Orthodox Seminarians and Alumni Ordained and Elevated Across the Globe

Photo: St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary/Facebook

YONKERS — A series of ordinations and ecclesiastical elevations involving seminarians and alumni of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary took place in late December and early January across several Orthodox jurisdictions worldwide.

Two priests were ordained during this period. Dcn. Richard Okello (M.Div. ’25) was ordained to the priesthood on December 28 in Africa to serve the Orthodox Diocese of Gulu and Northern Uganda under the Patriarchate of Alexandria. Dcn. Jarrod Huffman, a third-year seminarian, was ordained to the priesthood on the Feast of Theophany, January 6, at Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral in Chicago, and will serve the Diocese of the Midwest of the Orthodox Church in America.

Ordinations to the diaconate also occurred. Sbd. Subin Shaji (M.Div. ’22) was ordained a deacon on January 3 at St. Peter’s Syriac Orthodox Cathedral in Philadelphia for service in the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church in North America. In India, third-year seminarian Emil Prisquilas Peter was tonsured a subdeacon on December 26 at St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral in Kalyan West, to serve the Diocese of Bombay of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.

Additionally, two priests were elevated to the rank of Archpriest. Fr. Lucas Rice (M.Div. ’11) received the dignity at St. Michael Church in Louisville, Kentucky, during a January visit by Metr. Saba of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. Fr. Nabil Fino was likewise elevated at St. James Church in Loveland, Ohio, during the same pastoral visit.

Previously, the UOJ reported that the OCA had released clergy demographics and vocations outlook. 

Read also