By God’s grace, there were 9 ordinations, one elevation, and one tonsure to monastic orders among St Vladimir’s Seminary alumni, faculty, and students during the latter half of 2024. Giving glory to God, we would like to announce the recipients of Holy Orders and elevations among our alumni and students here.
ELEVATIONS
His Eminence Archbishop Elia (Wallgrén) (M.Div. ‘03)
Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church of Finland
Elevation: Elevated as Primate of the Orthodox Church of Finland (Ecumenical Patriarchate), on December 15, 2024, at Uspenski Cathedral, Helsinki.
HOLY PRIESTHOOD
Priest John (Masatoshi) Shoji (M.Div. ‘07)
Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in Japan (Moscow Patriarchate)
Holy Priesthood: Ordained on July 14, 2024, by His Eminence, Archbishop Seraphim (Tsujie), Metropolitan of All Japan.
Current Ministry: Rector at Holy Protection of the Mother of God Orthodox Church, Shizuoka, Japan; Rector of the Chapel of the Nativity, Hamamatsu, Japan.
Priest Josef Candelario (M.A. ‘25)
Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA))
Holy Priesthood: Ordained July 19, 2024, by His Eminence Archbishop Benjamin of San Francisco and the West, on behalf of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon (OCA) at St Seraphim of Sarov Cathedral, Holy Protection, Santa Rosa, CA.
Current Ministry: Concluding studies at St Vladimir’s Seminary
Priest Mark Sultani (M.Div. ‘23)
Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA)
Holy Priesthood: Ordained August 18, 2024, by His Eminence Metropolitan Saba, Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of All North America, at the Basilica of St Mary, Livonia, MI.
Current Ministry: Assistant Pastor at St George Orthodox Christian Cathedral, Wichita, KS.
Hieromonk Vasily (Vitaly) Permiakov (M.Div. ‘04)
Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA))
Holy Priesthood: Ordained September 14, 2024, by His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon (OCA) at Three Hierarchs Chapel, Yonkers, NY.
Current Ministry: Ecclesiarch of Three Hierarchs Chapel, St Vladimir’s Seminary, Yonkers, NY.
*On January 17, 2025, he was tonsured to the small schema at St Tikhon of Zadonsk Monastery (South Canaan, PA) with the name Vasily.
Priest Juxhin Shkurti (M.Div. ‘24)
Jurisdiction: Albanian Archdiocese, Orthodox Church in America (OCA)
Holy Priesthood: Ordained September 21, 2024, by His Grace Bishop Nikodhim of Boston and the Albanian Archdiocese at Sts Peter and Paul Church, Philadelphia, PA.
Current Ministry: Assigned Priest at St George Albanian Orthodox Cathedral, Boston, MA
Priest Paul Hunchak (M.Div. ‘90)
Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA)
Holy Priesthood: Ordained October 20, 2024, by His Eminence Archbishop Michael of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey at Our Lady of Kazan Church, Sea Cliff, NY.
Current Ministry: Acting Rector at Our Lady of Kazan Orthodox Church, Sea Cliff, NY.
Priest Alexander Nelson (M.Div. ‘25)
Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA)
Holy Priesthood: Ordained December 25, 2024, by His Eminence, Archbishop Michael of New York and New Jersey, on behalf of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon (OCA), at the Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Protection in New York, NY.
Current Ministry: Concluding studies at St Vladimir’s Seminary
HOLY DIACONATE
Deacon Nicholas (Ghassan) Kassab(M.Div. ‘21)
Jurisdiction:Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA)
Holy Diaconate: Ordained November 24, 2024, by His Grace, Bishop Alexander of Ottawa, Eastern Canada, and Upstate New York, at St George Church, Montreal.
Current Ministry: Deacon at St George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral, Montreal, Canada.
Deacon Stéphane Sollogoub(M.Div. ‘07)
Jurisdiction: Metropolis of France, Ecumenical Patriarchate
Holy Diaconate: Ordained December 28, 2024, by His Grace, Metropolitan Demetrios of France, at the Cathedral of Saint-Stéphane, Paris, France.
Current Ministry: Deacon at the Orthodox Church of Saint Basile le Grand et Saint Alexis le Juste, Nantes, France.
MONASTIC ORDERS
Hieromonk Danaks (Dennis) Rhodes (D.Min. ‘77)
Jurisdiction: Albanian Archdiocese, Orthodox Church in America (OCA)
Small Schema: Tonsured as a Riasophore Monk on September 20, 2024, by His Grace Bishop Nikodhim of Boston and the Albanian Archdiocese at Sts Peter and Paul Church, Philadelphia, PA.
If an alumnus you know received holy orders or an elevation during the summer/fall of 2024 and is not mentioned here, let us know! Please send the details and a photo to advancement@svots.edu, and we will be happy to update this announcement page.
Today we give thanks to God for the life and witness of Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko. a husband, a father, a teacher, a pastor, a dean of St Vladimir’s Seminary, a friend, a mentor, a man whose love of Jesus Christ touched all of us. Whether we knew him personally or knew him through his writing or podcasts, Fr Tom’s ministry and life of faith have deeply touched all of us.
More than twenty-five years ago, I attended the Divine Liturgy for the first time in a mission parish near my hometown in the mountains of Northern California. A friend of mine, who was a member of the parish, invited me to come that Sunday because a guest priest was visiting that weekend to give a retreat. I was un-baptized, un-churched and my estimation of Christianity was pretty low: somewhere between a closed-minded ritual, and some sort of cult. So I came to church on that Sunday morning extremely skeptical.
I was led to a seat near the front of the church and was quickly captivated by the beauty and grandeur of the Liturgy. Then, during the sermon, I had two realizations that pierced my skeptical heart. The visiting priest who delivered the sermon that morning was not dumb. Nothing about him seemed closed-minded or shallow. He was articulate, and thoughtful and intelligent…very intelligent. Not only was this man brilliant, but he really, truly believed what he was saying. His faith was obvious, and his conviction was contagious.
The visiting priest did not serve that morning, so when he finished his sermon he came back and stood among the faithful, just in front of where I was standing with my friend. Later in the Liturgy, it was the practice of that community for everyone to exchange the “kiss of peace”, except that it was more like the “handshake of peace.” People were shaking hands, saying “Christ is in our midst.” They were smiling, and warm and enthusiastic, and this was fine, I could do this. So, I’m exchanging the “handshake of peace” with the people around me, and I happen to turn and see the visiting priest looking right at me, so I reach out my hand like I had to all the others. But to my complete surprise, this priest with thick glasses and a neatly trimmed beard greets me and then kisses me on the cheeks. The last time a man kissed me was when I was about five, and that was my dad, not some stranger!
This was the first time I met Fr Tom. To say the least, that first experience in the Orthodox Church completely blew my mind. I had no idea how it was possible, but on that morning something had changed in my heart, I knew that I had to become an Orthodox Christian. The one time that Fr Tom ever visited that little parish in California, was the first time I ever attended the Divine Liturgy, and that meeting forever changed my life.
About a year later, I was baptized and chrismated, And early on, I began thinking about going to seminary, and maybe serving as a priest. One day, I approached a senior priest from another parish and very timidly told him that I was thinking about going to seminary, and possibly becoming a priest. I asked him if he could give me any advice. In a very gruff way, he said, “Are you in college?”
“Yes,” I said.
“What is your major?”
“Biology.”
“Hmph. That doesn’t have much to do with theology, does it?”
“No, I guess not,” I said, and I walked away disheartened.
Some months later, I attended a national college conference at Antiochian Village. This was the second time I met Fr Tom, who delivered a number of the talks during the conference. Again, I was captivated by what he had to say, and inspired by his contagious enthusiasm. Knowing that he was a professor at St Vladimir’s, I approached him during the conference and very timidly told him that I was thinking about coming to seminary. As was his way with everyone he met, he was kind, and encouraging, and we talked for a while. Then he asked me, “What is your major?” Oh no, the dreaded question from before. Sheepishly, I apologized, “Uh, well, Biology…and yes, I know, it doesn’t have much to do with theology.” Fr Tom said, “You know, St Isaac the Syrian says that we must love all of God’s creation, even the lizards. And for someone who lived in the desert, that’s really saying something. It’s good to study biology. So finish your degree, and then apply to seminary.” So I did, and a few years later I came here to St Vladimir’s.
During my years at seminary, Fr Tom’s classes were some of my favorites, but they were hard. They forced me to ask hard questions about my faith and my understanding of God and the Church; my understanding of Jesus Christ and the Gospel. One of the many topics that we covered in Fr Tom’s classes was the teaching of St Gregory Palamas. Not only did the topic capture my imagination, but a number of my classmates and I got into a heated debate about the uncreated energies. In retrospect, it is painfully obvious how completely ridiculous and arrogant this was: seminarians, engaging in a heated debate about the finer points of the very summit of the ascetical life. It was as foolish as a bunch of teenagers arguing about how to be a grandparent. Yet, there I was with my classmates, going at it, out on the front porch of the Germack Building. The argument was in full swing as Fr Tom walked by. He stopped, listened for a bit, and then one of us tried to get him to endorse our side of the argument. (If Fr Tom was with you, who could be against you?) Fr Tom thought for a moment, and said, “Yes, the uncreated energies are important, but just stick with Jesus.” and then he walked away.
In my youthful arrogance, I found his answer to be a bit unsatisfying. “What? Just stay with Jesus? What about the ‘light’ what about Motovilov and St Seraphim?” But of course, Fr Tom was right. While Fr Tom’s knowledge of theology, philosophy, history, and culture was encyclopedic, and while he brought this knowledge to bear in his teaching, preaching, and writing, he always remained focused on Christ, the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. And whenever I would get sidetracked, or worked up, about one detail or another, Fr Tom would always remind me to just stick with Jesus: focus on Christ. That sound advice, has, on several occasions, served as a beacon of light in the midst of the dark storms of temptation and controversy. No matter what else may be going on, as Fr Tom says, “Be always with Christ, and trust God in everything.”
During my years at St Vladimir’s, my grandmother passed away, and my relatives asked me if I would preach at the service. I had never preached at a funeral before, so I asked Fr Tom for advice on what to do, what I should say. He said, “If you say anything at all, speak about how the life of the departed is a Word of God. Answer this question: How can we see God at work in the life of this person we loved?” This approach defined Fr Tom’s entire ministry. Whether he was talking about dogmatic theology or the Liturgy, or about history, or culture, Fr Tom always showed us how God was at work in the world, at work in our lives.
As St Paul says, “to the pure all things are pure” (Titus 1.15) and Fr Tom was a herald of God’s presence in the midst of a dark and broken world. But most importantly, Fr Tom saw the image of God in the people he met, the students he taught: he saw the image of God in us. Fr Tom embodied the Good Shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine sheep to find the one that is lost. As Jesus says, “God the Father does not desire that one of His little ones should perish.” (Mt. 18.14) In Fr Tom’s ministry, everyone mattered, everyone was worth his time. He always saw the good in people, perhaps even sometimes to a fault. This is why so many people sought him out as a father confessor, and this is why Fr Tom would so often be the last one in the chapel, late on a Saturday night, hearing confession after confession after confession.
Fr Tom was the person who saw something good and pure and holy in every one of us, he was the one who saw the image of God in us…especially when we couldn’t see it ourselves. Fr Tom helped us to experience the love of God in Jesus Christ, in everything he did, in his teaching, in his writing, in his countless letters and cards and phone calls, in his hundreds of hours of podcasts, Fr Tom shared with us the love of Jesus Christ: the love that does not forget, that love that heals the broken hearted, the love of the Crucified Messiah who stands with us in our darkest hour. Through Fr Tom, God worked miracles in the hearts of so many of us: miracles of repentance, miracles of reconciliation, miracles of renewed faith.
Now Fr Tom and I did not always agree, and he was not perfect. Fr Tom had his faults, and he was quick to say as much in private, and in public. But in Fr Tom, in his life, in his ministry, I was able to see Christ. Perhaps one of the greatest mysteries of the Christian faith is that Christ reveals himself to us through one another. Helping us to see Christ in our neighbor, and showing us that God is truly present in our lives, is one of Fr Tom’s greatest gifts.
We will dearly, dearly miss Fr Tom, who was a spiritual father to so many in the truest sense. But today, as we bring to a close the forty days since Fr Tom departed this life, we stand like Jesus’ disciples, on that mountain in Galilee on the fortieth day after the Lord’s Pascha. Today we commend Fr Thomas into the hands of God. And just like those disciples on the day of Ascension, we are commanded to “forge on” as Fr Tom always said, to “forge on” in the same ministry to which he dedicated his life: the ministry of teaching the commandments of Jesus Christ; ministering to the lonely and broken-hearted; and bringing the love of God into the world through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Thank you, Lord, thankyou, for the gift of your servant Protopresbyter Thomas, and may his memory be eternal.
Tuesday, March 18, 2025, marks the 10th anniversary of the repose of Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko, Dean Emeritus of Saint Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) from 1992–2002. Following the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, March 23, the seminary community will observe the milestone with a panikhida, as we remember his remarkable life and contributions to the seminary and to the education of thousands in America and abroad through his books and lectures.
Thomas John Hopko was born in Endicott, NY, on March 28, 1939, the third child and only son of John J. Hopko and Anna [Zapotocky] Hopko. He was baptized and raised in St Mary’s Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Greek-Catholic Church, and educated in Endicott public schools, graduating from Union-Endicott High School in 1956. He married his wife, Anne (née Schmemann, daughter of Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann), in 1963; their five children, Archpriest John Hopko (M.Div. ‘90), Juliana Thetford, Catherine Mandell, Matushka Mary Solak, and Alexandra Sedor, as well as their children and grandchildren, are actively involved in the life of the Church. Notably, one of Fr Hopko’s grandsons, Zachariah Mandell, is now serving at St Vladimir’s Seminary as the Director of Admissions, Financial Aid, and Alumni Relations, and instructor for Liturgical Music.
Fr Hopko, affectionately known as Fr Tom, graduated from Fordham University in 1960 with a bachelor’s degree in Russian studies. He graduated with a theological degree from St Vladimir's Seminary in 1963, from Duquesne University with a master’s degree in philosophy in 1969, and earned his doctorate degree in theology from Fordham University in 1982.
Ordained to the Holy Priesthood in August 1963, Fr Hopko served the following parishes as pastor: Saint John the Baptist Church, Warren, OH (1963–1968); Saint Gregory the Theologian Church, Wappingers Falls, NY (1968–1978); and Saint Nicholas Church, Jamaica Estates, NY (1978–1983). He was honored with the clerical rank of Archpriest in 1970 and the rank of Protopresbyter in 1995.
Beginning in 1968, Fr Hopko began his long service to St Vladimir’s Seminary. Over the years, he held the following positions at the school: Lecturer in Doctrine and Pastoral Theology, 1968–1972; Assistant Professor of Dogmatic Theology, 1972–1983; Associate Professor of Dogmatic Theology, 1983–1991; Professor of Dogmatic Theology, 1991–1992; Dean, Rector of Three Hierarchs Chapel, and Professor of Dogmatic Theology, 1992–2002.
During his years of priestly ministry, Fr Hopko authored numerous books and articles. The most well-known of these publications is The Orthodox Faith: An Elementary Handbook on the Orthodox Church. That book began as four small volumes published in different colors (affectionately known as the "rainbow series") that in turn were translated into many languages. Collectively this work played an indelible role in the Orthodox Church's catechetical literature for decades.
A prolific speaker and preacher, he spoke at conferences, retreats, public lectures, and church gatherings of all kinds, many of which were recorded. Fr Hopko performed countless duties on behalf of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), including representing the Church at intra-Orthodox gatherings and ecumenical meetings.
Upon retirement, Fr Hopko and his wife moved to Ellwood City, PA, where they lived near the Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration. There, he began a new ministry: internet-based Orthodox Christian radio talks. Starting in the year 2008, Fr Hopko produced well over 400 podcasts for Ancient Faith Radio, mostly within his signature series, "Speaking the Truth in Love."
Fr Hopko exercised untiring and loving pastoral care on behalf of many who sought him out for spiritual guidance. His greatest desire was that every person would respond to these words of Jesus Christ: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28).
Fr Hopko’s written and recorded words continue to impact Orthodox faithful around the world. On campus, he is fondly remembered by former students and spiritual children who now serve as faculty and staff. Dr Peter Bouteneff holds the position formerly occupied by Fr Hopko, Professor of Systematic Theology (formerly Dogmatic Theology), and reminisced about the difficulty of stepping into the role following Fr Hopko’s retirement, saying, “Fr Tom had a massive influence on my thinking and teaching, maybe more than anyone I studied with—and that says a lot! To this day, whenever I speak in the classroom or in the parishes, I end up quoting him regularly.”
Apart from his intellectual and academic prowess, Fr Hopko guided generations of clergy-in-training in learning the liturgical cycles and tradition, overseeing Three Hierarchs Chapel as Rector and leading the chapel services almost daily. Current Rector of Three Hierarchs Chapel, the Very Rev. Dr Alexander Rentel reflected on his time as a seminarian in the early 90s, saying, “One thing that always stayed with me, that I was especially taught by Fr Tom...was a love for the liturgical services…Fr Tom taught…by doing, by being. It might sound silly, but it was incredible for anybody who saw him do a great censing during Vigil, serve Daily Matins or the Liturgy, or just offer an extemporaneous sermon at the end of services. It was a master class on how to be a priest.”
The Very Rev. Dr Sergius Halvorsen gave a beautiful tribute to Fr Hopko’s memory at the 40-day panikhida service held at St Vladimir’s Seminary in 2015, after his repose. He spoke to the missionary and evangelical impact Fr Tom had on his own life, and for so many in the US and abroad, through his extensive travels to give talks and retreats in person.
Fr Tom’s memory lives on at St Vladimir’s through assigned readings in classes, faithful commemoration on every Memorial Saturday, and the faculty house on the north side of campus which bears his name. As we commemorate him on the 10th anniversary of his repose, we joyfully share with you ways to read and hear his words, learn more about his long-lasting contributions to the Church, and participate in his legacy.
Fr Thomas on Ancient Faith Radio–Four podcasts featuring the words and wisdom of Fr Hopko, published by Ancient Faith Radio beginning in 2008, and continuing until just before his repose in 2015. The podcasts include:
The Names of Jesus–A series where Fr Hopko identifies the names bestowed on Christ by the Holy Scriptures and the Church Fathers and explains their significance
Fr Hopko’s 55 Maxims–A true testament to the pastoral and practical nature of Fr Tom’s ministry, his “55 Maxims” have been shared by Orthodox Christians around the world, providing a down-to-earth, accessible guide for everyday life in Christ.
Funeral Homily–The homily given by former SVOTS Dean, the Very Rev. Dr John Behr at the funeral service for Fr Hopko.
Read further tributes to Fr Tom–Read the original article offered in memory of Fr Hopko after his repose in 2015, linking to many tributes and condolences from Orthodox hierarchs, SVOTS alumni, and his friends and colleagues.
Participate in Fr Hopko’s Legacy:
The Fr Thomas Hopko Endowment for Women's Vocations–Ensure future generations of Orthodox women receive theological education at St Vladimir’s Seminary (select “Fr Thomas Hopko Endowment for Women’s Vocations” in the “I want to support” dropdown menu).
May the memory of Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko (+March 18, 2015) be eternal!
This spring, as we celebrate the first anniversary of the St Vladimir’s Society, we would like to honor a few of our dedicated members and faithful supporters. SVOTS Trustee and one of the Society’s inaugural members, Dan Abraham, consistently strives to be a thoughtful and intentional steward of the resources he has been entrusted with by God. In this spirit, he often pens his thoughts on almsgiving and Christian charitable works. In his honor, we are resharing an interview he gave Chief Advancement Officer, Ginny Nieuwsma, in 2022, interspersed with some of his reflections on the meaning of Christian giving.
As long as he can remember, businessman and St Vladimir’s Trustee Dan Abraham’s life has been integrated into both the local and national Church, from his beginnings as an acolyte at St Nicholas in Grand Rapids where he still is involved today.
In addition to serving as a St Vladimir’s Trustee, Dan is a member of his Parish Council, a Trustee of the Antiochian Archdiocese, and a former Director of the Orthodox Christian Leadership Initiative. He has also served as Chair of the Order of St Ignatius in his Archdiocese, traveling all over North America encouraging people towards generous philanthropy.
In 2021 Dan almost died of COVID-19; through his near-death experience, forty days in a coma, and subsequent recovery, Dan was upheld by his lifelong faith and the prayers offered by the clergy and faithful all around the U.S. Through Zoom and email, Dan shared his unique perspective with us as a Trustee and experienced leader and fundraiser in the Church.
As a lifetime Orthodox Christian, what have been the highlights of your spiritual journey?
I grew up in a typical Middle Eastern family church environment; along with my four sisters, we were the third of what is now five generations of our family to participate at St Nicholas in Grand Rapids MI. We are firmly rooted. My parents’ social friends were their church friends and their connections were in the Church.
My parents were very devout. I remember the first day on a Palm Sunday when I became an Altar Boy after months of practice. A lady in our church made our robes by hand. I was 7 or 8 years old and was thrilled to participate in the Great Entrance for the first time. My father kept a very disciplined fast and as I entered my teen years I started to emulate him. I still remember the oration I gave when I was 15. The topic was "My Priest and Me."
"Stewardship is the working out of our faith through giving in order to carry on God’s work. Our actions, our lives, and our giving are the most accurate measure of our faith. The material things in our lives, our time, our talent, and our treasures speak so clearly about what’s most important for us."
Give us a sketch of your professional life.
I earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan, then an MBA from Western Michigan University, and a degree in Law from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Working during the day, I attended school at night and did my studying early in the morning before work. Nobody forced me; I did it because I wanted to, and I am proud of accomplishing that.
Once I was done with school I jumped in with both feet to the family businesses. My family life included my father's two brothers and their families; they continued the business my grandfather started. It evolved into a large wholesale grocery distribution company. In 1982 we purchased one of our retail customers, which I was assigned to manage for 30 years. During this time I started a manufacturing business, which I eventually managed exclusively after leaving the family firm. Our main customer channel was school and sports fundraising; through this, I accumulated 30 years of business fundraising.
“FAITH. The key to giving freely will be found in the gift of faith from God - in fully trusting Him as we give. St. Paul calls our attention to the fact that "God is able to provide [us] with every blessing in abundance, so that [we] may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work" (2 Cor. 9:8). We can give and never look back in regret."
As a young married couple, how did you first become active in Church leadership?
Kathy and I have been married for 35 years. Right from the start, my new wife was very active in church and she pulled me back into the church after my years of graduate school and career development.
When we got married, Kathy was very involved in the Fellowship of St John Divine leadership (the former Antiochian young adults organization). We were nudged to become members of the Order of St Ignatius, and then I was asked to serve on the national council. From there I moved up the ranks. One of my proudest moments was when Metropolitan Philip of blessed memory asked me to be the Chair of the Order of St Ignatius after serving for 25 years as Chair of Membership Development.
I’m concerned that today’s young adult world is so dominated by secularism and people are being pulled away from the Church. Because I was raised in the Church, it was natural for me to stay with it later. There were times when Kathy and I were away from each other even on our anniversary, due to church responsibilities!
"Your tithe is your obligation, your stewardship is your gift to God."
How have you been shaped by the battle with COVID-19 that brought you to death’s door?
I came within four hours of death, but God chose I should live. After my illness, I realized that God chose me to live and I had to ask myself why. Why me? I began to be reconciled with the knowledge that we don’t know why God does what He does. We have to accept that he chooses some to live, and some to pass on. For a while after my near-death experience, I struggled that I wasn’t the person I used to be, and there was an empty feeling. It took time and patience for me to let God administer the healing that He brings.
Slowly my heartbeat and my deep breathing came back, I regained strength in my muscles, and my damaged vocal cords began to heal. Writing was hard, talking was hard; all of the rehab had to happen simultaneously. Thank God I’m a lot better than I was!
Every day I ask myself, “What are your plans for me, Lord?” I lost my business and most of my assets, yet God continues to lead me on a path of service. The question that all of us need to ask every day is, how do we tune in to His will? It’s something that we have to work towards as we begin to understand how He transforms us. So maybe part of my purpose is to share with others what I learned through my experience and what it can mean to others. There is suffering all around us, but we can learn from our suffering and find relief from it by trusting in God’s will.
"Faith is powerful. Faith can lead us down the path that God intends for us."
You keep busy with family, your parish, and your business life; so why did you say yes to serving as a SVOTS trustee?
The short answer is Fr Chad invited me and I can never say no to the Church. The timing was interesting: I was elected at the November 2020 meeting and it was just a few months later that I was hospitalized for 120 days with COVID-19. Today I view one of my most important responsibilities as serving St Vladimir's Seminary. I hope to continue as a Trustee and as a positive contributor in the future.
All of us are significantly impacted by the dominant secularism in our country. Unfortunately, we also see fundamentalism growing as well which is not necessarily a good direction. More than anything, we need balanced young men who will dedicate their lives to Christ.
"Stewardship is the working out of our faith through giving in order to carry on God’s work. Our actions, our lives, and our giving are the most accurate measure of our faith."
What did you learn as a longtime leader within the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese that is complementary to your leadership role at St Vladimir's?
I traveled extensively for the Order. I met many people over those years, many of who are still friends today. Early on I discovered that I was most successful when I invited people to join in the cause of generosity. Everyone wants to feel wanted, needed, and important. Orthodox Christians who give are inherently generous people and if we can help connect them with our cause we increase the likelihood of the individual making a donation. Raising money for the church theoretically should be very easy, once we understand what’s behind the giving.
Giving to the Church is very different from giving to the Cancer Society or disaster relief. When you give to the Church, God multiplies that gift. He takes our gifts, and then the equation is 1 + 1 = 3 in His eyes. That’s how we multiply our impact; we combine our resources and work together, and God gives the increase.
"Everything I have is from God. It’s not mine. Why is it given to me to give alms? Is what you have your own? You’ve been entrusted with the goods of the poor, though you’ve acquired them from honest labor or inheritance. God could take everything away from you, but He doesn’t, in order to give you power to be liberal with the poor. God is looking to see what we do with our resources. He wants us to be liberal in giving thanks to Him: to give generously from our wallets, our time, and our skills."
What have you learned about the Seminary in your time as a trustee that you didn't know before?
Stewarding the whole enterprise that is St Vladimir’s is much more complex than I imagined; this was apparent to me from my first Board meeting. Hopefully, I can contribute to the compelling vision that is currently guiding Seminary leadership. Training men and women of all ages how to serve Christ through the Church is such an important reason for existence.
Those who work and give their life to the Seminary are amazing people who are filled with the love of Christ. The stellar accomplishments of our Board of Trustees are impressive.
There are so many aspects of the school. For one thing, meeting the requirements and traditions of the various jurisdictions is very complex. As an institution of higher learning, St Vladimir’s functions as a university with housing departments, community concerns, and the classroom experience with highly skilled professors. Additionally, SVOTS administers other programs like Ed Day to bring ongoing educational opportunities to the general Orthodox public, while also producing books and audio resources. Those entrusted with leading the Seminary carry a heavy weight on their shoulders.
"Stewardship is returning to God a portion of our possessions for the spreading of the Gospel through the ministries of the Church. God loves us and rejoices when He gives to us. We can experience His joy through our giving."
How would you describe the key challenges and opportunities the Seminary is facing as we approach the 85th anniversary?
The overriding challenge of not just the Orthodox Church but Christianity in general is the power and influence of secularism. We simply can't avoid it but we can resist its temptations if we are properly instructed both at home and through the Church. While its primary objective is to teach theology, St Vladimir’s is also looking more seriously at teaching seminarians about leadership, administration, and public speaking. We simply cannot minimize the impact of these three characteristics. A man can be the most pious Orthodox priest, but if he cannot lead and administer, his success in parish life will be limited.
For people considering a gift to SVOTS, I would say: You take it for granted that if your priest retires or moves on there will be someone there to step in. Without St Vladimir’s, this won’t be the case. We also need the resources to reach out to young men, to open their minds to a future life of serving the Church. There are many worthy organizations, but the Church should always come first in our giving.
"When we give generously from the heart, we soon learn that the more we give, the more God gives us to give even more."
From your perspective, why should someone consider being a regular donor to St Vladimir’s by joining the St Vladimir’s Society?
Today we “compete” with many Christian and non-Christian organizations. We must lay a strong financial foundation for future viability. Every Orthodox Christian will be impacted by the caliber of education and successful formation produced by our seminaries, particularly St Vladimir's.
And every $25.00 donation is as important as the $100,000 donation! We must all be invested in the future of our faith in America. Generosity comes from the heart—God calls us to be cheerful givers.
About the St Vladimir’s Society
When you give to St Vladimir’s Seminary each month through the St Vladimir’s Society program, you ensure the future of Orthodox theological education for generations to come.
St Vladimir’s Seminary focuses on rigorous education and deep spiritual formation within a residential community. Your monthly generosity supports the continual training of priests, lay leaders, missionaries, musicians, and teachers, and provides a stable foundation for our ministry.
With your partnership, we can continue to send priests and missionaries to shepherd and strengthen individuals, parishes, and communities across the country and around the world.
St Vladimir's Seminary is happy to share a group of new recordings of Byzantine chant performed by seminarians of the 2020-2023 "COVID cohort": a group of dedicated chanters, most of them in the Antiochian Archdiocese, joined by Samuel Loposky (ACROD; M.Div. ‘24) and Fr. John Black (OCA; M.Div. ‘23), led by the (now) Rev. Nicholas Fine (M.Div. ‘23). During their first semester at St Vladimir’s Seminary (Fall 2020), when the number of persons in a given worship space had to be capped, the seminary arranged for services to be held concomitantly in three locations. One of the groups met in the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium for Vespers, Matins, and Divine Liturgy, following the Antiochian liturgical rubrics and using Byzantine chant. It was then and there, under the generous guidance of Nicholas Fine and John Capones (M.Div. ‘23; now a priest in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese), that the idea of such a recording first emerged. It took some three years and the professional assistance of Mr Serge Ossorguine, to whom we express our gratitude for his meticulous work of recording and editing, to arrive, finally, at this point.
The “Byzantine Cohort”--Antiochian seminarians and their families after the last Divine Liturgy in the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium. April 2021.
This is the first entirely Byzantine recording from St Vladimir's Seminary, meant not only to showcase the spiritual depth and sober beauty of this musical tradition but also to emphasize the fact that it can be chanted well in English, by Americans, by “cradle Orthodox” and converts alike.
With this offering, we want to honor those who have contributed much to Byzantine chant in English at St Vladimir’s Seminary, especially Bishop Basil Essey (retired Bishop of Wichita and the Diocese of Mid-America, AOCANA) and the late Archimandrite Elias Bitar. It is our hope that these recordings serve as a teaching tool for our incoming seminarians as well as for aspiring chanters in English-speaking Orthodox parishes.
Byzantine chant at St Vladimir's Seminary, 2023 Commencement
This project would not have been possible without the help we received from the Rev. Dn Dr Gregory Abdalah, the Rev. John Salem, and the St Elijah Antiochian Orthodox Church in Oklahoma City, OK, and, especially, from a donor who requested to remain anonymous and whose more-than-generous donation covered the majority of the costs.
Voices (alphabetically): John Black, Bogdan Bucur, Jack Corbin, Nicholas Fine, Anthony Gilbert, Samuel Loposky, Andrew Salvia, Mark Sultani, John Vazquez.
February 26, 2025, Yonkers, NY – St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Ionuț-Alexandru Tudorie as President for a five-year term, effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2030.
This decision follows a comprehensive international search process led by His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon (OCA) as chair of the President Search Committee, in collaboration with Committee members: the Right Reverend Archimandrite Jeremy Davis, Executive Chair of the SVOTS Board of Trustees; trustees Dr Carla Thomas, Dr Ana Iltis, and the V. Rev. Dr Philip LeMasters; and faculty members Dr Peter Bouteneff and the Rev. Hieromonk Dr Vasily Permiakov. The search was informed and guided by thoughtful and thorough input from various members of the SVOTS community through a range of evaluative measures.
“I am pleased that Dr Ionuț-Alexandru Tudorie has accepted the call of the Board of Trustees to serve as President of St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary,” remarked His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon. “I am confident that he will bring his many talents to bear in fulfillment of the seminary’s mission of training priests, lay leaders, and scholars for the Church here in North America.”
As Professor of Church history, Dr Tudorie was recognized by St Vladimir’s seminarians on behalf of the student body during the 2024 Commencement exercises with the 2024 St Macrina Award for Excellence in Teaching, an honor bestowed each year by student vote.
2024 Student Council President, Kripaya Varghese (M.A. ‘24) presents Dr Tudorie with the St Macrina Award
Most recently, Dr Tudorie stepped into greater leadership at St Vladimir’s Seminary following the retirement of former President the Very Rev. Dr Chad Hatfield in June 2024. As Interim President, Dr Tudorie guided the seminary through a transition period. Under his leadership, the seminary reversed the previous year’s budgetary deficit approaching $2 million, ending the first six months of the current fiscal year with a $100,000 surplus. This turnaround was noted by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) through its Focused Visitation Team (January 2025), whose report commended the Seminary for this impressive performance. The fruit of prudent control of expenses combined with renewal of donor relationships, this firm financial footing places St Vladimir’s Seminary on a new path for enhancing its mission. Dr Tudorie led this renewal while retaining his faculty and teaching duties.
Chair of the Transition Committee, former Treasurer, and longtime trustee Jeffrey Hoff spoke to the quality of Dr Tudorie’s service as the Academic Dean and Interim President, saying, “Since first joining SVOTS in 2018, Dr Tudorie has brought renewal and strength to the academic department. Throughout his leadership during the transition period, he has extended the same across the institution – modeling servant-leadership, improving financial and operational stability, and collaboratively working with faculty, staff, and the board.”
Dr Tudorie leading the faculty information session with participants in the Fall 2024 Open House
The totality of these achievements during his interim presidency has garnered widespread support and appreciation from faculty, staff, students, hierarchs, and trustees. Their responses to the Board’s request for input, as well as the insights from the President Search Committee’s process, and the observations of the ad-hoc Transition Committee of the Board of Trustees, attested to Dr Tudorie’s dedication, alignment to the seminary’s historic mission, and healing leadership, guided by his own deep commitment to the Orthodox Christian faith.
The Right Reverend Archimandrite Jeremy Davis, Board Executive Chair, noted this last quality: “Dr Tudorie is a servant leader, a peaceful presence, a peacemaker, and a man of prayer and devotion. Although he is not an ordained priest, several trustees, faculty members, and students have all noted his pastoral ministry on campus—as a listener, counselor, and advisor.”
During the November 2024 Board Meeting
The Board of Trustees expressed full confidence in Dr Tudorie’s ability to lead the seminary, noting his caring and assiduous leadership, characterized by a spirit of conciliarity and collaboration.
Says Dr Iltis, “With his dedication and talents, and in collaboration with excellent faculty, staff, and students, St Vladimir’s future as an institution that forms clergy, lay leaders, and scholars in the service of Christ and His Church is strong and bright.”
Dr Tudorie remarks that the path to enhance SVS mission and student experience is prepared for the seminary: “We have in front of us a freshly laid foundation, built on the bedrock of Christ’s Church and the traditions of our legacy in Crestwood. It is my honor to carry this forward into the future, by our collective prayers.”
As President-elect, Dr Tudorie will continue as Interim President and Academic Dean until July 1, 2025, when he will formally assume the presidency of St Vladimir’s Seminary.
St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) is a higher education institution that embraces the challenge of serving the Church and the needs of Orthodox Christians in the twenty-first century. SVOTS trains priests, lay leaders, and scholars to be active apologists of the Orthodox Christian Faith, focusing on academic rigor and spiritual formation within a residential Orthodox community. The Seminary is chartered by the University of the State of New York and accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS) to offer the following program degrees: Master of Divinity, Master of Arts, Master of Theology, and Doctor of Ministry. www.svots.edu
About Dr Ionuț-Alexandru Tudorie
Dr Tudorie was born and raised in Bucharest (Romania). He studied at the University of Bucharest where he earned a B.S., two M.A.s, and two Ph.D.s. (one in Orthodox Theology and one in Byzantine History). In addition to his duties as Professor of Church History, Interim President and Academic Dean at St Vladimir’s Seminary, he is also affiliated with the University of Bucharest, Romania, where he serves as Doctoral advisor in the field of Cultural Studies at the Interdisciplinary School of Doctoral Studies (ISDS). His areas of academic specialization include Church History, Byzantine and Post-Byzantine History, and the Theological Dialogue between Christian Confessions.
Dr Tudorie with his wife Denisa, and their two daughters, Sofia and Theodora
Dr Tudorie has been married since 2004 to Dr Denisa-Mihaela Tudorie (née Alexandru). They have two children, Sofia (b. 2011) and Theodora (b. 2016).
The Tudories have been integrally involved in seminary life since their arrival to the U.S. in 2018. The Drs Tudorie regularly extend gracious hospitality in their home to members of the seminary community as well as to visitors. Denisa has also taken an active role in the St Juliana Society (on-campus fellowship group for women), hosting gatherings, baby showers for expectant mothers, and festivities for children of the chapel community. Together, they support and assure students as they make their transition to seminary life, cultivating a warm and welcoming place for those who call the seminary their home.
Please view Dr Tudorie’s faculty page and CV to learn more about his scholarship and teaching interests.
Dr Ionuț-Alexandru Tudorie is a rare leader—both a world-renowned scholar and a humble, Christ-centered servant. As Interim President of St Vladimir’s Seminary, he has shown the visionary leadership and operational acumen needed in this critical season for the Church. I have every confidence that under his guidance, the seminary will continue to flourish as a center for theological education and spiritual formation.
Dn Michael Hyatt Trustee Emeritus
Dr Tudorie with Archimandrite Jeremy Davis, SVOTS Board Executive Chair, and Jeff Hoff, Trustee and Transition Committee Chair
Dr Alex Tudorie combines academic brilliance with the ability to solve complex administrative issues collaboratively, pastorally, and humbly. He leads first and foremost as a servant, with one goal in mind: the sacred mission of the seminary in raising up priests and workers for the Church. He is uniquely suited to guide our seminary into the future.
Protodeacon Peter Danilchick, DHL Trustee Emeritus
The Tudorie family, Christmas 2024
“Those who have no guidance fall like leaves: but salvation lies in much counsel” (Prov 11:14, LXX).
When Alex Tudorie was hired as Academic Dean in 2018, he was a Church historian from Romania with a solid academic reputation internationally, but unknown to the Orthodox this side of the Atlantic. That choice, which came after a serious search, was clear evidence of the institutional integrity of St Vladimir’s Seminary. With his appointment as President at the end of a professionally conducted search, I am proud to say that we remain committed to the principles of integrity, transparency, mutual accountability, and competence.
The Very Rev Dr Bogdan G Bucur Associate Professor of Patristics
Dr Tudorie’s leadership as Interim President was nothing short of transformational—navigating financial challenges with wisdom and integrity while maintaining the seminary’s commitment to being Christ-centered, student-focused, and education-driven.”
Dr Ana Iltis Trustee
Dr Tudorie’s wife, Denisa, hosting the annual St Nicholas Day celebration in 2023
Dr Tudorie has always maintained a completely open door for any student, and the students truly appreciate this. As busy as he is with his duties, he makes time to speak with a student or group of students to hear concerns, share joys, and identify what is working well, and what can be improved in seminary life. He helps to give students a voice for their experience, and I know his advocacy is appreciated by the student body.
The Rev. Dn Dr Harrison Basil Russin
Associate Dean for Residential Life
Assistant Professor of Liturgical Music
Dr Tudorie has consistently demonstrated great kindness, welcoming students into his home for meals and offering personalized support through individual meetings to help them both academically and personally. He embodies the spirit of service within our community, working tirelessly with a heart for the Lord and a deep love for those around him. I am truly grateful for his recent election as president and look forward with hope to the future of the seminary under his leadership.
Laura Ionescu M.Div. '25
Archimandrite Jeremy Davis and Dr Tudorie working in tandem in the seminary board room
I want to express how grateful I am for the care and compassion Dr Tudorie has shown to us students since taking over as Interim President. It is clear in both his words and actions that he strives to ensure St Vladimir's is a place students want to call their home.
At the same time, I have experienced first-hand his commitment to St Vladimir's responsibility to spiritually form its students, and he is particularly well-suited to continue supporting St Vladimir's legacy of academic excellence. I am excited to hear he will be guiding our seminary and very much look forward to the rest of my time at St Vladimir's under his leadership.
Jarrod Huffman M.Div. '26
In Tudorie, the seminary has more than a gifted scholar, deft administrator, and nurturing teacher; it has a model of Christian leadership and a deeply devoted steward of the seminary’s mission.
Tatiana Hoff Trustee
Dr Tudorie fosters the longstanding SVOTS tradition for its annual Thanksgiving dinner, when the faculty serve the students and their families a delicious holiday meal
Alex is such a good man. Our recent successes (financial, operational, accreditation) are in no small part thanks to his leadership, intelligence, hard work, compassion, humility, and sense of fairness. He is a gift to St Vladimir’s.
Dr John Barnet Associate Professor of New Testament
Dr Tudorie speaks to the new graduates during Commencement, May 2024
What motivates Alex’s tireless work is the flourishing of his faculty and staff colleagues and of our students. Over the years, I have seen and deeply appreciated how he has been cultivating a winning and inspiring climate at our seminary.
Dr Peter Bouteneff Professor of Systematic Theology Kulik Professor of Sacred Arts
Dr Tudorie is a God-fearing leader who is a selfless and dedicated shepherd of our seminary!
A man of dignity, honor, and much humility. His noble and virtuous work defines his integrity and Christ-centered leadership and teaching.
With faith in Christ and hope in the Resurrection, we share the news of the repose of the Very Rev. Michael Massouh (M.A. ‘00), who fell asleep in the Lord on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kh. Virginia Massouh, less than a year ago, and he is survived by his four children: Ben, Andrew, Thea, and Luke.
Born in Canton, Ohio in 1939, Fr Michael attended McKinley High School and Hiram College. He received a Master’s in Science and a PhD in Science and Technology from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. He married Virginia Jacox in 1965, and they started their family in upstate New York before moving to Brookline, MA where he was the Associate VP of Academic Affairs at Boston University. From 1984 to 1999, he worked as the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and later as the Dean of Graduate Studies at Worcester State College.
Fr Michael was admitted to St Vladimir’s Seminary as an M.A. student in Fall 1999 and graduated in May 2000. He took advanced courses in scripture and patristics, as well as pastoral and practical theology courses to prepare for ordination. He entered the priesthood in the Antiochian Orthodox Church at the age of 60. Fr Michael and Kh. Ginny then moved to Ligonier, PA where Fr Michael was the Executive Director of the Antiochian Village Conference and Retreat Center.
In 2004, at the invitation of former Seminary Dean, now the Very Rev. Dr John Erickson, he gave a presentation at the St Vladimir’s Seminary Faculty’s Good Pastor retreat, where the objective was to ensure alignment and involvement of faculty, trustees, and alumni in the pastoral formation process.
Fr Michael was the longest-serving pastor at St Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church in Pinellas Park, FL, from 2005 to 2020. He played a pivotal role in building up and adorning the church, and remained a faithful member of the community during his 5-year retirement, even helping to complete the new hall and plan for a new and improved parish library. He was also a regular contributor to the Antiochian Archdiocese website and The WORD magazine.
To highlight the long-awaited publication of The Journal of Joy, St Vladimir’s Seminary will host a book launch and public lecture.
On Thursday, February 20 at 6:30 p.m., in the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium, Dr Răzvan Porumb, the author of the Foreword to the Journal of Joy, will deliver the lecture, “An Orthodox Spirituality for Today: Reading Steinhardt's Journal of Joy in Context.”
Following Dr Porumb’s talk will be a first-hand account describing the personality of Fr Nicolae Steinhardt given by Fr Ștefan Iloaie, professor of Orthodox Spirituality and Bioethics at the Babeș-Bolyai University (Cluj-Napoca), Romania.
Other distinguished guests who will be present for this event include His Grace, Bishop Andrei (OCA - ROEA), Archimandrite Macarie, the abbot of Rohia monastery, the Rev. Dr Radu Preda, professor of Theology at the Babeș-Bolyai University (Cluj-Napoca), Romania, and Mr Kenan Wang, Ph.D student in History at the University of Bucharest.
Following the presentations, seminarians and guests will have the opportunity to engage in a Q&A session with the speakers about Fr Nicolae Steinhardt’s Journal of Joy and its witness to Orthodox spirituality.
You are invited to attend the book launch and lecture in person or watch live online. You will receive one link to watch both after you register. The lecture is free and open to the public.
Light reception to follow the lecture.
Online registration for this event has now closed.
About Dr Răzvan Porumb:
Dr Porumb is the Vice-Principal and Director of Research of the Institute for Orthodox Studies, in Cambridge, UK. He is the author of Orthodoxy and Ecumenism. Towards an Active Metanoia (Peter Lang, 2019) and a number of journal articles and essays among which are the following: "N. Steinhardt’s ecumenism and the impossible that is asked of us," inTendances et directions dans les recherches actuelles des théologiens orthodoxes roumains de la diaspora, ed. C. C. Apintiliesei and C. Pogor (Cerf, 2022), 237-259; "The priorities of justice and freedom: re-learning Christianity with N. Steinhardt," St Vladimir’s Theological Quarterly 65 (2021): 191-206; "Assaulted by Joy. Nicolae Steinhardt (1912-1989)," Forerunner. Journal of the Orthodox Fellowship of St John the Baptist (2017). Prior to his relocation to the UK, he worked for the Metropolitanate of Moldavia (Iasi, Romania) as Editor-in-Chief at Trinitas Press, where he supervised and was involved in the publication and translation of numerous books and journals.
