St. Tikhon’s Seminary Names Justin Smith Assistant Professor
St. Tikhon’s Seminary has selected Orthodox scholar Justin Smith to lead the next generation of church history and theology students.
SOUTH CANAAN, PA — Justin Smith has been appointed Assistant Professor of Church History and Historical Theology at St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary, where he will begin serving on July 1, 2026.
The appointment marks a significant transition for the seminary following the retirement of David Ford from the full-time faculty at the conclusion of the 2025–2026 academic year. Ford served the institution for 37 years and played a prominent role in the formation of generations of clergy and church leaders. Seminary officials described Smith’s arrival as part of an ongoing effort to strengthen the school's academic programs and faculty.
Announcing the appointment, Fr. Paul Witek said the seminary looks forward to Smith contributing as both a teacher and scholar. Witek noted that Smith studied under leading Orthodox theologians, including Fr. Alexis Torrance and Fr. Maximos Constas, and expressed confidence that his work would help shape future generations of clergy.
Smith, a husband and father of six from Tennessee, specializes in church history and relations between Eastern and Western Christianity. After graduating with honors from Wheaton College, he pursued further theological studies that eventually led him and his family to embrace Orthodoxy. He later earned a master’s degree with highest honors from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology and is completing doctoral studies at University of Notre Dame. His doctoral research focuses on the life and legacy of Mark of Ephesus and Late Byzantine church history.
Previously, the UOJ reported that St. Tikhon’s Monastery published a powerful new video on monastery life.
