Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM), the national prison ministry of the Orthodox Church, is very pleased to announce the Very Rev. John Kowalczyk as its Director of Training and Spiritual Care.

Fr. John is the rector of St. Michael’s Church in Jermyn, PA, and the Director of Field Education and Senior Lecturer in Ethics at St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (STOTS). As the contract chaplain at S.C.I. Waymart’s Forensic Treatment Center, Fr. John facilitates the prison ministry practicum for seminarians at STOTS.

Fr. John formerly served as the Executive Secretary of the Board of Directors of OCPM, where he gained greater insight into the budgetary needs of the organization, but now he sees his role differently as a member of OCPM’s staff. Among his plans for the future of the organization include holding OCPM retreats, attending more speaking engagements, and hosting ministry workshops wherever there is a need.

“Seeing the dedication of Fr. Duane Pederson [Founder of OCPM] and working with Zossima Daugherty [Director of Prison Correspondence] has inspired and prepared me in a unique way,” says Fr. John. “I feel positively about my new position, especially sharing this role with Fr. Stephen Powley who has been my inspiration and brother in Christ for so many years.”

St. Tikhon’s Seminary Announces Search for Faculty Position in Pastoral Arts and Praxis  

[South Canaan, PA] -  The Faculty of St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary is pleased to announce that it is inviting candidates to submit applications for a full-time position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor of  Pastoral Arts and Praxis within the Seminary’s Master of Divinity (M.Div.) Program, with a starting date of 1 July 2023. 

In announcing the open position, the Seminary’s Dean, Father John Parker, noted: “Forming missionary minded pastors that have a love for serving the Church lies at the very center of what we do here at St. Tikhon’s Seminary.  In this search, we want to identify an individual that will play a central role in that formation of our students as they prepare for ministry in a complex world, providing them with the tools necessary to engage souls within that world and bring them to a vibrant life in Christ.”   

The full job description for open faculty position can be accessed at https://www.stots.edu/employment.

Applications for this position must be received by 6 August 2022.  Interested candidates are asked to submit a cover letter of application, current curriculum vitae, and three letters of recommendation to the Search Committee at employment@stots.edu.

St. Tikhon’s Holds Eightieth Annual Commencement Exercises

South Canaan, PA -  St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary held its Eightieth annual commencement exercises on 27-28 May 2022. During the exercises the Seminary graduated nine students from its Master of Divinity Program, and awarded one student a Certificate in Pastoral Studies.  

On Friday evening, the Seminary community gathered for a program that included:  remarks by the Dean of the Seminary, the V. Rev. John Parker III; the charge of the Rector, His Eminence, Archbishop Michael; the commencement address delivered  by His Grace, Bishop Thomas of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese; and a concluding address by the Seminary’s President, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon.  

Saturday’s festivities began with a festive Hierarchical Liturgy, at which a graduating third-year senior, Deacon Thanasis Kombos was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by His Eminence, Archbishop Michael, Seminary Rector.  Following the Liturgy, the afternoon’s Commencement Ceremony was opened by Metropolitan Tikhon amidst a standing room gathering of family and friends in the Seminary’s Convocation Center. 

 In addition to the awarding of degrees and academic honors, the Seminary Alumni Association's presented its Alumnus of the Year award to two recipients.  The award was first given to the Mitered Archpriest Nicholas Molodyko-Harris,   and was presented posthumously to the Mitered Archpriest John Nehrebecki.  The students of the Class of 2022 presented the Alexander Atty Institutional Service Award to the Seminary’s Administrative Assistant, Mrs. Marina Hitchcock.  Following the commencement exercises all those gathered enjoyed a wine and cheese reception hosted by the Seminary. 

In reflecting on its commencement the Seminary wishes its heartfelt congratulations to its graduates: Subdeacon Ananias Ananievski, M.Div. ; Priest Maximus Gibson, M.Div.; Brad Given, M.Div.; Priest Paul Hamner, M.Div.; Priest Thanasis Kombos, M.Div.; Deacon Mark Makarios, M.Div.; Priest Ambrose Powell, (Cert.); Priest Anthony Saunders, M.Div.; Priest Ignatius Strange, M.Div.; and Sub-Deacon Joshua Varughese, M.Div.

By Fr. Paul Witek, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Registrar

t is easy to argue that too many Orthodox Christians, too many Orthodox Parishes, too many Orthodox Dioceses, have looked to the “labor union” for funding–the lamentable “dues” systems. It likewise continues to be the case that, too many Orthodox Christians, too many Orthodox Parishes, too many Orthodox Dioceses, have looked to have others support the building and growth of their parishes and ministries through fundraisers, food sales, and ethnic festivals.

Dr Andrew Geleris, author of the new book, Money and Salvation: An Invitation to the Good Way (SVS Press, 2022), raises the question, “How much is our struggle with parish finances the result of our failure to teach what the gospel says about money?” Dr Geleris, a convert to Orthodoxy in 1996 and Neurologist, has had the good fortune to have had many wonderful teachers and role models concerning salvific giving. One of the most important things he has learned is that worshipping God through offerings, often very small offerings, is essential to becoming “fully human.”

Prompted by his internal quest, and a burning desire that our parishes, dioceses, and institutions would find their financial grounding in the incarnational importance of financial stewardship, Dr Geleris, along with well-known Orthodox Priest Fr Patrick O’Grady, offer a three day workshop: “Becoming Rich Towards God: A Workshop on Money and the Incarnation.”

A generous anonymous donor has made possible that this year there is no cost to attend in person. To encourage the *incarnational* importance of meeting, there is a premium put on online attendance ($100). [Note: online participation may be limited in number and in scope depending on enrollment. Please come in person!]

The Workshop hopes to be equally theological and practical, and will work through various chapters of Dr Geleris’ book. Part lecture, part discussion, the hope is to engage participants to help ground and/or strengthen Orthodox Christians, parishes, etc., with respect to money.

Topics will include:
Incarnational importance of money
Approaches to giving: ministry-centric vs. soul-centric
The providential gift of wealth
Tithing - a spiritual discipline for both wealthy and poor
Stewarding parish finances
Supporting our seminaries
Contentment and accepting God’s will
A Christian approach to fundraising
Anonymous Giving
WHO:
Since this Workshop is St Tikhon’s Annual Continuing Education Conference for Clergy, Clergy of all Orthodox Jurisdictions are welcome to register and attend. Laypersons wishing to attend are welcome, especially online. Discussion groups in person and online will be divided (not mixed), to allow clergy to talk freely and openly about the concerns, approaches, needs, etc, that they face in the parish, and to allow layfolks the same freedoms.

WHEN:
Bright Week of Pentecost, beginning Tuesday, June 14, with Lunch, and ending Thursday, June 16, with Lunch.

ACCOMODATIONS:
Participants will be housed in the Seminary Dormitory. Pairs of Dorm Rooms share a central bathroom. There is not Air Conditioning in the Dorm, though there is in the various seminary classrooms and meeting spaces.

SETTING:
St Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary was founded in 1938, as an institution of the future Orthodox Church in America. The Seminary has a long-standing symbiotic relationship with America’s first Orthodox Monastery: The Holy Monastery of St Tikhon of Zadonsk, which is just across the street. Participants will be able to enjoy the daily service of the Monastery, as well as the verdure of the lush, green Northeastern Pennsylvania Mountains. These very same mountains are *the mountains* about which we sing in the various hymns for the service of All Saints of North America. St Tikhon’s Monastery enshrines St Alexis Toth, whose labors, especially here in NEPA, brought thousands upon thousands back to the Orthodox Faith. In addition to his canonization here at St Tikhon’s, St Raphael of Brooklyn was also canonized here.

ARRIVING:
St Tikhon’s is located about 30 minutes east of Scranton, PA, and is easily accessible from Interstate 81, as well as the Northeast Extension of the PA Turnpike. The closest airport is 35 minutes: AVP (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton). ABE (Allentown) is a short 1:15 drive; EWR (Newark) is two hours, door to door; JFK and LaGuardia are about the same distance.

Login credentials for the online conference will be sent after registration

The Sixth Sunday of Pascha, May 29, 2022

Saint Mary Orthodox Church, Wilkes-Barre, PA

By the Grace of God and with the blessing of His Eminence, Metropolitan JOSEPH of the Antiochian Archdiocese, our second-year seminarian Deacon Ephraim Vest was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by His Grace, Bishop Thomas, on the Sunday of the Blind Man, May 29, 2022, at Saint Mary Orthodox Church, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

Concelebrating with His Grace were Archpriest George Alberts, Pastor of Saint Mary’s and Professor at Saint Tikhon’s, Archpriest John Parker, Dean of Saint Tikhon’s, Father Joseph Landino, Pastor of Saint Paul’s in Emmaus, PA, the newly ordained (and newly graduated) Father Athanasios Kombos, as well as second-year seminarian Deacon Michael Rehmet and Deacon Mark Makarios (also newly graduated).

At the special request of Bishop Thomas, Father Ephraim’s Ordination became a uniquely sweet and heartfelt family moment when his wife, Presvytera Erin, and their six daughters – Emmy, Mirabelle, Liliana, Magnolia, Miriam, and Jovie – lifted their angelic voices in singing the Ordination Troparia that accompanied him and his sponsors around the Holy Altar.

Joining them and the whole parish of Saint Mary’s in the great joy of the day were Father Ephraim’s parents, Larry and Rita Vest, Presvytera Erin’s parents, John and Judy Frazier, and many friends from Saint Michael’s in Louisville, KY, including Matushka Olga Atty, wife of former Seminary Dean, the Archpriest Alexander Atty of Blessed Memory, as well as seminary faculty and many fellow seminarians and their families.

Together with them all, the Saint Tikhon community exclaims,

AXIOS!  AXIOS!  AXIOS!

By Karsten Boyer, Class of 2023

Fifth Saturday of Pascha, May 28, 2022

A highlight among the many celebrations of this year’s Memorial Day Pilgrimage was the

ordination of Deacon Athanasios Kombos to the Holy Priesthood by His Eminence

Archbishop Michael of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey on behalf of His Beatitude

Metropolitan Tikhon of the Orthodox Church in America. Archbishop Michael presided at

the Liturgy with His Grace Bishop Thomas of the Diocese of Oakland, Charleston, and the

Mid-Atlantic of the Antiochian Archdiocese concelebrating. Other concelebrants included

Archimandrite Sergius of St. Tikhon’s Monastery; Archpriest John Parker, Dean of St.

Tikhon’s Seminary; and many of Priest Athanasios’ brother seminarians and classmates.

Priest Athanasios’ wife, Presbytera Gorgonia, and their three boys were joined by his

parents and sister to celebrate the grace-filled day. On the same day following his

ordination, Priest Athanasios graduated from St. Tikhon’s with honors in Church History.

Fr. Athanasios is assigned to St. John of Damascus Orthodox Church in Tyler, TX, under

the omophorion of His Eminence Archbishop Alexander of the Diocese of the South in the

Orthodox Church in America.

Many years to Fr. Athanasios, Presbytera Gorgonia, and their family!

AXIOS! AXIOS! AXIOS!

By Priest Maximus Gibson, STOTS Class of 2022

The St. Tikhon's Seminary community was blessed by a local parishioner and benefactor, Dr. Bob and his wife, to enjoy a trout fishing derby on his private property. The Seminarians presented Dr. Bob with an Icon of Christ as a thank you for his hospitality. All in all around fifty trout were caught by the seminarians and their families.

Thank you very much and many years to Dr. Bob and family!

Saturday, May 21, 2022
Olyphant, PA

Our own Dr Paul Witek was ordained on consecutive weekends to the Holy Diaconate and the Holy Priesthood.  On Saturday, March 14, 2022, Dr Paul was ordained Deacon in the Monastery Church by His Eminence, Archbishop Mark, Archbishop of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania.  A week later, at the parish where he and his family have served for a decade--All Saints, Olyphant, PA--Dn Paul was ordained to the Holy Priesthood, also by His Eminence, Archbishop Mark.

Both ordinations were beautiful in their own right; it was a joy that Fr Paul could be ordained in the two churches which have significantly formed him all these years.  It was a unique and special occasion that two of his own students, Dn Gabrial Aldridge (DOS) and Dn Solomon Longo (NY/NJ), could process him around the altar for his diaconal ordination.

For his priestly ordination, clergy from all geographical and chronological parts of Fr Paul's life were present and/or serving, including 9 at the Altar.

When asked about his ordinations, Fr Paul commented, "With all the need in the church for priests, especially here not only in my own diocese, but in my own parish, how could I, who have benefitted from seminary formation at St Tikhon's, not offer myself for further service?"  Fr John Parker, Dean of the Seminary, noted, "Fr Paul has been an academic shepherd of souls for quite a season.  It is fitting--and natural--that he now also serves as a shepherd of souls to those same students, as well as the faithful entrusted to his pastoral care."

Axios! Axios! Axios!

By Archpriest John Parker, Dean of the Seminary

May God grant His Eminence the Most Reverend Michael, Archbishop of New York and the Diocese of New York and New Jersey, and beloved rector of St. Tikhon's Seminary, many years on the occasion of the 12th anniversary of his consecration to the episcopacy! 
Eis polla eti despota!!

On Sunday, April 10, His Beatitude, in his role as Locum Tenens of the Diocese, travelled to Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church in New Haven, CT to preside at the Hierarchical Liturgy and the ordination of Deacon Ambrose Powell to the Holy Priesthood.Concelebrating with His Beatitude were Archpriest John Kreta, Chancellor of the Diocese, Archpriest Steven Voytovich, Rector, Priest Alessandro Margheritino, Secretary of the Orthodox Church in America, Priest John Mikitish, and Priest Moses Locke.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeJ9cD39KzE

Saint Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) and the International Society for Orthodox Church Music (ISOCM) are pleased to present, by God's grace, the Summer Music Institute! You can join the program in person June 14–18, 2022 on the campus of St Vladimir's Seminary in Yonkers, NY  (*online audit option also available). 

More information and the registration link can be found HERE.

The Saint Tikhon’s Mission Choir along with seminary dean, Fr. John Parker,  traveled to the Pittsburgh area April 1st through 3rd. Their first stop was at Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, PA. Trinity is an “Evangelical school for ministry in the Anglican tradition,” and they warmly accepted the Mission Choir as they sang a concert of Lenten music in the Russian and Greek traditions—all in English. His Eminence, Archbishop Melchisedek, was in attendance at the concert.
The choir then sang Vigil at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in McKees Rocks, PA, with Archpriest Thomas Soroka and Archbishop Melchisedek. The seminarians were blessed to travel with the miracle-working icon of St. Anna, so Fr. Thomas and the reverend clergy also served a moleben to St. Anna after the vigil service.
The final stop was at St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral with Fr. John Mikita, where the Mission Choir sang Divine Liturgy, and Fr. John Parker exhorted the faithful with his homily on “redeeming the time.”
The St. Tikhon’s community is especially grateful to Protodeacon Michael and Matushka Mary Wusylko, who coordinated the event and worked tirelessly with members of their community to make sure that Fr. John and the Mission Choir were cared for.

By Caleb Lewis, STOTS Class of 2024

St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary is presently accepting admissions applications for the 2022-2023 academic year.

Information concerning admission to the Seminary, including application materials, can be accessed digitally HERE.

Interested applicants should forward hard-copy materials by June 1, 2022 to the following address:

Seminary Admissions Committee

St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary

P.O. Box 130

South Canaan, PA 18459

Applicants wishing to present materials in digital form, may do so by emailing the Seminary at admissions@stots.edu

For those discerning applying to the Seminary, a recent presentation of the journey of one of our seminary families can be seen HERE.