As the 2024-2025 academic year draws to a close, the Metropolitan Center of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA - particularly St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary - welcomed the part-time cohort of students enrolled in the Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Applied Orthodox Theology programs for the conclusion of the spring semester. In accordance with the academic standards of the Seminary’s part-time residency program, students gathered for an in-person academic retreat, offering a culmination to their semester-long theological studies and spiritual formation.

Traveling from across the United States – Colorado, Illinois, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Rhode Island and communities across Connecticut and other regions - the students arrived with open hearts and eager minds to engage with faculty and fellow seminarians. The retreat not only provided an opportunity for intensive academic discussions and clarification of theological topics addressed throughout the semester, but also served as a time of spiritual renewal and community building.

His Eminence Metropolitan Antony, the Rector of the Seminary, and His Eminence Archbishop Daniel, the Academic Dean, warmly greeted the students. In his remarks, Metropolitan Antony reflected on the pioneering legacy of Metropolitan John (Theodorovich), the first Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, who laid the foundation for theological education within the Church. A memorial service was prayerfully offered for the repose of past faculty members, administrators, and students of the Seminary, with special remembrance of the late Very Rev. Fr. Basil Zawierucha, who served as Academic Dean and faithfully guided generations of clergy and theologians.

The academic portion of the retreat was enriched by formal sessions, group reflections, and one-on-one advising with professors. Rev. Fr. Richard Jendras, Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs, along with Very Rev. Fr. Vasyl Pasakas, Dean of Students, and Rev. Fr. Ivan Tchopko, Assistant to the Dean of Students, coordinated the academic, spiritual, and logistical aspects of the gathering with great care and dedication. Their service ensured a seamless and enriching experience for all participants.

Free time between sessions was marked by thoughtful theological conversations, shared meals, and the fostering of bonds among seminarians - many of whom are balancing parish ministry and family life with their academic commitments. This unique hybrid approach to theological education continues to offer a vital pathway for dedicated Orthodox Christians seeking formal training and formation in pastoral care, ethical leadership, and Orthodox theology.

St. Sophia Seminary, now celebrating its 50th year of service to the Church, remains the only accredited Ukrainian Orthodox theological institution in the United States - and the only such institution outside Ukraine. With its mission deeply rooted in the Gospel and the sacred tradition of the Orthodox Church, the Seminary remains a beacon of Orthodox theological education in the diaspora.

Reflecting on the significance of the retreat and the Seminary’s mission, Archbishop Daniel remarked, “It brings me profound joy to witness individuals explore their sacred vocations within the ecclesiastical and lay ministries of the Church. Theological education is not simply the pursuit of knowledge, but the awakening of the heart to serve God’s people. Our Seminary exists to inspire, to prepare, and to send forth laborers into the Lord’s vineyard - and I encourage others to respond with courage and faith to that same call.”

For those discerning a calling to theological study or pastoral ministry, St. Sophia Seminary warmly invites applications to its Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Applied Orthodox Theology, and other theological programs. Visit www.stsuots.edu to learn more about academic offerings and the life of the Seminary.

Faith. Formation. Future. Come and be transformed.