St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary

The faculty and administration of St Vladimir's Seminary welcome you to this web site. Read a greeting from our dean and from our chancellor.

Seminary congratulates new Metropolitan and President

His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen) of All America and Canada

Alumni serving in Antiochian Archdiocese attend gathering

Among the many distinguished alumni at the gathering hosted by SVS was His Grace, Bishop Mark of Toledo and the Midwest of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese. His Grace, a member of the class of 1991, also attended sessions of the All-American Council including the election of the Metropolitan.

Also present was Archimandrite John Abdalah who was recently elevated to the rank of Archimandrite by Metropolitan Philip on October 19, 2008 at the St. George Cathedral in Pittsburgh where he serves. Fr. John completed his studies at St. Vladimir's Seminary in 1978 and completed his thesis a few years later. Fr. John also has a D.Min. degree in Pastoral Care from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and a Certificate of Pastoral Counseling from Pittsburgh Pastoral Institute. Fr. John teaches Priestly Formation for the St. Stephen's House of Studies and Pastoral Care for the graduate program at the St. John of Damascus Theological Institute in Lebanon.

St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary is honored to announce that His Grace JONAH, Bishop of Fort Worth, has been elected Metropolitan of All America and Canada of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA). His Beatitude was elected on November 12, 2008, at the 15th All-American Council (AAC) held in Pittsburgh, PA, from November 10–13.

His Beatitude is an alumnus of St. Vladimir's, having received his M.Div. degree in 1985 and an M.Th. in Dogmatics in 1988. In accordance with the statutes of the Seminary, the Primate of the Orthodox Church in America is also the President of the Seminary and Chairman of the seminary Board of Trustees. A complete biography of His Beatitude may be found at www.oca.org, as well as detailed reports and Podcasts from the council sessions.

Concerning Metropolitan Jonah’s election, seminary dean, The Very Rev. Dr. John Behr said, "I am thrilled with the election of our new Metropolitan, Jonah. He has a deep love of Christ and His people, a profound understanding of the Church, embodies authority through humility, and holds a forward-looking vision for Orthodoxy in this country."

Remarking that "the sense of renewal, renewed possibilities, and genuinely new horizons, were palpable at the 15th AAC," Fr. John predicted that Metropolitan Jonah’s leadership would stimulate all dimensions of ecclesial and spiritual life in the OCA in the days and years to come. "Our chancellor, Fr. Chad Hatfield, and I commit ourselves to working as closely as possible with Metropolitan Jonah for the building up of the whole Church in this country," he concluded.

Fr. Chad further noted, "The election of Metropolitan Jonah has already energized the Orthodox Church in America. We pray that His Beatitude's election will also reenergize our common work towards the unity of all Orthodox Christians in North America."

St. Vladimir's hosted a special gathering of its alumni at the AAC, at which the new Metropolitan graciously and joyously greeted his fellow alumni, and referred to his alma mater as a “premier” international theological institution.

St. Vladimir's Seminary and its Board of Trustees wish its new President strength and protection from the Lord in his new archpastoral responsibilities. Eis polla eti, despota!

A photograph gallery from the alumni gathering held at the 15th All-American Council is available.

Employment opportunities

Updated November 19, 2008

St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary has several job postings available: an Advancement Officer (Annual Giving); an Advancement Officer (Capital Campaign); and a Systems Support Specialist. Please see the full job descriptions on our Employment Opportunities page.

SVS Press donates books to Majority World

Wayne Bornholdt the of the Theological Book Network, Inc. receives a donation of books from Nina Chapman of St. Vladimir's Seminary Press at the AAR trade show in Chicago.

At the 2008 American Academy of Religion (AAR) conference in Chicago, IL in November, SVS Press was able to donate sixty of its well-respected titles on iconography, patristics, church history, and spirituality to the Theological Book Network, Inc. This charitable organization donates theological books and print journals to institutes and schools around the world that do not have the funding necessary to stock their own libraries.

SVS Press participates each year in the trade show held in conjunction with the annual AAR conference, at which scholars from around the world lecture and network with their academic peers. Theological Book Network, Inc. takes advantage of the presence at AAR of publishers of works on religion to promote their charitable ministry: the donation of books to religious institutions in the “Majority World,” i.e. the developing world and the Global South.

Because the Christian faith in these regions is growing rapidly, there is a shortage of trained theologians and religious leadership. Institutions are struggling to develop enough theologically-trained clergy, church leaders, and academics (for both teaching and research) to serve their flocks. Schools are frequently undercapitalized and are working with undercapitalized students as well.