It is with great excitement that we announce the ordination of Sergey Kakorin to the holy diaconate. Sergey was ordained during the Memorial Day Liturgy (5/31/2021) by His Beatitude, Met. Tikhon.

Sergey just graduated from St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary two days before his ordination. Rather than immediately returning home to the West Coast, Sergey, his wife, and his children will spend the summer near St. Tikhon’s Seminary and Monastery where he will receive further instruction and training as a deacon. God willing, later in the summer, he will be ordained to the holy priesthood.

Axios, Deacon Sergey!

By Deacon Jeremiah McKemy, STOTS Graduate 2021

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.

St Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary invites you to a 5-day interactive experience with the remarkably talented Anna Conomos, internationally renowned Storyteller and gifted communicator, to develop powerful communicat ion skills and learn to captivate your audience.
 
Learn the following:
 
The structure of a narrative  +  Creating atmosphere with effective use of props and space  +  Vocal dynamics and soundscapes  +  Powerful physicality and gesture
Methods for delivery to captivate young and old   +  The camera as audience and the screen as a stage  +  Audience interaction techniques  +  Story films

Click HERE to register.
Click HERE to see the flyer
 
In a world where true communication is being challenged, where many people have lost the art of listening and distractions abound, the need for effective and powerful communication and engagement is becoming ever more important. Being able to present, deliver, educate and perform in a way that is captivating, memorable and appealing to every age, background and ability is key to winning your audience, bringing your narrative or presentation to life and making it relevant in the here and now, speaking to heart of your listener, generating unity, inspiration and opportunities that you never imagined possible.
 
Anna’s practical, specialised training utilises powerful storytelling techniques and stimulating interactive exercises to develop virtual and in person performance skill sets that will allow you to engage and interact with the public, harness on-screen opportunities and overcome perceived limitations. 

Continuing Education 2021

From the Housetops, or the Laptops: 
The Power of Narrative to Proclaim the Gospel, or
An Intensive Course in Effective Communication in Our Digital Days
 
June 14-18, 2021 - $149
 
Daily, 900am-1130am EASTERN &
Daily, 900am-1130am PACIFIC
 
Two Daily Sessions, to relieve the vast time difference from coast to coast and from Greece, where our host will be.
 
In practically one day, nearly every Orthodox priest became a televangelist. 
Many teachers and professors needed to teach through a camera. 

Practically every Summer Camp was moved online. 
 
Our new situation requires Clergy, Professors and Teachers, Camp Directors, and others to learn an entirely new form of communication.

Before the Course:  Participants will send a simple, a five-minute version of your 'story' i.e: sermon, bible story, presentation, Sunday school workshop, performance so that Anna can tailor the course to suit your particular needs. The story can be written, audio recorded or (even better) filmed! Just a simple mobile phone camera will suffice. Participants can send more than one story, the more variety the better! Please submit as soon as possible and no later than the first week of June to anna@ performancestoryteller.com.
 

ST. TIKHON’S SEMINARY OPENS SEARCH FOR DIRECTOR OF THE SAINT PATRIARCH TIKHON LIBRARY

POSITION DESCRIPTION

St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary invites applicants for a full-time Director of the Saint Patriarch Tikhon Library. As a member of the Seminary Administration, the Director reports to the Dean of the Seminary, and Chairs the Seminary’s Library Committee. The Director also serves a member of other Committees as appointed by the Rector or Dean of the Seminary.  A review of applications for this position will begin on 1 August 2021, with the position open until filled.

DUTIES

The Director of the Saint Patriarch Tikhon Library oversees the overall functioning of the Library and Information Services, partners with the Seminary Faculty to support the development of graduate-level research practices in Seminary students, as well participates in curriculum development activities. As an integral member of the teaching and learning community, the Director plays a creative role in fostering a climate conducive to supporting the teaching, learning, and scholarship of members of the community. 

Individual responsibilities of the Director will include: 

Providing for the quality and integrity of on-going Library services, including:  acquisitions, cataloging, and circulation activities;
Advising the Dean on the resource needs of the Library in the preparation of the Seminary’s annual budget; 
Leading the design, implementation, and assessment of Library policies, services, and programs; 
Supervising the development of the Library’s collections and services commensurate with the academic, research, and information needs of the Seminary community, as well as the Library’s other user groups; 
Supervising and coordinating the maintenance and development of the Seminary’s institutional archives; 
Providing resources and services to patrons of the Library;
Promoting research services to faculty and students in support of the curriculum;
Receiving all gifts to the Library and supervising their cataloging and use;
Conserving the Library’s print and non-print media, equipment, and other information resources;  
Supervising and evaluating the quality and performance of voluntary library staff members and assigned student workers;
Holding primary responsibility for strategic planning and accreditation review activities related to the Saint Patriarch Tikhon Library; 
Encouraging inter-library cooperation, and representing the Library in maintaining cooperative resource-sharing arrangements and consortial agreements with other academic institutions and libraries; 
Bringing such matters to the attention of the Dean that are appropriate and necessary to keep him fully informed, and to enable him to meet his responsibilities; and  
Performing other duties as assigned which are within the scope and nature of the position. 
 

FAITH COMMITMENTS

Due to the mission and purpose of the Seminary, the successful candidate must be a faithful member of the Eastern Orthodox Church and a regular and engaged participant in its sacramental life.  Candidates applying for the position must also agree to support and advance the established mission and purpose of the Seminary, which can be found HERE.  

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

Possession of an American Library Association (ALA) accredited Master’s degree either at the time of hire or within one academic year from the date of hire is required.    Academic background in Theology or a related area is preferred.

Given the nature of the Seminary’s mission and purpose, the possession of academic study at an Orthodox institution of higher education within a candidate’s background is preferred, however is not required for consideration.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 

Possession of 3 to 5 years of progressively responsible experience in an academic library is preferred.

As noted above, a review of applications for this position will begin on 1 August 2021, with the position open until filled.  Please submit a letter of application, current curriculum vitae, and a list of references to the Search Committee at employment@stots.edu.

Position Status

Full-time administrative position, with health care and pension benefits.  Salary commensurate with academic credentials and experience, with details available on candidate request.  The Director may be eligible for concurrent appointment to the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor based upon academic qualifications and experience (i.e., the possession of an ALA approved Master’s degree as well as a second Master’s or Doctoral degree in Theology or a closely related area). 

ABOUT THE SEMINARY

St. Tikhon’s Seminary is a tightknit community of Orthodox Faith and Learning nestled in the beautiful surroundings of the Pocono region of Northeastern Pennsylvania.   Since its founding in 1938, St. Tikhon’s Seminary has dedicated itself to the spiritual, pastoral, liturgical, and academic formation of those who seek to serve the Orthodox Church in positions of either ordained ministry or lay leadership.   

The Patriarch Tikhon Library is an in-depth collection of primary and secondary resources dedicated to supporting the aims, objectives, and mission of the Seminary; the scope of content of its Master of Divinity curriculum; and the needs of its Faculty, students, staff,  and public research patrons.  The Library’s print, non-print, and digital media holdings consist of approximately 50,000 items in the form of monographs and periodical titles.   

Background Check

Any offer of employment will be contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check, which will include a criminal history check. Please note that prior convictions, including felony convictions, will not necessarily bar an individual from employment, but each case will be examined separately. 

ST. TIKHON’S SEMINARY OPENS SEARCH FOR 

FACULTY POSITION IN DOGMATIC/ SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY

The Faculty of St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary invites men and women candidates to submit applications for a full-time position at the rank of Assistant, Associate, or Professor of Dogmatic/Systematic Theology within the Seminary’s Master of Divinity (M.Div.) Program, with a starting date of 1 September 2022.  

The successful candidate will offer graduate level courses in several areas that include:  Foundations of Orthodox Dogmatic Theology; Cosmology; Christology and Anthropology; and Ecclesiology, Soteriology, and Eschatology. The successful candidate will also be responsible for the supervision and mentoring of students undertaking theses or senior honors projects in areas related to Dogmatic/Systematic Theology.  In addition to teaching responsibilities, it is expected that the successful candidate will engage in ongoing scholarly publication, will be actively involved in institutional service in such areas as curriculum design, programmatic assessment, and institutional self-study through participation in standing faculty committees and working groups of the Seminary. Finally, it is understood that the successful candidate will be an active participant in the broader life of the Seminary community, taking part in convocations and formal events called together by the President, Rector, and/or Dean of the Seminary.   

The Seminary seeks candidates who possess a broad knowledge of Orthodox Dogmatic / Systematic Theology, demonstrate sound teaching ability in engaging students within the classroom, as well as demonstrate the ability to conduct academic research within their discipline. As the Master of Divinity program is primarily aimed at forming individuals for pastoral ministry, the successful candidate must possess the ability to direct coverage of disciplinary subjects towards the goal of pastoral formation.   The successful candidate must be a faithful member and engaged participant in the sacramental life of the Eastern Orthodox Church, as well as agree to support, advance, and embody the established ethos of the Seminary as articulated in its formative mission and purpose, which can be found HERE.  

Academic Qualifications

Position Candidates must either already be in possession of a terminal research doctorate (e.g., Ph.D.,Th.D., D.Phil., S.T.D., etc.) during the application process or will be in possession of a research doctorate at the time of hire.  Given the nature of the Seminary’s mission and purpose, academic background from an Orthodox institution of higher education is desired, but not required for consideration.   

Applications for this position must be received by 1 August 2021.  Please submit a cover letter of application, current curriculum vitae, and three letters of recommendation to the Search Committee at employment@stots.edu.  

Faculty Status

Assistant, Associate Professor, or Professor (Based upon previous professional experience and qualifications)

Full-time revolving three-year term appointment position, with health care and pension benefits.  Salary commensurate with Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor rank, with salary information available upon candidate request. 

About the Seminary

St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary is a tightknit community of Orthodox Faith and learning nestled in the beautiful surroundings of the Pocono region of Northeastern Pennsylvania.   Since its founding in 1938, St. Tikhon’s Seminary has dedicated itself to the spiritual, pastoral, liturgical, and academic formation of those who seek to serve the Orthodox Church in positions of either ordained ministry or lay  leadership.     

Background Check

Any offer of employment will be contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check, which will include a criminal history check. Please note that prior convictions, including felony convictions, will not necessarily bar an individual from employment, but each case will be examined separately. 

Archpriest Nilus Lerro fell asleep in the Lord on Holy Wednesday afternoon, April 28, 2021, at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, NY.

Ordained a deacon in 1971 and a priest in 1972, Father Nilus converted to Holy Orthodoxy in 2006.  He served for a number of years as the Director of Student Life and Instructor at Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary.

After his retirement from Saint Tikhon’s Seminary, Father Nilus was attached to the Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Protection, Manhattan, NY, where he was an assistant to Archimandrite Christopher (Calin) until his health limited his activities.  He continued on, however, as a father confessor to the parishioners of the Cathedral parish and several Orthodox clergy and faithful in the greater New York City area, until his recent move to an extended care facility.

Arvo Pärt’s a cappella choral work, O Holy Saint Nicholas, will be premiered in New York City in the Fall of 2021.

The premiere will take place during the opening of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the World Trade Center Ground Zero site, performed by Schola Cantorum and guest conducted by Benedict Sheehan (Grammy Nominated). The work was commissioned specially for this occasion by the Schola Cantorum and its founder and artistic director Nektarios S. Antoniou, who serves also as Archdiocesan Director of Culture & Principal Cantor at the National Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York.

The new choral work (lasting ca. 15 minutes) is based on the English text of a prayer from the Orthodox liturgy, taken from the troparion of the feast day of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker. Arvo Pärt has used this same text before – in the third part of his choral work Triodion and in Russian in Alleluia-Tropus, a work written for vocal ensemble.

https://www.arvopart.ee/en/arvo-parts-new-choral-work-to-be-performed-at-the-opening-of-st-nicholas-greek-orthodox-church-and-national-shrine-in-new-york/

St. Tikhon's Seminary recently witnessed the ordination of one of it's second-year seminarians to the diaconate. Mark Makarios comes to us from the Antiochian Archdiocese. He and our other Antiochian students have regularly graced our seminary chapel with beautiful Byzantine melodies and enlightened our classrooms with a slightly different perspective on topics that are not easily solved, all reminders that the Orthodox Church is more diverse than any one culture, language, or parish.

Bishop Thomas of the Antiochian Archdiocese ordained Mark to the diaconate at St. Mary's Antiochian Orthodox Church in Wilkes-Barre on March 14th, 2021. Many of his classmates, our dean, Fr. John Parker, and Mark's wife, Marian, were able to join in the celebration of this newly-ordained deacon of the Orthodox Church, saying:

Axios!

Rest In Peace

STOTS alumnus Protopresbyter Michael (Mihajlo) Doder, and his wife Protinica Zorka both died of COVID only eight days apart in December.

Be mindful, O Lord, of all those who have fallen asleep in the hope of resurrection unto eternal life, especially Father Michael Doder and Matushka Protinica Zorka; pardon all their transgressions both voluntary and involuntary, whether in word, or deed or thought.  Shelter them in a place of brightness, a place of verdure, a place of repose, whence all sickness, sorrow and sighing have fled away, and where the sight of Thy countenance rejoiceth all the Saints from all ages.  Grant them Thy heavenly Kingdom, and portion of Thine ineffable blessings, and the enjoyment of Thine unending life.

Archpriest John Chupeck, retired Rector of Saints Peter and Paul Church, Syracuse, NY, fell asleep in the Lord on February 10, 2021.

Father John was born on May 17, 1944 to John and Mary (Homisak) Chupeck in Simpson, PA. He is the middle of five children: two older sisters Pauline (Somple) and Dorothy (Kantor), younger brother (Archpriest Joseph), wife Ellen (Holowatch) and younger sister Irene (Govrusik).

Father John graduated from Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in South Canaan, PA in 1965. Metropolitan Ireney ordained him to the diaconate on December 19, 1966 and to the priesthood on December 25, 1966 at Protection of the Virgin Mary Cathedral, New York, NY. Father John was then assigned to Saint Michael’s Orthodox Church in Pueblo, CO. In 1969, he received a Bachelor of Arts from Colorado College. Later that year he was assigned to Saint Michael’s Orthodox Church in Old Forge, PA where he simultaneously served on the faculty at Saint Tikhon’s Seminary. In 1978 Father John served at Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church in Herkimer, NY, then transferred to Syracuse, NY.

Upon arriving in Syracuse, Father John was the associate pastor at Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church for 23 years and served at Saint Michael’s Orthodox Church as needed. Father John was appointed rector of Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, Syracuse in 2001 and retired in September of 2020.

Ordination of Sub-deacon Shojil Abraham

"I thank Him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because He judged me faithful, appointing me to His service." (1Tim 1:12)

By the grace of God, third-year seminarian, Shojil Abraham was ordained to the Holy Order of the Sub-Diaconate on Saturday, March 20th, by the hands of HG Zachariah Mar Nicholovos (Metropolitan of the Northeast American Diocese) at St. Thomas Orthodox Church, Levittown, NY.

Guests included clergy from across the diocese, Very Rev. John Parker, Dean of St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary, and seminarians from both St. Vladimir and St. Tikhon seminaries.

The absence of Very Rev. Dr. Mathai Yohannan Sankarathil Chor Episcopos, Vicar of St. Thomas Orthodox, was truly felt but the newly ordained sub-deacon was able to visit with our beloved Valiya Achen prior to the ordination service and receive his blessing.  Achen was very much an integral part in the newly-ordained's upbringing and formation. While he wasn't able to join in person due to his health, we firmly believe his prayers were with Sdn. Abraham throughout the service and will be a fortress for him throughout his ministry.

Following the ordination service, was a public meeting under the leadership of HG Mar Nicholovos and Rev. Abey George, Assistant Vicar, St. Thomas Orthodox Church in Levittown, to congratulate and recognize the newly ordained Sub-Dn. Abraham. In their words of felicitation, both HG Mar Nicholovos and Fr. John reminded the newly ordained Sub-Deacon and all the faithful in attendance, on the importance of being a humble servant leader.

May God grant you many years! - AXIOS!

By Renin Cherian

http://stotsindianorthodox.blogspot.com/2021/03/ordination-of-sub-dn-shojil-abraham.html

"You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit." (John 15:16)

By the grace of God, third year seminarian, Antonios Roby Antony was ordained to the Holy Order of the Sub-diaconate on Saturday, March 13th by the hands of HG Zachariah Mar Nicholovos (Metropolitan of the Northeast American Diocese) at St. Gregorios Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (Floral Park).

Guests included clergy from across the diocese, Very Rev. John Parker, Dean of St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary, and seminarians from both St. Vladimir and St. Tikhon seminaries.

Following the ordination service, was a short public meeting under the leadership of HG Mar Nicholovos and Rev. Gregory Varghese (Vicar of St. Gregorios) to congratulate and recognize the newly ordained Sub-deacon Antony. In their words of felicitation, both HG Mar Nicholovos and Fr. John reminded the newly ordained Sub-deacon and all the faithful in attendance, on the importance of being diligent stewards in the Lord's vineyard and the task of ministering to the needs of the Church in this country.

AXIOS!

By Renin Cherian

On the Great Feast of the Nativity of the Lord, 2020, the faithful of Saint Tikhon’s gathered to celebrate the birth of Christ, as well as to honor one of their own: Archpriest Daniel Donlick, a faithful priest of the Orthodox Church for over fifty-five years, was led by Archimandrite Sergius, Abbot of Saint Tikhon’s Monastery, and Archpriest John Parker, Dean of Saint Tikhon’s Seminary, to stand before His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon. Father Daniel prostrated, arose, and bowed his head before the hierarch.

Current seminary students easily recognize Father Daniel from his role as the primary confessor at Sunday morning Liturgies and Presanctified Liturgies. Though COVID-19 has complicated things a bit, Father is nevertheless a familiar face.  Walking into the Monastery Church before almost anyone else has arrived, the sound of his footsteps and his white cane--familiar signals of his presence--are almost as comforting as his joy-laden countenance and his greeting to everyone he encounters: “Glory to Jesus Christ!” Father Daniel has served as the spiritual father for a host of seminarians (past and present), but also for parishioners of the Monastery. They go to him knowing that, through his simple ministry, they will have a powerful experience of the Spirit. This is because they can see that Father Daniel has a genuine and pious soul, a soul that desires the Lord. By his counselling, Father conveys living hope to his spiritual children. He encourages each one of them lovingly. He speaks from the heart and he listens with a palpable concern and a focus that is unmistakable. Kneeling at the Panikhida table before the Gospel and the Cross, God’s healing presence and forgiveness are received--and Archpriest Daniel conveys it to each penitent with the prayer of absolution.

But Father Daniel’s ministry extends beyond this service to his spiritual sons and daughters. At the Little Entrance of the Christmas Liturgy, the Metropolitan took the opportunity to give a word of summary about Father Daniel’s contributions to the Church:

“It is my joy and honor to present to you this miter [...] in recognition of your fifty-five years of service as a priest, which you have offered--not only as a priest in the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania, serving Olyphant and Jermyn, and being a significant contributor to the mission in Stroudsburg (which now is a thriving parish)--but above all to present this award to you here at the Monastery Church of Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk in the midst of the communities that you have so faithfully served throughout your priesthood, especially as a professor, as the Registrar, and as the [Academic] Dean of Saint Tikhon’s Seminary, wherein you were instrumental in bringing the seminary to achieve [...] accreditation, both on the state level, and with the Association of Theological Schools. But above all, in whatever role you served, you were indeed a Father to those that you served, inspiring them to become good priests, deacons, and lay workers in the vineyard of our Lord. And since your retirement, you also continue that ministry as a confessor and spiritual father for many here in the Monastery Church, especially those who are here to serve as seminarians and are on the path to ordination. In all these things, Father Daniel, you have shown yourself to be full of Christ-like humility, of Christ-like love, and as Saint Paul instructs: you never gave milk, but you always gave solid food to those that [have] come to you for direction and guidance, including the Primate of the Orthodox Church of America, who is here because of your original encouragement to come to seminary and follow the Lord--and not to delay.”

His Beatitude was honored to present Father Daniel’s name to the rest of the Holy Synod as a potential recipient of the miter, the highest award for presbyters in the Orthodox Church in America. The Synod recognized Father’s worthiness and unanimously approved the bestowing of this dignity on Father Daniel. This priest, who has touched so many lives over the course of his vocation, is a 1965 graduate of the seminary he still ministers to as a beloved pastor, mentor, and friend. His myriad contributions continue, and the faithful ministry of the Mitered Archpriest Daniel Donlick, along with his wife, Matushka Dolores, will surely be felt for generations to come.

By Priest Peter Simko

https://m.facebook.com/sainttikhons/videos/archpriest-daniel-donlick-stots-1965-awarded-miter/407470053802368/

SOUTH CANAAN, PA – Today, St. Tikhon’s Seminary proudly celebrates the 45th Anniversary of Archpriest John Kowalczyk’s Ordination to the Holy Priesthood. Father John is the longest-serving adjunct faculty member of our theological school, teaching in the Department of Pastoral Praxis since 1987, and serving as Director of Field Education. 

Father John is a graduate of St. Tikhon’s Seminary (1975), Marywood University (M.S. in Religious Education in 1981), and the Moscow Theological Academy (Candidate of Science in Theology in 1996). 

He received full privileges for group psychotherapy from Fairview Hospital and Medical Staff in 1994, and serves as contract chaplain at S.C.I. Waymart’s Forensic Treatment Center, where he has completed over 7,500 Preliminary Religious Assessments on forensic inmates for the Treatment Team since 1987. Through his efforts, St. Tikhon’s seminarians are able to pursue semester internships in prison ministry at the S.C.I. Center in nearby Waymart as part of their field education.

He was recently appointed executive member of the Board of Directors of Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry, having previously served as secretary of the organization for ten years.  He has traveled extensively throughout the country on behalf of OCPM, advocating for prison inmates in need of Christ and pastoral care.  He has addressed the All-American Council of the Orthodox Church in America, the National Convention of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America, and the Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, on behalf of OCPM.

He has been a guest lecturer at Drexel University’s College of Medicine for the past three years, and most recently presented a workshop at the Annual Forensic Rights and Treatment Conference, entitled “Exploring the Spiritual Dynamic of Healing When Working through Bereavement, Especially When Dealing with the Trauma of Death Notification for the Mentally Ill Inmate.”  He has also guest lectured at Marquette University, Villanova University, and the University of Scranton.

He has written numerous articles on Prison Ministry and has been interviewed several times by Ancient Faith Radio regarding the work of prison ministry and the OCN. He has also produced numerous teaching videos on prison ministry, available on the official OCPM website.

The son of Walter, of blessed memory, and Zofia Kowalczyk, Fr. John was born in Dresdenko, Poland.  He immigrated with his parents to the United States in 1958 and grew up in Yonkers, NY.  He was married to the former Katherine Labick on October 12, 1975; she has worked together with him throughout his career, as Matushka in the parish, and bursar in the finance office at the Seminary.  They are the proud parents of two children, Sophia (married to Robert Wolf) and Nicholas.

Father Kowalczyk was ordained to the Holy Priesthood on December 14, 1975 by His Beatitude, Metropolitan Ireney, of blessed memory, at the Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Yonkers, New York.  Over the next ten years, he served as an assistant priest at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Minneapolis, MN; rector of St. Mark’s Church in Wrightstown, PA; and rector of Assumption of the Holy Virgin Church in Philadelphia, PA.

On February 1, 1985, Fr. Kowalczyk was transferred to St. Michael’s Church in Jermyn, where he has faithfully served the large parish family there for the past 35 years.  His pastorate in Jermyn has been marked by significant improvements of the church complex: an expansion of the temple, the addition of numerous beautiful icons, and the renovation of the parish hall, as well as monumental spiritual and numerical growth of the community.

Over these many years, he has shepherded diverse flocks of immigrants from overseas, native-born North Americans, and those who have chosen Holy Orthodoxy as the one, true Faith.  He has been personally committed to the growth of each one of his sheep, leading them in “The Way” of Christ, and to the growth of the parishes and dioceses he has served, as well as the entire Orthodox Church in America.    

During the past four decades of service in the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, he has served as Diocesan Chancellor to three hierarchs (Archbishop Herman, Archbishop Tikhon, and Archbishop Mark).  He also worked from 1987 to 2005 as the Editor of the Eastern PA publication, Your Diocese Alive in Christ.  During that time, he provided the “Interview with the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church” and “Canonization of Fr. Alexis Toth by the Orthodox Church in America” in St. Vladimir’s Theological Quarterly, and “The Millennium Pilgrimage” in The Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate.

Father John has been one of the earliest members and a long-time champion of Orthodox Christians for Life, the pro-life movement of our Church in this country.  He has appeared on the national stage for decades and walked with hierarchs, clergy and laypersons alike in the annual “March for Life” in our nation’s capital almost every year. He has authored An Orthodox View of Abortion, published in 1977 by Light and Life Publishing, Minneapolis, MN, and he has also written numerous articles on the Sanctity of Life.

Additionally, he has served as the Guest Speaker at the Brotherhood of St. Moses the Black, and at the Annual Christianity Conference.   

On the world scene, he represented St. Tikhon’s Seminary at the SYNDESMOS International Theological Conference in Poland (1989), Moscow (1992), and Finland (1998).  He is the recipient of four prestigious awards:  the Order of St. Mary Magdalene, presented by His Beatitude, Metropolitan Vasily of Poland, of blessed memory; the Jeweled Cross and the Order of St. Innocent, awarded by the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America; and the Jeweled Cross, presented by His Holiness, Patriarch Alexis II of Moscow, of blessed memory.

An exemplary priest, an outstanding professor, and a loving pastor, Father Kowalczyk is best known for his teaching on “the ministry of presence” – the need for those in ministry to be present, to “be there,” for those in difficulty – to listen with one’s heart as well as one’s ears – and to offer the empathy of Christ, the Good Shepherd Who loves us more than we love ourselves.

In congratulating Archpriest John on his 45th Anniversary, Archbishop Michael, Rector of St. Tikhon’s Seminary, lauded his remarkable service:  “Your many and varied labors have not been for your own glory or personal gain, but that the Holy Church might be strengthened.  We give thanks to the Lord for all you have done in His Name with excellence over the past 45 years, together with Matushka Kathy, who has been the consummate help-mate and co-laborer in your ministry.

“On this milestone anniversary, it is my joy to join with all those who love you throughout our Church in wishing you good health, much happiness, and continued success in your every effort on behalf of our Lord.  May your work in the Vineyard of Christ continue to prosper, and may the Holy Spirit by whose grace you were ordained to the Priesthood continue to guide you for many blessed years to come.  Mnogaya Lyeta!”