Abp. Daniel Visits Orthodox Seminaries, Ordains Student to Diaconate

SOUTH CANAAN, PA — Abp. Daniel of Chicago and the Midwest of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) visited students at two Orthodox seminaries from Oct. 21-25, meeting with seminarians and their families and leading a retreat on St. Olga of Alaska.

The visit took place as the Diocese of the Midwest concluded its annual “Support Our Seminarians” month. Abp. Daniel first traveled to St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in South Canaan, Pennsylvania, accompanied by Fr. Herman Kincaid, the diocesan chancellor, and Dcn. Timothy Heinbokel.

The group met with seminarians and their families for dinner before Abp. Daniel and his delegation spent the following morning meeting with the seminary’s eight students to discuss their well-being and formation.

The Archbishop then traveled to St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in Yonkers, New York. During the visit, he celebrated the Divine Liturgy and ordained Gabriel Krug, a seminarian of the Diocese of the Midwest, to the diaconate. Abp. Daniel also led a retreat on St. Olga of Alaska, who was canonized in 2025 and is known for her work as a healer and teacher in Alaska, becoming the first North American women to become a saint.

The Diocese of the Midwest organizes its annual seminarian support campaign to encourage financial and other assistance for students preparing for service in the Church.

Previously, the UOJ reported on the Diocese of the Midwest concluding its 65th Diocesan assembly in Ohio.