Met. Tikhon and Theodore Mantzikos at SVOTS' Commencement Exercises, May 15, 2021
Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) has announced Seminarian Theodore Mantzikos as the winner of the 4th Annual St. Matthias Merit Scholarship Essay Contest.
The contest was opened to current SVOTS students at the beginning of the 2021 fall semester. For his winning entry, titled, “Argus the Watcher”, Mantzikos had $3,000 in award money added to his scholarship fund.
The anonymous donors behind the St. Matthias Merit Scholarship thoughtfully selected the topic and winner of this year's essay competition. The donors asked SVOTS seminarians to reflect on the following anecdote from “The Bow of Ulysses” by Eleanor Farjeon, and to relate it to the Syrophoenician woman in Mark 7:24-30 and Christ's exhortation to "watch" in Mark 13:33-37.
So he [Ulysses] disguised himself in rags and went up to the palace, and nobody knew who he was. Only his old dog, Argus, knew him. Argus had been a puppy when he [Ulysses] sailed away for Troy, and had waited twenty years, watching for his master's return.
The donors expressed appreciation for all essay submitted by seminarians, and felt Mantzikos' entry best addressed the topic and would most engage a young reader.
"I am honored to be chosen as the winner of the 2021 St. Matthias Scholarship," Mantikos expressed to the donors. "Your generosity will allow me to continue my theological studies with great confidence knowing I have such kind-hearted supporters as yourselves. You have my deep gratitude and assurance of my prayers."
Theodore Mantzikos is a seminarian of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (GOA) currently studying in SVOTS' Master of Theology (Th.M.) program. He earned a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree from St. Vladimir's in May of 2021. His home parish is St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Flushing, NY.
Congratulations, Theodore!
About the St. Matthias Merit Scholarship Essay Contest
The St. Matthias Merit Scholarship Essay Contest is offered annually, thanks to the generous contributions of a family of anonymous donors. These donors also select the topic of the essay contest each year and develop thorough and thoughtful criteria to determine the winner.
The contest is one of many offerings by the Seminary to help its seminarians graduate tuition-debt free as they go forth to serve the Church. SVOTS also administers need-based tuition grants, need-based scholarships, merit scholarships, continuing education grants, and matching grant opportunities for seminarians. These are made possible thanks to many benefactors who have graciously given funds to St. Vladimir’s.
Previous Winners:
