Seminarian Joshua Brown

Joshua Brown is a member of the St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary Class of 2026. He was born and raised in Ames, Iowa, where he graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science in History and a minor in Political Science. He was sent to St. Tikhon’s by Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church in Ames, which is part of the Bulgarian Diocese of the Orthodox Church in America. Joshua came to seminary as an unmarried man, but during his time at St. Tikhon’s he met his wife, Jezabel, whose baptismal name is Sava. They were married on December 29, 2024.

Before coming to seminary, Joshua worked in finance, helping people plan for retirement. Outside of his studies, he enjoys learning Spanish. Because his wife is Mexican-American and Spanish is her first language, he says learning the language allows him to grow closer to her and, God willing, to help raise any children they are blessed with in a bilingual home.

Discussing his path to seminary, Joshua says he came to St. Tikhon’s out of a desire to serve Christ's Church. He sought the formation and education that would prepare him to serve Christ in whatever capacity He might call him.

When asked about his experience at St. Tikhon's, Joshua says the Lord is working through the Seminary's curriculum, the services in the monastery, and the spiritual struggles of seminary life to reveal the areas in which he needs to grow. He says this is what he most appreciates about St. Tikhon's: there he encounters both the increased struggles and the means to overcome them.

When asked what he loves about St. Tikhon's, Joshua Brown says: