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.)
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!
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.
Saint Vladimir’s Seminary Alumnus Archpriest Alessandro Margheritino has been appointed chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA). On May 21, the Holy Synod of Bishops confirmed His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon’s nomination of Fr. Alessandro for the position.
Upon receiving the Chancellor’s Cross from the hand of His Beatitude at the temporary Chancery office in Springfield, VA, Fr. Alessandro offered remarks of thanksgiving.
“I am deeply aware that this role is not a position of prominence, but of service—service to the entire Church…. No one who steps into this office brings with them all the skills, experience, and insight it demands—and I certainly do not. But in humility, and with faith in our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, I commit myself to working faithfully, diligently, and lovingly, always seeking what is in the best interests of the life of the Church, even when this may be uncomfortable and inconvenient. In its own peculiar but essential way, the ministry of church administration exists to enable and support the building up of the House of God—to clear the path, so to speak, for the Gospel to be proclaimed, the sacraments to be celebrated, and the faithful to receive care.” (Read Fr. Alessandro’s full remarks at OCA.org.)
Father Alessandro succeeds another St. Vladimir’s Seminary alumnus as OCA chancellor, Archpriest Alexander Rentel. Father Alexander served as chancellor from 2019 to 2024 and has since returned to the Seminary as full-time faculty, rector of the Three Hierarchs Chapel, and chief operations officer.
Father Alessandro brings both pastoral and administrative experience to the role, having served as secretary of the OCA for several years and as acting chancellor since January 1, 2025. Prior to taking on a full-time position at the OCA Chancery, he served as rector of St. Innocent Orthodox Church in Olmsted Falls, OH. Since relocating to Northern Virginia, he has served as rector of All Saints of America Orthodox Church in Alexandria, VA.
The Very Rev. Dr. Alessandro Margheritino earned both his Master of Divinity (’14) and Doctor of Ministry (’24) degrees at St. Vladimir’s Seminary. He is married to Matushka Anna Margheritino, who works as a graphic designer at the Seminary. They have two children.
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.
