From August 20-23, the six seminarians from the Diocese of Los Angeles and the West gathered with the other 23 Antiochian seminarians at the Antiochian Village for the Annual Seminarian Track of the Antiochian House of Studies. The 29 seminarians came from St. Tikhon's Seminary in South Canaan, PA; St. Vladimir's Seminary in Crestwood, NY; and Holy Cross seminary in Brookline, MA.

During the four days, the students participated in lectures and discussions, fellowship time with each other, and daily services that culminated in a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy for the Leave-taking of the Feast of the Dormition of the Holy Theotokos on Saturday August 23 celebrated by His Grace, Bishop THOMAS of the Diocese of Charleston, Oakland and the Mid-Atlantic. Mentors who led the lectures and discussions included Father John Abdallah, Father Ted Pulcini, Father Jason DelVitto, and Fr. Fred Pfeil.

The theme of the week was "Missions," which led us to edifying discussions ranging from how to start mission churches to working overseas in a specific mission field. Overall, the four days together provided a good bonding experience for all the seminarians, especially from the Diocese of Los Angeles and the West, and the returning students look forward to the House of Studies next year.

Seminarians from the Diocese of Los Angeles and the West that participated in the gathering were:

Deacon John Christianson (Second Year, St. Tikhon's)
Subdeacon John Mahfouz (Second Year, Holy Cross)
Subdeacon Nathan Thompson (Third Year, St. Tikhon's)
Subdeacon Michael Habib (Third Year, St. Tikhon's)
Reader Matthew Howell (First Year, St. Tikhon's)
Ashur Alkas (Second Year, St. Vladimir's)

By Reader Matthew Howell