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.)
This July, will you be at the 57th Biennial Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese Convention? Or will you be in the Chicago area around that time? Meet us there for a gathering of alumni and friends, and enjoy food and fellowship!
We invite all our beloved graduates of St. Vladimir’s Seminary to join us this July for an alumni reception at the 21st All-American Council of the Orthodox Church in America, inPhoenix, Arizona. Join Dr. Ionuț-Alexandru Tudorie and other Seminary faculty members and staff for an evening of fellowship, drinks, and food with other alumni, and learn about the exciting things happening at St. Vladimir’s Seminary!
This free alumni event will take place on Tuesday, July 15 from 8pm–10pm at the Arizona Grand Resort, 8000 S. Arizona Grand Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85044.
Twenty-four people participated in Writing the Light’s workshops, held June 16–20 at the Seminary’s recently renovated Sacred Arts Room. The group included students from both Writing the Light’s certificate program and other independent students.
“For so many reasons, this week was a delight and an enrichment for our seminary and our Institute of Sacred Arts,” said ISA Director Dr. Peter Bouteneff. It reaffirmed our longstanding relationship with one of the great iconographers and theologians, and a personal friend. Plus, seeing our renovated Sacred Arts Room bustling with creativity felt like a special joy!”
On the evening of June 17, Dr. Bouteneff and Dr. Kordis held a public discussion at the Fr. Georges Florovsky Library. The conversation was recorded in its entirety for ISA’s Luminous Podcast. The episode will be available soon. (Click below to hear last year’s discussion.)
During the conversation, Dr. Kordis spoke about his own journey with the sacred arts.
“My teacher, Fr. Symeon, told me from the very beginning—maybe the first class I had with him—he told me that if you want to be an iconographer, you have to love Christ and the saints. Love Christ and the saints,” Kordis recalled. “Not just know formation and then, whatever. All these are useful things, but basically it is a matter of love. If you don't love Christ, you don't love the saints, you don't love the Church life, you can't be an icon painter. You can produce icons, but how is it possible to go beyond that and render, you know, the Spirit, the ethos of the Church? I don't think that that is very easy.”
ABOUT DR GEORGE KORDIS Eminent iconographer George Kordis has the rare distinction for a practicing artist of a complete academic training in theology, with advanced theological degrees from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Boston and the University of Athens, where he was assistant professor in iconography (theory and practice). His training as a painter preceded and motivated his move into theology: During the 1980s he worked with the Cypriot master iconographer, Fr. Symeon Symeou, and also studied painting at The School of Fine Arts at The Museum of Boston from 1987–89; and even while obtaining his doctorate (Athens) in 1991 he continued his studies in painting and engraving under Fotis Mastichiadis. Dr. Kordis has been a visiting professor teaching icon painting courses at Yale University, the University of South Carolina, the University of Bucharest/Department of Orthodox Theology, and Ukraine Pedagogical University, Odessa, while continuing to create major church programs of iconography—including several in the US (see Holy Trinity in Columbia, SC and, recently, Holy Trinity in Pittsburgh and panel icons, which have been seen in numerous prominent exhibitions at Yale University and elsewhere). Kordis is also a prolific author with wide-ranging interests: theory and practice of Orthodox iconography, Fayum mummy portraits, Theophan the Cretan, Andrei Rublev, Fotis Kontoglou, Greek folk art, and many other topics.
Abby Legaspi joins St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) as Student Affairs Administrator, but her ties to SVOTS already run deep: She is an alumna, having graduated with a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in May of 2025; her daughter, Ana, was part of the same graduating class; and her husband, Michael, is Associate Professor of Old Testament at the Seminary! We sat down with Abby and learned about her journey to Orthodoxy and St. Vladimir’s Seminary, the beautiful way she met her husband, and what it was like being in class with her spouse as the instructor and her child as a classmate!
Abby, tell us about your background. What brought you to St. Vladimir’s Seminary?
Well, I grew up in Cincinnati in a family that was very involved in the Presbyterian church that we attended there. My parents had leadership roles within the church, and my sister and I were involved in everything it had to offer. When I went to college at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, I joined the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship there. It was through that Christian Fellowship that I met my husband. In my sophomore year, which was his freshman year, we were assigned to the same small-group Bible study, and the next year we were assigned to lead a small group together! It quickly became clear that Mike enjoyed and had a gift for leading the Bible study portions of the meetings, while I had a knack for the hospitality and community-building aspects. We worked well together and complemented each other, and we were blessed to see the fruits of that in our small group, which was very special. Mike and I each decided independently that we would marry the other before we ever went on what could be called a date, so we got engaged soon after he finally, bravely broached the subject of our relationship. He was able to finish college in three years, and we got married three weeks after we both graduated.
We have rarely had a year since then that did not involve a major life event. We had four children—a boy, two girls, and then another boy—within the next seven and a half years and moved multiple times. After teaching high school for four years (two at the Perkiomen School in Pennsburg, Pennsylvania, and two at Phil-Mont Christian Academy in Erdenheim, Pennsylvania), Mike was accepted into a Ph.D. program at Harvard, and we moved to Massachusetts. During the writing of his dissertation, we spent two years back in Pennsylvania and one in Göttingen, Germany, which was very challenging but also an incredible experience. Then his work took us to Creighton University in Omaha for four years, Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, for four years, Penn State University for six years, and back to Andover for two more years. Then he was invited to apply to be a professor of Biblical Studies at St. Vladimir’s Seminary, he was offered the position after a competitive international search, and we came here in August 2022.
The Legaspi Family in 2005.
During all of that time, it was my joy to use my talents to care for my family, support Mike, and try to be a good steward of all that the Lord gave us. I homeschooled for fourteen years, teaching my oldest three children through eighth grade and my youngest through fifth. I found great satisfaction in managing my household, stretching every dollar in our always-tight budgets, making things from scratch, learning to build furniture, and trying to give our family consistency and a rich life despite our many moves and what the culture would consider to be constraints.
After I stopped homeschooling, when we moved to State College for Mike to teach at Penn State, I started working to try to help pay for college. While trying to figure out what I wanted to do, I held a few administrative positions at Penn State, several part-time customer service jobs, and some roles in educational support for students with special needs, especially children with autism. I think working with children with special needs is what I would have done if I had not had my own children right away and homeschooled them, but when I did join the workforce, I didn’t think getting more education and trying to build a career in that field made sense at my age and in my circumstances. I was still looking for some direction when, about six months into our time at St. Vladimir’s, I received a fundraising letter from [retired SVOTS President] Fr. Chad Hatfield that focused on women seminarians. It pointed out that there are many different reasons why women go to seminary and that there is a need for seminary-educated people in many different jobs in the Orthodox world. And I thought, I would love to do that! I didn’t know where it would lead, but I thought I would enjoy the studies and love being fully immersed in the seminary community for a while. So, right after I turned 50, I started my master’s degree, and I graduated this May. It was a wonderful experience, and I am very grateful for all that I was able to do and learn over the past two years. I had no idea how much I didn't know!
Abby sings with her daughter Ana (middle) and fellow seminarian Laura Ionescu during a hierarchical visit.
How did you start your journey toward Orthodox Christianity?
So, as I mentioned, my husband and I met in the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship during college, and then we were active in a few Orthodox Presbyterian parishes after that. When Mike was in grad school, though, he became disillusioned with Reformed theology. He started doing a lot of reading, and he became interested in Orthodoxy. I wasn't sure what I thought about it. I read some of the things he asked me to read, and I understood his concerns, but community was very important for me. I wasn't sure I would find that in an Orthodox church the way I did in the Evangelical church in which we were active. The need for a change in our church situation was part of what prompted our move from Massachusetts when we were free to live anywhere while Mike wrote his dissertation. We moved to Pennsylvania to be closer to family, and soon after moving, we saw a sign on Route 30 in York, Pennsylvania, that said, “St. John Chrysostom Orthodox Church, one mile.” We thought, “We'll give it a try.” Mike says that when we walked through the door, he felt like he won the lottery. It was and is a wonderful community, and it was an amazing place for us to discover Orthodoxy. Our family of six was chrismated there on the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul in 2004. Since then, because of our many moves, we’ve been involved in many different parishes: Antiochian, Greek, OCA, and ROCOR. We are grateful for the people we met and the experiences we had in each of these places. I attended services and sang in the choir in all of them, but I had no idea how much is involved in putting together the services and how rich and extensive the hymnography of the Church is until I studied liturgics at St. Vladimir’s. So, doing the M.A. program and learning about Orthodox music, services, views of Scripture, theology, and doctrine, as well as Church history, was just really wonderful. I loved it. It was challenging, definitely, to be a student, but I learned so much, and I really, really grew. I am far more equipped to engage with people in discussions about the faith than I was before, which was one of my goals when I began my studies. It was a tremendous privilege to learn from the outstanding professors at St. Vladimir’s Seminary alongside my wonderful classmates.
Chrismation at St. John Chrysostom Orthodox Church, York, PA (June 2004).
One of those seminary classmates was your daughter, Ana! That must have been so neat—but did she ever feel, “Wow, this is kind of embarrassing”?
[Laughs] She handled it wonderfully! I so appreciated it. If she ever was embarrassed, she didn’t show it. Sharing this experience with her was really 100% great. At a practical level, she was very helpful with the technological aspects of being a student in this new era that were a challenge for me. Being with her in a different context and at a time in her life when I didn’t expect to have much time with her at all were unexpected and tremendous blessings. People often ask me if we had to take my husband's class, and yes, we did. We each had to take Old Testament 100 with him, which was excellent, but also odd. I've heard him give a lot of talks before, but to actually sit in his class and see him run it, and take his quizzes … that was a strange experience.
Abby, Dr. Michael, and Ana Legaspi on Commencement Day (May 2025).
Now you’ve joined the Seminary in another capacity, as a member of the staff!
Yes, my official title is Student Affairs Administrator. I’m working a lot with Dr. John Barnet, who is the acting registrar. My duties have a lot in common with administrative work I did in the past, and I'm really excited to be able to use my abilities and put my time and effort towards something—the whole St. Vladimir’s Seminary endeavor—that I really believe in and support. I am also very grateful to have a job that will allow me to still be active in the services, choir, and community at St. Vladimir’s.
What has living on campus been like for you and your family?
We love it! Our house is 453 feet from the chapel, and for me, it's a dream to be able to walk to services and to my job. We love the community, and it’s such a blessing to have daily services during the school year. It isn’t easy, though. Everyone here works very, very hard, and there are, of course, challenges to living day in and day out in a small community in which people are stretched all the time. I once heard one of my classmates say that this place is built on sacrifice. That is definitely true. It is humbling and inspiring to see the way people here pour themselves out in service to the Church, the Seminary, and each other. We are very grateful for opportunities we’ve had to get to know people and work together toward common goals.
The Legaspis on Mother’s Day 2024 at the Seminary’s Three Hierarchs Chapel
I enjoy living in New York more than I thought I would. Despite being only a short train ride from the city, the Seminary campus and the area around it are very beautiful. We enjoy taking walks in the neighborhood with our thirteen-year-old Yorkie, Grumio, and we’ve spent some time in the city. We’re also in a great location for our kids—almost equidistant from three of them. Our older son, Josiah, got married in September and lives with his wife, Claire, in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. Ana was married two weeks ago in the church where we were chrismated, and she is preparing to move to Boston with her husband, Ryan, in August. Our youngest, Cato, has one more year at Amherst College in Massachusetts. Our older daughter, who was once Olivia, is now Sister Glykeria. She lives in a convent in Kansas City. We don’t see her often, but we are very much looking forward to visiting her there this summer. Mike and I celebrated our thirtieth anniversary on June 10. It’s incredible to look back on those three decades and think about how all of those major life events—which often made our lives feel incoherent and unstable—were necessary steps in getting each of us to where we are today. Glory to God!
Ana’s wedding day at St. John Chrysostom Orthodox Church, York, PA
The Legaspi family on Mother’s Day 2024: (back, from left) Josiah, Dr. Michael, and Cato; (front, from left) Sister Glykeria, Abby, and Ana.
Are you interested in studying at St. Vladimir’s Seminary? Learn more about the Seminary’s degree programs and how to apply at www.svots.edu/admissions.
Saint Vladimir’s Seminary Alumnus Priest David Bozeman has been confirmed as Secretary of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA).
The Holy Synod of Bishops made the appointment official during a special session held via teleconference on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. Fr. David (M.Div. ’12) succeeds Archpriest Alessandro Margheritino (M.Div. ’14, D.Min. ’24), who was recently appointed Chancellor.
Fr. David brings to the role of Secretary pastoral experience and a diverse professional background. He has served as the founding priest of St. Nektarios Mission in Texas and is currently the priest-in-charge of St. John of Damascus Orthodox Church in Tyler, TX. As Dean of the Southcentral Deanery of the Diocese of the South, Fr. David has demonstrated pastoral leadership and administrative ability. His broad experience in ministry combined with prior work in administration, finances, and communications position him well to contribute positively to the work of the Chancery and to the life of the Church.
May God grant Fr. David, Matushka Amy, and their family many years!
Over the winter and spring of 2025 six new priests and nine new deacons were added to St Vladimir’s Seminary’s student body and alumni fellowship. Another was elevated in rank. Together with ordinations and elevations occurring last fall and summer, twenty-five seminarians and alumni of St Vladimir’s Seminary were ordained to holy orders during Academic Year 2024–2025 and the summer preceding it, and two alumni received monastic tonsure. Glory be to God!
We keep them all in prayer as they continue in their ministries. AXIOS!
HOLY PRIESTHOOD
Priest Justin Taylor (M.Div. ’25) Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Holy Priesthood: Ordained 30 January 2025 at Three Hierarchs Chapel, St. Vladimir’s Seminary, Yonkers, NY Current Ministry: Attached to the Orthodox Church of the Annunciation Church Santa Maria, CA
Hieromonk Stephen (Guirguis) (M.Div. '25) Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Holy Priesthood: Ordained 8 March 2025 at the Monastery of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk, South Canaan, PA Current Ministry: Assigned to the Monastery of St. John the Baptist Phoenix, AZ
Priest John Reavis (M.Div. ’26) Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Holy Priesthood: Ordained 6 April 2025 at Three Hierarchs Chapel, St. Vladimir’s Seminary, Yonkers, NY Current Ministry: Continuing studies at St. Vladimir’s Seminary
Priest Joseph Winsler (M.A. ’24) Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Holy Priesthood: Ordained 26 April 2025 at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Chicago, IL Current Ministry: Rector of St. John of Kronstadt Church, Lincoln, NE
Priest Daniel York (Th.M. Student) Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Holy Priesthood: Ordained 17 May 2025 at Three Hierarchs Chapel, St. Vladimir’s Seminary, Yonkers, NY Current Ministry: Attached to St. Seraphim of Sarov Cathedral, Santa Rosa, CA
Priest Matthew (Galen) Wiley (M.Div. ’25) Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA) Holy Priesthood: Ordained 8 June 2024 at St. Mary Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, Hunt Valley, MD Current Ministry: Awaiting assignment
HOLY DIACONATE
Deacon John (Caleb) Rexford (M.Div. ’26) Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 30 January 2025 at Three Hierarchs Chapel, St. Vladimir’s Seminary, Yonkers, NY Current Ministry: Continuing studies at St. Vladimir’s Seminary
Deacon Gregory Abdalah (M.Div. ’08; D.Min. ’18) Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 12 January 2025 at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Phoenix, AZ Current Ministry: D.Min. faculty at St. Vladimir’s Seminary; pastoral assistant at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Phoenix, AZ
Deacon Andrew Dunks (Non-Degree Track) Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 19 February 2025 at St. Seraphim of Sarov Cathedral, Dallas, TX Current Ministry: Attached to St. Cyprian of Carthage Church, Midlothian, VA
Deacon Nathan Jekel (M.Div. ’26) Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 30 March 2025 at St. Philip Orthodox Church, Souderton, PA Current Ministry: Continuing studies at St. Vladimir’s Seminary
Deacon Argey George (M.Div. ’25) Jurisdiction: Diocese of South-West America, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (MOSC) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 5 April 2025 at St Mary’s Malankara Orthodox Church in Farmers Branch, TX Current Ministry: Continuing further studies
Deacon Toby John (M.Div. ’21) Jurisdiction: Diocese of South-West America, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (MOSC) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 5 April 2025 at St Mary’s Malankara Orthodox Church in Farmers Branch, TX Current Ministry: Youth minister (Atlanta area); Prison Relationship Manager, OCPM
Deacon Sergio Hector Lopez (M.Div. ’26) Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 5 April 2025 at Three Hierarchs Chapel, St. Vladimir’s Seminary, Yonkers, NY Current Ministry: Continuing studies at St. Vladimir’s Seminary
Deacon Jarrod Huffman (M.Div. ’26) Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 12 April 2025 at Three Hierarchs Chapel, St. Vladimir’s Seminary, Yonkers, NY Current Ministry: Continuing studies at St. Vladimir’s Seminary
Deacon Nicholas Aultman (M.Div. ’26) Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA) Holy Diaconate: Ordained 12 April 2025 at St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral, Brooklyn, NY Current Ministry: Continuing studies at St. Vladimir’s Seminary
ELEVATIONS
Archimadrite Vasily (Permiakov) (M.Div. ’04) Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Elevation: Elevated to the rank of archimandrite at Three Hierarchs Chapel, St Vladimir's Seminary, Yonkers, NY Current Ministry: Assistant Professor & Ecclesiarch of Three Hierarchs Chapel, St Vladimir’s Seminary, Yonkers, NY; Canonical transfer to OCA Diocese of the West effective July 1, 2025
If you know of an alumnus who received Holy Orders, an elevation, or monastic tonsure between January 1, 2025, and June 20, 2025, and isn’t listed here, please let us know by sending details and a photo to advancement@svots.edu.
On Friday, May 9, a group of students at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) performed the “bibliodrama” Saul and David for a full audience in the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium. The play was originally written in Serbian by Dr. Nenad Božović, former professor of Old Testament and the director of the Biblical Institute at the Orthodox Theological Faculty of the University of Belgrade. It was translated by Dr. Božović’s former student, Mihail Golić (M.A. ’24, Th.M. ’25), and adapted and directed by Charles Cassis (M.Div. ’26).
Following a livestreamed introduction to the play by Dr. Božović, the cast, composed of students and faculty, brought to life the complex figures of King Saul and David, exploring various themes present in the scriptural narrative about King David, such as power, temptation, and justice. A highlight of the production was its emotional and spiritual depth. In his introductory remarks, Dr. Božović emphasized the importance of the former in considering what David represents:
“Although Saul relentlessly pursued him, I consistently perceived that David was never consumed by hatred toward him. ... These episodes reveal profoundly human emotions—compassion, restraint, sorrow, and unconditional love—that transcend time and context.”
The play was received with deep appreciation by the audience, not only for its artistic merit but also for its presentation of biblical figures as relatable to everyday situations, which require reflection on one’s own guilt and need for repentance. Božović emphasized:
“What ultimately prevented David from ending up like Saul was his repentance. True repentance requires the courage to confront one’s own weaknesses.”
This premiere English-language performance was distinguished by its humanitarian mission: all proceeds from the event, totaling over $4,000, were directed toward support of the Orthodox mission in Northern Uganda, home of Dn. Richard Okello (M.Div. ’25), a third-year student at the Seminary. Through this effort, the students aimed to support Dn. Richard’s ongoing missionary work, helping to bring the Orthodox Faith to his local community.
Article contributed by Mihail Golić (M.A. ’24, Th.M. ’25)
By the grace of God, The Rev. Dn. Matthew (Galen) Wiley was ordained to the holy priesthood on the great feast of Pentecost, Sunday, June 8. His Eminence Metropolitan Saba of the Archdiocese of New York and All North America (AOCANA) presided over Fr. Matthew’s ordination at St. Mary Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church in Hunt Valley, MD.
Fr. Matthew hails from Santa Barbara, CA. He earned an undergraduate degree in film at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and later worked as a technical writer for a software company. Earlier in life, Fr. Matthew practiced Orthodox Judaism. He eventually found himself drawn to Orthodox Christianity, partly due to an encounter with an elderly Orthodox Christian man at an airport. Fr. Matthew eventually decided to attend services at a nearby Orthodox parish, St. Athanasius Antiochian Orthodox Church in Goleta, CA, and discovered the elderly man he had met at the airport was a priest there! Fr. Matthew was baptized and received into Holy Orthodoxy at St. Athanasius in 2013. He married his wife, Khouria Christina, in 2024.
May God grant the newly ordained Priest Matthew and Kh. Christina many years!
Photos by Rand Markopoulos and Trevor David, courtesy of Antiochian.org.
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!
