By the grace of God, St. Vladimir’s Seminary Alumnus Archpriest Paul Shafran celebrated his 104th birthday this July.
Fr. Paul, the oldest living Seminary alumnus, marked the occasion on July 2. His daughters Nina Shafran and Paula Koerte arranged an in-home celebration with family. Then, on Sunday, July 5, the celebration continued at St. Vladimir Orthodox Church in Trenton, NJ, where Fr. Paul is Pastor Emeritus. Current Pastor Fr. Volodymyr Chaikivskyi, family members, and parishioners joined in the celebration.
The Very Rev. Paul Shafran was born to an Orthodox family in 1922 in Olyphant, PA, and went on to study at Columbia University and St. Vladimir's Seminary. He graduated from the Seminary in 1945 but returned a few years later for post-graduate studies, and he began teaching Liturgics as a member of the faculty in the 1950s. Fr. Paul’s commitment to theological education saw him not only teach at the Seminary but also serve as a trustee starting in 1966, and he accomplished much in his decades on the Seminary Board.
Fr. Paul married his beloved Matushka Mary (+2025) on November 27, 1947. He was ordained to the Priesthood December 28, 1947, by the hand of Archbishop Nikon (de Greve of Brooklyn) at the Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Protection in New York City. Fr. Paul was elevated to Archpriest in 1961. His priestly ministry included more than fifty years as Pastor of St. Vladimir Orthodox Church in Trenton, service as Assistant Chairman of the Sunday School Committee of the Orthodox Church in America, and appointment to a commission by the Great Council of Bishops for the translation of liturgical books from Russian into English.
May God grant Archpriest Paul many years!
Photos: Diocese of New York and New Jersey
