Saint Vladimir's Seminary Alumnus Dn. Joseph Wesseler and Seminarian David Galloway were ordained together Sunday, April 3, 2022 at St. John of the Ladder Orthodox Church, Greenville, SC—Dn. Joseph to the priesthood and David to the diaconate. Another alumnus, His Grace, Bishop Gerasim, presided over the Divine Liturgy and ordinations. 

Father Joseph and Dn. David are clergy of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA).

The Rev. Joseph Wesseler graduated from St. Vladimir's Seminary in 2017 with a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree. He holds a B.A. in philosophy with a minor in psychology from California State University, Fresno, and previously worked at Pro-Youth H.E.A.R.T. in Visalia, CA, an after-school program providing homework help, supplemental math and reading work, and anti-gang and anti-drug education programs for youth.

The Rev. Dn. David Galloway is in his second year of studies in the Seminary's M.Div. program. Before coming to St. Vladimir's, he studied English literature at Goldsmiths College, University of London and philosophy at Birkbeck College, University of London. Deacon David worked as a senior technical writer and IT project manager for two large ISPs and wrote for tech blogs including Lifehacker and Gizmodo. He lives on the campus of St. Vladimir's with his wife, Megan, and their two daughters, Penny and Monya. 

May God grant the newly ordained Fr. Joseph and Dn. David and their families many years!

Within the teachings and arts of the Orthodox Church we sometimes hear a suspicion about creativity. To some ears, the words “creative” and “new,” sound opposed to “Tradition” which is unchanging. In his art and his writings, world-renowned iconographer Dr. George Kordis demonstrates compellingly how tradition has always been not only creative, but in a fruitful relationship with secular culture.

Hear Dr. Kordis speak to “Tradition as Creativity ” during a free, online public lecture Thursday evening, April 7. The talk, hosted by St. Vladimir's Seminary's Institute of Sacred Arts (ISA), will begin at 7:30 p.m. EDT/4:30 p.m. PDT. 

Watch the Replay

Dr. Kordis is currently residing, working, and teaching at St. Vladimir’s campus in Yonkers as ISA's inaugural artist in residence for the spring 2022 semester. The annual artists-in-residence program is part of the Seminary’s Master of Arts degree concentration in Sacred Arts. 

ABOUT DR GEORGE KORDIS
Eminent iconographer George Kordis has the rare distinction for a practicing artist of a complete academic training in theology, with advanced theological degrees from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Boston and the University of Athens, where he was assistant professor in iconography (theory and practice). His training as a painter preceded and motivated his move into theology: During the 1980s he worked with the Cypriot master iconographer, Fr. Symeon Symeou, and also studied painting at The School of Fine Arts at The Museum of Boston from 1987–89; and even while obtaining his doctorate (Athens) in 1991 he continued his studies in painting and engraving under Fotis Mastichiadis. Dr. Kordis has been a visiting professor teaching icon painting courses at Yale University, the University of South Carolina, the University of Bucharest/Department of Orthodox Theology, and Ukraine Pedagogical University, Odessa, while continuing to create major church programs of iconography—including several in the US (see Holy Trinity in Columbia, SC and, recently, Holy Trinity in Pittsburgh and panel icons, which have been seen in numerous prominent exhibitions at Yale University and elsewhere). Kordis is also a prolific author with wide-ranging interests: theory and practice of Orthodox iconography, Fayum mummy portraits, Theophan the Cretan, Andrei Rublev, Fotis Kontoglou, Greek folk art, and many other topics.

Read his full CV and explore his expansive work.

Over the first weekend of April, a new priest and deacon were added to the ranks of St. Vladimir's Seminary's alumni and student body: Priest Joseph Olas and Dn. John (William) Vazquez. Both ordinations took place by the hand of His Grace, Bishop Anthony (Antiochian Archdiocese) at St. George Orthodox Christian Church, Fishers, IN—Fr. Joseph's on Sunday, April 3, 2022 and Dn. John's the day before on April 2.

Leading up to his ordination to the priesthood, the Rev. Joseph Olas had been serving as deacon and pastoral assistant at St. George since 2016. He grew up in that parish, where his father, the late Very Rev. Fr. O. Joseph Olas (+1997) served as pastor from 1981 to 1995. Father Joseph is a graduate of Indiana University as well as St. Vladimir's Seminary. He completed his M.A. at the Seminary in 2010. He has also served as pastoral assistant at St. Michael Orthodox Church, Louisville, KY and outreach director at the Orthodox Christian Network (OCN).

The Rev. Dn. John Vazquez is a second-year seminarian in St. Vladimir's M.Div. program. He is a former professional baseball player and coach, and holds a B.A. in history from Kent State University (2007). Before coming to seminary, Dn. John, his wife Hannah, and their five children attended St. George in Fishers. Dn. John and Hannah's were raised in the Indianapolis area, where both their families were part of the Evangelical Orthodox Church (EOC) movement started by the late Fr. Peter Gillquist (+2012) and others. (Many members of the EOC were received into the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America in the late 1980s.) Hannah currently hosts the Ancient Faith Radio podcast, All These Things.

May God grant the newly ordained Fr. Joseph and Dn. John and their families many years! AXIOS!

World-renowned iconographer Dr. George Kordis offered a unique, four-day icon-painting workshop at St. Vladimir's Seminary March 30–April 2, 2022.

Dr. Kordis is artist in residence at St. Vladimir's through its Institute of Sacred Arts (ISA).

During the workshop Kordis taught his own artistic approach through demonstrations and exercises in the art, expression, and language of the icon using the principles and rhythm of the Byzantine system as a foundation. He gave participants, which included members of the Seminary community, a rare opportunity to witness and discuss the creative process of several bodies of work he has been working on during his residency.

Dr. Kordis is also keeping busy with other events at St. Vladimir's, in addition to teaching and working on beautiful icons. Earlier in March, he participated in an academic roundtable discussion with other noted scholars on the theme of "Tradition and Innovation in the Art of the Orthodox Church." He is set to deliver a free public lecture, "Tradition as Creativity," on campus April 7.

ABOUT DR GEORGE KORDIS
Eminent iconographer George Kordis has the rare distinction for a practicing artist of a complete academic training in theology, with advanced theological degrees from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Boston and the University of Athens, where he was assistant professor in iconography (theory and practice). His training as a painter preceded and motivated his move into theology: During the 1980s he worked with the Cypriot master iconographer, Fr. Symeon Symeou, and also studied painting at The School of Fine Arts at The Museum of Boston from 1987–89; and even while obtaining his doctorate (Athens) in 1991 he continued his studies in painting and engraving under Fotis Mastichiadis. Dr. Kordis has been a visiting professor teaching icon painting courses at Yale University, the University of South Carolina, the University of Bucharest/Department of Orthodox Theology, and Ukraine Pedagogical University, Odessa, while continuing to create major church programs of iconography—including several in the US (see Holy Trinity in Columbia, SC and, recently, Holy Trinity in Pittsburgh and panel icons, which have been seen in numerous prominent exhibitions at Yale University and elsewhere). Kordis is also a prolific author with wide-ranging interests: theory and practice of Orthodox iconography, Fayum mummy portraits, Theophan the Cretan, Andrei Rublev, Fotis Kontoglou, Greek folk art, and many other topics.

Read his full CV and explore his expansive work.

With faith in Christ and hope in the resurrection, we share news of the repose of Priest Gregory Becker, an alumnus of St. Vladimir's Seminary, who fell asleep peacefully in the Lord March 28, 2022 at his home in Youngstown, OH. Father Gregory was 72 years old.

The Rev. Gregory Becker was born May 19, 1949 in Pottstown, PA, the only child of the late Wilfred and Marie Becker. He began studying at St. Vladimir's Seminary in 1968 and graduated in 1977. He completed both the old "collegiate division" studies at St. Vladimir's, which was completed alongside an undergraduate degree, as well as the Master of Divinity program (known then as the "theological division").

After graduating from St. Vladimir's, Fr. Gregory was sent to his first parish assignment in Niagara Falls, NY. In the early 1980s he moved to Warren, OH, where he served as priest at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church for more than twenty years. He then served as a substitute priest for St. Elias Orthodox Church in Jamestown, NY, and later joined Ss. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Youngstown, OH. There, he served as choir director, adult education director, and assistant priest for the past twenty-one years.

Father Gregory was also a member and former president of the Macintosh User Group, formed in the mid 1980s. Father Becker led an excursion to Macintosh seminars in Boston and New York, creating numerous musical church selections.

Father Gregory is survived by three children, Justin, Ana, and Maria; and a grandson, Seamus.

The funeral service for Fr. Gregory was scheduled for Monday, April 4 at Ss. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 1025 N. Belle Vista Ave., Youngstown, OH, with interment to follow at the parish cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the church.

May the memory of Fr. Gregory be eternal!

Saint Vladimir's Seminary Alumnus Basil Mathai and Seminarian Alexander Earl were both ordained to the rank of deacon in recent days.

The Rev. Dn. Basil Puthukkunnathu Mathai was ordained for the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church in North America on March 19, 2022 by the hand of His Eminence, Archbishop Mor Titus Yeldho. The ordination took place at St. Ephrem Cathedral at the Malankara Archdiocesan Headquarters in Old Tappan, NJ. Several other St. Vladimir's graduates and current seminarians from the Syriac Orthodox Church served at the Divine Liturgy and ordination.

Deacon Basil serves at St. Mary’s Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church of White Plains, NY (Bronxville, NY) and is regional clergy advisor for the archdiocesan youth association. He also teaches history at a high school in Newark, NJ. He graduated from St. Vladimir's Seminary with an M.Div. degree in 2020, and also holds a B.A. in history & international affairs from the University of Georgia and an M.A. in Middle Eastern studies from Boston College.

The Rev. Dn. Alexander Earl was ordained at St. Vladimir's Seminary's Three Hierarchs Chapel on the Feast of the Annunciation, March 25, 2022. His Grace, Bishop Gerasim presided over the festal Divine Liturgy and ordination, assisted by clergy of the Seminary's student body and faculty.

Deacon Alexander is a seminarian of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), and is in his second year studying in St. Vladimir's M.Div. program. Additionally, he continues to serve as director of the Center for Philosophy & Theology, as well as instructor, at Pacifica Christian High School in Santa Monica, CA, where he worked for several years prior to coming to the Seminary. Deacon Alexander holds an M.A. in religion with a concentration in philosophical theology from Yale Divinity School and a B.A. in religious studies and philosophy from Rollins College, Winter Park, FL.

Deacon Alexander's wife, Danielle Earl, is librarian at St. Vladimir's Seminary's Fr. Georges Florovsky Library.

The community of St. Vladimir's wishes newly ordained Deacons Alexander and Basil and their families many years! AXIOS, dear deacons!

Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) is pleased to announce a part-time, hybrid degree program in Orthodox Christian Leadership Studies to launch in the fall semester of 2022. The new offering, developed in collaboration with the Orthodox Christian Leadership Initiative (OCLI), becomes the fourth concentration option for the Seminary’s Master of Arts (M.A) degree.

The concentration in Orthodox Christian Leadership Studies is intended for those seeking to better serve their local parish or larger church community, as well as exercise Christian leadership in the workplace. The program offers distance-learning, rather than the traditional, in-person education provided in the other M.A. concentrations (General Theological Studies, Theological Scholarship and Research, and Sacred Arts). The Leadership Studies program is normally completed in four years by part-time students taking two courses per semester. Students in this concentration will complete most of their studies remotely through online learning, and will gather on campus in Yonkers, NY for onsite intensives for one week each semester.

In response to inquiries about the position of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) regarding the tragic war in Ukraine, we direct members of the public to the official statement issued by the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America (to which the Seminary belongs as a stavropegial institution).

Additionally, St. Vladimir's Seminary wholeheartedly supports, and encourages donations to, the OCA's appeal for Ukrainian refugee relief (now ended) and the Ukraine Crisis Response organized by International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC).

Using the words of Metropolitan Tikhon, "May we fervently offer our petition to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to have mercy on us 'for the peace of the whole world, for the welfare of the holy churches of God, and for the union of all.'"

The audiobook version of How to Be a Sinner may be purchased at Amazon.com.

If you are interested in sponsoring an audiobook of your favorite SVS Press title, please contact us at media@svots.edu.

About How to Be a Sinner
We call ourselves “sinners” in much of our church life. Yet the sinner identity—when done right—brings peace of mind, a clear conscience, and love for others. Addressing topics like guilt, shame, and self-care, this compassionate guide will help you reflect on your life in surrender to God’s mercy. Written by an internationally recognized professor of Orthodox theology, this book will speak to you wherever you find yourself. This book is available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook, narrated by the author, Peter Bouteneff.

About the Orthodox Vision Foundation

The Orthodox Vision Foundation (OVF) continues the nearly five decades of the philanthropic vision begun by Charles and Marilee Ajalat in 1971. As a newly married couple, Charles and Marilee were driven by an unshakable belief in the power that the Historic, Orthodox Christian Church has to transform people’s lives, and indeed the world. It was then that they committed to a lifelong pursuit to do what they could to implement that belief. The Orthodox Vision Foundation was created at the beginning of this century to formalize and maximize their ability to continue to scale that belief and create real impact on a national and international level.

OVF funds a broad range of issues and organizations that tackle everything from feeding and equipping the homeless and working poor, to spreading the Orthodox Church’s worldview, to church governance and policy issues, to ongoing education for our clergy and lay leaders, and launching new ministries.

The Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) program at St. Vladimir's Seminary is recruiting a new batch of ordained and lay ministers to complete the degree program together, starting in the summer of 2022.