Late Vocations (Teachings of the Orthodox Church)

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You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery;' but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna. If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off, and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna. 'It was also said, 'Whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorce,' but I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries her when she is put away commits adultery. 'Again you have heard that it was said to them of old time, 'You shall not make false vows, but shall perform to the Lord your vows,' but I tell you, don't swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God; nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can't make one hair white or black. But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No' be 'No.' Whatever is more than these is of the evil one. 'You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.'* But I tell you, don't resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also. Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and don't turn away him who desires to borrow from you. 'You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor,* and hate your enemy.*' But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven.

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	Late Vocations (Teachings of the Orthodox Church)

QUESTION:

I am a recent convert to Orthodoxy and am very interested in pursuing a vocation to the priesthood. I am in my mid-40s, a college professor, and have a Ph.D. I have heard very generally about the OCA's "Late Vocations" program, but cannot find any really specific information about it.

I aware of courses given in the Extension Programs of the OCA Seminaries, and of the Antiochian Archdiocese's St. Stephen's Course.

I am fully prepared to do everything it takes, but need guidance as to what the initial steps really are. I also know that there are various impediments to ordination -- for me a major one might be that I have been Orthodox only for a short time?

ANSWER:

The best way to prepare for ordination in the Orthodox Church is, of course, to study at an Orthodox seminary. Priestly formation not only involves academics, but also a day-to-day life experience, participation in the daily cycle of liturgical services, regular interaction with seminary professors, staff, and peers, etc.

In cases where there is no possibility whatsoever of studying at an Orthodox seminary, mature individuals may consider pursuing a late vocations program. The best way to begin exploring this would be to seek the advice of your parish priest, your spiritual father, and ultimately your diocesan bishop. Ultimately, one must have the blessing of his diocesan bishop to initiate participation in the late vocations program.

It is only my opinion, but I think that it is wise for a person, especially one contemplating the late vocations program, to have been Orthodox for at least three years before beginning a program -- including enrollment in seminary.

One of the best "classrooms" is the parish. There one not only learns the dynamics of pastoring individuals, leading a community, and organizing the plethora of programs, ministries, and evangelization efforts, but one also experiences and learns from the liturgical cycle as observed on a parish level -- of course, assuming that one's parish has a rather full liturgical life.

Further, by waiting a designated period of time, one may more clearly "test" his vocation.

The St. Stephen's Course is not designed to prepare individuals for the priesthood; rather, it is directed at laypeople interested in broadening their understanding of the faith.

Thus, the best advice I can offer is to ultimately discuss your intentions and potential vocation with those mentioned above. Only they can fully assess your particular situation and offer appropriate guidance. I hope this helps.

Fr. John Matusiak

Published in January 2011.

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