Community

Yes. Married students and their families are an important part of the Seminary community. Families have opportunities to build relationships with one another and participate in the broader social and spiritual life of St. Tikhon’s.

Yes. Community life includes regular activities as well as special events, retreats, and services throughout the year. Opportunities include Monday evening church school for children from age four through high school, wives’ gatherings, choir participation, pizza with the Archbishop, and other seminary and community events announced throughout the academic year.

Moving to seminary is a significant transition for the whole family, and settling into a new home, community, and daily routine can take time. New families are encouraged to connect with other seminarians and their families early, participate in community life as they are able, and draw on the practical and spiritual support of those around them. From help with moving in to shared childcare, errands, and everyday family needs, the relationships formed among seminary families can be an important source of support throughout the transition and beyond.

Yes. Seminarian wives have regular opportunities to gather, build friendships, and support one another throughout their families’ time at St. Tikhon’s. wives’ gatherings are traditionally held twice a month, and families come together for picnics, baseball and hockey nights, retreats, services, and other community events throughout the year. Women may also audition for the Women’s Choir or Mixed Choir. These shared experiences help foster friendships and a network of support that can continue well beyond seminary.

The Seminary community includes families with children of different ages, giving children opportunities to form friendships and families the chance to develop a network of support. Children can also participate in activities such as church school, the children’s choir, and more, helping them become part of the wider St. Tikhon’s community.

Families at St. Tikhon’s have several educational options for their children, including local public and private schools, online education, and homeschooling. Nearby options include schools within the Western Wayne School District, St. Dominic’s Academy in Honesdale, and Commonwealth Charter Academy, a tuition-free online public charter school. Families may also consider St. Athanasius Academy, which offers live online classes taught by Orthodox Christian instructors within an Orthodox Christian curriculum. Homeschooling families can also find local resources and activities to support their children’s education and meet Pennsylvania requirements.

St. Tikhon’s is located in the rural surroundings of South Canaan, Pennsylvania, offering a quiet setting for study, formation, and family life. Students and families also have access to nearby communities for shopping, dining, healthcare, recreation, and other everyday needs.

Students and families can enjoy a variety of activities throughout northeastern Pennsylvania, from parks, hiking trails, and other outdoor recreation to orchards, family attractions, libraries, and community programs.

Nearby Scranton and Wilkes-Barre offer even more opportunities for shopping, dining, museums, cultural attractions, seasonal events, and family activities. With both rural destinations and the amenities of the city within reach, students and families have plenty of opportunities to explore the area and spend time together away from the regular Seminary schedule.