St. Sophia Seminary Awarded $1 Million by Lilly Endowment

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SOUTH BOUND BROOK, NJ — Saint Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary has been awarded a $1,000,000 grant through the Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative, which supports theological schools in the United States and Canada as they adapt to new challenges and prepare pastoral needs.

Under the project titled “Saint Sophia 2.0”, the seminary will develop a comprehensive online platform offering video-based educational content for Ukrainian Orthodox parishes across the country and continuing-education programs for clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA. The initiative is designed to extend the seminary’s reach beyond its traditional degree programs, bringing formation and enrichment to every parish and every priest serving in the UOC of USA, while also introducing the broader public to the depth of the Orthodox Christian tradition.

“This extraordinary gift represents far more than financial support,” said His Eminence Metropolitan Antony, Rector of Saint Sophia Seminary and Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA. “It affirms the sacred mission entrusted to us – to form faithful and learned clergy and lay leaders who will serve Christ and His Holy Church in a world greatly in need of hope, compassion, and moral clarity. The Lilly Endowment’s confidence in our Seminary strengthens our resolve to educate men and women who will proclaim the Gospel with integrity and love, upholding Orthodox Christian Tradition and serve the people of God in every circumstance of life: Inspiring servant leaders equipped to fulfill Christ’s saving mission to a world in need.”

Saint Sophia is among 163 theological institutions that have received funding from the Pathways initiative since 2021, representing a wide array of Christian traditions.

“Theological schools have long played a central role for most denominations and church networks in preparing and supporting pastoral leaders who guide congregations,” said Christopher L. Coble, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for religion.

“These schools are paying close attention to the challenges churches are facing today and will face in the foreseeable future. The grants will help these schools engage in wide-ranging, innovative efforts to adapt their educational programs and build their financial capacities so they can better prepare pastors and lay ministers to effectively lead the congregations they will serve in the future.”

St. Tikhon's Seminary was also awarded $920,000 by the Lilly Endowment for its “Sowing for Plentiful Harvests” vocations initiative.

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