The total number of seminarians, alumni, and faculty from St. Vladimir’s Seminary who were ordained to Holy Orders from July 2016 to July 2017 equals 35: 16 priests, 16 deacons, and 3 sub-deacons. Additionally, six of our alumni were either elevated in their rank or received an honorary award.
At the close of fall semester 2016, we presented brief biographies and photos of 13 of those who had already been ordained (see article titled, “Thirteen Students and Alumni Ordained”), and now, at the close of spring semester 2017, we are similarly presenting bios for the 21 others ordained, as well as short bios of those clergy who have received awards or were elevated in rank.
Axios, and Many Years to all!
HOLY PRIESTHOOD
Priest Herman (Raymond) Acker, Alumnus (M.Th. ’95)
Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA)
Diaconate: Ordained by His Eminence Metropolitan Philip (AOCANA) in St. Philip Orthodox Church, Souderton, PA, 20SEPT98
Priesthood: Ordained by His Grace the Right Reverend Thomas, Bishop of the Diocese of Charleston, Oakland and the Mid-Atlantic (AOCANA), in St. Philip Orthodox Church, Souderton, PA, 9OCT16
Current ministry: Rector, St. Andrew the Apostle Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, Lewes, DE
Educational and professional background: A.A. Fulton Montgomery Community College; B.A. Nyack College; M.A., M.Div., Biblical Theological Seminary; M.Th., St. Vladimir’s Seminary; D.Min., Pittsburgh Theological Seminary; Adjunct Instructor of History at Eastern University
Priest Isaac (Brandon Solomon) Danevicius, 3rd-year Seminarian (M.Div. program)
Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA)
Diaconate: Ordained by His Grace Nicholas, Bishop of Brooklyn, New York, and Washington, D.C., and assistant to Metropolitan Joseph (AOCANA), in St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Little Falls, NJ, 23OCT16
Priesthood: Ordained by His Grace Basil, Bishop of Wichita and Mid-America (AOCANA), in Ss. Peter and Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church, Topeka, KS, 29JUN17
Current ministry: Student parish assignment at St. James Antiochian Orthodox Church, Poughkeepsie, NY, under the mentorship of pastor Father Paul Matar
Educational and professional background: B.A. in Biblical Studies and Theology from Biola University in 2009; Fifth Grade Teacher at Cair Paravel Latin School in Topeka KS; Shipping Manager for the Institute for Excellence in Writing in Locust Grove, OK.
Priest Symeon (Douglas) Hadley, Alumnus (M.Th. ’06)
Jurisdiction: Patriarchate of Belgrade (Serbia)
Priesthood: Ordained by the Right Reverend Longin, Bishop of New Gracanica & Midwestern America, Patriarchate of Belgrade (Serbia), and presented for ordination by the Very Reverend Stavrophor John Erickson, former Dean of St. Vladimir’s Seminary, in the Cathedral of the Holy Protection of the Theotokos, Third Lake, IL, 13OCT16
Current ministry: Assigned as Priest for the newly formed St. Sebastian Orthodox Christian Mission, Charlevoix, MI
Educational and professional background: former Episcopal priest
Priest Andrew Honoré, 3rd-year Seminarian (M.Div. program)
Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA)
Diaconate: Ordained by His Grace Nicholas, Bishop of Brooklyn, New York, and Washington, D.C., and assistant to Metropolitan Joseph (AOCANA), in St. Stephen the Protomartyr Church, South Plainfield, NJ, 16OCT16
Priesthood: Ordained by His Grace Nicholas, Bishop of Brooklyn, New York, and Washington, D.C., and assistant to Metropolitan Joseph (AOCANA), in St. Barnabas Orthodox Church, Costa Mesa, CA, 25JUN17
Current ministry: Interim Pastor of St. George Orthodox Church in South Glens Falls, NY; SVOTS Student Council Member, and student officer of The St. Moses Society, a student-led group seeking to foster a greater conversation on issues of race and outreach in the Orthodox Church.
Educational and professional background: B.A. in Liberal Arts; formerly enlisted in Navy Reserves and currently a commissioned officer in the Navy’s Chaplain Candidate Program; former restaurant owner
Priest Simon (Shiryl) Mathai, Alumnus (M.Div. 2016)
Jurisdiction: Malankara Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church in North America (SOC)
Sub-Diaconate (Apodyaqno): Ordained by His Eminence Mor Titus Yeldho, Archbishop of the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church in North America, in the Church of the Virgin Mary, Paramus, NJ, 4JAN14
Full Diaconate (M'Shamshono): Ordained by His Eminence Mor Titus Yeldho, Archbishop of the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church in North America, in St. Ephrem Cathedral, Whippany, NJ, 13NOV16
Priesthood: Ordained by His Eminence Mor Titus Yeldho, Archbishop of the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church in North America, in St. Peter Syriac Cathedral, Philadelphia, PA, 13MAY17
Current Ministry: Serves as Associate Vicar for St. Mary's Syriac Orthodox Church in West Nyack, NY, and St. George Syriac Orthodox Church in New City, NY
Education and Professional Background: Master in Public Health from Drexel University, MBA from Rutgers University; currently serves as a Senior Manager at Pfizer, Inc.
Priest Steven F. McGuigan, Alumnus (Special Student ’16)
Jurisdiction: Diocese of Sitka and Alaska, Orthodox Church in America (OCA)
Priesthood: Received as priest by Vesting by His Eminence the Most Reverend Nikon, Archbishop of Boston, New England, and the Albanian Archdiocese, on behalf of His Grace David, Bishop of Sitka and All Alaska, in All Saints Orthodox Church, Hartford, CT, 19MAR17
Current ministry: Rector, St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, Juneau, AK
Educational and professional background: A.B. (magna cum laude), Assumption College, Worcester, M.A. (Theology and Psychology); Study, Heythrop College, University of London; M. Div. (honors) St. John's Seminary, Brighton, MA; faculty, Grand Seminaire de Montreal, Montreal, Canada; Fellow, American Guild of Organists (F.A.G.O.); chaplain, recitalist and active member, American Guild of Organists (Berkshire chapter); former Roman Catholic priest
Priest Anish Skariya, Alumnus (M.Div. 2012 )
Jurisdiction: Malankara Syriac Orthodox Church of North America
Sub-Diaconate (Apodyaqno): Ordained by His Eminence Mor Titus Yeldho, Archbishop and Patriarchal Vicar of the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church in North America, at Ss. Peter's Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church, North Lake, IL, 31MAR12
Full Diaconate (M'Shamshono): Ordained by His Eminence Mor Titus Yeldho, Archbishop and Patriarchal Vicar of the Malankara Syriac Orthodox Church of North America, at St. Peter's Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church, Northlake, Illinois on 7October06.
Holy Priesthood: Ordained by His Eminence Mor Titus Yeldho, Archbishop and Patriarchal Vicar of the Malankara Syriac Orthodox Church of North America, at St. Peter's Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church, Northlake, Illinois on 5AUG17.
Current Ministry: Staff Chaplain, Houston Methodist Hospital
Education and Professional Background: B.A in Christian Ministry & Counseling, Trinity International University, 2008, M.Div., St. Vladimir's Seminary, 2012, M.Th., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 2013.
Archpriest Kirill Sokolov, Alumnus (M.Div. ’07)
Jurisdiction: Diocese of the West, Orthodox Church in America (OCA)
Diaconate: Ordained by His Beatitude Metropolitan Herman, then-Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, in Three Hierarchs’ Chapel, St. Vladimir’s Seminary, 30JAN04
Elevation: Elevated by the Holy Synod of Bishops of the OCA to the dignity of Protodeacon in 2007, and in 2009, to the office of Archdeacon
Priesthood: Ordained by His Eminence the Most Reverend Benjamin, Archbishop of San Francisco and the Diocese of the West, OCA, at Holy Trinity Cathedral, San Francisco, CA, on Bright Saturday, 22APR17; Concelebrants: Bishop Daniel of Santa Rosa, Archpriest Chad Hatfield, and numerous alumni.
Current ministry: Assigned to Holy Trinity Cathedral, San Francisco, CA; Director of Diaconal and Late Vocations for the OCA
Educational and professional background: B.A. University of California, San Diego; M.Div. St. Vladimir’s Seminary; Ed.D. in organizational leadership from Pepperdine University's Graduate School of Education and Psychology in 2017; Director of Technology & 21st Century Learning at San Francisco Day School
Priest John (Edward) Valadez, 3rd-year Seminarian (M.Div. Program)
Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA)
Diaconate: Ordained by His Grace Nicholas, Bishop of Brooklyn, New York, and Washington, D.C., and assistant to Metropolitan Joseph (AOCANA), in St. John the Baptist Antiochian Orthodox Church, Levittown, NY, 13NOV16
Priesthood: Ordained by His Grace Nicholas, Bishop of Brooklyn, New York, and Washington, D.C., and assistant to Metropolitan Joseph (AOCANA), in St. Barnabas Orthodox Church, Costa Mesa, CA, 24JUN17
Current ministry: Parish assignment at St. Stephen's Antiochian Orthodox Church, South Plainfield, NJ; Secretary of St. Ambrose Society, the Seminary's pro-life student interest group under the auspices of the Student Council
Educational and professional background: B.A. in Art History from CSULB; butcher and Associate Team Leader at Whole Foods Market
HOLY DIACONATE
Deacon Levon Asdourian, Alumnus (M.Div. ’17)
Jurisdiction: Armenian Apostolic Church
Diaconate: Ordained by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, Armenian Apostolic Church, to the Holy Diaconate, on the campus of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary at Commencement Ceremonies, 20MAY17
Current ministry: One year internship under the direction of a senior priest, followed by overseas training, either at Echmiadzin in Armenia, or in Jerusalem
Educational and professional background: United States Marine Corps; B.S., SUNY Purchase College; and M.Div. St. Vladimir's and St. Nersess Theological Seminaries
Deacon Andrew Cannon (M.A. ’16)
Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA)
Holy Diaconate: Ordained by His Eminence the Most Reverend Alexander, archbishop of Dallas and the South, in St. John of the Ladder Orthodox Church, Piedmont, SC, 9APR17
Current Ministry: Assigned as Deacon and Pastoral Assistant to St. Basil the Great Mission in Wilmington, NC
Education and Professional Background: Studied Classics at Furman University; former consultant at Furman University Writing & Media Lab
Deacon John (Rassem) El Massih, Lecturer in Liturgical Music, St. Vladimir’s Seminary
Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA)
Diaconate: Ordained by His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph, Primate of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, in St. Nicholas Cathedral, Brooklyn, NY, 5MAR17
Current ministry: Assistant to the Metropolitan, Protopsalti (First- Cantor) of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, and Lecturer in Liturgical Music at St. Vladimir's Seminary
Educational and professional background: B.A. in Religious Studies with a minor in Human Development; M.Div. from Holy Cross Seminary, Brookline, MA
Deacon Daniel Greeson, 3rd-year Seminarian (M.Div. program)
Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA)
Diaconate: Ordained by His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, Archbishop of Washington and Metropolitan of All America and Canada, in Three Hierarchs Chapel, at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Seminary, 3MAR17
Current ministry: Student parish assignment at Ss. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, Jersey City, NJ, under mentorship of Rector, Archpriest Joseph Lickwar
Educational and professional background: B.A. in Religious Studies / Philosophy, Master of Library Science, Master of Theological Studies; formerly worked in libraries and title insurance
Deacon James Magruder, Alumnus (M.Div. ’03)
Jurisdiction: Archdiocese of Washington, D.C.,Orthodox Church in America (OCA)
Diaconate: Ordained by His Beatitude the Most Blessed Tikhon, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), in St. Andrew Church, Baltimore, MD, 7MAY17
Current ministry: Attached as Deacon to St. Andrew Church, Baltimore, MD, Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., OCA
Educational and professional background: Ph.D. in Art History from Johns Hopkins University, with dissertation focused on “Byzantine Cameos and the Aesthetics of the Icon”; Professor of Art History at University of Maryland
Deacon Simon Menya, 3rd-year Seminarian (M.Div. program)
Jurisdiction: Patriarchate of Alexandria, Diocese of Uganda
Diaconate: Ordained by His Eminence, the Most Reverend Jonah (Lwanga), Metropolitan of Kampala and all Uganda, in St. Basil Orthodox Church, Gulu, Northern Uganda, 13AUG17
Current ministry: Student assignment at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, New Rochelle, NY; participant in St. Moses the Black Student Interest Group
Educational and professional background: B.A. in Education, Gulu University, graduated as a High School Teacher in 2011; served as Headmaster/Principle at Archangel Michael Orthodox High School, Northern Region of Uganda; candidate of Master in Educational Policy Planning and Management in Kyambogo University
Deacon Aleksandar Mitrovic, Alumnus (M.Div. ’11)
Jurisdiction: Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Canada
Diaconate: Ordained by His Grace, the Right Reverend Dr. Mitrofan (Kodic), Bishop of Canada, in Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Milton, Ontario, Canada, 19AUG17
Current ministry: Serves as a deacon to His Grace Bishop Mitrofan
Deacon Christopher Moore, 3rd-year Seminarian (M.Div. program)
Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA)
Diaconate: Ordained by His Grace the Right Reverend Paul, Bishop of Chicago and the Diocese of the Midwest, in Three Hierarchs Chapel, St. Vladimir’s Seminary, 1APR17
Current ministry: Student parish assignment at Ss. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, South River, NJ, under the mentorship of Rector, Priest David F. Garretson; student leader of the St. Innocent Mission Society, under the auspices of the Student Council; attached to Three Hierarchs Chapel
Educational and professional background: B.M. in Music Composition; Administrative Assistant at Evangelical Baptist Missions organization; Woodwind Performer and Private Lessons Teacher; missionary with Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) since 2012
Deacon Joseph Olas, Alumnus (M.A. ’10)
Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA)
Diaconate: Ordained by His Grace the Right Reverend Basil, Bishop of Wichita and Mid-America, with the blessing of Metropolitan Joseph, Primate of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, and His Grace the Right Reverend Anthony, Bishop of the Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest, at St. George Orthodox Christian Church, Fishers, IN, 3JUN17
Current ministry: Parish administrator for St. George Orthodox Christian Church, Fishers, IN (Indianapolis)
Educational and professional background: B.A. in Liberal Arts from Indiana University, M.A. in Theology from St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary
Deacon Marek Simon, Alumnus (M.Div. ’01, Valedictorian)
Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA)
Diaconate: Ordained by His Grace the Right Reverend John, Bishop of the Diocese of Worcester and New England, in the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, in St. Ignatius Chapel, Antiochian Village, PA, 4JUN17
Current ministry: Assistant Camp Director of the Antiochian Village Camp
Educational and professional background: Pharmacist; B.S. in Pharmacy, Butler University; M.Div., St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary
Deacon Joseph Wesseler, Alumnus (M.Div. ’17)
Jurisdiction: Western American Diocese, Serbian Orthodox Church
Diaconate: Ordained by His Grace Irinej, Bishop of the Eastern Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church, in Three Hierarchs Chapel, St. Vladimir’s Seminary, 13APR17
Current ministry: Serving at St. Peter the Apostle Serbian Orthodox Church, Fresno, CA
Educational and professional background: B.A. in Philosophy with a minor in Psychology from California State University, Fresno; Employed at Pro-Youth H.E.A.R.T. in Visalia, CA, an after school program providing homework help, supplemental math and reading work, and anti-gang and anti-drug education programs for youth
Subdeacon George Ninan Manampuram, Alumnus (M.Div. ’17)
Jurisdiction: Diocese of South-West America of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (MOSC)
Sub-Diaconate (Apodyaqno): Ordained by His Grace Alexios Mar Eusebius, for the Diocese of South-West America of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (MOSC), in St. Gregorios Malankara Orthodox Church, Bensalem, PA, 27MAY17
Current Ministry: Speaker at various youth conferences/retreats within the Diocese of the South-West America
Educational and professional background: Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Widener University’ Masters in Counseling Psychology from Rosemont College; Counseling and Case Management Supervisor for victims of domestic violence at Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County, PA
Subdeacon Bobby Varghese, Alumnus (M.A. 2017)
Jurisdiction: Diocese of Northeast America of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (MOSC)
Sub-Diaconate (Apodyaqno): Ordained by His Eminence Zachariah Mar Nicholovos, for the Diocese of Northeast America of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (MOSC); ordained with the name “Geevarghese” (George) Varghese, at St. Thomas Malankara Orthodox Church, Levittown, NY, 6MAY17
Current Ministry: Currently, Sbdn. Geevarghese Varghese is traveling to different churches and speaking at various events, retreats, and conferences. On a more local setting, he leads bible studies and prayer meetings at the homes of local parishioners. He remains as the Acolyte and Youth advisor at his home parish in St Mary’s Jackson Heights. In October, Sbdn. Geevarghese will go to Old Theological Seminary in Kerala, India; for a 6-month special program to complete his theological education.
Education and Professional Background: B.S. in Psychology, City College of New York in 2012. From 2012–2014, worked as Senior Activity Specialist, organizing events and programs for individuals with developmental disabilities for the agency AHRC NYC’s Day Habilitation Center; M.Div., St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, May 2017.
ELEVATIONS & AWARDS
Archpriest George Corbin, Alumnus (M.Div. ‘06)
Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA)
Elevation: Elevated to the rank and dignity of Archpriest by His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph, Primate of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, and His Grace the Right Reverend Anthony, Bishop of the Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest, at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Canton, OH, 23APR17
Current Ministry: Pastor, St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Canton, OH
Archimandrite Jeremy Davis, Alumnus (M.Div. ’04)
Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA)
Elevation: Elevated to the rank and dignity of Archimandrite by His Grace, the Right Reverend Basil, Bishop of Wichita and Mid-America, with the blessing of Metropolitan Joseph, Primate of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, in Holy Ascension Church in Norman, OK, 19MAR17
Current Ministry: Rector, Church of the Ascension, Norman, OK
Mitered Archpriest Sergei Glagolev, Alumnus (Class of 1949)
Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA)
Elevation: Elevated to the dignity of Mitered Archpriest by His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, on the Feast of Pentecost, in Holy Trinity Church, East Meadow, Long Island, 4JUN17
Current Ministry: Retired; attached to St. Sergius of Radonezh Chapel, Orthodox Church in America Chancery
Archpriest Daniel Hubiak, Alumnus (Class of 1956)
Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA)
Award: Order of St. Innocent, Gold Class, presented by His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, 25AUG17
Current Ministry: Retired; attached to St. Nicholas Cathedral, Archdiocese of Washington, D.C.
Mitered Archpriest Michael Margitich, Alumnus (B.S. Columbia University and St. Vladimir’s ’53)
Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA)
Elevation: Elevated to the dignity of Mitered Archpriest by His Eminence the Most Reverend Benjamin, Archbishop of San Francisco and the Diocese of the West, at St. Seraphim of Sarov Orthodox Christian Church, Santa Rosa, CA, 17APR17
Current ministry: Attached as Priest Emeritus to St. Seraphim of Sarov Orthodox Christian Church, Santa Rosa, CA
Protodeacon Iliya Toru Takei, Alumnus (M.Div. ’04)
Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in Japan
Elevation: Elevated to the rank of Protodeacon on the Feast of the Entrance of Theotokos on Julian Calendar, 4DEC16
Current ministry: Serving the Orthodox Church in Japan 2009–Present; Metropolitan staff member in External Church Relations; attached to Holy Resurrection Cathedral, Tokyo, Japan
Photo credits: Lorraine Bernier, Aaron Brodeur, Fr. Nabil Hanna, Mary Honoré, Colin Miller, OCA archives, Subdn. Khalil Samara, Djakonitsa Adrienne Soper
