His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon Presides Over the 2025 Commencement Exercises of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary and St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary
St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) and St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (STOTS) have concluded their respective 2025 commencement exercises. His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon presided at both events, offering words of encouragement and his archpastoral blessings to the graduating students, their families, and the seminary communities.
St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary
On Saturday, May 17, the St. Vladimir’s Seminary community gathered for its 85th commencement exercises, beginning with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy in the Three Hierarchs Chapel, presided over by His Beatitude. During the service, seminarian Deacon Daniel York was ordained to the Holy Priesthood.
The commencement ceremony followed in the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium, where His Beatitude officially opened the commencement exercises. Welcoming remarks were then offered by Interim President and Academic Dean Dr. Ionuț-Alexandru Tudorie. The commencement address was delivered by the Archpriest Dr. Paul Nadim Tarazi, Professor Emeritus of Old Testament, a scholar and prolific author who taught at the seminary for nearly four decades. Ms. Jaime Rall delivered the salutatory address, and the valedictory address was given by the Deacon Matthew Wiley.
Among the guests in attendance were His Eminence Archbishop Michael of New York and New Jersey, His Grace Bishop Nikodhim of Boston and the Albanian Archdiocese, His Grace Bishop Benedict of Hartford and New England, His Grace Metropolitan Thomas Mar Ivanios of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Diocese of South-West America, His Grace Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan of the Armenian Church’s Eastern Diocese of America, St. Vladimir’s Seminary Alumnus and Board of Trustees Executive Chair the Archimandrite Jeremy Davis, Archiepiscopal Vicar for the Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest, representing His Eminence Metropolitan Saba of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, Dean of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary the Rev. Mardiros Chevian, and four guests in honor of graduating seminarian from Uganda, Deacon Richard Okello: former trustee John Milosevic and his wife, Janet; Founder of Lift Up Uganda Sue Nelson, and Susan Harbiger.
In addition to the conferral of degrees, the St. Macrina Award for Excellence in Teaching was presented to Dr. Michael Legaspi by Student Council President Ms. Laura Ionescu, and a citation was read in honor of Protodeacon Peter Danilchick. The Class of 2025, comprising 26 graduates across the Master of Divinity, Master of Arts, and Master of Theology programs, also presented a specially commissioned icon of Christ the Sower as their class gift. The St. Vladimir’s Seminary Chorale, under the direction of Zachariah Mandell, sung an original setting of “Gladsome Light” composed by salutatorian Jaime Rall, and the “Koinonikon of Pascha” by Tikey Zes.
Before the conclusion of the exercises, His Beatitude delivered closing remarks, exhorting the graduates to serve as faithful guides in a world marked by confusion and absurdity. He said, “You have been given the tools, the wisdom, the knowledge, and the formation to plunge into this labyrinth of the absurd – not to be swallowed up, but to emerge as guides for the lost and the despairing.” The commencement ceremony concluded with the singing of “Shine, Shine, O New Jerusalem” and the troparion of Pascha. A reception was held after the commencement.
St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary
Activities for the 83rd Commencement exercises at St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary began Friday, May 23, with a procession to the “Cook Property” adjacent to campus and the ceremonial groundbreaking for future married student housing. His Beatitude, His Eminence Archbishop Michael, and Board Chairman David Jarrett blessed the site and broke ground together, marking the start of this long-anticipated project. That evening, Archpriest Constantine Nasr delivered the commencement address in the Archangel Michael Convocation Hall and gifted each graduate a copy of his book, The Resource Book for Orthodox Evangelism. A reception followed.
On Saturday, May 24, the seminary gathered for its Commencement exercises. Valedictorian Priest Paisios Hamann offered the address where he called his classmates to live lives marked by holiness, even in the face of worldly ridicule, and gave heartfelt thanks to his wife, Matushka Anna.
Archpriest Nikolai Breckenridge, President of the Alumni Association, presented the Alumnus of the Year Award to Archpriest Patrick Burns in recognition of his decade of leadership and service to the seminary.
The Father Alexander Atty Service Award was presented to Ginger Smith (Dining Services) and Timothy Scheitlin (Housekeeping) for their exemplary contributions to the life of the seminary. His Beatitude and His Eminence then conferred ten Master of Divinity degrees, with four graduates – Priest Davede Thompson, Thomas Coon, Mathew Varughese, and Ashich Mohan – recognized with honors for their senior projects.
St. Herman’s Orthodox Theological Seminary
On Sunday, May 11th, 2025 Saint Herman’s Orthodox Theological Seminary also held its commencement exercises, with His Eminence Archbishop Alexei presiding. His Eminence celebrated the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at All Saints of Alaska Chapel in Kodiak, AK where he elevated Priest Michael Nicolai to the dignity of Archpriest and awarded Priest George Nicholai the Nabedrinnek. Seminarian Matfei Peterson was also tonsured a reader.
Following the service, graduation and commencement exercises were held at the KANA Marketplace, where His Eminence addressed the graduates to continue with lifelong service rooted in learning, humility, courage, and missionary zeal. Each graduate received a copy of The Law of God by Serafim Slobodskoy.
The Spring Class of 2025 includes Deacon Feodor Timpko (Pastoral Studies Certificate), Deacon Innokenty Heckert (Diploma of Orthodox Theology), Mr. Andrew Mesack (Reader Certificate), Mr. Peter Sonday (Diploma of Orthodox Theology), Mr. John Amik (Reader Certificate), and Mr. Vasily Nicholai (Reader Certificate).
The Orthodox Church in America extends congratulations to the Classes of 2025. May God grant the graduates, faculty, and staff of our seminaries many years!
Additional photos and information may be found at svots.edu, stots.edu, and sthermanseminary.org.
The faithful and parishes of the Orthodox Church in America are urged to intentionally pray for vocations and to support the seminaries, students, faculty, and their families. It is also vital to commit to financially support the three OCA seminaries as they continue the necessary work of providing exceptional education and spiritual formation for the future leaders of the Orthodox Church.
Parishes are reminded of the resolution approved at the 16th All-American Council in Seattle, which calls for parishes of the Orthodox Church in America to allocate 1% of their budget towards the support of these seminaries.
If you want to know more about supporting our seminaries, their work, or learn more about vocation and theological formation, seminary contact information is available here.