Thomas Hopko

Thomas John Hopko (March 28, 1939 – March 18, 2015) was an Eastern Orthodox Christian priest and theologian. He was the Dean of Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary from September 1992 until July 1, 2002, and taught dogmatic theology there from 1968 until 2002. In retirement, he carried the honorary title of Dean Emeritus.

Life

Early life and education Thomas Hopko was born in Endicott, New York of Rusyn descent. His ancestors are linked to the Rusyn village of (now Nevyts'ke) near the city of Uzhhorod. He was baptized and raised in St. Mary’s Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Greek-Catholic Church, Endicott. He gained his B.A. in Russian studies at Fordham University in 1960, followed by a Master of Divinity degree at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in 1963. He later completed a master's degree in philosophy at Duquesne University in 1968 and a Ph.D. in theology at Fordham University in 1982. At St. Vladimir's Seminary, Hopko studied with such renowned Orthodox theologians as Fr. Alexander Schmemann, Fr. John Meyendorff, Nicholas Arseniev and Serge Verkhovskoy.

Priestly ministry and career as professor, seminary dean and lecturer He was ordained to the priesthood in 1963 and served several parishes in the states of Ohio and New York. In 1968 he began to teach at St. Vladimir's and eventually succeeded his teacher Serge Verkhovskoy as professor of dogmatic theology. He was elevated to the rank of archpriest in 1970 and to the rank of protopresbyter in 1995.

Retirement After retiring in 2002 from his position as Dean of St Vladimirs´s Seminary, Hopko moved to Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, where he frequently served at the Women´s Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration. Starting at 2008, he had several popular podcasts on Ancient Faith Radio. He continued to speak at various events in his retirement.

Death Hopko died of complications from congestive heart failure due to amyloidosis on March 18, 2015, in the Pittsburgh suburb of Wexford, Pennsylvania. He was survived by his wife and five children. Days before his death, his daughter Juliana created a blog wherein she provided periodic status updates about his declining health and eventual death. He was buried by the Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America in the Monastery of the Transfiguration in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, on March 23, 2015.

Works

Podcasts Speaking the Truth in Love (Ancient Faith Radio, 2008–2015) The Names of Jesus (Ancient Faith Radio, 2009–2010) Worship in Spirit and Truth (Ancient Faith Radio, 2011–2015)

Cassettes

Videocassettes

The Holy Trinity (SVS Press)

Mary: Icon of Human Perfection (SVS Press)

The Church of Christ (SVS Press) The Church and Liturgy (SVS Press) The Church and Salvation (SVS Press)

Audiocassettes

The Lord's Prayer - 10 Lectures (SVS Press) The Apocalypse - 4 Lectures (SVS Press) Praying with Icons - Lecture and Sermon (SVS Press) Ordination of Women: the Contemporary Debate (SVS Press) A Theology of Gender (SVS Press) Dynamics of Religion in American Society (SVS Press) Orthodox Spirituality (SVS Press) Theology of Work (SVS Press) The Work of God's People (2 cassettes) (SVS Press) The Word of the Cross (2 cassettes) (SVS Press) The Love of God (2 cassettes) (SVS Press) Monastic Elder and Parish Priest (SVS Press) Monastic Elder and Parish Priest -- Discussion (SVS Press) The Church of Christ (SVS Press) The Church and Liturgy (SVS Press) The Church and Liturgy -- Discussion (SVS Press) The Church and Salvation (SVS Press) The Church and Salvation -- Discussion (SVS Press) Wisdom! Let Us Attend (2 cassettes) (SVS Press) Only Christ (2 cassettes) (SVS Press) Victorious Living in a Godless World (4 cassettes) (SVS Press)