Parishes sought for 2007 Seminarian Internship Program

SYOSSET, NY [OCA Communications] — With the blessing of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman, the seminarian internship program will once again be conducted during the summer of 2007.

The program provides seminarians of The Orthodox Church in America with an opportunity to undertake intensive, hands-on ministry in a parish setting under the mentorship of the parish pastor. Funding for the program comes from the operating budget of the Church, the Fellowship of Orthodox Stewards [FOS], and those individuals who pledged financial support for the program at the 14th All-American Council in Toronto, ON, in July 2005.

“While the program was unfortunately postponed for the past two years due to limited funding, the 2007 program represents a renewed commitment to preparing future pastors for our Church,” said the Rev. Steven Voytovich, program committee chairman. “Every level of the Church relies on the crucial necessity of nurturing those individuals who have accepted the call to serve the Church.”

Thirty-nine seminarians participated in the program in past summers.

Parishes interested in hosting a seminarian are now being sought.

Each internship spans 10 weeks between June 4 and August 27, 2007.
Assignments to parishes and mentors are made solely by Metropolitan Herman, based on the recommendation of the program committee and in consultation with the diocesan hierarch of the host parish. An intern cannot be assigned to his home parish or, in the case of recent converts, to the parish they attended prior to seminary matriculation.

Each intern will receive a monthly stipend of no less than $1,500.00 per month. This figure is adjusted to the greatest amount given funding levels and travel costs. However, it is suggested that host parish make every effort to provide additional money, housing, or both.

Parish application forms are posted on the OCA web site, or can be obtained by writing to the 2007 Seminarian Internship Program, The Orthodox Church in America, PO Box 675, Syosset, New York 11791-0675.

Questions may be directed to Father Steven Voytovich at at 203-453-4405 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).


Download the Seminarian Internship Program parish application form