With faith in Christ and hope in the resurrection, we share news of the repose of St. Vladimir’s Seminary Trustee Emeritus Mitchell Zunich. Zunich, 93, died on the Feast of Holy Pascha, Sunday, April 19, at his home at St. Mary of the Woods Assisted Living in Avon, OH.
Zunich was born May 10, 1926 in Lorain, OH. He served with the US Army during World War II in the 357th Regiment of the 90th Infantry Division. During his service, he participated in the battles of Rhineland and Central Europe and received the European-African-Middle-Eastern Theater Ribbon with two Bronze Stars, a Good Conduct Medal, a WWII Victory Medal and an Occupation Medal for Germany. His division was awarded the Bronze Star and participated in the liberation of Flossenburg Concentration Camp. Zunich attended the Ohio State University where he earned a bachelor of science in accounting. He founded Mitchell Zunich & Co. Certified Public Accountants, retiring in 2001. He was active in the community, having served as an officer, president, and board member of many organizations including the Lorain Rotary Club, Lorain Salvation Army, Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority, the City Bank Co., Lorain Family YMCA, Clearview School Board, and St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. In the 1990s, Mitchell and his wife, Violet, helped establish a scholarship for Serbian Orthodox seminarians at St. Vladimir’s so that no young Serbian Orthodox men would be turned away from becoming priests. Zunich was a member of St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Lorain, the Serbian National Federation, the Ohio Society of CPAs, and the AICPA.
"Mitch was honored to be on the Seminary’s Board of Trustees," said fellow St. Vladimir's Trustee Emeritus Brian Gerich. "He served many years as one of the four Serbian trustees along with [Trustee Emeritus] Alex Machaskee, Leon Lysaght, and myself.
"During our 1990’s Capital Campaign, I asked Mitch to join with me in establishing endowments for scholarships for Serbian Orthodox students studying to become priests. He immediately accepted, and he and his beloved wife Violet added to their endowment regularly. Mitch was pleased to know that as students graduated they were debt free as they prepared for a lifetime of serving our Lord."
"I remember Mitch as a quiet, decisive, compassionate gentleman who was a staunch supporter of our Orthodox Christian faith and a great contributor of time, talent, and treasure to St. Vladimir's Seminary," added Alex Machaskee. "He was a founding contributor to Monastery Marcha in Richfield Ohio, a decorated veteran of World War II, and a highly esteemed civic leader."
Mitchell Zunich is survived by his sons, Mitch Zunich of Cleveland and Rob (Eva) Zunich of Avon Lake; grandchildren, Neven, Dane, Rada, and Mila Zunich; and sister, Sophie Tyrin of Chicago. Zunich was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Violet M. Zunich (née Kobac) on Sept 7, 2014; infant son, Nick Zunich, in 1959; parents, Nikola & Stanka Zunich (née Kunic); brothers, Demeter, George, Nick, and Mike Zunich; and sisters, Mildred Stamatis, Dorothy Kovan, Nellie Raynovich, and Mary Zunich.
Due to restrictions on social gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic, private family funeral services will be held. Hieromonk Nektarije Tesanovic of St. George Serbian Orthodox Church will preside with burial to follow in Elmwood Cemetery in Lorain. Memorial contributions may be made to St. George Serbian Orthodox Church, 3355 Grove Ave, Lorain, OH, 44055 or St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, 575 Scarsdale Rd, Yonkers, NY, 10707. Arrangements are under the direction of Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Ave, Lorain. Online condolences may be made at www.gluvna.net.
May the memory of Mitchell Zunich be eternal!
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(The photo and some information in this article have been reprinted from The Morning Journal.)
Giving thanks to God, St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) hosted its 85th Commencement Exercises on Saturday, May 17, 2025.
The graduating class of 2025 began the day celebrating the Divine Liturgy at Three Hierarchs Chapel, presided over by His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon and fellow OCA hierarchs His Eminence Archbishop Michael of New York and New Jersey, His Grace Bishop Nikodhim (Preston) of Boston and the Albanian Archdiocese; His Grace Bishop Benedict (Churchill) of Hartford and New England. Also in attendance were many members of the SVOTS Board of Trustees, which had just concluded its semi-annual on-campus meetings.
During the Divine Liturgy, seminarian Dn. Daniel York (Th.M. ‘25) was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by the hand of His Beatitude.
Following a midday recess, clergy, trustees, graduates and their loved ones gathered in Three Hierarchs Chapel for a Service of Thanksgiving before processing to the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium at the John G. Rangos Family Foundation Building for the 85th Commencement Exercises. Joining His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon at Commencement were several notable guests: His Eminence Archbishop Michael of New York and New Jersey (OCA); His Grace Bishop Nikodhim (Preston) of Boston and the Albanian Archdiocese (OCA); His Grace Bishop Benedict (Churchill) of Hartford and New England (OCA); His Grace Metropolitan Thomas Mar Ivanios of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Diocese of South-West America; His Grace Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan of the Armenian Church’s Eastern Diocese of America; St. Vladimir’s Seminary Alumnus and Board of Trustees Executive Chair the Right Rev. Archimandrite Jeremy Davis, Archiepiscopal Vicar for the Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest, representing His Eminence Metropolitan Saba of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA); Dean of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary The Rev. Mardiros Chevian; and four guests in honor of graduating seminarian from Uganda, The Rev. Dn. Richard Okello (M.Div. ‘25): former trustee John Milosevic and his wife, Janet; Founder of Lift Up Uganda Sue Nelson, and Susan Harbiger.
Another distinguished guest, Trustee Emeritus Rev. Protodeacon Peter Danilchick, who celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of his diaconal ordination on Commencement day, was honored for his long service and commitment to St. Vladimir’s Seminary. Interim Seminary President and Academic Dean, Dr. Ionuț-Alexandru Tudorie, presented Pdn. Peter with a handpainted icon of St. Peter and recounted the many contributions made by Protodeacon Peter to the seminary over the years—in particular, his pivotal role in reviving the Doctor of Ministry program, his establishment of the Danilchick Family Endowment for Pastoral Studies, and his far-reaching publications on servant leadership, including his latest book, The Theology of Leadership: Servant, Sacrifice, Shepherd, Leader.
“Fifty years ago today, you were ordained to the holy diaconate. Since that time, you have embodied a life of diakonia—of service—in Christ's holy Church. Your ministry has included service to the Orthodox Church worldwide: across the globe, in Asia, the South Pacific, and Europe,” said Dr. Tudorie. “As a deacon of the Orthodox Church in America, you have selflessly shared your time, talent, and extensive experience to support numerous ministries and to promote accountability and best practices among those working to build up the Body of Christ, protecting and safeguarding the weak and most vulnerable among us. St. Vladimir’s Seminary has been uniquely blessed by your generosity.”
During commencement exercises, St. Vladimir’s seminarians also honored Dr. Michael Legaspi with the 2025 St. Macrina Award for Excellence in Teaching. The award is selected each year by student vote.
Graduating seminarian and Student Council President Laura Ionescu (M.Div. ‘25) presented Dr. Legaspi with a hand-painted icon of St. Macrina, following a yearly tradition at St. Vladimir’s Seminary.
Laura then proceeded to present the 2025 Class Gift, a specially commissioned icon of Christ the Sower, offering heartfelt gratitude on behalf of her fellow graduates:
“The Class of 2025 chose to commission this icon in honor of what we feel we have received during our time here. We have received seeds of formation through the classroom, chapel services, community service, and by intentionally living in this community of wonderful people…
“This icon not only represents what we were given, but also reveals our calling going forward—as priests, deacons, altar servers, clergy wives, choir directors, teachers, administrators, and all those who minister to others out of love for God and love for neighbor. It is our hope that we might follow in Christ’s footsteps and sow the seeds of the Gospel wherever we go.”
Commencement Address
Professor Emeritus, the Very Rev. Dr. Paul Tarazi delivered this year’s commencement address. He was met with a warm welcome from Dr. Tudorie, who quoted a current faculty member who studied under Fr. Paul, saying, “Everything good I offer to my students, anything that truly helps them to read Scripture and to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ–I am simply repeating what I learned from Fr. Paul, for which I am forever grateful.”
Fr. Paul drew on his deep knowledge of the Holy Scriptures to exhort the graduating class, reminding them, “you are invited by the apostle [Paul] to forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead and press forward towards the call of God, who began his work that he would bring to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Fr. Paul also instructed the graduates to engage their parishioners in reading the Scriptures in context, and gave them practical resources and reading recommendations.
Twenty-six graduates comprised the graduating class of 2025: thirteen (13) from the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program, ten (10) from the Master of Arts (M.A.) program, and three (3) from the Master of Theology (Th.M.) program.
“We have trained in many things to prepare ourselves for many things,” said graduating seminarian Jaime Rall (M.A. ‘25), who delivered this year’s salutatory address. “Perhaps it is also true that we have each in our own ways, trained for just the one thing, the one and only needful thing, we have trained to love–to love God and to love our neighbor…
“Amidst the challenges of seminary life, we have been granted so many opportunities to learn how to love when it did not come easily, when we did not feel love, when we had to follow our master first and only later, learn what that meant…
“Let us rejoice that we may abide in the love of Christ as we go forth to shine in the world as his own to the glory of God.”
The Rev. Dn. Matthew (Galen) Wiley, the class valedictorian, also offered powerful words to his fellow graduates, using the example of the forefather Jonah in the Old Testament to reflect on the faithfulness of God who continually “provides” through every trial. Dn. Matthew challenged his fellow graduates to go forth as prophets into a world like Nineveh, knowing that God will provide what is needed. “We kick, we scream, and God provides,” summarized Dn. Matthew. “We say, ‘We will not,’ but we do. And God provides.”
Following the valedictory address, the newly reestablished St Vladimir’s Seminary Chorale performed two hymns, led by Zachariah Mandell, director of the Chorale and Instructor of Liturgical Music at St Vladimir’s. The first piece was an arrangement of Gladsome Light, was composed by salutatorian Jaime Rall, and the second, the Koinonikon of Pascha—“Receive the Body…,” was written by prolific liturgical music composer Tikey Zes, who recently fell asleep in the Lord.
His Beatitude Met. Tikhon gave the closing remarks for the ceremony, encouraging the graduates to take courage for their ministries in an “absurd” world. “You have been given the tools, the wisdom, the knowledge, and the formation to plunge into this labyrinth of the absurd—not to be swallowed up, but to emerge as guides for the lost and the despairing.”
May the Lord God grant many blessed and fruitful years of service in His vineyard to the St. Vladimir’s Seminary graduates of 2025!
On Tuesday, May 6, St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) marked two important milestones in its ongoing commitment to the sacred arts: a concert by the newly reestablished St Vladimir’s Seminary Chorale, directed by Zachariah Mandell, and the official reopening of the renovated Sacred Arts Room, formerly known as the Music Room.
The celebratory evening began with the St Vladimir’s Seminary Chorale showcasing several musical selections they had prepared for services throughout the year. The repertoire highlighted contemporary Orthodox music, including compositions of alumni and a current student. Local parishioners and community members attended the performance in Three Hierarchs Chapel alongside the student body, enthusiastically welcoming back the Chorale as a public-facing endeavor by seminarians.
Attendees at the reopening of the newly renovated Sacred Arts Room
First established 20 years ago, the SVS Chorale was reconstituted this year as an auditioned, standing ensemble composed of seminarians, spouses, faculty, and community members. This first concert after a years-long hiatus was performed in conjunction with the reopening of the newly renovated Sacred Arts Room, which was made possible by the generosity of Joan Shell, a long-time friend and member of the advisory board of the Institute of Sacred Arts at St Vladimir’s Seminary.
Dr. Peter Bouteneff recognizes Sacred Arts supporter, Joan Shell, honoring her contribution and sponsorship of the updated room
The Sacred Arts Room will continue to be used for seminary choral rehearsals and choir-directing instruction, but it is now an environment for the study and practice of musical and visual arts, colloquia, performances, and workshops. Next month, renowned iconographer George Kordis will bring a session of his two-year iconography course (Writing the Light) to the newly updated space.
Key renovations include: new solid flooring, furniture, filing cabinets for sheet music archives, updated paint and window treatments, floor and table easels and lights, together with other art supplies.
Dr. Bouteneff speaks on the importance of a dedicated space for the sacred arts on campus
The renovations of the former Music Room and expansion of its purpose were the brainchild of the Director of the Institute of Sacred Arts, Dr. Peter Bouteneff, and Joan Shell. Their vision is for a beautiful, collaborative space, a home base for all students of the sacred arts at St Vladimir’s Seminary.
From left: Dr. Alexander Lingas, Zachariah Mandell, Dr. Ionuț-Alexandru Tudorie, Dr. Peter Bouteneff, Joan Shell, the Rev. Dn Harrison Basil Russin, and Ted Bazil.
The Commencement of the Class of 2025 of St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) will occur on Saturday, May 17, 2025. The ceremony will begin with a prayer of thanksgiving in Three Hierarchs Chapel at 2:00 p.m. Eastern, after which all guests of the graduating class will be asked to take their seats in the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium in the John G. Rangos building. At approximately 2:30 p.m. Eastern, the visiting hierarchs, guests of honor, faculty, and graduating students will proceed to the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium for the ceremony. The ceremony will be live-streamed starting at approximately 2:30 p.m. EST.
SVOTS Professor Emeritus, the Very Rev. Dr Paul Tarazi, will give his remarks as the 2025 Commencement Speaker. Fr Paul served as a professor at St Vladimir’s Seminary almost forty years before his retirement in 2014. He taught courses in Old and New Testament, Biblical Hebrew and Greek, and Academic Arabic. Fr Paul also taught at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, MA and at St John of Damascus Institute in Balamand, Lebanon. A well-known scholar and speaker, Fr Paul’s many publications include the three-volume Old Testament Introduction (SVS Press), four-volume New TestamentIntroduction (SVS Press/ OCABS Press), fourteen commentaries on both the Old Testament and the New Testament books (SVS Press and OCABS Press), and numerous scholarly articles. Most recently, he authored The Rise of Scripture (2017, OCABS Press) and Decoding Genesis 1 - 11 (2020, OCABS Press).
The Commencement Ceremony of the Class of 2025 will be live-streamed for all who cannot attend in person. Please register below to indicate your plans for attendance and to receive the Zoom link to participate via live stream.
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.
Mihailo Vlajkovic (Th.M. ‘25, M.A. ‘24) came to St Vladimir’s Seminary in August 2022, after completing his undergraduate degree in Orthodox theological studies at the University of Belgrade in Serbia, his home country. He is now about to graduate with his second degree from the seminary. Aside from his studies, during his time on campus Mihailo has represented the seminary at an academic conference at Yale University, co-produced a theatrical performance of two “biblio-drama” plays originally written in Serbian by a former mentor, worked in the SVS Press bookstore, and served many hours volunteering at events, in the refectory kitchen, and on seminary grounds. As his time at St Vladimir’s Seminary draws to a close, we asked him to share his thoughts on the Master of Theology (Th.M.) program.
In what ways has the Th.M. program prepared you to serve the Church in your future ministry?
The Th.M. program is indeed a complex one that requires dedicated effort, as the academic demands placed on students are higher than those in the M.A. or M.Div. programs. I believe that the theology we had the opportunity to study in these courses can serve our future service to the Church in every way. The way we apply what we’ve learned will largely depend on our personal interests. I’ll give two examples, although there are certainly many more:
A) If one of us is ordained as a priest, every course we took in this program will undoubtedly help us answer the many questions a priest may receive from parishioners or those interested in the Church in general.
B) On the other hand, if someone chooses to continue on the academic path or already works as a teacher at some educational level, the importance of these courses hardly needs to be emphasized.
What does it mean to you to be part of the Seminary community, and how has it supported your spiritual growth?
The grace of daily services in which we can tangibly experience everything we are learning–this is paramount. Going out into the world and spreading the Gospel and all we have learned truly becomes the fulfillment of that knowledge. Because what is the purpose of all the lectures and reading if each of us were to keep all that we've learned to ourselves?
Mihailo helping lead a children’s activity with His Grace Bishop Irinej of Washington-New York and Eastern America of the Serbian Orthodox Church during a hierarchical visit before Christmas 2024
The richness of diversity we have here on campus represents “extra credit” classes that cannot be measured by any academic or formal means, or by any unit of measurement. What we tend to forget is that our true unit of measure is Christ Himself — in other words, the amount of love we have for our neighbor. And it’s important to understand that there is no one who is not our neighbor.
What would you like to say to those who support the seminary and its seminarians?
Studying at St Vladimir's Seminary would definitely not have been possible for most of my friends who studied with me, nor for me, if it weren’t for the help of all the good people who support the seminary. My prayers are with them, and my wish is that wherever life may take me, I will not forget their love, but pass it on to others in the same way it was given to me—with love.
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.
Dn Argey and Dn Toby with their wives on the day of their ordinations
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.
Dn Argey with the Malankara Orthodox community at St Vladimir’s Seminary during a hierarchical visit from His Grace Dr Thomas Mar Ivanios, Metropolitan of the Diocese of South-West America, on January 23-24, 2024.
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.
Dn Argey during the ordination service
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.
Dn Argey with classmates at the SVOTS Thanksgiving dinner in 2023
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.
Dn Argey was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by the hand of His Grace Dr Thomas Mar Ivanios, Metropolitan of the Diocese of South-West America (MOSC) at St Mary’s Malankara Orthodox Church in Farmers Branch, on April 9, 2025.
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.
By the grace of God, four current seminarians were ordained to holy orders during the second half of April 2025, adding to the four ordinations which took place during the first part of the month. In addition, the rank of archimandrite was bestowed upon faculty member the Very Rev. Archimandrite Vasily (Vitaly Permiakov).
On Lazarus Saturday, April 12, the St Vladimir’s Seminary community was blessed with a hierarchical visit from His Eminence Archbishop Daniel of Chicago and the Midwest (OCA). His Eminence arrived on Friday, April 5, and attended Vespers that evening. During the Divine Liturgy for Lazarus Saturday, His Eminence ordained seminarian Jarrod Huffman (M.Div. ‘26) to the Holy Diaconate and elevated Assistant Professor of Liturgical Theology, the Rev. Hieromonk Vasily (Permiakov), to the rank of archimandrite, in accordance with the decision of the Holy Synod of the OCA in March of this year, on behalf of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon of All America and Canada (OCA).
Assistant Professor of Liturgical Theology, the Rev. Hieromonk Vasily (Permiakov), being elevated to the rank of archimandrite
Laura Ionescu (M.Div. ‘25) led several hymns with the children’s choir, a St Vladimir’s Seminary tradition for Lazarus Saturday
A second seminarian ordination on Lazarus Saturday took place at St Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn, NY. His Eminence Metropolitan Saba of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of New York and All America (AOCANA) presided over the Divine Liturgy, joined by His Grace Bishop Mousa (al-Khasi), auxiliary to His Beatitude Patriarch John X. Sayidna Saba asked Sayidna Mousa to ordain Nicholas Aultman (M.Div. ‘26) to the holy diaconate. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence encouraged the newly ordained Dn Nicholas in his new ministry, saying, "As you build your family, try your best to build your parish, the family of Christ. Because you are a father, you will feel with your wife and children their joy and suffering. Do the same with your people because they are God's people. They should all become one family."
Nicholas Aultman (M.Div. ‘26) is ordained to the holy diaconate by the hand of His Grace Bishop Mousa (al-Khasi)
The St Vladimir’s Seminary Antiochian contingent with Sayidna Saba after Dn Nicholas’ ordination
Following the feast of Great and Holy Pascha, two more seminarians received Holy Orders. On Bright Saturday, Daniel York (Th.M. ‘25) was ordained to the holy diaconate by the hand of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, at St Nicholas Cathedral in Washington, DC. The Rev. Archimandrite Vasily attended the ordination and concelebrated with His Beatitude and several other clergy.
The newly ordained Dn Daniel York (Th.M. ‘25), with His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon
On Thomas Sunday, His Eminence Archbishop Daniel ordained Dn Joseph Winsler (Th.M. ‘25; M.A. ‘24) to the holy priesthood at the Diocesan Cathedral, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Chicago, IL. Following the Divine Liturgy, the Archbishop congratulated Fr Joseph, Matushka Tammi, and their three children.
The newly ordained Fr Joseph Winsler (M.A. ‘24; Th.M. ‘25), with His Eminence, Archbishop Daniel
Incoming President Dr Ionuț-Alexandru Tudorie expressed his joy at the number of ordinations and elevations during the month of April, saying, “We give thanks to God and pray for His blessing on our eight students who have just been ordained. It is truly remarkable to witness; oftentimes, we see eight to ten ordinations in a semester, across current students and alumni. It is awe-inspiring and humbling to see so many students raised to holy orders, and our dear faculty member ordained to archimandrite, over a period of one month. Glory to God!”
May God grant the newly ordained Fr Joseph and Mka Tammi Winsler, Dn Jarrod and Mka Emily Huffman, Dn Daniel and Mka Megan York, and Dn Nicholas and Shamassy Elizabeth Aultman many blessed years!
Fr Alexander Nelson (M.Div. ‘25) is a native-born New Yorker who came to Orthodoxy as an adult. He and his wife, Alexandra, had comfortable careers in Manhattan and Brooklyn before deciding to offer their lives in service to the Church. We sat down with Fr Alexander to hear more about his life leading up to entering the Orthodox Church, his time at seminary, and the lessons he will take with him in his upcoming ministry as a parish priest.
Please tell us a bit about your educational and professional background and your life before seminary.
I’m Fr Alexander Nelson. I’m from the OCA, Diocese of New York and New Jersey. I lived throughout New York City—most recently in Brooklyn—for 21 years before coming to seminary. Before that, I worked as a union handyman, and for about a year, I was a superintendent at a nice building on Park Avenue, a residential co-op on the Upper East Side. I spent around 11 years in the union, and part of the goal was to make sure I had at least a partial pension, so I aimed to get 10 years in before moving on to St Vlad’s.
I originally started my undergrad at the New School for Social Research, at Eugene Lang College, their liberal arts school. I studied the history of religion and a bit of comparative religion, though that field was fading at the time and shifting more toward historical and sociological studies of faith. It wasn’t faith-based, but it was about belief systems and the world around them. After a few years, I dropped out—I wasn’t sure what I’d do with that degree, and I needed to earn a living.
Later on, after becoming Orthodox, getting engaged, and then married, both my wife and my spiritual father encouraged me to go back to school. They said, “You’ve got a monkey on your back—this is something you’d also enjoy.” So I went back, transferred as many credits as I could to Fordham—they took about 75—and there I studied theology. From Fordham, I applied to seminary.
Serving as a deacon alongside Assistant Professor of Liturgical Theology, the Very Rev. Archimandrite Vasily (then the Rev. Dr Vitaly Permiakov), Fall 2024
What called you into the Orthodox Church? What was the process of becoming Orthodox like for you?
I grew up Roman Catholic—my parents were more nominal, but we went to church every Sunday. My grandmother, who raised me, was very devout. To me, she’s a saint; she had a profound impact on my life. So I was a believer from the start.
When I was about 17, living in Boston, the Catholic Church abuse scandals broke. My parents were really frustrated, and I started questioning things too. I used to walk to church—it was easy—but I began exploring other ideas. A high school teacher gave me a book comparing Living Buddha, Living Christ, and that got me thinking. I still loved Jesus, but I didn’t know where I stood on organized religion. Over time, I drifted into more of a spiritual-but-not-religious mindset.
Later, after struggling with alcoholism and getting sober, I started to think a bit more clearly, and I started asking myself what I really believed. I had seen 9/11 happen in real time. I was only a few miles away when I saw the towers come down—I had family working downtown—and I didn't realize how traumatic that was for me until I was sober. I had a lot of self-realizations, and now I was trying to figure out, “What about my faith? I believe in Christ as Lord and God, I’m seeking community. What do I do with this?”
For a while, I attended an Episcopalian “high” church. Through Archbishop Rowan Williams, I got into Dostoyevsky and icons. Eventually, I met Fr John McGuckin, who introduced me to the Jesus Prayer. I started to realize that the spirituality I was drawn to, silence and interior prayer, wasn’t divorced from Christianity—it was deeply connected.
Eventually, I found an English-speaking Orthodox church, Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral in Manhattan. I was received there. Fr Nilus of blessed memory, a former Jesuit and former dean of Students at St Tikhon’s, was there; he really connected with me and became my godfather and confessor. I also really connected with Archimandrite Fr Christopher, and Archdeacon Michael—they were deeply spiritual, deeply liturgical, but really down to earth and I looked up to them because they affected, and really served, so many different kinds of people, young, old, cradle, convert, ethnic, liberal, conservative etc. That’s how I came into the Orthodox Church.
I met my wife, Alexandra, at the cathedral. I was in my early 30s, and you know how people are like, "You want to meet a good woman, go to church!" But that is totally not why I went to Church! We actually both were considering monastic vocations… But anyway, it actually happened to work out like that for us. We got married there, our kids were baptized there—I have a lot of love for that place.
Fr Alexander with his wife Matushka Alexandra and their two children
How did your calling evolve for you to come to St Vladimir's Seminary?
Growing up, I wanted to help people. I thought I was going to be a doctor, but I was never good at math or science. After sobriety, I realized I needed to help others. I realized the Church was what gave me life, healed me, and kept me on track. Coming to seminary and pursuing this calling is about giving back what I have received, true life.
Archbishop Michael works tirelessly, and I was impressed by that. He put it out to the parishes, "If you have young men who seem sane, see if they have a calling." Fr Christopher and my spiritual father, Fr Nilus, were also talking to me about it. My wife also. A big part of me really didn’t want to; I wanted a quiet and low-key life, but it felt like the right thing to do. It really seemed like God’s plan. Everything in my life had led up to that point. It was a fulfillment of things in a way I never expected. It’s a sacrifice, but it’s a privilege and a blessing.
St Vladimir’s Seminary was a practical choice for my family. My parents are in Manhattan, I have a lot of extended family in New York and New Jersey, and I didn’t want to be too far from them. I also had a lot of respect for St Vladimir’s history and connection to very articulate, thoughtful Orthodox thinkers. I was interested in St Vladimir’s because I was reading a lot of works from the professors here. I was also intellectually interested in the engagement and the connection to the Jewish-Christian tradition and the Old Testament, which was a huge part of my growth.
Moving was tough, especially for my wife. I think it was mainly the logistics of it. She had a good life in Brooklyn, and we had a rent-stabilized apartment. She’s a painter as well, so leaving the city and going up to Westchester was a huge change. I also wanted to make sure her life would be better by moving, and it was rough at first, but we found her a studio on the other side of Yonkers, and there’s a good community there. The hardest part was leaving Brooklyn, but we supported each other. It’s also really good for our kids, lots of grass, other kids, nature, all things we couldn’t provide them where we were.
Coming to seminary is certainly a sacrifice; it’s not just taking a few classes, it changes your whole life.
Yeah, your whole life. Time and energy, but much of that stems from the chapel life. St Vladimir’s Seminary is deeply liturgical. It's rigorous, it's demanding, but that’s one of the most beneficial parts of it. It helps you integrate into the rhythm of the Church, and that’s a huge thing. That’s transformative. If you’re plugged into it, it really helps ground you. It reminds you of why you're here, and reinforces that sacrifice, that it's worth it, that the sacrifice is actually a privilege.
Fr Alexander at his ordination to the priesthood, December 25, 2024
Tell us about your experience in the M.Div. program.
I mean, honestly, I’ve loved everyone here. Every professor has taught me something meaningful, and often it’s the ones you don’t expect who end up making the deepest impact. Take Dr Barnet, for example—or any of the professors who aren’t ordained. Sometimes they seem even more pastoral in their way, and you don’t realize it at first. It's not just about learning from them in class, either. You might get a pastoral gem from a conversation outside the refectory. Or just seeing them in chapel every day—the devotion, the consistency—that’s part of the formation, too.
Academically, and in terms of personal development, studying with Fr Bogdan was huge for me. The whole Theophaneia school that His Eminence Archbishop Alexander (OCA) and Andrei Orlov have helped shape—it’s recalibrating how we understand the Orthodox tradition. It brings in this Jewish-Christian matrix that’s deeply connected to our ascetic and spiritual life. I was really affected by his Visio Dei class, on the different concepts of seeing God. That one really stuck with me.
It was technically a Patristics class, but Fr Bogdan tied in so much—from 2 Enoch to a whole range of apocryphal texts that were massively influential on the Church Fathers but aren’t often talked about. That includes Old Testament apocrypha, and it opened my eyes to how important that background is for Orthodox theology. It’s a major development—bringing more context to how the Fathers were thinking and writing, and showing just how much continuity there really is.
I tend to think more in terms of systematic or dogmatic theology, and I remember Fr Bogdan saying once that in Florovsky’s massive works, there’s only a tiny bit on the Old Testament. Not to take anything away from Florovsky—who’s untouchable—but it shows there’s been a blind spot. Thankfully, people like His Eminence and Fr Bogdan have been doing work to bridge that gap, and that’s been really meaningful to me.
We also had Fr Demetrios Harper one semester, and that was a great experience. Fr Demetrios taught us Systematic theology, but it was really more about modern theology—20th-century figures, post-communist thinkers, diaspora voices. That class had a big impact, too. We had a lot of good discussions, which oriented us where we are now as a church in terms of theology.
Dr Schroeder’s class was another standout. I got to really dive into a topic I was fascinated with, and it just so happened that her dissertation intersected with my research—it felt almost providential. I also had great experiences in liturgical theology and liturgics with Fr Vasily. He is so thorough, and we learned not only the how but the why and when of liturgics.
Honestly, I never had a bad class at St Vlad’s. There wasn’t a single one where I thought, “Oh boy, here we go.” It’s been amazing. I’d like to say I just have good taste and chose the right ones—but really, every class and professor brought something meaningful. Fr Alexander Rentel and Dr Legaspi have so much love, so much knowledge in their fields, which comes out in the way they teach. Really excellent pedagogues.
Now that you're about to graduate and become a priest, how do you feel?
Thankfully, in the third year of the M.Div. program, we have pastoral theology classes both semesters, which are 100% necessary. Fr Eric has incredible experience and brings lots of guest teachers who are specialists in their field. By the time you’re a senior, you're ready to start applying what you've learned and figuring out how it all works in real life. Every Sunday, we’re at parish assignments—teaching classes, doing hospital visits, seeing baptisms, etc. You’re experiencing what ministry looks like on the ground.
And then there’s this other side of seminary life that’s almost monastic—especially at St Vlad’s. It’s idealistic in the best way. We have 10 or more services every week to attend, all done with incredibly capable choirs. I mean, there are only a handful of choirs in the country that can sound like the St Vladimir’s choir—it’s not something most of us will replicate in our parishes. But it’s important to be exposed to that ideal. In the third year, you start bouncing back and forth between that ideal and the practical. You go to a weekday liturgy at your assignment parish, and it’s maybe just a handful of people—how do you adapt? How does it sound? What do you do?
It’s also incredibly practical in other ways. I’m literally taking home tons of PDFs and resources we’ve been given that I’ll be able to refer to when things come up. And the relationships with professors—that’s a big deal. Many of them will say, “Call me if something comes up.” I’ve heard stories from priests who graduated and who often still call for advice—liturgics, pastoral issues, whatever. That support doesn’t end when you leave.
The network—that might be one of the most lasting things. The relationships you build with fellow students and professors become a support system. When something’s going on in your parish, you’ll know exactly who to call. I’ve already experienced that sense of camaraderie —“Oh, we went to seminary together,” or “He was a third-year when I was in my first year.” Even with the former alums, you have a bond.
And it’s not like this place is a bubble. Life happens here, too—real things, hard things. People here have serious struggles and pastoral needs, and you start realizing that this is “on the ground” ministry, too. The beauty of St Vlad’s is that it gives you a vision of the ideal, but it’s rooted in real life.
Is there anything else about your experience that you'd like to share?
You know, I’ve always loved to sing, but before seminary, I was always serving in the altar, so I never had any experience in the choir. I had no formal training at all. But coming here, Dn Harrison really brought that out of me. He’s an incredible teacher. Now I just love singing in the choir. It’s something I’ve especially tried to appreciate this last year, because let’s be honest, it may never sound this good again. So I’m soaking it in while I can. Watching people pray with their voices, with melody—that’s been a profound experience for me here.
Community life has also been powerful, and in some ways complicated. I’m from New York, so my family’s close. I see them every week. And I’ve had a lot of guilt about that—seeing other guys who sold everything, drove across the country in a Camry, and are really here with nothing. Meanwhile, I’ve got help—my mom can come watch the kids. And even with that support, it’s still hard. There are only so many hours in the day, and you’re trying to be a good dad, a good husband, and a serious student. You might never have access to a library like this again, or the chance to study like this again, so you want to make the most of it. For me, that just means—I don’t sleep a lot.
For the married guys, especially those with multiple kids, the biggest challenge is balancing everything and supporting your spouse. Thank God there’s a network here. Mondays are set aside so the women, community members, and students can meet and spend time with each other—it’s not “seminary stuff,” it’s community. Honestly, this place would not function without the wives. They’re the backbone of the married student life here. St Vlad’s tries to make sure they’re heard and included—they can audit classes, sing in choir, organize events, even lead student groups, and really be part of the community. But it’s still an ongoing challenge, no question. There are incredible female students here, perhaps our best students, married, single, and monastic, who we need to hear, much of the future of our church depends on them. At the same time, all these struggles can bring out the best in people. Everyone’s suffering a little together, and that creates real bonds. It’s a beautiful kind of suffering—it’s what makes the community what it is.
Fr Alexander with his family
Also, I would mention, it can be overwhelming. I thought maybe I’d pursue a doctorate after this, but over time, I realized—I just can’t put my family through that. This is already a lot. It’s real. And you start to feel things like jealousy. You look around and think, “Wow, those single guys have free afternoons. They’re going to the gym. That would be nice.” And that’s where the devil creeps in—not in some big dramatic way, but in those small comparisons, the envy. But then you invite people over, you share a meal, and you realize—it’s not easy for them either. Everyone’s going through something. That shared struggle actually pulls the community closer. And then we celebrate Pascha together, and you remember why you’re doing this in the first place—the joy of the Resurrection, of Christ’s love, and our calling to reflect that however we can. It’s wild. But it’s beautiful.
What would you like to say to those in the wider St Vladimir’s Seminary community who offer their prayers and support?
I want to say something about the people who make this possible. The donors, the churches, the dioceses—my own parish helps out with a monthly collection. The diocese supports me. The scholarships and grants from St Vlad’s—this experience wouldn’t be possible without them. That adds weight to what we’re doing. You realize people have invested their time, money, and love into this place, and that makes you want to do it justice.
But that’s how the Church works. It’s synergy. It’s all of us working together, like the royal priesthood Scripture talks about. Just because I wear a cross doesn’t mean I’m the only one with a calling. We’re all part of this. Agape isn’t just love—it’s charity. It’s action. That’s what makes this work. It’s a powerful witness to Christ.
Everyone at St Vladimir’s—faculty, staff, development people, admin—they’re all sacrificing in some way. No one’s getting rich here, but everyone is giving their heart. And that’s what’s so beautiful about this place: it’s a community built on love, sacrifice, and the shared desire to glorify God. It’s a sight to behold. Truly.
For the past two years, Ana Legaspi has enjoyed the unique blessing of studying alongside her mother, a fellow M.A. student in her cohort, while taking classes with her father, Associate Professor of Old Testament, Dr Michael Legaspi. We sat down with Ana to learn about her decision to receive a theological education, her experience at seminary, and her new role as Director of Summer Programs for CrossRoad. Ana is slated to graduate from St Vladimir’s Seminary with a Master of Arts degree in May 2025.
Please tell us a bit about your background in the Church and your life before seminary.
My family has moved around a lot, but I'd say that I feel most at home in State College, Pennsylvania, and I would also say my home parish is there–St George Antiochian Church in Altoona, PA. I studied at Haverford College as a general music major, then I transferred to Eastern University, where I specialized in Classical Vocal Performance. After college, I worked in hospitality until coming to seminary.
The Legaspis, Pascha 2024. From left: Cato, Ana, Dr Michael Legaspi, Abby, Sister Glykeria, and Josiah
As for my background in the Church, we converted as a family when I was four. I've seen the pictures, and so I feel like I remember it, but maybe that's just me projecting the pictures onto my memory. I started singing in the choir at a very young age, which is actually what sparked my interest in pursuing music in the first place.
Having moved around a lot, I have been able to experience a lot of different jurisdictions. We were chrismated in an Antiochian church, but we went to GOA and ROCOR parishes, as well, and now, of course, we are in the OCA at seminary.
What first stirred your calling to serve in a more intentional capacity in the Orthodox Church, and why did that calling lead you to St Vladimir's Seminary?
I was moving towards a leadership role with the choir at my home parish in Altoona, PA, and my priest was encouraging me to take on more responsibility there. I was grateful for the opportunity, but I also felt intimidated and unqualified in a lot of ways. I had studied music in college, but just thinking about the theological implications of the hymnography and the words we sing, I started to realize how much I had taken for granted growing up Orthodox. I thought I knew a lot since I had been in the Church for years, but then when it came down to it, I really didn't. I wanted to know more. I felt almost irresponsible stepping into a role like that without a firm theological foundation.
At that point, my dad was in his first year teaching at St Vladimir’s Seminary as the Old Testament professor. It was funny–I was planning to go home and visit my parents for a weekend, and have a conversation with them, like, “Hey, I think I might want to come here. I think this is the right step for me.” Turns out they were planning a conversation with me, saying, “Hey, we think you should come here.” Things kind of fell into place after that. I wasn't fulfilled at my hotel job, and I wanted some grounding in my faith, to be a part of a community like this.
Tell us about your choice to enroll in the M.A. program at St Vladimir’s Seminary.
As I mentioned before, my background is in music, so I was initially drawn to the liturgical music aspect of the M.A. concentration in sacred arts. I also have a love for painting and drawing, though I’ve never pursued it professionally or seriously. Learning about iconography and the other arts and architecture of the church was incredibly fascinating to me. These are obviously beautiful aspects of our tradition, and the opportunity to study them more deeply was exciting. That’s what first drew me to the M.A. program and the sacred arts concentration. But, as I got into it, I found that the study of theology, which I hadn’t expected to love as much as I did, really took hold of me.
How did your study of music evolve at the seminary?
There are a lot of opportunities here. The choir is wonderful, and with so many services, you get the chance to dive into things like new arrangements, ensembles, and directing. The class schedule is packed with courses like Church History and Dogmatic Theology, but the really cool thing about seminary is that even without many extra arts classes, being immersed in the services lets you experience the fruit of hymnography, iconography, and architecture firsthand. Everything is so immediately present and applicable. So for me, the most compelling part of seminary has been the real-life application. You learn something, and 20 minutes later, you’re practicing it in the services.
Ana directs a trio during a hierarchical visit, joined by her mother, Abby Legaspi (M.A. ‘25), and Laura Ionescu (M.Div. ‘25)
How soon did you dive into directing–was it right away? Or did you take some time to get used to the music?
I took some time to get used to the music. I started with smaller groups, like leading a women's trio for special hymns, but leading the whole choir took more time. I also needed to get comfortable with things like pitching, since I was more used to Byzantine chant, so I wanted to take my time with that.
I've had a very busy schedule this year, so I actually haven't been part of the campus Byzantine choir this past semester, but I participated in it throughout my first year, and that was a wonderful opportunity as well. There's a Byzantine notation class, taught by Fr Nicholas Fine (M.Div. ‘23), that people are taking. There's a lot of desire to learn about Byzantine chant, and many seminarians really immerse themselves in that side of Church music.
Tell us more about your new position with CrossRoad. How has your M.A. program prepared you for this service?
So I've already started in a part-time capacity, and I will, God willing, continue in a full-time capacity as the Crossroad Summer Program Director. Crossroad runs Summer Institutes for high school juniors and seniors. It's an immersive 10-day program where they take classes on Scripture and theology, learning about and practicing the Faith. Many of them are heading off to college, so it helps them ground themselves in a community of other Christians their age. I’ll be overseeing and organizing those sessions. Youth ministry has always interested me, so this is a great opportunity to keep working in that area. I learned about this role through an information session here, which helped shape my understanding of the job. I also participated as a staff member last summer.
Along with taking theology classes and discussing pastoral topics with my classmates, being immersed in this community of people striving to find God has been invaluable in preparing me for this position with CrossRoad. It’s more than just academic instruction. I feel like I can now answer the basic questions high schoolers might have, and, more importantly, I know when I don’t have the answer. When that happens, I now know where to look and how to approach texts from the Church Fathers. I’ve gained practical knowledge, but it’s also been humbling to realize how much I don’t know—and that’s okay.
The CrossRoad Program will hold one of its summer sessions on the St Vladimir’s Seminary campus this year, for the first time ever. Why is it significant that CrossRoad is coming to St Vladimir’s, and what will it look like?
We are so excited for this. Dr Anne Bezzerides (M.Div. ‘00), who started CrossRoad, is an alum of St Vlad’s, and she’s been wanting to bring the program here for decades. We just celebrated CrossRoad’s 20th anniversary last year, so it’s really exciting that it’s finally happening.
The participants will be staying in the dorms, praying in the chapel, eating in the refectory—they’ll really get a feel for life on campus. We’ll also be using the classrooms for sessions, so it’s a real immersion.
CrossRoad started through the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese (GOA) and was primarily based at Hellenic College Holy Cross for a while, with wonderful support. But now that it’s grown, we want to make sure it’s available to as many people as possible. Having a program like this at St Vladimir’s is a great way to show what the seminary has to offer and to extend the reach of CrossRoad at the same time. It’s felt like a very natural partnership, and it's come together really smoothly, especially since St Vladimir’s faculty have been involved from the beginning. Dr Rossi has been giving sessions for decades, Fr Thomas Hopko was involved for a long time, my dad’s been teaching there for about ten years, and now Dr Bouteneff and Fr Bogdan, too. So yes, St Vladimir’s faculty will be the professors for the session, and they can literally just walk over from their homes to teach—it’s wonderful.
Dr Michael Legaspi teaches at a CrossRoad session
You were a participant in a new elective course at St Vladimir’s last spring, focused on creating faith-based narratives (supported by the Compelling Preaching Initiative). How will that experience inform your work with CrossRoad?
I’ve thought a lot about that. The Faith-Based Narratives course was focused on learning to tell a story, specifically how God works in our lives and shows strength through our weaknesses. What struck me was the range of stories, all of which centered on how God works through our weaknesses and is present in unexpected ways. On an intellectual level, I knew that everybody faces different challenges, but hearing those stories really reinforced that for me in a new way. In ministry, you meet so many different people, and you can't generalize. Every person has their own path, but they can always trace it back to God. This experience has shaped how I approach training the staff at Crossroad, helping them recognize the unique stories of others while reflecting on their own. Writing those stories down and formulating them is a very valuable experience.
One aspect of your experience at seminary is certainly quite unique–your dad, Dr Michael Legaspi, teaches here, and your mom, Abby Legaspi, is also completing her Master's degree side by side with you.
It is definitely a unique circumstance, and on the whole, I’m just really grateful for it. You don’t expect to have this much time with your parents after college, so it feels like a bonus. Time with them has been a blessing. It’s nice—lots of home-cooked meals, and on long, hard days, it’s easier to take a step back and rest. That’s definitely a benefit.
There are challenges, though. I’m not in the dorms, so I’m not as immersed in community life, and I do miss out on some of that. But I still feel very welcome. I am with my classmates for services, classes, extracurriculars, and there’s always something happening—people hanging out, music on the porch. So while there are a few things I don’t experience, I’d say it’s like anything else: you get out what you put in. Sometimes I have to go a little more out of my way to engage with the community, but if I do, it’s there for me.
Ana takes a bow with the cast of “Patriarch Abraham,” a play performed by members of the student body in April 2024, raising funds for a new well in seminarian Dn Richard Okello’s hometown in Uganda
How has it been being in class with your dad? Were you in class with your mom, too?
Yes, I sat next to my mom, and my dad was the one teaching. He’d pretend to forget our names—it became a bit of a running joke. I thought it would feel weirder than it did, but he’s the same whether he’s teaching or at home, so it actually felt really natural. It was funny—and definitely something we all loved.
Did being in class together lead to any new conversations at home?
Definitely at dinner. Honestly, growing up, he’d already give us prompts to talk about, so it wasn’t totally new—it was kind of just how our family always worked. But it was really exciting to carry something from class into conversation and dive deeper. I didn’t want it to feel like he was always on the clock, but he was genuinely excited to talk about this stuff, and so was I. So, yes, this situation led to a lot of good conversations.
Ana and her mother, Abby, listen to Dr Michael Legaspi give a presentation at the New Student Orientation, August 2023
Would you say that coming to seminary is worthwhile for people who are not on the path to the priesthood?
Absolutely. The priesthood has, of course, never been on the table for me, but that’s never lessened my desire to learn or my conviction that those of us not pursuing ordination can still benefit deeply from this kind of study. Even if you're not going into ministry or working directly in the Church, it makes a difference—whether it’s speaking with catechumens at your parish or just being more immersed in the services for your own spiritual growth.
I’ve gleaned so much from this experience. Even if I weren’t going into ministry after this, I wouldn’t regret my time here at all. It’s definitely changed the trajectory of my life, even if not in a concrete way like ordination.
What would you like to say to those who choose to give of themselves to support seminarians and the seminary itself?
Being here—and now preparing to go into ministry, especially in a nonprofit context—it has really hit home for me that none of this is possible without people’s generosity.
I think before, I saw donations more as material gifts, which are of course deeply appreciated. But now I understand them differently—it feels like donors are truly entering into the ministry with us. It’s not just writing a check and walking away. There’s real involvement. Board members and donors visit often, and I’ve had wonderful, personal conversations with people who support the seminary.
So, whereas before I didn’t fully grasp what that support meant, now it feels like a shared web of ministry that we’re all part of. I’m just incredibly thankful for the opportunities made possible by the generosity of the wider community.
