The centenary celebration of St. George Orthodox Christian Church in Fishers, IN, in early October was the setting of a particularly blessed occasion for members of the St. Vladimir’s Seminary community.
As the parish celebrated 100 years, its new Church building was consecrated on Saturday, October 10. During the Divine Liturgy His Grace Bishop John (Abdalah) ordained Seminarian Dn. Andrew Neel to the Holy Priesthood, and Seminary alumnus Fr. Anthony Yazge was elevated to the dignity of Archimandrite.
Fr. Andrew and Khouria Becca Neel with Bishop John, Bishop Anthony, and Bishop Thomas.
The Rev. Andrew Neel, who is in his third and final year of study in the Seminary’s Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program, is a son of another Indiana parish, St. Ananias the Apostle Church in Evansville.
Archimandrite Anthony Yazge
The Right Rev. Archimandrite Anthony G. Yazge graduated from St. Vladimir’s Seminary with an M.Div. degree in 1988, and is the pastor of St. George. Fr. Anthony is also Dean of the Indiana Deanery. He presently serves on the Alumni Association Board at St. Vladimir’s Seminary (he was previously Board President), and is a member of the Board of Faithtree Resources. His many years of priestly ministry include service as Camp Director of the Antiochian Village Camp, Chairman of the Department of Camping, Chairman of the Department of Young Adult Ministry, SOYO Priest in Charge of the Special Olympics Camp, and NAC Teen SOYO and Midwest Teen SOYO Spiritual Advisor.
Fr. Anthony’s late wife Dr. Stefanie Yova Yazge, who fell asleep in the Lord in 2017, was also a graduate of St. Vladimir’s Seminary (M.A., ’86) and served as Alumni Association Board Secretary. She and Fr. Anthony had three children, who are now adults: Matthew, Mark, and Alexis.
May God grant many years to Archimandrite Anthony, Priest Andrew, and their families!
Photos and some information for this article have been adapted from Antiochian.org.
