In just over a year since COVID, St. Tikhon’s Missionary Choir had its first choir mission trip at the beginning of December 2021.  The group was small, consisting of only five seminarians—a quintet.  Also traveling with the seminarians were the Dean of the Seminary and the miracle-working icon of St. Anna.  On a Friday, we left South Canaan from the northeastern part of Pennsylvania for Ellwood City, the western tip of the same state.  We made our first stop at the Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration, initially founded by the former Princess Ileana of Romania in the 1960s.  The nuns were very hospitable, “killing us” with their kindness and generosity.  We sang “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” which, in turn, they sang for us a few of their hymns. 

On Saturday morning, our next stop was the parish St. Innocent the Apostle in Olmsted Falls, Ohio.  The current rector for St. Innocent is a recent graduate of St. Tikhon’s, the Reverend Peter Simko.  The church was practically built, with a simple but beautiful wood interior.  At least 60 to 70 people were in attendance, robust for a Saturday morning.  We processed with the icon of St. Anna to the middle of the church and sang the Divine Liturgy for the parish.  Each of the seminarians was invited to talk about themselves and their experience being at St. Tikhon’s.  Again, like the nuns, the parish was very gracious and kind.

Our next stop was supposed to be to the church Ss. Peter and Paul in Lorain, Ohio, however, the rector tested positive for COVID.  This unexpected turn of events forced us to improvise.  Instead of singing Great Vespers and singing an evening concert at the Church in Lorain that Saturday night, we did a private Vespers for our house patrons and did an ad hoc live-stream concert afterward.

Because of the rector of Ss. Peter and Paul tested positive for COVID, our plans for singing the Divine Liturgy Sunday morning were canceled.  With the quick thinking of our Dean, we secured singing a Divine Liturgy at the Holy Ghost Church in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, presided by the rector, the Very Reverend Willam Evansky.  Fr. Bill, as the rector liked to be called, was incredibly gracious and accommodating for us.  The parishioners were very receptive and donated generously to the Seminary.

And thus concluded our first mission choir trip since the start of COVID.  It was a wonderful and instructive time.  The experience of “missionizing” through the beauty of singing for the sake of raising funds for the Seminary is a humbling one, in the positive sense.  The lengthy drive and the potential difficulties of a road trip provide time for bonding between us, strengthening our sense of brotherhood and community.  We are all looking forward to the next choir mission trip.

South Canaan, Pennsylvania  

After a successful search process,  St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Brian Cardell as the new Director of the Saint Patriarch Tikhon Seminary Library.  The appointment was made by the Seminary’s Board of Trustees during its Fall meeting, with Mr. Cardell taking up his role as Director this week in preparation for the Spring 2022 semester. 

“From our search, we are very happy that Brian is going to be part of the St. Tikhon’s community””, said Father John Parker, Dean of the Seminary.  “His background and experience showed our search committee that Brian is a great lover of that comes with an enthusiasm that is palpable for doing great things for St. Tikhon’s.  We are confident that his love and enthusiasm will be directed towards writing a new chapter in the life of our Library.”

Mr. Cardell received his bachelor's degree in Languages from the University of Arizona in 1993, and His M.S.L.S. degree from Catholic University of America in 1997. His work in the field of Library Science has included serving as Librarian of Capuchin College Friary, Washington, D.C., as well as a Curation Librarian in Special Collections at Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C..  Before relocating to St. Tikhon’s, Brian and his wife Katherine were long standing members of Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church in Baltimore, Maryland, where he served as Choir Director for almost 20 years. 

In taking up this position, the entire St. Tikhon’s Seminary community wishes Brian all the very best in his new role as Library Director, and many blessed years. 

His Grace Dr. Abraham Mar Seraphim, Metropolitan of the Diocese of Bangalore of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, has ordained Geevarghese Melvin Mathai to the Holy Order of Sub-Deacon (Yaupadiakono) as per the request of His Grace Dr. Zacharias Mar Aprem, Assistant Diocesan Metropolitan of the South-West Diocese of America. 

The Holy Ordination took place at St. Gregorios Orthodox Church of India, South Florida on January 15th, 2022.Deacon Melvin Mathai is the son of Mathai Varghese and Omana Mathai, originally from Thiruvalla, Kerala and their home parish is St. Gregorios Orthodox Church of India, South Florida.Deacon Melvin completed his theological education at St. Tikhons Orthodox Theological Seminary. South Cannan, Pennsylvania in 2021. 

For more information click HERE.

The great feast of Theophany was celebrated with joy on Thursday, January 6, at the Diocesan Cathedral, Holy Trinity Cathedral. Archbishop Paul of Chicago and the Midwest presided over services for the feast. His Eminence was joined by Priest Alexander Koranda, Cathedral Dean, Protodeacon Thomas Keith and Deacon Paul Garklvas.

Prior to the beginning of Divine Liturgy, His Eminence tonsured second year diocesan seminarian, Joseph Whittaker, as a Reader, and then ordained him to the Subdeaconate.

After the consecration of the Holy Gifts, the St. Tikhon Orthodox Theological Seminary student was led into the altar for ordination to the holy deaconate.

Following the Divine Liturgy, the Great Blessing of Water was held in the center of cathedral. At the conclusion of the blessing of the water, the entire temple, along with the faithful were blessed with the newly sanctified water. His Eminence presented gifts and addressed the newly ordained deacon and his family.

Axios! to Deacon Joseph Whittaker and his family.

ARCHPRIEST STAVROS ROUSOS
(Stevens H. Rousos)
August 19, 1953    ~     January 3, 2022

The Very Rev. Archpriest Stavros Rousos, age 68, reposed in the Lord on (Monday) January 3, 2022. He was in retirement, while attached to St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, Endicott, NY, where his son-in-law, Priest Matthew Smith is Rector. 
 Father Stavros, named at birth Stevens H. Rousos, was born in Miami, FL, on August 19, 1953, to Stevens James and Patricia Ann (née Young) Rousos. While an infant, young Stevens was baptized at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church in Miami and received the name Stavros as his Christian name. He spent his teenage years in Paterson, NJ, graduating second in his class from John F. Kennedy High School in 1971. Upon graduation, Stevens received a Congressional Appointment to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado. Cadet Rousos spent a year at the USAFA and received the Commandant’s Medal for military excellence. However, his strongest desire was to attend an Orthodox seminary and become an Orthodox priest. After receiving his Honorable Discharge from the Air Force in June 1972, Stevens began attending St. Tikhon Orthodox Theological Seminary, South Canaan, PA, in September 1972. During his five-year seminary program, he was tonsured as a Reader with his baptismal name of Stavros on the Feast of the Protection, October 14, 1975. He was also active in student life and served as secretary in the OISM (Orthodox Inter-Seminary Movement) organization. 
During his seminary years, young Stavros met the “love of his life'' and on May 1, 1977, he married Deborah Yurchak, daughter of the late Nicholas Yurchak, Jr. and the late Dorothy (née Gurka) Yurchak. Three weeks later he graduated from seminary and continued his employment at All Saints Russian Orthodox Church, Olyphant, PA, as their choir director.
 The late Archbishop Kyprian of Philadelphia and Eastern PA ordained Reader Stavros to the Holy Diaconate on November 19, 1977, at Holy Ascension Church in Frackville, PA. On January 29, 1978, on the Feast of the Veneration of the Precious Chains of St. Peter, the Archbishop ordained Deacon Stavros to the Holy Priesthood in All Saints Russian Orthodox Church, Olyphant, PA.
 Father Stavros was sent to his first parish in Feb. 1978: the Orthodox Church of St. Herman of Alaska in Shillington, PA. During their time in his first parish, the young couple was blessed with their first child, Nika Theodora. After guiding the parish to build an iconostasis for their church, he received his first ‘clergy award’ [the Nabedrennik] in May 1980. Shortly thereafter, Father Stavros was reassigned to St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, Stratford, CT where he would remain for nearly twenty years. In this new parish, they were blessed a second time with the birth of another daughter, Kyra Katerina in 1983. Father Stavros and Matushka Deborah were very active in the life of their parish. Sensing how the cultural background of their parish could prove to be beneficial, they encouraged the Sisterhood to change the “Plant Sale” to a “Plant & Bake Sale” and eventually added Russian and other ethnic foods to the menu. The success of adding an ‘ethnic’ flavor also encouraged the Church School to have a “Russian Day: an Ethnic Picnic” in September with an emphasis on Russian food, songs, and dances. The Yolka plays were another avenue where Father Stavros and his talent of encouragement were a great success. We are sure Father Stavros thanks the staff writers of the several plays performed by our young people. Under the guidance of Father Stavros, the parish had a project in 1988 to commemorate the 1,000 years of Orthodox Christianity in Rus’. New Icons for the Iconostasis were written in Jordanville which spiritually uplifted the community. In addition to the new icons, a very large cross and a stone monument in the church gardens memorialized this celebration of the Millenium. 
     Because of his dedication to the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR), which the parish and Father Stavros joined in 1984, he received several ecclesiastical “awards” or elevations: the right to wear the purple Skuffiya, then the Kamilavka, the Gold Cross, the elevation to Archpriest, the right to wear the Palitza, the Jeweled Cross, and toward the end of his life: the Mitre. Father Stavros received all of the awards directly from our beloved bishop: His Eminence, the Most Reverend Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of ROCOR.
 During the 1990s, Archpriest Stavros wrote and printed two books: “An Altar Server’s Manual” and “A bilingual Divine Liturgy” booklet. Both books were widely welcomed and the project was deemed successful.
     From 2003 to 2006 Father Stavros served the St. Euphrosynia Belarusian Greek Orthodox Church, South River, New Jersey. This was a brief but wonderful assignment. Many parishioners grew to love and respect Father Stavros, especially the children. The parish sponsored two outstanding events to honor the priest. First, a surprise party for his 50th birthday, and second, a festive banquet honoring the 25th Anniversary of the Ordination of Father Stavros to the Holy Priesthood. The parish and its organizations were very generous to help sponsor Fr. Stavros to make a pilgrimage to Belarus. While there he became more acquainted with the language and costumes of the Belarusian people. He also made many new friends, among them the clergy of the Church of Belarus. A high point in his pilgrimage was an audience with the ecclesiastical head of the Belarusian Orthodox Church, His Eminence, Metropolitan Filaret (+2021).
     The last few years of Father’s life have been very difficult. He had a fall which caused considerable damage to his right leg. As a result, in the beginning, he needed a cane and then a walker in order to walk. With time the leg deteriorated and by 2015 he had become completely bedridden. He sadly missed going to Church. Thankfully several parishes broadcast their services live on Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings on the internet. 
     Father Stavros was blessed to officiate at the marriages of both of his daughters: Mrs. Nika Frey and Matushka Kyra Smith. They gave him six grandchildren for which he was very proud: (in order) Xenia and Aemilia Smith, Trinity Frey, Micah Smith, Reznor (John) Frey, and Livia Smith. He is also survived by two sons-in-law: the Rev. Priest Matthew Smith and Mark Frey.
     All services will take place in St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, Endicott, NY with Priest Matthew Smith, Rector, officiating concelebrating with guest clergy. The Rite of the Burial of a Priest will take place on Tuesday, January 11 followed the next morning with the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Fr. Matthew and guest clergy. Interment will follow in Saint Michael Orthodox Cemetery in Jermyn, PA. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the family for the grandchildren’s education. The Barber Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.

By Courtesy of Kyra Smith (Rousos)

On Saturday, January 1, 2022, Deacon Anthony Saunders was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by His Eminence Archbishop Paul, at Holy Ascension Orthodox Church, in Albion, Michigan. It was a great blessing for Fr. Anthony, Matushka Martha, and their daughters Anna and Emilia to be able to travel to Michigan to share the joy of this day with their home parish. Family members as well as friends from the St. Tikhon's community came to give their support. Concelebrating with His Eminence were Archpriest Joshua Frigerio, Protodeacon John Wesner, and Deacon Justin Jackson. A festive meal followed the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. Fr. Anthony served Great Vespers that evening and Divine Liturgy the next morning at Holy Ascension. The Saunders family then returned to St. Tikhon's, where Fr. Anthony concelebrated at Theophany services in the St. Tikhon's Monastery Church. Fr. Anthony is a third year seminarian from the Diocese of the Midwest. 

St. Tikhon's Seminary is excited to announce three ordinations last weekend, and one more this past weekend. All four of these men are in the third year of seminary at St. Tikhon's, and are looking forward to graduating this May and heading out to parishes in the West, South, and Midwest.

Here at the monastery, our beloved metropolitan celebrated a double ordination just the day after Nativity: Paul Hamner to the diaconate and Ignatius Strange to the priesthood. Both Deacon Paul and Priest Ignatius are from the Diocese of the West, and it is somewhat fitting that they be ordained together, since they will be serving together in the same diocese.

During that same Sunday service, but down in the cathedral in Dallas, Texas, their classmate, Maximus Gibson, was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Gerasim. Father Maximus is gathering wonderful experience serving daily liturgies in parishes in the North Texas area, including the parish from which he came, in Denton, Texas.

Then, only one week later, back in Michigan, another classmate, Anthony Saunders, was also ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Paul.

We are looking forward to seeing these new deacons and priests serving here at the monastery for a few months as they prepare for service to Christ's Church in local parishes across the country.

By Priest Ignatius Strange

On Friday, December 26, 2021, Deacon Maximus Gibson was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by His Grace Bishop Gerasim of the Diocese of Fort Worth at St. Seraphim Cathedral in Dallas, Texas. 

Father Maximus was accompanied by his wife, Matushka Michelle Gibson, and daughter Magdalena as well as extended family and friends from his home parish of St. Maximus the Confessor Orthodox Church in Denton, Texas. Father Maximus was led around the Holy Altar by his longtime Father Confessor, the Archpriest Justin (Frederick) of Denton, Texas. 

As a former parishioner of St. Maximus, Father Maximus faithfully helped his parish, serving on the Church Council and doing everything he could to advance the ministry of the Church. He involved himself intensively in the services of the Church, and fervently read the early morning Matins services during the week with Father Justin. 

Father Maximus was able to leverage his knowledge of the services at St. Tikhon’s, helping to guide and teach less experienced seminarians. He is known for his patience, depth of thought, and cardigan sweaters. 

Axios!

By Dn. Michael Rehmet

Very Rev. Edward Michael Macura, age 67, of Stratford, passed away on December 18, 2021, in St. Vincent's Medical Center, Bridgeport. Fr. Michael was born in Bridgeport on October 4, 1954, to the late John and Katherine (Bradac) Macura and was a longtime area resident. He was a graduate of St. Tikhon's Orthodox Seminary and Marywood University. Fr. Michael was a Major in the United States Army for 20 years and served as a Chaplain. He was deployed to Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield. Following his military service, he was the Rector of St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church in Silver Lane, Stratford, for 17 years.

Archpriest Igor R. Soroka, 96, peacefully fell asleep in the Lord on December 18, 2021 in Monongahela, PA. He was born April 1, 1925 in McKees Rocks, a son of the late Archpriest Gregory and Matushka Anastasia Soroka.

After graduating from Charleroi High School, Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary and Duquesne University, Father Igor served as a choir director at several Orthodox parishes before he was ordained to the Holy Priesthood in Sept. 1959. He served his entire ministry as a parish priest at Saint Nicholas Church in Donora, PA, starting from December 1959 to his retirement in July 2017.

https://www.oca.org/in-memoriam/archpriest-igor-soroka

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.

Every year, new seminarians look in amazement on the pile of gifts bought and delivered for them and their children. Upperclassmen, who already know of the incredible generosity and love poured out on seminarians, are equally humbled by the continued concern shown, especially for the children here at the seminary. The Fellowship of Orthodox Christians in America (FOCA), along with other individuals and parishes across the country, are especially generous in the Christmas season. This past Christmas is no different.

Attending seminary at St. Tikhon's is usually a "financially humbling" experience. When it was founded, the monastery was intentionally built in a relatively isolated location, meaning that the seminary is, still today, rather removed from most jobs, and that is on top of the difficulty of a seminarian or a spouse holding a job on top of tending to school and family needs. Life was simpler when most seminarians were young, single men, but now the majority are couples and families, meaning, it is that much harder to leave everything and come to seminary.

There are many generous gifts given to the seminary, gifts that help those families make it through seminary financially. These Christmas gifts given by FOCA and others, are a different kind of gift. With these gifts, seminarians and their families receive encouragement and emotional support; they receive love.

After collecting Christmas lists for the children, and many dozens of people spending their time to go out and shop, then the gifts were wrapped and personally delivered to the seminary. Normally, we have a big celebration on the eve of Saint Nicholas Day, but this year with a large number of the seminarians traveling with the seminary choir that same weekend, we moved the celebration to December 12th. It was a wonderful opportunity for seminarians and their families to come together, enjoy food together, get a Christmas stocking full of goodies from the seminary community, and to go home with more gifts than they ever could have imagined. The smiles on so many children's faces are the thanks that we have to give to all of you who gave your time, effort, and love to us.

A hearty, smiley-faced, thank you to FOCA and all the churches and individuals who help make Christmas such a wonderful time for our children.

By Priest Ignatius Strange

St. Tikhon's is anxiously looking forward to this next month and the number of ordinations that are expected to take place. The first, and certainly the furthest from the grounds of St. Tikhon's, is of Nathan Belt, who was ordained to the diaconate on Kodiak Island, Alaska, in the chapel of St. Herman's Seminary there. He is a second-year seminarian here at St. Tikhon's, but is planning on serving in the Diocese of Alaska after graduation, and was thus ordained by the Locum Tenens of Alaska, Bishop Alexis.

Upon ordination, the newly-ordained returned to his original baptismal name, being ordained Deacon Herman. There could be no more fitting place to be given the name Herman than right there on Kodiak Island, and venerating the very relics of our beloved wonderworker, St. Herman of Alaska.

Also visiting at the same time was Archbishop Michael, our own seminary rector. One of Dn. Herman's first liturgies to serve was with Bishop Alexis and Archbishop Michael concelebrating, a beautiful picture of the communion between two opposite ends of the Orthodox Church in America and among its seminaries.

Axios, Dn. Herman!

 

14 November 2021, South Canaan, PA - St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Monastery and Seminary were blessed to host His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev of Volokolamsk. Joining Metropolitan Hilarion in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy in the monastery church was our own metropolitan, His Beatitude, Tikhon, Metropolitan of All America and Canada.

After the the liturgy, Metropolitan Tikhon presented Metropolitan Hilarion with an icon and relic of St. Nikolai of Zhicha, as well as relics of St. Hilarion the Great, St. Isaac the Syrian, and St. Tikhon of Zadonsk. Metropolitan Hilarion presented His Beatitude with a beautiful panagia to commemorate the occasion.

Later, Archimandrite Sergius was pleased to give Metropolitan Hilarion a tour of the monastery grounds, including a tour of the recently renovated Music and Arts Center.

The Dean of St. Tikhon’s Seminary, Archpriest John Parker made the following remarks on this historic occasion: “It was our sincere joy to welcome His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, to St Tikhon's for his first-ever visit to America's First Orthodox Monastery and St Tikhon's Seminary.  As we toured the seminary's administrative hall, he reflected on the many years of personal connections he has and has had to the primates and rectors of St Tikhon's.  It was indeed also a blessing to enjoy pastoral conversations with His Eminence, as we discussed matters of concern which cross all borders."

By Nathan Belt

On the evening of Friday, May 28, Saint Tikhon’s Seminary presented the beginning of its 2021 Commencement addresses online. With a prayer and welcome by the Dean, Father John Parker, and with a word of greeting from Michael Herzak, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, the presentation began. Viewers were treated to an octet beautifully performing the Paschal hymn by former seminary rector, Saint Nicholai of South Canaan: Christ God is Risen! Let us Rejoice! Then, from Ireland, the Commencement Address was presented by Jonathan Jackson, a celebrated actor, author, and singer. Jonathan spoke about Christ at work within the lives of priests and other ministers of the Church, focusing his talk around the works of Saint Patrick, the Enlightener of Ireland. Referencing modern elders and Holy Fathers, Jonathan went on to dramatically emphasize the martyrdom that our life is centered upon, as Christ emptied Himself as a martyr for all creation. Jonathan inspired viewers to transform their suffering into something glorified and ultimately bound to God. Quoting the Patron of Ireland, Jonathan concluded that “‘this is the way we repay God for correcting us and taking notice of us: We honor and praise His wonders before every nation under heaven.’” He then challenged the graduating class to do just this.

Following the announcement of those students who were graduating with honors, the seminary’s Rector, His Eminence, Archbishop Michael, offered encouragement to the graduates; recognizing that the world is mired in sin, His Eminence explained that servanthood to all--including the Lord--is the secret to success as Christian leaders in the fallen world. His Eminence zealously charged the graduating class to “pray faithfully, serve humbly, teach uncompromisingly, preach boldly, evangelize tirelessly, celebrate joyously, and love sacrificially,” imitating the Saints who have been a part of the Saint Tikhon’s community. Father John, after introducing the new format of the Tikhonaire, introduced His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, who offered the Presidential Address. As President of the seminary, His Beatitude exhorted the graduates to reflect on their experience in seminary in order to see how they have been prepared for their vocations ahead: “In order to truly know Christ, one must know oneself.” Each of the speakers offered prayers for the graduates, and Father John concluded with a reminder that the Lord commands that those whom He sends out are to make disciples of all nations.

Beginning on the morning of Saturday, May 29, a Primatial Divine Liturgy was served in the Monastery Church with two hierarchs, eleven priests, three deacons, numerous servers, a full choir, and a multitude of believers. At the conclusion of the Liturgy, a wonderful brunch was offered to all present, followed by the procession of the graduating class and the dais party into the seminary’s Convocation Hall to the singing of the Paschal Troparion. The in-person ceremony began with a Molieben served by His Beatitude and the newly-ordained Deacon Athanasios Kombos. And after a brief word of introduction from Father John Parker, the class valedictorian was offered the opportunity to speak. Reflecting on how his class had once been described as “sober,” Father Peter Simko discussed the importance of joy in sharing the Orthodox Christian Faith, emphasizing its necessity in living the Life of Christ. The ceremony continued with a presentation by Father Patrick Burns, the Alumni Association President, who conferred the “Alumnus of the Year” awards to Father Yaroslav Sudick, and to the late Father Nicholas Timpko of blessed repose. Next, Father David Hester was honored by the seminary on the occasion of his retirement; he was presented with a newly painted icon of Saint Tikhon of Moscow alongside his patron, King David. The commencement ceremonies concluded with closing words from His Eminence, Archbishop Michael, and His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, as well as the presentation of the Class of 2021 icon of Christ the True Vine by Ryan Miller, the student body president, and the presentation of a large icon of the calling of Saints Andrew and Peter to the school by Mitch and Jan Vanduyn. Following the conferral of degrees and a gift from Dr. David Ford to each student, a closing prayer gave way to celebrations among everyone in attendance. Congratulations to the STOTS Class of 2021! Many years!

By Priest Peter Simko, STOTS Graduate 2021

The Program of 79th Commencement  Ceremony of St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary can be found HERE.

The photos of 2021 Graduates can be seen HERE.