Alumni News

On Saturday, September 21, 2019, St. Vladimir’s Seminary (SVOTS) Alumnus Dn. Dorde Tomic was ordained to the holy priesthood.

His Grace Bishop Irinej of the Eastern American Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church, a fellow SVOTS alumnus (’82), presided over the Divine Liturgy and ordination at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Richmond, Virginia, where another alumnus, Fr. Nicholas G. Bacalis (’68), extended hospitality. Several current Serbian students from SVOTS were also in attendance to assist Bishop Irinej.

“I seek ordination to the holy rank of priest, Blessed Bishop,” Fr. Dorde responded during the service, after the Great Entrance. “…I seek to be a ‘light to the world’ and that from now on only Christ lives in my heart.”

He then spoke of his journey to the priesthood, beginning with the influence of his parents, who “were the first to create my path to Christ and the Church of God.”

He also shared how his time at St. Vladimir’s Seminary helped shape him.

“By enrolling at St. Vladimir's Seminary in New York, after graduating from [St. Sava’s] Libertyville, I was given the opportunity to experience the various spheres of Orthodoxy brought in by students from other Orthodox churches. I want to emphasize that I had the honor of being part of a community like this, where both students and professors were breathing and living for Christ. As such, they have taught me many Christian virtues.”

Father Dorde, who was born and raised in Serbia, graduated with an M.A. from St. Vladimir’s in 2019.

The St. Vladimir’s Seminary community wishes Fr. Dorde and Popadija Gorica many years!

Some information for this article and photos have been reprinted from the website of the Eastern American Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church.