OCA Diocese of Mexico Celebrates Clergy Ordinations, Seminary Revival

The St. Basil the Great Pastoral School ceased operations in 1983 but was revived by the All-American Council in 2021.
MEXICO CITY — On June 22, the feast of the Synaxis of the Saints of North America, two graduates of the St. Basil the Great Orthodox Pastoral Institute in the Orthodox Church in America’s Diocese of Mexico were ordained by His Eminence Archbishop Alejo.
During the Divine Liturgy at the Ascension of the Lord Cathedral, Deacon Raphael was ordained to the priesthood, and Reader Marcos from the Nativity Mission in Ojuelos, Jalisco, was raised to the subdiaconate.
Founded in 1974 by Bishop José to train clergy for the Exarchate of Mexico, the institute ceased operations in 1983 after his repose but was revived in 2021 by Archbishop Alejo.
Following the 2022 All-American Council, renewed attention to clergy formation in Mexico led to a fundraising initiative, including a $10,000 annual pledge from Metropolitan Tikhon.