Talmiche, Huehuetenango Department, Guatemala, April 27, 2026
Photo: stsconstantinehelen.org
A mountaintop seminary serving half a million Orthodox Christians across Guatemala is racing to secure a reliable water source, with fundraisers seeking $70,000 by May 21st, to complete a well project that has already encountered significant obstacles.
San Andres Orthodox Christian Seminary sits 7,000 feet above sea level overlooking the city of Huehuetenango in the village of Talmiche. The facility, which opened in 2024 after two and a half years of construction, serves as the central hub for Guatemala’s Orthodox Church after the seminary relocated from its original 2017 location in Aguacate.
The seminary operates on a rotating basis, housing approximately 150 catechists during three-month training periods, along with instructors and 10 seminarians. The facility also maintains a working farm with 18 dairy cows that produce cheese for sale, 300 chickens, and other livestock—all requiring substantial water supplies.
Currently, water must be brought into the seminary grounds. An initial drilling attempt near the main buildings failed when drill bits broke against rock formations. Workers have since cleared a second drilling site further down the mountain, where diamond-tipped drill bits will be used in hopes of penetrating the rock to reach groundwater below.
The water crisis reflects broader challenges across Guatemala, where more than 5.5 million people—30% of the population—lack access to clean water sources. The project’s completion timeline remains uncertain, dependent on how deep drilling must go before reaching water. Once a successful well is established, the seminary will need pumping equipment and an extensive pipe system to transport water uphill to the facility.
The fundraising campaign has raised $19,355 as of this writing—27% of the $70,000 goal.
Donations are being collected through Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Reading, Pennsylvania.
Enoy a walkthrough of the seminary:
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