March 2, 7507/ March 15, 1999
+Hieromartyr Theodotus

To the Most Reverend, Very Reverend, and Reverend Fathers and to the laity holding any affiliation to His Eminence, Archbishop +JOACHIM (Souris) and his exarch in the United States, the Vice President of the Holy Synod, Metropolitan +NIKOLAUS (Ilnyckyj) of Blessed Memory:

Peace and Benedictions in our Lord Jesus Christ.
An apostolic written and contractual mandate declaring Saint Michael Orthodox Academy a.k.a. Saint Michael Academy of Eschatology Bible College of Florida as the only legitimate seminary for the Ukrainian jurisdiction was issued by His Beatitude , Metropolitan +NIKOLAUS before his repose. Within this mandate, is the requirement that all clergy under this jurisdiction must have completed the seminary program before any past or present ordinations are deemed as valid. Those having credentials and/or seek communion with this Holy Synod and its jurisdictions must meet this requirement as stated by His Beatitude, Metropolitan +NIKOLAUS of Thrice Blessed Memory.

Those who have completed secular or ecclesiastical degrees from other institutions are required to complete the licentiate program of this seminary to be considered a canonical clergyman and belonging to this jurisdiction and their past academic credentials must be reviewed by the college board of Saint Michael Academy, the appointed review agency presided by Metropolitan +NIKOLAUS' successor, Archbishop +HARALAMBOS.

This mandate may not be circumvented. A grace period is now declared for all ordained Orthodox clergyman to complete this program by distance learning. It is mandatory for those of the rank of Metropolitan to have completed a Doctor of Divinity degree; Archimandrites, a Master Degree; Priests, a Bachelor Degree ; Deacon, an Associates Degree as mandate of His Beatitude states. Those clergy already possessing a degree from another appropriate institution are to complete the licentiate Orthodox program.

Metropolitan +NIKOLAUS' concern was to give complete credibility in both the New World and Kiev to the entities under his omophorion.

To those who this mandate may affect, may contact the Archbishopric directly. With paternal blessings in Christ God,

His Eminence, Archbishop +HARALAMBOS 4414 Washington Road West Palm Beach, FL 33405 561-832-5663

cc: His Eminence, Archbishop +JOACHIM (Souris)
Athens, Greece

Seminary Contract

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