SVS Alumnus Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen) [85 M.Div. and '88 M.Th.] was enthroned as the primate of the Orthodox Church in America on December 27, 2008 at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Among those from the St. Vladimir's Seminary community in attendance were Dean Archpriest John Behr and Protodeacon Kirill Sokolov, who concelebrated at both the Vigil service and the Divine Liturgy.

His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah was officially enthroned as Archbishop of Washington and New York, Metropolitan of All America and Canada on Sunday, December 28, in Washington, DC.  As Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen) ['85 M.Div. and '88 M.Th.] serves as President of St. Vladimir's Seminary and Chairman of the Board of Trustees.  Dean Archpriest John Behr and Protodeacon Kirill Sokolov concelebrated at the divine services honoring Metropolitan Jonah's November election.  Also in attendance at the festivities were Mrs. Anne Glynn-Mackoul, Executive Chair of the St. Vladimir's Seminary Board of Trustees and Mr. Theodore Bazil, Associate Chancellor for Advancement.  The school is currently on its inter-semester Nativity recess, but several seminarians also travelled from their homes to Washington, DC for this historic and prayerful celebration.

Photographs are available on the web site of the Orthodox Church in
America.