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VIRGINIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

OUR HISTORIC BICENTENARY

Marking the Moment

Save the date!

The culmination of our Historic Bicentenary year will be from Wednesday, October 11 to Saturday, October 14. We will mark 200 years of ministry and mission with a series of worship services, lectures, and activities, culminating with a Festive Eucharist at which The Most Reverend Dr. Hosam E. Naoum, Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, Primate and President Bishop, The Province of Jerusalem & the Middle East, will be celebrant, and The Very Rev. Ian Markham, Ph.D., Dean and President of VTS, will preach.

Events will begin on Wednesday, October 11 with a symposium to mark the 20th Anniversary of the African American Episcopal Historical Collection, a joint project between VTS’ Bishop Payne Library and the Historical Society of the Episcopal Church. Thursday, October 12 will have an alumni focus, as well as a book launch and a keynote address by The Rt. Rev. Renta Nishihara, Ph.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Chubu, and President of Rikkyo University, which grew out of a private school founded by VTS alum The Rt. Rev. Channing Moore Williams.

Friday, October 13 will feature a forum with renowned artist Leo Franklin Twiggs, Ph.D., a Conversation with Archbishop Hosam Naoum ’11, ’20, (H) ’22, and a Gala Dinner. There will also be activities for children, and a “Paws to Pray” pet-friendly service. Events will conclude on Saturday, October 14 with a Festive Eucharist and brunch.

Throughout the four days there will be daily worship services, campus tours, and other activities. Many events will be live streamed through VTS’ Facebook and YouTube pages.

Click below to see a full schedule of events. To attend events in person, please sign up here.

Bicentenary Schedule

Marking 200 Years

The program this October is the culmination of a series of events and initiatives at VTS to mark its 200 years. Other activities to mark the Historic Bicentenary have included the commissioning of music, poetry and a play, the preaching of 200 sermons, pilgrimages, and a series of lectures and concerts.

 

Previous Events

A Bicentennial Campaign also raised $60 million, which has been used to increased funding for student scholarships and endowed professorships, expand lifelong education programs, and renovate a number of buildings on campus, including Bicentenary Hall, Addison Academic Center, and the Bishop Payne Library, as the Seminary positions itself for its next 100 years.

Context

Virginia Theological Seminary was founded in 1823. 2023 marks the historic moment of 200 years of ministry and mission in the Episcopal Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion. To “mark the moment” is not to “celebrate” but to remember well, reflect on the Seminary’s complicated journey and to give thanks.

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The Timeline

Founded in 1823, Virginia Theological Seminary is commemorating our historic bicentenary with a look at our first two centuries. Recognizing the grace as well as the sin, this continuously updated timeline is a terrific resource for the history of not just VTS or The Episcopal Church, but of 200 years of faith in America. Click here.

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