Mexico City, June 27, 2025
Two graduates of the St. Basil the Great Orthodox Pastoral Institute of the Orthodox Church in America’s Diocese of Mexico were ordained to sacred orders on June 22, the feast day of the Synaxis of the Saints of North America, by His Eminence Archbishop Alejo.
During the Divine Liturgy at the Ascension of the Lord Cathedral, Deacon Raphael was ordained to the priesthood, while Reader Marcos of the Nativity Mission in Ojuelos, Jalisco, was ordained to the subdiaconate. Family and friends gathered to witness the laying on of hands as both candidates advanced in their clerical vocations, Fr. Raphael told OrthoChristian.
The candidates’ advancement resulted from their commitment to preserving the Orthodox faith and their successful completion of instruction at the St. Basil the Great Orthodox Pastoral Institute. The ordinations were proposed by the Institute’s Director, Reverend Father Saúl Díaz, and subsequently approved and organized by Abp. Alejo.
The St. Basil Orthodox Pastoral School has a significant history in Mexican Orthodox clergy formation. It was originally founded in 1974 by His Grace Bishop José to train the second generation of priests of the then Exarchate of Mexico of the Orthodox Church in America. The institution concluded its activities in 1983 following Bishop José's repose, but was rehabilitated by Archbishop Alejo in 2021.
The school's reestablishment gained momentum following discussions at the 2022 All-American Council, where concerns about Mexican clergy education were addressed. A fundraising campaign was launched to support the institute, with funds being raised through a charitable foundation established by Abp. Alejo. His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon personally committed $10,000 annually for three years toward the $80,000 goal.
These ordinations represent the fulfillment of the Diocese of Mexico’s missionary commitment to spread the message of salvation through Christ.
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