Fr Alexander Schmemann Memorial Lecture

Renowned Orthodox scholar and author the Very Rev. Dr. Andrew Louth will deliver the 43rd Annual Father Alexander Schmemann Memorial Lecture at St. Vladimir’s Seminary on Friday, January 30, 2026, on the Feast of the Three Hierarchs.

The lecture is free and open to the public to attend in person or online. It begins at 7 p.m. EST/4 p.m. PST.

Registration is closed.

Fr. Andrew’s lecture is titled, “Shadows and Darkness in Patristic Theology.”

“Orthodox Theology is often regarded, by ourselves and others, as essentially ‘apophatic,’” writes Fr. Andrew. “Even though the language of apophatic/cataphatic was only introduced into Greek Patristic theology by Dionysios the Areopagite, a negative theology of an unknowable God already had a long history. There has, however, been a tendency to see Greek Patristic theology from the perspective of Neoplatonic apophaticism, and overlook the various ways in which shadows and darkness feature in the Fathers. This lecture is an attempt to redress this.”

The Schmemann Lecture is part of St. Vladimir’s Seminary’s yearly celebration of the feast of our chapel patrons, the Three Hierarchs: Holy and Ecumenical Teachers Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom. His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon will preside over Divine Liturgy at 9 a.m. that morning at Three Hierarchs Chapel. A light reception will follow the lecture. 

About Fr. Andrew Louth

The Very Rev. Dr. Andrew Louth is Professor Emeritus, University of Durham; Honorary Fellow of the St. Irenaeus Orthodox Theological Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands; Fellow of the British Academy; and Archpriest Emeritus of the Diocese of Sourozh (Moscow Patriarchate). Author of several books, including The Origins of the Christian Mystical Tradition: from Plato to Denys (1981; revised ed., 2007); Denys the Areopagite (1989); St John Damascene: Tradition and Originality in Byzantine Theology (2002); SVS Press’s Greek East and Latin West: the Church ad 681–1071, The Church in History, vol. III (2007); Modern Orthodox Thinkers: from the Philokalia to the present (2015); and numerous articles, a selection of which can be found in Selected Essays, in two volumes: I. Studies in Patristics; II. Studies in Theology, edited by Lewis Ayres and John Behr (2023).

Seminarians from St. Vladimir’s and St. Tikhon’s Orthodox seminaries offered prayers and marched alongside His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon and other Orthodox clergy and laity Friday, January 23, at the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C.

The group from St. Vladimir’s Seminary also included Dean Dr. Ionuț-Alexandru Tudorie, His Grace Bishop John (Abdalah), Fr. Michael Nasser, and Fr. Kirill Sokolov.

"After many years of wanting to attend the March for Life, I was thankful that I was able to attend for the first time,” said Fr. Michael. “I was so impressed to see the Orthodox hierarchs, other clergy, and faithful gathered together to pray for an end to the killing of unborn children in our country. And I was thankful our seminarians could see the dedication of these beloved brothers and sisters—and the thousands of others alongside whom we marched—and with whom we could add our own efforts."

“It was wonderful to see so much support for the Pro-Life movement from so much of the Orthodox Church in North America,” said second-year seminarian Benjamin Franks, who helped lead the group of seminarians on the trip. “There were bishops from several jurisdictions present as well as local parishes, and both St. Tikhon's and St. Vladimir’s seminaries. Being together and advocating as one for the Orthodox Christian witness to life was an immense blessing. As seminarians, it is important for our formation to participate in pan-Orthodox engagement in society to advocate for an end to this and all injustice.”

Each year the student-led St. Ambrose Society plays a major role in organizing St. Vladimir’s Seminary’s participation in the March. A few days prior to the March, the St. Ambrose Society hosted an informational session for seminarians with leaders of the group Orthodox Christians for Life (OCL). OCL is a key part of the Orthodox presence at the March every year.

The gathering for the March for Life Rally began at noon Friday at the National Mall. The assembled hierarchs gathered to offer the opening prayer, given by Seminary Alumnus and Trustee His Grace Bishop Irinej (Dobrijevic) of the Serbian Orthodox Church. His Beatitude presided at the Service of Supplication to End Abortion, after which the March for Life began.

View Photos from the March for Life

With faith in Christ and hope in the resurrection, we share news of the repose of Archpriest John Pawelchak, an alumnus of St. Vladimir’s Seminary. Father John fell asleep in the Lord on January 17, 2026.

The Very Rev. John Pawelchak was born on February 17, 1954, in Terryville, CT, where he grew up as a member of Sts. Cyril & Methodius Orthodox Church. He began studies at St. Vladimir’s Seminary in 1975 and graduated from the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program in 1978. He was ordained to the priesthood in April 1979.

Father John received his first parish assignment at Annunciation Albanian Orthodox Church in Natick, MA. Over the course of many decades of priestly service, he served parishes in Wisconsin, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, and Illinois, dedicating his life to the spiritual care of the communities entrusted to him. He also worked as a professional counselor to those in need.

Father John was predeceased by his parents, sister, and nephew. He is survived by his children and grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at Nativity of the Virgin Mary Orthodox Church, 416 Ewing Ave, Madison, IL, from 4:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, January 23; the funeral service will begin at 6 p.m. Divine Liturgy is scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m. at Nativity of the Virgin Mary, with Archbishop Daniel (Brum) as celebrant. Burial will follow at Nativity of the Virgin Orthodox Cemetery in Glen Carbon.

May the memory of Archpriest John be eternal!

Much of the information in this article was adapted from the Irwin Chapel website.

Photo: Protection of the Holy Virgin Mary Orthodox Church

The beloved guide to the spiritual life, Unseen Warfare, is now available in a beautiful new edition from St. Vladimir’s Seminary (SVS) Press.

The new edition has been revised to include a new introduction and a number of footnotes intended to help clarify for the reader the relation of this book to Orthodox spirituality in general and especially to the tradition of the Philokalia, while also providing patristic citations that were previously missing. The book is presented in hardcover (6×9) with dust jacket, perfect bound, and newly typeset for improved readability.

Purchase a Copy

Unseen Warfare is a spiritual classic that explores the inner struggle every believer faces in the pursuit of holiness. Originally written by Lorenzo Scupoli, a sixteenth-century Venetian priest, the book became influential across both Western and Eastern Christian traditions. It was recognized for its spiritual depth by Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain, who revised it somewhat, and later substantially refined and translated by Theophan the Recluse in the nineteenth century.

This work draws richly from the wisdom of saints and Church Fathers, uniting insights from a host of Christian sources to guide readers in their spiritual journey. It emphasizes that the true battleground for spiritual growth is within the human heart. As Theophan wrote, “The time of battle is our whole life.” 

With its practical advice on resisting sin and cultivating virtue, Unseen Warfare remains a profound companion for those seeking deeper spiritual discipline and complements other essential works like the Philokalia, with which both Nicodemus and Theophan realized it shared much in common.

The new edition of Unseen Warfare is available for purchase at SVSPress.com.

With faith in Christ and hope in the resurrection, we share news of the repose of Archpriest Stephen Plumlee, an alumnus of St. Vladimir’s Seminary. Father Stephen fell asleep in the Lord January 14, 2026, at the age of 86.

Born on May 25, 1939, the Very Rev. Stephen Plumlee graduated from St. Vladimir’s Seminary in 1969, and was ordained to the priesthood that same year. Following graduation he was assigned to the Chapel of St. Innocent of Irkutsk, an English-language community at the Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Protection in Manhattan.

In the 60s and 70s, Fr. Stephen and his wife, Matushka Lois, were instrumental in organizing monthly trips with seminarians to hospitals and mental health institutions in the New York area. Father Stephen was a licensed and practicing psychotherapist who at one time served as Dean of Students at Blanton-Peale Graduate Institute in Manhattan. As a member of the OCA’s Department of Lay Ministries, he was actively involved in the Church’s official outreach and ministries to people with special needs and disabilities. He had also participated in various activities of the Orthodox Christian Association of Medicine, Psychology, and Religion (OCAMPR).

• READ: “The Handicapped and Orthodox Worship,” by Fr. Stephen Plumlee
• READ: “Some Practical Suggestions for Parish Ministry To People With Special Needs,” by Fr. Stephen Plumlee

Father Stephen was attached to St. Mark Church, Bradenton, FL, in his retirement. During his active priestly ministry, he had served there for several years starting in 1988, and also pastored the English-speaking community at the bilingual Christ the Savior Church in New York City, beginning in 1976, which was then under the leadership of Fr. John Meyendorff. 

Father Stephen was preceded in death by his beloved Matushka Lois, who fell asleep in the Lord on April 30, 2013.

Funeral services will be held at St. Mark Church in Bradenton, FL. Funeral vigil is scheduled for Monday, January 19 at 6 p.m.; funeral liturgy is Tuesday, January 20, at 9 a.m.; the committal and burial will take place later that day at 2:30 p.m. at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sanford, FL.

May the memory of Archpriest Stephen be eternal!

Photos: St. Mark Orthodox Church

This winter, St. Vladimir’s Seminary Alumnus Fr. Justin Mathews was recognized for his work as CEO of Reconciliation Services and the founder of Thelma’s Kitchen, Kansas City’s first “pay-what-you-can” café.

Fr. Justin received the Marion and John Kreamer Award for Social Entrepreneurship, given by the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMCK), at the UMKC's 39th Annual Entrepreneur of the Year Awards held on December 3, 2025. The awards honor local, national, and global changemakers.

Reconciliation Services is a faith-based nonprofit founded by St. Mary of Egypt Orthodox Church located on Troost Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri. The street is well known locally as a symbol of generations of racism and poverty the surrounding neighborhood has suffered.

“There are so many partners and neighbors who believe in the dream of tangible, social, racial, and economic reconciliation in our city,” Fr. Justin said as he received the award. “There is no Reconciliation Services, there is no Thelma’s Kitchen, and there is no award tonight without their heart and their sacrificial love for our neighbors most in need.”

Reconciliation Services provides to clients—99% of whom live below the federal poverty line—medical, mental health and dental services, classes, and mentoring programs. Part of their outreach is Thelma’s Kitchen, founded by Fr. Justin in 2018 and located in the same neighborhood as the parish and the nonprofit. Thelma’s Kitchen is a gathering place for delicious meals served up to neighbors, program volunteers, staff, and church people who, based on their ability, pay what they can or chip in with kitchen duties.

In 2023, Reconciliation Services also opened the Chapel of St. Maria of Paris, under the OCA’s Diocese of the Midwest. The chapel was opened at Reconciliation Services’ location on Troost Avenue, and Fr. Justin serves as Priest-in-Charge. The chapel is adorned with iconography by Fr. Justin’s fellow St. Vladimir’s Seminary alumnus, Seraphim O’Keefe (M.Div., 2018).

Third-year seminarian Fr. Jarrod Huffman interned at Reconciliation Services in the summer of 2023 and spoke highly of his experience.

“It’s an amazing organization with a fantastic staff,” said Fr. Jarrod.

Most recently, in 2024, Fr. Justin spoke to the seminarians at St. Vladimir’s and invited them to apply for summer internships at Reconciliation.

The Very Rev. Justin Mathews graduated from St. Vladimir’s Seminary with a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree in 2007. In addition to his ministry at Reconciliation services, he is a priest of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Overland Park, KS.

• RELATED: Alumnus helps provide healing along Kansas City’s ‘dividing line’
• RELATED: St. Vladimir’s partners with Reconciliation Services for Giving Tuesday

Top Image: Fr. Justin Mathews receives the Marion and John Kreamer Award for Social Entrepreneurship (Photo: University of Missouri-Kansas City).

This winter, members of St. Vladimir’s Seminary traveled to St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral in Minneapolis to meet with the community and connect with alumni in the area.

The Cathedral generously hosted a special presentation by the Seminary and reception on Saturday, December 13. Dean Dr. Ionuț-Alexandru Tudorie, Associate Dean Dr. Peter Bouteneff, and Director of Admissions and Alumni Relations Zachariah Mandell shared insights into the Seminary’s latest developments and answered questions.

The day before, on Friday, December 12, St. Vladimir's Seminary alumni from parishes across the Twin Cities gathered for a cozy reception, hearing about the state of the institution and sharing cherished memories from their time at the Seminary.

“It was such a joy to be back at St. Mary's, and to see and talk to so many friends, Seminary alumni, and interested folks from across the Twin Cities,” said Mandell, who served as choir director at St. Mary’s before he joined the staff at St. Vladimir’s. “St. Mary’s is as hospitable as ever, and the Orthodox churches in the Cities remain a shining example of a healthy Pan-Orthodox community.” 

“It was a wonderful, cold day when the leadership of St. Vladimir's Seminary came to Minneapolis for a visit. The positive momentum and clear transparency was palpably exciting for everyone in attendance,” said Paul Karos, a St. Mary’s parishioner and supporter of the Seminary who also wrote the new SVS Press book, The Ultimate Building Project: The Human Person. “As an author, it was humbling for me to now be published by such an honorable institution in the life of the Church. We simply want to say ‘thank you’ for sacrificing in making the trip to visit us!”

The occasion also served as a nod to the historic role Minneapolis played in Orthodox theological education in North America. In 1905, Archbishop Tikhon, later Patriarch of Moscow (+1925), recognized the need for American-born-and-raised clergy and decided to establish a permanent seminary. Opened in 1905 in Minneapolis, it was transferred in 1913 to Tenafly, NJ, and renamed St. Platon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. During the eighteen years of its existence, it produced two generations of priests who, at a difficult moment in the life of the Church, assured the continuity of Orthodox Christianity in America and its progressive integration into American life.

The Seminary’s visit to Minnesota was facilitated by St. Mary’s clergy, including the Cathedral’s Dean Fr. Andrew Jarmus and Seminary Trustee Dn. Philip Wagner, along with other members of the St. Mary’s community including Trustee Emeritus Dr. Frank Cerra.

If you are interested in bringing members of St. Vladimir’s Seminary to your parish, or want to learn more about getting your parish involved in the mission of the Seminary, visit our Parish Partners page and contact Ginny Nieuwsma, Chief Advancement Officer, at ginnyn@svots.edu or (914) 961–8313 x317.

• Related Story: NC Parish Connects with Seminary at Coffee Hour 

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Giving glory and thanksgiving to God, more seminarians and alumni were ordained to holy orders at the conclusion of 2025 and the start of the new year. In addition, two alumni priests were elevated in rank.

HOLY PRIESTHOOD

In east Africa, Seminary alumnus Dn. Richard Okello (M.Div. ’25) was ordained to the Holy Priesthood on December 28 at the newly consecrated Holy Temple of St. Nicholas in Akonyibedo, Gulu City, Uganda. Father Richard serves the Holy Diocese of Gulu and Northern Uganda (Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria). His ordination was presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Symeon of Fthiotida (Church of Greece).

On the Feast of Theophany, January 6, third-year seminarian Dn. Jarrod Huffman (M.Div. program) was ordained a priest by the hands of His Eminence Archbishop Daniel. The newly ordained Fr. Jarrod is a seminarian of the Orthodox Church in America’s Diocese of the Midwest. The ordination took place at Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral in Chicago.

HOLY DIACONATE

Another alumnus, Subdeacon Subin Shaji (M.Div. ’22), was ordained to the Holy Diaconate a few days earlier on January 3. Deacon Subin’s ordination was presided over by His Eminence Mor Titus Yeldho, Archbishop of the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church in North America.

Third-year seminarian Emil Prisquilas Peter (M.Div. program) was tonsured a subdeacon in his native India, at St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral in Kalyan West in the greater Mumbai area. Subdeacon Emil is attached to the Diocese of Bombay of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, under His Grace Bishop Geevarghese Mar Coorilos.

ELEVATIONS

Two alumni of the Antiochian Archdiocese were elevated to the dignity of Archpriest. Father Lucas Rice (M.Div. ’11) was elevated by His Eminence Metropolitan Saba during His Eminence’s visit to Fr. Lucas’s parish, St. Michael Church of Louisville, KY, Jan. 2–4. 

Metropolitan Saba then traveled to St. James Church of Loveland, OH, Jan. 4–5, where he elevated its pastor, Fr. Nabil Fino. Father Nabil studied at St. Vladimir’s Seminary in 2002 and 2003, following his graduation from Birmingham Theological Seminary.

May God continue to guide their ministries and grant them all many years!

Two St. Vladimir’s Seminary alumni were ordained in recent weeks in the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.

On November 8, Dn. Geevarghese (Argey) George was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by the hands of His Grace Thomas Mar Ivanios, Bishop of the South-West American Diocese. The ordination took place at Fr. Geevarghese’s home parish, St. Mary’s Malankara Orthodox Church in Farmers Branch, TX. 

The Rev. Geevarghese studied for three years in the Seminary’s Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program, and completed his third year in 2025. He has been assigned as Pastor of St. Thomas Malankara Orthodox Church in Pompano Beach, FL.

Alumnus Subdn. Mathew (Royce) Mathew was ordained to the diaconate on Saturday, December 13. His Grace Zachariah Mar Nicholovos, bishop of the Northeast American Diocese and appointed hierarch on the Seminary’s Board of Trustees, presided over the ordination at the chapel of the diocesan chancery in Muttontown, NY.

The Rev. Dn. Mathew graduated from the Seminary with an M.Div. degree in 2020. Originally hailing from Maryland, Dn. Mathew now lives in New York and is attached to St. Andrew Malankara Orthodox Church in Glenwood Landing, NY, and St. Luke the Evangelist Malankara Orthodox Mission Church, Bensalem, PA.

May God grant Fr. Geevarghese, Dn. Mathew, and their families many years!

The final weeks of the Seminary’s fall semester were filled with blessings and joy, as five seminarians were ordained to holy orders. The new priests and deacons are all seminarians of the Antiochian Archdiocese. In addition, at one of the ordinations an alumnus of St. Vladimir’s Seminary was elevated in rank. Glory be to God!

The first of the recent ordinations took place on Thursday, November 20. Deacon Nathan Jekel (M.Div., ’26) was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by the hands of His Grace Bishop Thomas at St. Philip Orthodox Church in Souderton, PA.

A few days later, on November 23, His Eminence Metropolitan Saba ordained Subdn. Andrew Neel (M.Div., ’27) to the Holy Diaconate at St. Stephen the Protomartyr Antiochian Orthodox Church in South Plainfield, NJ. Deacon Andrew’s newly ordained classmate, Fr. Nathan, was among the members of the Seminary community who attended the ordination, which also included Fr. Michael Nasser and Dr. Ionuț-Alexandru Tudorie.

On December 5, His Eminence Metropolitan Saba ordained Dn. Nicholas Aultman (M.Div. ’26) to the Holy Priesthood at Virgin Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church in Yonkers, NY. Father Michael, Dr. Tudorie, and several other seminarians and alumni were present. During the Liturgy, His Eminence also elevated Seminary Alumnus Dn. Elias Nicolas (M.A., ’19) to the dignity of archdeacon. 

Metropolitan Saba ordained two more seminarians as deacons that very weekend. On December 6, Subdn. Sophrony (Scott) Strickland (M.Div. ’27) was ordained at St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral in Brooklyn, NY. Seminarian John Whiteside was ordained to the Diaconate the next day, December 7, at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church of Little Falls, NJ.

May God grant the newly ordained and their families many years!

Photo Credits: Dn. Sophrony Strickland (Aultman & Neel ordinations); Seminarian Christopher Whittington (Whiteside ordination);  Antiochian.org/Subdn. Andrea Christoforides (Strickland ordination).