Graduate Spotlight: Dn Argey George (M.Div. ‘25)

Dn Argey George (M.Div. ‘25) is a former medical professional and lifelong member of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Christian Church (MOSC). In this spotlight interview, we learn about his life before seminary, his experience as a student, and his hopes for the future.

Please tell us a bit about yourself and your life before seminary.

I’m from Dallas, Texas. I was born in Houston, but my family moved to Dallas when I was very young—my dad was pursuing a business there. He ran a catering company for over 15 years, so I spent a lot of my childhood in the kitchen, learning how to cook and how to serve.

My mom has worked for the Postal Service for over 20 years, and she’s really happy there. I also have an older brother—he’s about six years older than me. He’s married with a son, and he works as a respiratory therapist at the county hospital in Dallas.

As for me, I earned my bachelor’s in general health studies from Texas Woman’s University in Denton. 

Right out of high school, I started working in a hospital. I worked as a nurse technician for about five years, mostly overnight shifts, then moved into the surgical department as a surgical tech. After a while, the anesthesia team took me under their wing, and I transitioned into an anesthesia technician role for about two to three years. So yeah, being elbow-deep in surgeries and procedures was the most recent chapter of my secular life—and I can confidently say I really loved that work.

What made you realize that you wanted to go into a life of service to the Church?

Oddly enough, I think a lot of people who come to seminary are inspired by a close relative or were deeply influenced by their parents from a young age. That wasn’t the case for me. In fact, it was quite the opposite. Because of the family business, my parents were very tied up and weren’t the ones who brought me to church or nurtured my faith life.

Thankfully, I had other important influences—especially my parish priest at the time. I think he saw something in me and he really encouraged me. He asked me to start serving in our church, take on leadership roles in youth ministry, and little by little, I got more involved. There were also several others in the parish who drew me in and supported me spiritually.

Even though I loved my career, my work, and my family life, my spiritual journey was running parallel to everything else. My job was moving forward on one side, and my spiritual life was quietly growing alongside it, but the two never really overlapped.

It wasn’t until my early twenties, when I was dating my now-wife, that I brought it up. I told her, “I think seminary is a real possibility for me.” And I added, “If this is too much, I understand.” At first, she was a little surprised—like, “Why seminary? That’s kind of weird.” I explained the situation, and she said, “Well, at least I know you’re not doing this for pride or attention, so I think I can support you.” She admitted she was scared and unsure—she didn’t know anyone in clergy life, and had no idea what that path would mean—but she said, “No matter what, I’ll stand by your side.”

That conversation was the turning point. It felt like a fork in the road. After that, I went to speak with my parish priest and my bishop—and the rest is history.

Why did you decide to come to St Vladimir’s Seminary?

My spiritual father is an alumnus of St Vladimir’s, and he’s been guiding me since I was young, well over 15 years now. He’s been such a strong model for me in every way—his leadership, his pastoral care, everything about how he lives his priesthood has served as a living example. That said, he never pushed me toward St Vladimir’s. He knew I had several options, including attending our home seminary in India or even going to a seminary in Texas. He just supported me no matter which path I chose.

Another major influence was my best friend—really more like a brother—Dn Toby; he was ordained the same day I was. He’s an alum (M.Div. ‘21), and he also helped show me why St Vladimir’s would be a good fit.

The year before I joined, I was going back and forth a lot between the two seminaries available to us in America. But in the end, what really drew me here was Fr Chad. He showed so much empathy and compassion for us Malankara students—it was a big contrast to what I had experienced elsewhere. That left a deep impression on me.

And honestly, one of the deciding factors—though it sounds silly—was logistics. I knew I’d be living apart from my wife for a while, so being close to a major airport actually mattered a lot. It made staying connected a little easier.

Please share with us what it is like to study at St Vladimir’s Seminary as a Malankara seminarian. What are your challenges and joys?

Being a Malankara student at St Vladimir’s has been a beautiful experience. I really see it as a home away from home. Even though we’re part of the wider seminary community, we also have our own close-knit circle. In some ways, that means we live in a bit of a bubble—we’re deeply connected, but also somewhat separate. And because of that, it’s easy to forget how small our community really is in the bigger picture. We’re a very tiny minority.

So, to be at an institution that not only welcomes us, but also makes space for us to worship in our own tradition, while still participating in the main chapel and pan-Orthodox life—it’s a rare and beautiful balance. We take some courses that are specific to our tradition, and others that we share with the entire Orthodox student body. That kind of integration just doesn’t happen everywhere. I think it’s a testament to the vision of those who built this community on the foundation of pan-Orthodoxy. And it’s an honor to be part of that.

Of course, there have been challenges. As in any community, there are always a few individuals who may not fully understand who we are or where we come from. That can lead to some friction or misinformation—sometimes even unkind assumptions from either side. But honestly, that’s to be expected anywhere. What matters most is that the vast majority of people here—faculty, staff, classmates—have shown us the love of Christ. I’ve felt that love deeply during my time at St Vladimir’s.

One of the more difficult moments was the transition in administration. There was a lot of uncertainty, a lot of “what ifs.” But thank God, everything worked out. Dr Tudorie has stepped into the role with such grace and care. I truly believe he is more than worthy to carry on the legacy of Fr Chad.

Before the transition, when Metropolitan Tikhon and Fr Jeremy met with us, they asked what we hoped for in the next dean. I shared honestly: Fr Chad had been a strong and vocal supporter of the Malankara community, and I hoped that relationship would continue. They heard us—and they responded. Dr Tudorie has proven his commitment, not just in words but in action. He even flew across the country to attend my ordination, and did the same for Dn Solomon Jacob (M.Div. ’25). With his busy schedule, that kind of support means a lot. I’m beyond grateful. Thank God.

As you are about to graduate, when you look back at your time here, are there any professors or any classes that really stand out to you?

Yeah, of course. I mean, the easy answer would be all of them. It’s hard to choose just one because each professor has impacted my life in such a unique way.

Dr Bouteneff’s Systematic Theology (also called Dogmatic Theology) class really stands out. It offers such a solid, foundational understanding of what our dogma is and what our faith truly means. Then there's Dr Barnet—he teaches Scripture with this incredibly witty, engaging style. He’s really good at it.

Dr Legaspi was new when we had him, and even though we were kind of his guinea pigs, I think that was a great experience. He started off with what he knew best—lots of discussion and focus on historical context. We did fall behind schedule a bit, but he adjusted and adapted as we went, and I really enjoyed his class.

In the second and third years, Fr Bogdan became a major influence. He’s incredibly well-read, a true expert in his field. I’ve had several one-on-one meetings with him to ask questions—either ones that came up in class or from people who approached me with theological questions I wasn’t sure how to answer. His guidance, especially in patristics, has been invaluable.

Then in the third year, of course, there’s Fr Sergius and his famous homiletics class. In our community, we often start preaching early—we’re invited to speak at faith studies or even give Sunday homilies when we visit parishes—so I had some experience with public speaking before seminary. But I had to rewrite everything I thought I knew after taking his class, and for the better. Looking back at my earlier homilies—even those from my first and second years—they’re nothing compared to what I’ve learned since. I’m really grateful for that transformation. His emphasis on the homily as a liturgical act completely changed how I approach preaching. The Word of God is not something to take lightly, and his class really helped me understand that.

Most recently, Fr Eric Tosi’s Pastoral Theology and Church Administration classes have been incredible. His administration class, especially, has been full of practical knowledge—everything from insurance and parish structure to how to file taxes as a priest. We’ve had so many guest speakers this year walking us through the nitty-gritty of parish life. These are things you don’t always learn elsewhere, and I’m so grateful for his teaching.

What does the schedule of services for the Malankara community on campus look like every day? 

Our Malankara community meets in the chapel inside the Metropolitan Leonty Building. Our daily schedule is pretty full—I'd say our hours are a bit longer than our Eastern Orthodox brothers'. We begin with the Midnight Office and Matins together at 7:15 a.m., Monday through Thursday, following the same weekly schedule as the Three Hierarchs Chapel.

Even on non-mandatory days, we’re usually in the chapel anyway. Services might not always be listed officially, but they’re happening, and unless we’re at a parish assignment, we’re there. After the morning services, we often gather again around noon for the Sixth Hour—it’s short, about 15 minutes. Then in the evening, we have the Ninth Hour and Vespers starting at 5 p.m.

So yes, it’s a pretty full day. But I think it’s necessary. It’s a way for us to unplug from our academic life and recharge spiritually. That rhythm of prayer keeps us grounded.

Was that a big adjustment—moving from a regular secular routine into this intense service schedule?

Definitely. Especially since I’d been out of school for a few years, there was a real learning curve—just getting used to being a student again, figuring out how to study. But the support of the community really helped me through that transition.

In terms of the service schedule, it was tough at first, but something my spiritual father said always stuck with me. He told me that single students at St Vladimir’s actually have it harder in some ways because they have so much freedom—and that freedom can be a challenge to manage. He encouraged me to model my routine after the married students.

The married students treat it like a full-time job. They're in the library from nine to five when they’re not in class. After Vespers, they don’t go back to schoolwork—they’re with their families. They’ve set boundaries, and they stick to them. I wish I had followed that model more consistently. It’s a great rhythm and a good lesson to carry forward.

What does the future after graduation look like for you?

As of right now, I honestly don’t know what my next step will be in terms of parish assignment. What I do know is that after commencement here at St Vladimir’s, all Malankara students are required to go to our seminary in Kerala, India, for five months of rubrics and sacramental training.

This has been the practice since the very first Malankara student came through St Vladimir’s. There’s a short break after graduation, and then in November, we travel to India for that next phase. Personally, I think it might be time to revisit that model—we now have several well-trained liturgists here in the U.S. who could offer that training—but it’s not my decision. So that’s all I know for now: after graduation, I’ll go home for a bit, and then I’ll head to India.

That’s a major commitment. It must be difficult for your wife, too, having to live apart from you for so long. Her sacrifice is really admirable.

Yeah, it hasn’t been easy—for either of us. When I started my first year at seminary, we were engaged, and we got married that summer. But just three months after the wedding, we had to say, “Okay, I have to go.” That was hard—really hard.

It was especially tough because of her career. She’s a pharmacist back home, and for her to move here, she would’ve had to get licensed in New York, which means taking another board exam. That just wasn’t realistic for us at the time. So this separation was our temporary solution.

Unfortunately, when I go to India in November, it’ll be the same situation. But we have about five or six months together before I leave, and we’re grateful for that time. After that, hopefully no more long-distance. That’s the plan.

Do you feel like your training at St Vladimir’s Seminary has really prepared you to enter ministry? Has this been a good experience? 

Honestly, everything I’ve learned at St Vladimir’s over the past three years has laid an incredible foundation for ministry. It hasn’t been easy—we’ve talked about the challenges—but I really believe St Vladimir’s gave me a firm, balanced starting point to build from. I’m very grateful for that.

My spiritual father is actually going through the D.Min. program right now, and I’d love to come back someday and do the same—see how my ministry has grown and continue building on this foundation.

How have your experiences interacting with local parishes shaped your time here?

Since we don’t have a resident priest for our Malankara community, we’re often traveling to nearby parishes for feast days and liturgical celebrations. Our parish assignments are spread across Queens, Brooklyn, Long Island—we’re really all over the place. But that’s been a blessing in its own way. Instead of waiting three years to apply what we’re learning, we’re out there experiencing ministry immediately—engaging with people, celebrating services, soaking up what community life looks like on the ground.

At the same time, there are logistical challenges—rides, tolls, long drives. A resident priest would make a big difference. But this model has also given us a chance to see what it's like to serve in multiple environments. Some of our Eastern Orthodox classmates have said they love having the Three Hierarchs Chapel right here—but also wish they had a bit more variety, a change of scenery. We get that exposure every week.

These communities do what they can to support us—help with gas money, tolls. It’s not a salary, but every bit helps. My home parish has also supported me and another seminarian currently at St Tikhon’s. Again, it’s not enough to cover everything, but we’re grateful for any help.

In our community, there’s a common misconception that once you say you’re going to seminary, everything’s covered. That’s just not true. Maybe that belief comes from how things work at our seminary in Kerala, where tuition is extremely low. But here, we carry the financial burden ourselves—and a lot of people just don’t know that.

I want people to understand that seminarians are giving up their careers, their income, their time—to prepare full-time to serve the Church. This is a ministry, and it deserves support. No seminarian should have to bear the cost alone. It’s not just about funding—it’s about the Church recognizing the value of forming its future leaders.

My spiritual father and my parents encouraged me to have a fallback before seminary, so I worked for several years. I built up some experience, and that gives me a bit of security. But many of the guys coming in now finish their undergrad quickly—sometimes in something they’re not even passionate about—just to get into seminary. And unfortunately, the reality is our priests often don’t make a livable wage. Most of them have to work second jobs, which takes time away from ministry. That’s just not sustainable.

Do any of your classes address this need—teaching how to help communities understand the need to support their clergy?

 Fr Tosi’s pastoral theology classes have helped a lot in that regard—especially around catechism and parish education. He teaches how to use the resources we already have and translate that into real action in our parishes. But I do think there’s room to grow—maybe add an elective focused specifically on parish education, or training on how to educate communities about needs like seminarian support.

Because once people understand the situation, they usually respond. Every time I’ve had an honest conversation with someone and explained how little support seminarians get, they’re surprised—and almost always ask, “How can I help?”

All that said, I expected these challenges. Financially, I knew I wouldn’t receive much. But the spiritual and emotional support I’ve received—just the love from this community—that’s meant more than anything money could offer. I’m so grateful.