Yonkers, New York, July 24, 2026
Photo: St. Vladimir’s Seminary
St. Vladimir’s Online School of Theology drew nearly 130 participants for the most recent cohort of its Catechist Certification Program, which formed in April. Participants are working to complete the program this July.
The Catechist Certification Program is offered with the blessings of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon of the OCA and His Eminence Metropolitan Saba of the Antiochian Archdiocese. The program was launched in response to recent waves of inquirers, seekers, and catechumens at Orthodox churches across North America and abroad, the seminary reports.
The program is structured in three phases: “Accelerating Church Growth,” “Everyone is an Evangelist and Catechist,” and “Church Growth and Catechism in Our Time.” Course topics include biblical, historical, theological, and liturgical review; group dynamics management; catechetical resources; and stewardship and devotion to the local parish.
“The course has not disappointed,” says catechist-in-training R. Leo Olson. “We’ve heard from many different teachers, including two Metropolitans, about the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’ of helping people find the will of the Father, the Truth of Jesus Christ, and the love of the Holy Spirit.”
Instructors leading the course sessions, in addition to Metropolitans Tikhon and Saba, include multiple hierarchs, the dean and other faculty members from St. Vladimir’s Seminary, and the dean of St. Tikhon’s Seminary, among others.
Matthew O’Connor, a fellow program participant, said the course has been “wonderfully helpful” in his parish work.
“I didn’t expect I would be as inspired by this course as much as I was,” said Fr. Michael Nasser, director of spiritual formation at St. Vladimir’s Seminary. “How beautiful it was to see so many people committing to a tough schedule—two nights a week for almost three months—all of whom were so excited for the work of sharing their Orthodox faith with the people showing up at their parish. Just as inspiring were the presentations from a veritable ‘who’s who’ of North American Orthodoxy, each of whom shared invaluable insight on this blessed work.”
Participants who complete the course receive a certificate and a pin from St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary.
The next cohort will be formed in September 2026. More information is available from the program’s website.
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