Students, faculty, staff, and community members gathered in person and online on Sep. 12, 2023, to hear scholar and SVS Press author, Dr Paul Gavrilyuk, give a special talk on the contrasting leadership styles of two formational leaders of St Vladimir’s Seminary, Fr Georges Florovsky and Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann. In his presentation, Dr Gavrilyuk gave many examples from the post-war correspondence between the two past seminary deans to illustrate their sense of calling, their courage in the face of great challenges, and lessons for modern-day Christian leaders.
Dr Gavrilyuk also highlighted the differences in the leadership styles of Fr Schmemann and Fr Florovsky, describing the latter as a brilliant scholar who upheld unyielding academic standards with his students, and the former as a pastoral figure who prioritized the spiritual and personal formation of his students. This divergence in their leadership styles, said Dr Gavrilyuk, inevitably led Fr Schmemann and Fr Florovsky toward their well-publicized rift in 1955, when Fr Florovsky left St Vladimir’s Seminary.
In this presentation, Dr Gavrilyuk took care to provide a compassionate and balanced picture of both Fr Florovsky and Fr Schmemann, asking the audience to consider their historical contexts, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of each of their distinct approaches to leadership. He concluded the presentation on a heartening note, highlighting a letter written by Fr Schmemann in 1968 and reminiscences recorded by a secretary of Fr Florovsky which indicate the two men ended their lives at peace with one another.
Seminary President, the Very Rev. Dr Chad Hatfield, and Professor of Systematic Theology, Dr Peter Bouteneff each gave their own reflections on the two early leaders of St Vladimir’s Seminary. In addition, Fr Chad read a moving reflection from senior staff member, Ted Bazil (M.Div. ‘73), in which Ted described Fr Schmemann’s leadership style as he experienced it, both as a student and as a Seminary employee for the last ten years of Fr Schmemann’s tenure.
Dr Gavrilyuk’s lecture, Christian Leadership in a Time of Crisis: Lessons from Florovsky & Schmemann, was recorded and is available for viewing on the Seminary YouTube channel; click on the link below to access the full presentation.
The St Vladimir’s Seminary community was blessed with a hierarchical visit from His Eminence Archbishop Daniel of Chicago and the Midwest (OCA), for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. His Eminence arrived on Wednesday, September 13, and presided over the Festal Vigil that evening and the Divine Liturgy on the following day.
During the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence gave the homily and ordained third-year seminarian Peter (Jared) Ries (M.Div. ‘24) to the Holy Diaconate. In his homily, Archbishop Daniel emphasized the centrality of the Cross in the Christian life; each Christian must recognize that we belong to Christ; “we belong to Him, and His Cross is engraved on our hearts.” He pointed out the ubiquity of its significance in the sacraments of the Church, including the moment during Ordination to the Holy Diaconate when the person being ordained kisses the cross on the orarion as a sign of his commitment to Christ, our crucified Lord.
Deacon Peter expressed his gratitude and joy at the occasion of his ordination to the Holy Diaconate, saying, “It is a humbling obedience, and it was such a blessing to take on this responsibility while standing alongside my colleagues, mentors, and friends.”
May God grant the newly ordained Dn Peter and Matushka Sophie many blessed years!
Join us for a lecture led by scholar and SVS Press author, Dr Paul Gavrilyuk, on Tuesday, September 12, at 7 p.m. Eastern. In this special talk, Dr Gavrilyuk asks the question, what qualities are required of Christian leaders, especially in a time of crisis? Dr Gavrilyuk's presentation will address this question by focusing on the post-war correspondence between the two past deans of St Vladimir's: Fr Georges Florovsky and Fr Alexander Schmemann. The epistolary exchange between them took place when Schmemann taught at St Sergius in Paris, and Florovsky was a newly appointed dean of St Vladimir's Seminary in New York. Today's Christian leaders can learn much from their example, their sense of calling, and their courage in the face of great challenges.
The presentation is open to the public and free of cost for both in-person and online attendance. It will be held on the St Vladimir’s Seminary campus in the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium, John G. Rangos building, beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern time. The event will also be live-streamed as a Zoom webinar for those who are unable to attend in person.
In keeping with an annual tradition, the primate of the OCA His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon visited St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) last week to celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos and to mark the beginning of the academic year with the seminary community.
On Thursday evening, prior to the Festal Vigil, His Beatitude served a Lity for the Departed for the child of God Sophia, daughter of alumnus Fr Silouan Cohen (M.Div. ’22), on the first anniversary of her falling asleep. His Beatitude concelebrated the Festal Vigil with Seminary President, the Very Rev. Dr Chad Hatfield, the Very Rev. Dr Alexander Rentel, OCA Chancellor, and clergy of the seminary community. The antiphonal responses were sung by the seminary mixed and male choirs, under the direction of the Rev. Deacon Dr Harrison Russin, Dr Alexander Lingas, and third-year seminarian, Sam Loposky (M.Div. ‘24).
On Friday, His Beatitude presided at the celebration of the hierarchical Divine Liturgy for the Feast. The responses were sung by the mixed seminary choir led by second-year seminarian Naomi DeHaan (M.A. ‘24). His Beatitude delivered the homily where he encouraged the faithful to act as gardeners and “contribute to the upkeep of paradise… by making ourselves receptive to God, and this receptivity is exemplified by the practice of humility.”
Following the liturgy, His Beatitude addressed the students for the opening of the academic year. In his address, His Beatitude called on students to follow the example of Christ’s Most Pure Mother, filling themselves “with the sacrifice of prayer, songs, and praise offered unto the God of all.”
President of St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS), The Very Rev. Dr Chad Hatfield traveled to Sydney, Australia last month to teach in-person intensives for a hybrid summer course on missiology at St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College (SAGOTC). He was also invited by Archbishop Makarios, primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia to give a keynote presentation at the College’s 4th Theology Symposium, held on August 18-19, 2023.
The theme of the Symposium was ‘For the Life of the World: the Church’s Missional Identity and Witness Today’. In addressing the participants, Fr Chad described missiology as a discipline worthy of its own niche in theological higher education. Fr Chad spoke on the need to recover the missional identity of the Orthodox Church, drawing on his own experience as a long-term member of the board of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) and as a missionary in South Africa, Guatemala, and Alaska. Presenting his paper entitled ‘Three Foundations for Building Modern Era Missiology,’ he gave three examples of modern missionaries whose lives and practices can serve as models for contemporary Orthodox Christian missionary activity: St Herman of Alaska, the 20th century Anglican missiologist Roland Allen, and Archbishop Anastasios of Albania.
The other keynote speaker at the Symposium was Bishop Dr Themistocles of Nicopolis, Head of the Orthodox Mission Centre in Sierra Leone. Fr Chad spoke highly of his work, noting Bishop Themistocles' own fascinating conversion journey; having been a famous rock musician in his youth, he later went on to attain a Master of Theology at Princeton and a doctorate at Brown University. Since the year 2000, “Brother Themi”, now Bishop Themistocles, has served under the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa as a missionary to multiple communities in Kenya and Sierra Leone.
Fr Chad’s presentation at the St Andrew’s College Symposium was the latest in a series of collaborations between SVOTS and the Australian theological school, beginning with visits made by Dean Emeritus, Protopresbyter Dr Thomas Hopko (+2015) in the late 1990’s, and Dean Emeritus, The Very Rev. Dr John Behr in 2016. In a gesture symbolizing the growing partnership between St Vladimir’s Seminary and St Andrew’s College, Fr Chad gifted his Australian hosts with a handpainted icon of St Herman of Alaska, containing a small portion of the saint’s relics.
Dr Philip Kariatlis, Sub-Dean and Associate Professor of Theology at St Andrew’s expressed his gratitude for the gift and for Fr Chad’s presentation as well as the course on missiology he taught this summer, saying, “We are all so grateful for leaving us enriched and edified. The students enjoyed your lectures very much and expressed their joy that our College was able to provide this introductory unit in missiology as part of their program of studies.”
In addition to his work at St Andrew’s College, Fr Chad conducted an adult education class at St Stylianos Orthodox Church in Sydney and gave two interviews for Orthodox podcasts based in Australia, including a podcast hosted at St Cyril’s Coptic Orthodox Theological College. Fr Chad met with several Coptic Orthodox friends including SVS Press author, the Rev. Dr Daniel Fanous.
St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) faculty, staff, and new and returning students marked the beginning of the 2023 Fall Semester on Thursday, August 24, with a Moleben (Prayer Service) for the Beginning of a New Academic Year.
The incoming class of twenty-five men and five women hail from six countries: The United States, Canada, Georgia, Kenya, India, and Romania. The seminarians represent ten Eastern and Oriental Orthodox jurisdictions:
Orthodox Church in America (OCA)
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (AOCANA)
Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR)
Moscow Patriarchate in the USA (MP)
Serbian Orthodox Church
Romanian Orthodox Church
Georgian Apostolic Church
Coptic Orthodox Church
Armenian Apostolic Church
Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
One first-year seminarian, Caleb Rexford, is coming to seminary from the OCA Diocese of the South to enter the Master of Divinity program.
"I am really hoping to grow in every area of my life while here," he said, "I feel like I’m building my house on a good foundation…so that I can speak about my faith in confidence, and someday even be able to teach and guide others."
SVOTS President, The Very Rev. Dr Chad Hatfield addressed the entire student body on Sunday, August 27, exhorting them to approach their seminary education with a balanced, prayerful mindset.
"The formation you receive at St Vladimir’s Seminary should look like a three-legged milking stool," said Fr Chad. "Academic formation, pastoral formation, and spiritual formation–each one of these is an essential aspect of your training here as future clergy and lay leaders who will go out into the world and serve the Church."
Counting the incoming class, the total student body at SVOTS this year is ninety-three seminarians.
Other additions to the faculty for Academic Year 2023-24 include The Rev. John Black (M.Div. ‘23) and The Rev. Nicholas Fine (M.Div. ‘23). Fr John Black will instruct students in the practice of liturgical music in the Russo-Slavic tradition, and Fr Nicholas Fine will give instruction in Byzantine chant.
May the intercessions of the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, our patron Great and Holy Prince Vladimir, and all the saints be with our seminarians, faculty, and staff as a new academic year commences in service to Christ!
With faith in Christ and hope in the resurrection, we share the news of the repose of Archpriest George S. Corey, who fell asleep in the Lord at age 87. Fr George was born on December 19, 1935, in Charleston, WV. He graduated from Charleston High School in 1954, then attended Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Seminary in Brookline, MA, then St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary when it was still located in Manhattan, NY, then the Ecumenical Institute in Bossey which is attached to the University of Geneva, Switzerland. Fr George traveled extensively throughout the Middle East on six different occasions throughout the years. He also attended and graduated from Morris Harvey College (now, The University of Charleston) where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology/Psychology. He then received a Master of Divinity degree and Doctor of Ministry from St Vladimir’s Seminary.
As a priest, he served the following parishes during a 35-year period: St Michael Church in Louisville, KY (1962-1966); St George Church (now, Cathedral) in Pittsburgh, PA (1967-1977); St George Church in Boston, MA (1977-1986); St George Cathedral in Coral Gables, FL (1986, his sabbatical parish); and St Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn, NY (1987-1997). In 1976, Fr George accompanied Metropolitan Philip (Saliba), the Antiochian Archdiocese Primate of North America to visit the Orthodox Church in the former Soviet Union.
During these 35 years of service, he taught the Orthodox Christian faith at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA; Holy Cross Seminary in Brookline, MA, and at St Vladimir’s Seminary to men studying for the holy priesthood. He also served on the Board of Trustees at St Vladimir’s Seminary as President of the Alumni Association. He served as a Trustee of the Orthodox Monastery of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, where he also served as Vicar General. He was the longtime editor–for more than 20 years–of The Word, the official publication of the Antiochian Archdiocese.
At the appointment of the Metropolitan Archbishop, Fr George was instrumental in the unification of the New York and Toledo Antiochian Archdioceses, the agreement for which was signed by the bishops in Fr George's Pittsburgh office. He also served in the efforts of the Antiochian Archdiocese with the Orthodox Church in America for the canonization of Bishop RAPHAEL of Brooklyn, NY.
He served as spiritual advisor over a period of years for Teen SOYO and the Fellowship of St John the Divine and helped draft the constitution of the Antiochian Women in North America. For his efforts, he was awarded the Holy Cross of Mount Lebanon by the Archdiocese of Zahle, Lebanon; and he was awarded the Antiochian Gold Medal of Merit from the Archdiocese of North America.
Fr George was medically retired in June 1997 whereupon he moved for a short period of time to Lexington, KY. In January 1998, he moved to Ft Lauderdale, FL, and lived there for twelve years. He worked at a very prestigious bookstore on Las Olas Blvd for two years then was resident manager for a 100-unit apartment building for five years. Fr George then taught at an elementary school for special needs children for two years. He adored those "special" children. He then lived in a retirement home in Ft Lauderdale for two years before deciding to move back to Charleston. People have asked him why he moved home, and he said: "I was born, baptized, and raised in Charleston and I want to die in Charleston." And, so, it has come to pass!
He was preceded in death by his parents, Schakabe "Mutt" and Lena Thabet Corey of blessed memory. Fr George is survived by his son George and wife Ana Lucia and his grandson, Matthew Corey of Westport, CT; his son, David, and wife Megan and his grandsons, Augusten and Jude Corey of Grosse Pointe MI; his son, Michael and his wife Grisel Corey and their twin sons, Marc and Michael of Westport, CT; and, son Jonathon and wife, Brijette and his granddaughter, Livia of Westport, CT.
He is also survived by his sister Dolores Bsharah of Redford, MI; sister Barbara Farha of Jacksonville, FL; and brother Lawrence Corey and his wife Lorraine Corey of Burke, VA - as well as all the stray cats, birds, and squirrels that came daily to his patio to be fed. Neighbors called Fr George "St Francis of Assisi" because of his love for animals.
The funeral services will take place at St George Orthodox Cathedral on the corner of Lee and Court Streets in Charleston, where his earthly remains will lie in repose, as follows: Visitation on Friday, August 25 from 4 - 8 p.m. with a Vespers service at 7, followed by the Trisagion Prayers of Mercy. Saturday, August 26, Divine Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. and Funeral Service at 12 p.m., followed by the interment at Sunset Memorial Cemetery. A meal of mercy will be offered at 3:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in South Charleston. Prayers and services are to be conducted by the Dean of the Cathedral, the Rev. Fr Joseph Hazar, Dean Emeritus the Very Rev. Olof Scott, and other visiting clergy.
The graveside service will be held at Sunset Memorial Park in South Charleston. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Freeman Funeral Home of Chapmanville, WV. The Corey family has requested family and friends to refrain from sending flowers. Contributions in Fr George’s memory can be made to St George Orthodox Cathedral, P.O. Box 2044, Charleston, WV 25327-2044 or to Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to a charity of your choice.
With faith in Christ and hope in the resurrection, we share the news of the repose of Reverend Father Andrew Daniel (Leeson Achen) (M.Div. ‘07), who fell asleep in the Lord on the morning of August 18, 2023.
Fr Andrew was a member of the 2023 cohort of the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) program at St Vladimir’s Seminary. He served as the Vicar of various parishes in the Northeast American Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, as a Diocesan Council member, and also as the Vice President of the Mar Gregorios Orthodox Christian Student Movement (MGOCSM) of the Diocese.
The funeral service was held at St George Malankara Orthodox Church in Staten Island, NY, and the burial service took place at Moravian Cemetery in Staten Island, NY, on August 21, 2023.
Dr Peter Bouteneff, longtime Professor of Systematic Theology at St Vladimir’s Seminary, has touched thousands across the American Orthodox world and beyond through his books, podcasts, and work in the sacred arts. Dr Bouteneff connects with his audience in a personable, down-to-earth manner, consciously seeking to engage listeners and readers in thoughtful conversation.
Dr Bouteneff lives just minutes on foot from campus, with his wife Patricia and their two cats. His son, Michael, works in theater production and is a touring musician (a heavy-metal drummer), and his daughter, Elizabeth, lives and works in South Korea.
How would you describe your background in the Orthodox Church and with St Vladimir’s Seminary? What or who do you feel shaped and formed you along the way?
I have been shaped and formed by some really remarkable people. There were always people in my life who were deeply involved in the Church, intelligent, thinking people, immersed in the arts and culture. My closest family and the people around them were of that world of Russians exiled to Paris – so, Fr Schmemann, Fr Meyendorff, Sophie Koulomzin, Nicholas Arseniev, and later, people like Fr Thomas Hopko. So Christ and the Church were natural subjects for me, nothing artificial, nothing “churchy” in the negative, sticky sense of that word. These people were so level-headed about their identity: loving the best of Russia but with a critical distance, loving Orthodoxy but without an “Orthodox agenda” as such. Because their priority was genuine Christian life. Orthodoxy was simply the natural outflow of that— especially through the Liturgy.
Dr Bouteneff during his student days, 1987-1990
I grew up not far from the seminary but went on to live in many far-flung places. College and conservatory in New England, then working in Japan, travels in the Far East, a month on Mount Athos, some weeks at Fr. Sophrony’s monastery in the UK. Before all my travels, I had no idea that theology would be an attractive pursuit, but as I was heading back to the States I suddenly knew I was headed for St Vladimir’s Seminary. I didn’t know where it would lead; I just knew I wanted to get closer to the Church. Where it did lead, to my continued surprise, was further study in theology! So, to Oxford to learn from Metr. Kallistos Ware – where I also met my future wife, Patricia. Then five years of ecumenical work in Geneva, and, well, back to St Vladimir’s Seminary. I arrived here in the year 2000, and I’ve been here ever since.
In Iasi, Romania, with his doctoral supervisor Met. Kallistos Ware, of blessed memory, January 2019
Say something about your teaching at St Vladimir’s Seminary, in “dogmatic”—or is it “systematic” theology?
Yes, when I arrived here we were calling it “Dogmatic,” but—at some point–we started using the term “Systematic Theology,” which is simply the method by which we teach the dogmas: systematically—topic by topic—like St John of Damascus and others did. Because that’s kind of how we human beings process things: you can’t say everything at once. So you consider, in turn, God, His Son, His Spirit, the Church, the Human Person, redemption, etc. And of course, all those subjects are interrelated, and more importantly they all have their center in the person of Jesus Christ. But anyway these are still “Dogmatic Theology” courses.
You know, having spoken so wistfully of my early mentors, I’ll say that the most challenging aspect of my teaching early on was trying to follow my predecessor Fr Thomas Hopko. Fr Tom had a massive influence on my thinking, maybe more than anyone I studied with—and that says a lot! Anyone who has heard him speak knows what a hugely compelling, informed, and charismatic teacher he was. How on earth do you fill those shoes? It took me years to realize that, well, you don’t.
So I began gradually finding my identity, my role, and my voice. That said, I don’t feel I have a special distinctive “Bouteneff” theology. Because who would need that? I strive to be faithful to the Church’s teachings and its life. And of course, I am speaking from my studies, my experience, and my genuine faith convictions. So it sounds like “me” because it is honestly me. But I’m not planting a flag or building a brand.
The books you’ve written have been on such a variety of subjects…
Yes! One of my favorite aspects of my vocation, and St. Vladimir’s specifically, is that I’ve been given the freedom to pursue my interests, whatever they are. As a result, I’ve scarcely written two books on the same theme. They all followed my interests at the time.
So, Sweeter Than Honey was a kind of first overview of how we do theology. Then I got really interested in how different people read Genesis 1-3, historically, allegorically, etc., and thought to ask, well, how did the early Fathers read those chapters? So I wrote the Beginnings book. Then of course came my fascination with the great composer Arvo Pärt, and the Out of Silence came as a result.
With Arvo Pärt, in Estonia, with an icon presented to him by the seminary, June 2015
And from that came the Institute of Sacred Arts, yes?
Most definitely. You know that my first education was in music – specifically in jazz bass and ethnomusicology. And I still play out regularly. I brought my love of music to the Church - singing in and directing church choirs - but with the Institute of Sacred Arts, it all comes together: music, iconography, architecture, hymnography, with theology and especially with the Liturgy. So our Institute has been producing books, courses, events, and my podcast “Luminous” where I talk to all these amazing people…
With Dr Alexander Lingas at the Cappella Romana concert co-hosted by ISA in March 2023
Back to books, what about How to Be a Sinner?
Well, that’s another book that arose out of my own peculiar interests and curiosity. I was always perplexed by how the “sinner” language, and even the “sinner” identity, worked in the spiritual life. And it turned out that a lot of people shared that perplexity because I think it’s been my most-read book. I certainly get a lot of invitations to give talks about it.
The book I’ve just finished writing is called Jesus for Introverts. That one came out of my own experience as an introvert finding his way through the spiritual life and social life. It’s written in the same style as How to Be a Sinner, where I’m basically sharing insights from my experience, through my reading of the Tradition. And I’m writing as unpretentiously and unsentimentally as I can, as if to a friend. In all these projects, basically, I’m writing books that I’d be interested in reading, books that I need to read! And I figure if I do, then maybe someone else does too…
What do you enjoy about teaching?
Well, that’s easy: it’s the students. In my 23 years of teaching, at the beginning of every year without exception, I am blown away to see this roomful of people who have embarked on this adventure, this risk, for the sake of Christ and the Church. Often they’ve left behind a career, a house, and maybe family, they’ve sacrificed their financial security, and they’ve entrusted it all to God’s hands. And they’re sitting there waiting for us to say something, to speak of things that matter. They trust us to be reliable vehicles for Orthodox Christian teaching. It’s so humbling—talk about entrusting yourself to God’s hands—I do it before every single lecture. And then it becomes so invigorating. You watch connections being made. You get great questions, super-interesting new insights from students. Lately, I’ve begun, once in a while, to actually tell them, in the classroom, that I respect and love them. And I hope that doesn’t feel too weird for them… I figure it’s kind of like a parent’s right, to make your kids squirm once in a while – I mean, I graduated seminary long before most of these folks were even born…
You’re going on sabbatical this year! Do you have a project?
Yes! First, a shout-out to Prof. Alex Tudorie, our Academic Dean. He has been a wonderfully supportive and effective faculty leader, and I have him especially to thank for the sabbatical this year. But I did promise him that I’d produce a book, and it’s on another subject I care very deeply about, namely, the theological reconciliation between Eastern and Oriental Churches. I was first “caught” by that issue during my stint at the World Council of Churches, where the two families have a common “Orthodox” voice. And then here at St. Vladimir’s, where we are so amazingly blessed to have students from Eastern Orthodox churches as well as from the Indian, Coptic, Armenian, Syrian, and sometimes also Ethiopian and Eritrean churches. Even as we feel the pain of being out of sacramental communion with each other, we are constantly experiencing the communion of our history, faith, and worship. Living, studying, and praying side-by-side in our community is a powerful witness of that unbroken connection. So in my book, I’ll be revisiting the early history as well as the modern dialogues. And I hope that this will help build further confidence in the possibility of our restored sacramental communion.
Anything else you’d like to add?
To close, I think the Seminary is in an exceptionally good place right now. The faculty—my goodness! Brilliant, thinking, prayerful people, who love the Church and love our students. (My only wish would be for women on our full-time faculty, but hopefully, that will come!) The staff too are a fabulous team to work with: super-competent and fun. And Fr Chad leads it all with wisdom, and with more balance than most people are aware of. And God keeps sending us students! I’m full of gratitude for all of it.
With faith in Christ and hope in the resurrection, we share the news of the repose of His Eminence Metropolitan Daniel (Nushiro) of Tokyo and All Japan. Metropolitan Daniel fell asleep in the Lord Jesus Christ on Thursday, August 10, 2023, at the age of 84.
He served the Lord in clerical orders for 54 years, including 23 as the primate of the Japanese Autonomous Orthodox Church.
The future metropolitan was born Ikuo Yoshihara, on September 5, 1938, in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Metropolitan Daniel was a convert to Orthodoxy, baptized into the Orthodox Faith in 1956, taking Jude as his baptismal name.
In 1965, he graduated from the Tokyo Theological Seminary, and in 1968 from St Vladimir’s Seminary with a Master of Divinity.
The future Metropolitan Daniel (far left) with Japanese seminarian classmates and future co-laborers in the Orthodox Church of Japan, at SVOTS in 1967. From left: Jude Ikuo Yoshihara, Roman Okawa, Ekaterina Kato, Justin Yamaguchi, Savvas Onami.
Professor of Liturgical Music Emeritus, David Drillock, remembers the future metropolitan during his studies at St Vladimir’s Seminary as a quiet, studious young man. Other contemporaries recounted memories of a young Japanese seminarian who worked diligently at his studies, supporting himself by working part-time at the local hot dog joint, Nathan’s.
After returning to Japan, he was ordained to the diaconate in November 1969, and to the priesthood in January 1972. He was appointed rector of St Matthew Orthodox Church in Toyohashi, Japan, where he served as a parish priest until 1999.
Following the death of His Eminence Metropolitan Theodosius of Tokyo and All Japan in 1999, he was tonsured a monk in Russia and subsequently consecrated to the episcopacy as Bishop of Kyoto. In early 2000, Bishop Peter [Arihara], another Saint Vladimir’s Seminary alumnus, was elected Metropolitan of Japan, but prior to his enthronement and elevation to the primatial see, he resigned for reasons of health and died shortly thereafter. It was then that Bishop Daniel was elected Primate of the Japanese Church. His elevation to the rank of Metropolitan and enthronement, at which His Holiness Patriarch Alexei of Moscow and His Beatitude Metropolitan Theodosius of the Orthodox Church in America were present, took place in Tokyo in May 2000, three days after the death of Bishop Peter.
His Eminence Metropolitan Daniel last visited the Saint Vladimir’s Seminary campus in September 2003 as part of a visit to the US for the Enthronement of His Beatitude Metropolitan Herman of the Orthodox Church in America.
St Vladimir’s Seminary Dean at the time, Prof. John H. Erickson, members of the faculty and administration, and the student body welcomed Met. Daniel warmly and held a prayer service at Three Hierarchs Chapel. At the conclusion of the service, Metropolitan Daniel reminisced about his years of study at the seminary. He shared with the community the overwhelming feelings he experienced as he passed through the gates of the seminary. With tears in his eyes, he remembered his departed professors and expressed words of gratitude for the education he received through them.
Also in 2003, Met. Daniel spoke about his ministry in the Japanese Church in the interview, “Divine Love Must Reign in the Heart of Man,” leaving behind a valuable record of his worldview and missiological outlook.
The Metropolitan presided over the celebration of several important anniversaries for the Japanese Orthodox Church inSeptember 2020: the 150th anniversary of its founding, the 50th anniversary of its autonomy, and the 50th anniversary of the glorification of St Nikolai of Japan.
His Eminence Archbishop Seraphim (Tsujie) of Sendai led a panikhida for Metropolitan Daniel in the Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Tokyo on August 16, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. On August 17, a large number of Japanese and multinational Orthodox clergy and faithful gathered at the cathedral to attend Divine Liturgy and the hierarchical funeral service, presided by Archbishop Seraphim. His Eminence led the funeral procession to Yokohama Foreign General Cemetery for the burial.
