Recent St. Vladimir’s graduate John Thetford has joined the ranks of the holy diaconate. Deacon John was ordained on the Feast of the Glorification of St. Herman of Alaska, August 9, 2020, by the hand of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon (Orthodox Church in America) at the Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration, Ellwood City, PA.
The Rev. Dn. John Thetford was raised in the Orthodox faith at St. Elias Parish, Ellwood City, PA (Romanian Episcopate). He graduated from St. Vladimir’s Seminary with a Master of Arts (M.A.) Degree in 2020. He also earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Religious Studies from the University of Pittsburgh in 2010 and a Master’s Degree in Education from Duquesne University in 2011. Deacon John worked as an elementary teacher and social worker prior to enrolling at St. Vladimir’s in 2017.
He was an active student during his time at seminary, serving as student leader of the St. Innocent Mission Society on campus and Ss. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, Jersey City, NJ, for his student parish assignment. As a seminarian Deacon John also served the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), working at Central Administration since June 2019 as an intern. He continued there following his graduation from St. Vladimir’s and became an administrative assistant in June 2020.
Deacon John will now take on even more responsibility within the OCA, having been appointed personal secretary to His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon. Deacon John began his new position August 16, 2020. He is also returning to the Seminary for the 2020-2021 academic year to complete a Master of Theology (Th.M.) degree.
The community of St. Vladimir’s Seminary wishes the newly ordained Dn. John and Matushka Katherine Thetford many years!
