Mr. Theodore Bazil, SVS Associate Chancellor for Advancement, welcomes His Beatitude Jonah, metropolitan of the Orthodox Church in America and alumnus of SVS, to the seminary chapel with the traditional gift of bread and salt. Metropolitan Jonah participated in several campus events from November 21–22, 2008, including the dedication of the recently constructed Lakeside Student Apartments for married seminarians, and the fall semi-annual meeting of the Board of Trustees.

From November 21–22, St. Vladimir’s Seminary (SVS) warmly welcomed back to its campus an alumnus, James Paffhausen—but this time as His Beatitude Jonah, Metropolitan of All America and Canada of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) and new president of the seminary.

His Beatitude, who had received two degrees from SVS (’85 M.Div. and ’88 M.Th.),  was elected as metropolitan at the 15th All-American Council of the OCA on November 12, 2008. According to the statutes of the seminary, the metropolitan of the OCA also concurrently assumes the position as the seminary’s president. Prior to his election, Metropolitan Jonah served as auxiliary bishop of Fort Worth in the Diocese of the South (11 days) and as abbot of a monastery under the patronage of St. John of Shanghai, in California (12 years).

On his first visit to his alma mater since his election, Metropolitan Jonah participated in several coinciding campus events. He was the main celebrant and homilist at the Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple; he blessed the recently constructed Lakeside Student Apartments and spoke at the dedication celebration; he attended all sessions of the Board of Trustees, who were on campus for their fall semi-annual meeting; and, he greeted not only SVS seminarians and their families but also visiting students who had gathered on campus for a meeting of the Orthodox Inter-Seminary Movement (OISM).

Although he spoke in several different venues, Metropolitan Jonah delivered one consistent message: he continually noted the enormous influence of his seminary training on his personal ministry and advocated a “unified, clear vision” for theological education in America.

“All leaders of the Church, who take up the yoke of Christ,” he urged, “must have a clear vision of theological education, which consists in four things: first, we must present the gospel of Jesus Christ; second, we have a mission to evangelize all people, regardless of color, ethnicity, or socio-economic status; third, we must bring integrity to the gospel message; and fourth, we must take up the task of bearing the presence of Jesus Christ to those around us.” 

On the last point, he particularly reiterated the need to imitate the sacrificial path of Christ and his mother, the Virgin Mary. “To become the living presence of God, the living temple of God, requires us to crush our ego and shatter our will,” he said, “so that we might conceive God within us and become his presence in this world.

“Seminarians,” he noted, “do not come to theological schools to become ‘professionals’ and to be ‘respected,’ but rather to be crucified and thereby shine forth the light of Christ.” His Beatitude reminded the seminarians that his own title of “episkopos” means not “master of the house,” but “slave of slaves.” Finally, Metropolitan Jonah emphasized the need for the Church in America to support all theological institutions with prayer and love.

Updated December 1, 2008

St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary has several job postings available: a tenure-track position in the field of Canon Law and Church History; A three-year sessional appointment in the field of apologetics, with an ability to teach Patristics and Systematic Theology; 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.

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.