Seminary’s graduates are accepted for graduate study into the Moscow Theological Academy. Saint Isidor Pelusiot spoke of the never ending significance of brotherly love, which sets the Christian community apart from all others, in the following way: "Two brothers were found worthy to be the first disciples summoned by Jesus Christ. Thus, from the very beginning the all-wise Savior already demonstrated that it was pleasing to Him to bring all of His disciples into a brotherly union; for this reason let nothing be preferable to you than the love which binds and preserves you in salutary oneness of mind."

We wish you, your Eminence, Very Reverend Father, and all elders, faculty and students in Jordanville alike, God’s abundant support in the difficult deed of theological education. To the graduates we extend our wishes that you remember that the knowledge acquired during your Seminary schooling is only the foundation for your further education, which has to be an ongoing process in your life. On this day of great significance, I sincerely hope that the spiritual attitude which you have acquired at the theological Seminary will be preserved for the future. May the Head Shepherd, our Lord Jesus Christ, and His Most Pure Mother strengthen you on the path of your prious ecclesiastical service.

Asking for the prayers of your Eminence, 
With love in Christ,

Evgeny, Archbishop of Verey 
Chair of the Educational Commission 
Of the Russian Orthodox Church 
Rector of the Moscow Theological Academy and Seminary