Orthodox Inter-Seminary Movement
Originally founded in the 1960s, theOrthodox Inter-Seminary Movement(OISM) seeks to foster prayer, fellowship, and cooperation among seminarians of theOrthodox Churchfrom across the North American continent. During OISM retreats, seminarians gather together and participate in a simple program which incorporates prayer, reflection, and discussion among the future leaders of the Church.
After OISM had been dormant for a number of years, in the Fall of 2003 Fr.Michael Dahulich(dean ofSt. Tikhon'sand also a former member of OISM) invited a number of schools to St. Tikhon's in an effort to revive the organization. At this fall retreat, students met in prayer and fellowship. They also participated in a lecture by Fr. Daniel Kovalak which emphasized the importance ofmissiologyin the Church. At a meeting which concluded the festivities, representatives from the various schools formed an interim board with the goal of re-establishing the organization.
In the Spring semester of 2004, a general assembly was convened atSt. Vladimir's Seminaryin Crestwood, New York. At this general assembly, in addition to St. Vladimir's Seminary, there were representatives present fromSt. Herman's Seminaryof Kodiak, Alaska;Holy Cross Seminary/Hellenic College of Brookline, Massachusetts;Holy Trinity Seminaryof Jordanville, New York; andSt. Tikhon's Seminaryof South Canaan, Pennsylvania. During the course of the weekend a constitution was adopted and an executive board was formed.
The executive board is composed of a president—elected at the general assembly—and two representatives from each voting member school. The current president is Father Kilian (Sprecher) ofSt. Vladimir's.Voting membership is open to schools underSCOBAjurisdictions,and associate membership is open to non-SCOBA schools.
Participating Schools
- Christ the Saviour Seminary (Johnstown, Pennsylvania)(ACROD)
- Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (Brookline, Massachusetts)(GOA)
- Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary (Jordanville, New York)(ROCOR)
- St. Andrew's College (Winnipeg, Manitoba)(UOCC)
- St. Herman's Orthodox Theological Seminary (Kodiak, Alaska)(OCA)
- St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary (South Bound Brook, New Jersey)(UOCUSA)
- St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary (South Canaan, Pennsylvania)(OCA)
- St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (Crestwood, New York)(OCA)
- Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy (Toronto, Ontario)(GOMT)
