The Very Rev. Dr Alessandro Margheritino (D.Min. ‘25, M.Div. ‘14) completed his D.Min. in December 2024, receiving his diploma at the D.Min. Commencement ceremony in January 2025. He currently serves as the acting Chancellor and Secretary of the Orthodox Church in America and Rector of All Saints of America Orthodox Church, Alexandria, VA. Here, Fr Alessandro speaks about his impressions from undertaking the program.
The Doctor of Ministry program was a deeply meaningful and enriching journey—one that pushed me academically, but more importantly, called me back to the heart of ministry: becoming a better servant of Christ and His Church. People enter the D.Min. program for many reasons—to grow as priests, chaplains, administrators, youth pastors, counselors—but throughout the challenges, I was reminded again and again that no matter our specific roles, the goal is always deeper service to Christ and His Holy Church.
Fr Alessandro receiving his D.Min. diploma from His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon (OCA), on Jan. 30, 2025
In my final project, I explored the concept of sobornost, or conciliarity, as it applies to Church administration. What struck me is that while interpretations of this concept vary, starting with the Slavophiles who are closely associated with this term, at its core, sobornost calls us to move beyond individualism or self-interest and toward a shared vision of church life. Saint Tikhon emphasized this beautifully at the first All-American Sobor, saying that our work must be guided not by personal advantage, but by what benefits our common mission.
In Rome with His Grace Bishop Andrei (OCA, Romanian Episcopate), as part of the OCA delegation at the funeral of Pope Francis
Through this lens, Church administration becomes something more than structure or efficiency. At its best, it embodies the paradox of the Cross. Whether in parish life, the seminary, or missionary work, we all engage in administration, and if we approach it only as a matter of control or effectiveness, we miss its true meaning. Like Christ embracing the Cross, we must embrace the difficulties, the sacrifices, the criticism. Church administration calls for patience, humility, and perseverance—it demands that we die to our own preferences for the sake of the community.
Fr Alessandro teaching Sunday school at his parish
This program reminded me of that truth and gave me the tools to live it out. I'm incredibly grateful to the seminary—my alma mater in the truest sense—for forming me not only once, but twice. The faculty, especially Fr. Sergius and Fr. John, guided me with great wisdom and patience. I’m thankful to His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, the former OCA chancellors, and my entire cohort, which was one of the best parts of the program. And most of all, I’m thankful to my wife and children for their love, their patience, and the sacrifices they made so I could complete this journey.
