South Bound Brook, New Jersey, December 3, 2025
Photo: stsuots.edu
St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary of the UOC-USA (Constantinople) has received a grant of $1,000,000 from the Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative, which supports theological schools across the United States and Canada in strengthening their educational and financial capacities to prepare and support pastoral leaders for Christian congregations.
The seminary’s grant proposal, entitled Saint Sophia 2.0, is an educational outreach program to the clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA and to all her faithful in parish communities across the nation. The program will develop and disseminate online video content, supplementing parish education, and to the wider public where interest in the ancient Orthodox faith and its historical authenticity is rapidly growing, the seminary reports.
In addition, continuing education courses will be developed and conducted for the clergy of the UOC of USA, enriching their education, personal spiritual development and pastoral responsibility.
The grant is similar to one received this year by St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, which received $920,000 from the same initiative. While St. Tikhon’s program focuses on developing pathways for second-career priestly vocations, St. Sophia’s program emphasizes online educational content and continuing education for existing clergy.
“This extraordinary gift represents far more than financial support. It affirms the sacred mission entrusted to us—to form faithful and learned clergy and lay leaders who will serve Christ and His Holy Church in a world greatly in need of hope, compassion, and moral clarity,” said Metropolitan Antony, rector of St. Sophia Seminary. “The Lilly Endowment’s confidence in our Seminary strengthens our resolve to educate men and women who will proclaim the Gospel with integrity and love, upholding Orthodox Christian Tradition and serve the people of God in every circumstance of life: Inspiring servant leaders equipped to fulfill Christ’s saving mission to a world in need.”
“Theological schools have long played a central role for most denominations and church networks in preparing and supporting pastoral leaders who guide congregations,” said Christopher L. Coble, the Endowment’s vice president for religion. “These schools are paying close attention to the challenges churches are facing today and will face in the foreseeable future. The grants will help these schools engage in wide-ranging, innovative efforts to adapt their educational programs and build their financial capacities so they can better prepare pastors and lay ministers to effectively lead the congregations they will serve in the future.”
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