This summer, Academic Dean of St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS), Dr Ionuț-Alexandru Tudorie traveled to India to meet with key representatives of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.
At the ordination of the Rev. Dr Renish Geevarghese Abraham to the priesthood
Dr Tudorie started his visit in the town of Ranni in Kerala state on July 29, where he attended the ordination to the priesthood of SVOTS seminarian, the Rev. Dr Renish Geevarghese Abraham (Th.M. ‘24, M.Div. ‘24), held at St John’s Orthodox Church in Chempanmukham, Ranni. Presiding hierarchs at the ordination included His Eminence Met. Dr Youhanon Mar Demetrios, Metropolitan of Delhi, assisted by His Eminence Zachariah Mar Nicholavos, Metropolitan of Northeast America, and His Eminence Joshua Mar Nichodemus, Metropolitan of Ranni-Nilackal.
Dr Tudorie with the newly ordained Rev. Dr Renish Geevarghese Abraham
“Fr Geevarghese is a top-notch scholar and one of our best students,” said Dr Tudorie. “I was very glad to be able to attend his ordination to the priesthood in his home country.”
Following the ordination, Dr Tudorie visited His Grace Dr Zacharia Mar Aprem, Metropolitan of Adoor at St George Monastery in Chayalode, Adoor.
Dr Tudorie with His Grace Dr Zacharia Mar Aprem, Metropolitan of Adoor
On Sunday, July 30, Dr Tudorie attended church at St John’s Orthodox Church, where Fr Geevarghese served his first Holy Eucharist. Dr Tudorie participated in a lamp-lighting ceremony to inaugurate a charitable project for the empowerment of local women, set up by a contribution made by Fr Geevarghese.
The following day, Dr Tudorie visited the Orthodox Theological Seminary (OTS) in Kottayam city in Kerala at the invitation of OTS Principal, the Rev. Dr Reji Mathews. Dr Tudorie addressed a group of seminary faculty and students and then engaged in a Q&A session moderated by Fr Geevarghese.
From left: Rev. Dr Renish Geevarghese Abraham, OTS Principal, the Rev. Dr Reji Mathews, Dr Tudorie
After his presentation, Dr Tudorie was treated to a backwater cruise at Kumarakom by the Rev. Dr K. M. George, former principal of OTS, Kottayam.
On August 1, Dr Tudorie met with His Holiness, Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan, at the Catholicate Palace in Devalokam, Kottayam. In this meeting, they discussed the future collaboration between St Vladimir’s Seminary, the St Vladimir’s Seminary Press, and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.
Dr Tudorie speaking with His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III
Several other hierarchs and distinguished members of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church were in attendance at this landmark meeting, and all voiced their enthusiasm for a strengthened partnership in the future. In appreciation for the generous hospitality shown by the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church leaders, Dr Tudorie presented each with books from SVS Press.
From left, front row: Fr Renish Geevarghese Abraham (Th.M. ‘24, M.Div. ‘24); His Grace, Yakob Mar Irenius, Metropolitan of Kochi; His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III; Dr Ionuț-Alexandru Tudorie; His Grace Abraham Mar Stephanos Metropolitan of the U.K., Europe, and Africa; His Eminence Dr Youhanon Mar Demetrios, Metropolitan of Delhi
Dr Tudorie with His Grace Joshua Mar Nichodemus, Metropolitan of the Nilackal Diocese
On the last day of Dr Tudorie’s stay in India, he visited the capital city, New Delhi to discuss a partnership between St Stephen’s College, Delhi, a premier higher educational institution established by Cambridge Mission to India in 1881, and St Vladimir’s Seminary; he was welcomed by Professor John Varghese, Principal of St Stephen’s College, Delhi; Dr Alphy Geever, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at St Stephen’s College; the Rev. Fr Abin P. Jacob, secretary to the Metropolitan of Delhi, and Fr Renish Geevarghese Abraham (on sabbatical from his faculty position at St Stephen’s College until the completion of his studies at SVOTS). During the course of this meeting, Dr Tudorie and Professor Varghese signed a memorandum of understanding between St Vladimir’s Seminary and St Stephen’s College. Potential future collaborations between the two institutions include faculty and student exchanges and joint research programs. St Stephen’s College also has existing memoranda of understanding with the University of Notre Dame and the University of Cambridge.
After signing the Memorandum of Understanding between SVOTS and St Stephen’s College
In reflecting upon his visit to India, Dr Tudorie remarked,
The first benefit of this trip for me personally as a Church historian was to understand the place of the Malankara Orthodox Church and Indian Christianity within their country and culture. I was amazed to see Christian churches on every street corner in Kerala, having come from a Western perception of India as home to primarily Hindu or Muslim practitioners.
I was very glad to attend a meeting of the Holy Synod of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church; it was a wonderful opportunity to meet with many hierarchs and establish a personal relationship with the leaders of the strongest Christian presence in Asia. I am also looking forward to a fruitful partnership with St Stephen’s College, widely regarded as the best liberal arts college in India.
Gallery 1 - Receiving a shawl from Fr Dr R. Mathews
Gallery 2 - Boat ride with Fr Dr K. M. George
Gallery 3 - Ordination closeup
