Protopresbyter Thomas and Matushka Anne Hopko

Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko (1939-2015)

and

Matushka Anne Hopko (born Schmemann) (1944-2022)

Early life of Thomas J Hopko

On 28 March, 1939, Thomas John Hopko was born in Endicott, New York, USA. His ancestors are linked to the Rusyn village of Nevitskoe near the city of Uzhhorod in Ukrainian Trans-Carpathia (near the border with Slovakia and Hungary). Thomas was the third child and only son of John J Hopko and Anna (born Zapotocky) Hopko. His sisters were Mary Ann and Barbara Hopko.

Thomas Hopko was baptised in Saint Mary’s Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Greek-Catholic Church, Endicott, New York, where he was raised in the bosom of the Orthodox Christian Church.

Saint Mary's Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Greek-Catholic Church, Endicott

Thomas received his primary and secondary education in Endicott. He attended public schools in that city, and he graduated from Union-Endicott High School in 1956.

Higher education of Thomas

Thomas then enrolled in Fordham University in New York, from which he graduated in 1960 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Russian Studies.

After this, he continued his education at Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, from which he received the Master of Divinity degree in 1963. At Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, Thomas studied with such renowned Orthodox professors of theology as Father Alexander Schmemann, Father John Meyendorff, Professor Nicholas Arseniev and Professor Serge Verhovskoy.

While he was studying at Saint Vladimir's Seminary, Thomas met Anne, the eldest child of Father Alexander and Matushka Juliana Schmemann. They became friends, and in time, they decided to marry.

Early life of Anne

In 1944, Anne Schmemann was born in Clamart (a southwestern suburb of Paris), France, to Alexander and Juliana Schmemann who were both studying in Paris : he at the Saint Sergius Orthodox Theological Institute, she at the Sorbonne University. Her father was soon ordained to the Holy Priesthood. Anne was raised (along with her brother Serge and sister Mary) in a loving Orthodox Christian home, in the bosom of the Orthodox Church, and in the living practice of the Orthodox Christian Faith in a Russian-French context.

The family moved to New York City in 1951, when Father Alexander had received a teaching position at Saint Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary there. Matushka Anne always remembered her sadness at leaving behind family and friends, and had a lifelong affection for the city of Paris. In New York, the seminary was still in cramped quarters in New York City, and the family lived in close quarters on the upper west side of Manhattan.

After their arrival, Anne entered Grade 2 in a Roman Catholic School, where she very quickly learnt the English language as her third language (her first language was Russian, and her second language was French). She was then sent to the Chapin School, where her mother taught for a year. Both Anne and her sister Mary completed Grade 12 in this school.

By this time, Anne had met Thomas Hopko, with whom she became friends. Thomas had a year of study still remaining, and Anne returned to France to stay for a time with her grandmother. There, she spent a year immersed in studying French language and literature. She graduated in 1962.

Marriage, 1963

On 9 June, 1963, Thomas Hopko married Anne Schmemann (daughter of Father Alexander and Matushka Juliana Schmemann).

Later, the Lord later gave them 5 children whom they raised : Juliana, John, Katherine, Maria, Alexandra.

Ordinations, 1963

In 1963, Thomas Hopko was ordained to the Holy Diaconate, and then to the Holy Priesthood.

Pastoral service

Warren, Ohio

The Priest Thomas Hopko’s first parish assignment was to the Holy Resurrection Church at Warren, Ohio, where he served from 1963 to 1968.

Holy Resurrection Temple, Warren, Ohio

At the same time, he had enrolled in Duquesne University of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (to which he would commute). There, he received a Master of Arts degree (in philosophy) in 1968.

Wappingers Falls, New York

In 1968, Father Hopko was then transferred and assigned to be the parish priest of the Church of Saint Gregory the Theologian in Wappingers Falls, New York, where he served from 1968 to 1978.

Saint Gregory the Theologian Temple, Wappingers Falls, New York

In 1968, Father Thomas Hopko was a delegate from the Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church in North America to the Fourth General Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Uppsala, Sweden. There were several other representatives from this Church to that assembly.

During all the years of his whole-hearted service to Christ and the Church, Father Thomas was supported in a multitude of ways by his wife, Anne. Besides the responsibility of raising their 5 children, Matushka Anne had her own contributions to Church life in addition to supporting her husband in his pastorate. Blessed with a lovely Church singing voice, and having benefited from musical training, Matushka Anne enjoyed singing in and directing Church choirs, which often included family members.

Matushka Anne was an accomplished and talented seamstress. She not only tailored clothing for her children and many others, including lovely wedding dresses, but she also made beautiful items for use in Church, such as vestments, decorative hangings and covers, and baptismal garments. A testament to the quality of these items is how many of them have been handed down and used, from generation to generation.

In time, Matushka Anne undertook many projects of administrative support at Saint Vladimir’s. She was often to be seen in the solarium with boxes of address-cards and mailing lists, for instance. Without any pretence, she served as a mentor to many students, to whom she offered motherly guidance and support.

She and her husband were visibly a “team”. Together, by their living example, they taught about the way of life of people in the Orthodox Christian Church.

About Matushka Anne, her father later wrote in his diary about how he responded to a time when they visited France together :

 Her clearness, modesty, wholeness are truly touching – I can't find a word that would describe it better !

Service as a teacher

In 1968, while he was serving at Saint Gregory the Theologian Church, Father Hopko began teaching courses as a lecturer in Doctrine (a facet of Dogmatic Theology in the Orthodox manner) and in Pastoral Theology at Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary.

Young professor, Father Thomas Hopko

Saint Vladimir's Seminary, 1960s

The First Chapel

In 1970, the Priest Thomas Hopko was elevated to the dignity of archpriest.

From 1972-1983, Father Thomas Hopko served as Assistant Professor of Dogmatic Theology at Saint Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary.

In 1973, while he was briefly at home, Father Alexander Schmemann was with Father Thomas, who was working on a project in the dining-room. He commented in his diary about Father Hopko :

 I always feel in him the presence of light and goodness.

In 1974, Father Thomas Hopko was a delegate of The Orthodox Church in America to the Fifth Assembly World Council of Churches (WCC) in Nairobi, Kenya.

From 1975-1991, Father Thomas Hopko served as a member of the Faith and Order Commission of the WCC, and also a member of the Standing Commission of the Faith and Order Commission.

Annual football game

Jamaica Estates, New York

In 1978, Father Hopko was transferred from the Diocese of New York to the Albanian Archdiocese, in order to serve the Church of Saint Nicholas in Jamaica Estates, New York. He continued to serve there until 1983.

Saint Nicholas Temple, Jamaica Estates, New York

Bereavement, 1980

In 1980, the father of Father Thomas, John J Hopko, fell asleep in the Lord at Endicott, New York.

Soon afterwards, Panikhidas (memorial services) were served for him.

Then, the Funeral Service for the Burial of a Lay-person was offered for him at Saint Mary’s Orthodox Church in Endicott.

After the conclusion of the funeral obsequies, the body of John Hopko was interred at Saint Peter and Paul Cemetery, Endwell, Broome County, New York.

Grave-marker

During these years, Father Thomas Hopko had enrolled again in Fordham University, where he pursued postgraduate studies. At the same time, he served pastorally, and he also taught at Saint Vladimir’s Seminary.

In 1982, he received the Ph.D. degree in Theology from Fordham University.

Saint Vladimir’s Seminary Chapel of the Three Hierarchs, Crestwood, New York

Saint Vladimir’s Seminary Chapel, 1983

After the retirement in 1981 of his teacher, Professor Serge Verhovskoy, Father Hopko succeeded him in 1983 as Associate Professor of Dogmatic Theology at Saint Vladimir’s Seminary.

From 1985-1991, Father Thomas Hopko served as chairman of the WCC Faith and Order Commission’s Steering Group about "Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry", which considered the responses to publication of the same name after the Lima, Peru, meeting of the commission.

In 1991, Father Thomas Hopko became a full professor, with the title "Professor of Dogmatic Theology" at the seminary. He continued in this responsibility until his own retirement in 2002.

During his active years of teaching at Saint Vladimir’s, in addition to Dogmatic Theology, the courses he taught included Practical Theology, Homiletics, and Spirituality.

Fathers A Schmemann, J Meyendorff, T Hopko, J Tkachuk, beside Saint Sergius Chapel at Lac Labelle, Québec

In addition to his other responsibilities, from 1984-2002, Father Hopko served as the second rector of Saint Sergius’ Chapel (a summer chapel) at Labelle, Québec. He spent as much time as possible at Labelle each summer so that he could both rest and write. He was able to be there with both his immediate and his extended family.

Chapel of Saint Sergius of Radonezh, Labelle

Father Thomas was frequently asked to speak in various places in Canada, the USA, and elsewhere. Often, these speaking engagements occurred in the summer time, and he would travel to them from Labelle. Other engagements occurred during the academic year, and he travelled to them from New York City.

Dean of Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, 1992

In September, 1992, Father Hopko was appointed to be the Dean of Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, and he served in this capacity until his retirement in 2002.

While serving as dean, Father Thomas was the rector of the seminary’s Three Hierarchs’ Chapel.

Father Hopko as Dean of Saint Vladimir's

In his first year as the Dean of Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, he received Patriarch Pavle II (Stojcevic) at the seminary. Patriarch Pavle had travelled to the USA in the autumn of 1992 in order to preside over the healing of a schism amongst the Serbian Orthodox dioceses in North America caused by certain conditions during the communist era. Healing such divisions became his highest priority when he assumed the office of primate, and peacemaking was the hallmark of his life. When he visited Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, the seminary conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Divinity "honoris causa".

Patriarch Pavle II (Stojcevic) and Father Thomas Hopko in the seminary chapel

From 1992-1995, the Archpriest Thomas Hopko served as the President of the "Orthodox Theological Society in America".

Bereavement, 1993

On 25 September, 1993, the mother of Father Hopko, Anna (born Zapolocky) Hopko, fell asleep in the Lord in Endicott, New York.

Soon afterwards, Panikhidas (memorial services) were served for her.

Then, the Funeral Service for the Burial of a Lay-person was offered for her at Saint Mary’s Orthodox Church in Endicott.

After the conclusion of the funeral obsequies, the body of Anna Hopko was interred at Saint Peter and Paul Cemetery, Endwell, Broome County, New York.

Grave-marker

In 1995, the Archpriest Thomas Hopko was elevated to the dignity of protopresbyter, in his capacity as the Dean of Saint Vladimir’s Seminary.

Artistic impression of the Saint Vladimir Seminary campus

At the dismissal of the Divine Liturgy

With Archpriests Paul Lazor and John Breck, Theophany Water Blessing

Retirement, 2002

On 1 July, 2002, Father Thomas Hopko retired from his responsibilities as Dean of Saint Vladimir’s Seminary. Upon his retirement, Father Hopko was given the title of Dean Emeritus by the Board of Trustees of Saint Vladimir’s Seminary. In retirement, he and his wife went to live in their home near the Holy Transfiguration Monastery at Ellwood City, Pennsylvania.

At Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, Yonkers, NY - 2013-10-27 - (back row from left) Archpriest Michael Senyo, Archpriest John Jillions, Bishop Melchisedek, Archpriest John Behr, Archpriest Chad Hatfield, Protodeacon Joseph Matusiak; (front row from left) Matushka Anne Hopko, Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko, Metropolitan Theodosius, and Dr. Stefanie Yazge.

Protopresbyter Thomas and Matushka Anne Hopko with Metropolitan Theodosius (Lazor), Bishop Melchisedek (Pleska), Saint Vladimir’s alumni board

Thomas and Anne Hopko with Metropolitan Tikhon and Bishop Irenee 2013-08-24

Bishop Irénée (Rochon), Protopresbyter Thomas and Matushka Anne Hopko and Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard)

Illness

From about 2012, Father Hopko began to suffer more significant health difficulties, which limited his ability to travel and to speak publicly. He nevertheless continued to pray as always, and to do the best he could with correspondence. He and Matushka Anne remained a well-matched "team" in their life together, and in their serving Christ’s Church together.

50 years of pastoral service, 2013

In 2013, Father Thomas Hopko's 50 years of service as a presbyter in the Orthodox Christian Church was marked on several occasions. One of these was at Saint Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Church in Allison Park, Pennsylvania.

Father Thomas and Matushka Anne at Allison Park, 2013

Awarding of the Order of Saint Innocent, 2013

On 24 August, 2013, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard) awarded Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko with the Order of Saint Innocent, Gold Cross. This was done on the exact day of his 50th anniversary of ordination to the Holy Priesthood in 1963.

Metropolitan Tikhon awarded the Order of Saint Innocent

This took place during an Archdiocesan Assembly of the Archdiocese of Canada. Because Father Thomas and Matushka Anne spent much of every summer in retreat at their summer home at Lac Labelle, Quebec, and because Father Thomas frequently served in the Summer Chapel of Saint Sergius of Radonezh in this place, he was considered to be a cleric (albeit unofficially) of the archdiocese.

Father Thomas, Matushka Anne, in Saint Sergius' Chapel, Lac Labelle

2013 New York photo of Father Tom, Matushka Anne, Matushka Juliana, Serge and Manya Schmemann, Father John and Mary (Schmemann) Tkachuk

Despite the limitations imposed by his weakening health, Father Hopko was able to attend an Archdiocesan Assembly of the Archdiocese of Canada in 2013. The minutes of this meeting state that

 the Archdiocese of Canada was honoured to have Father Thomas as a guest speaker during the 2013 Archdiocesan 
 Assembly to provide a spiritual perspective on the various agenda items.  At the closing Banquet, the 
 Archpriest John Jillions, Chancellor of the OCA, gave an address entitled ‘A Cloud of Witnesses’, during which 
 he gave tribute to Father Thomas Hopko.  Metropolitan Tikhon then awarded Father Thomas the Order of Saint Innocent, 
 Gold Medal, in recognition of his 50th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood and of his many years of 
 service and dedication to the Orthodox Church in America.  As well, the assembly congratulated Father 
 Thomas and Matushka Anne on the 50th anniversary of their marriage.

During this archdiocesan assembly, several of the parish delegates and some of the parish clergy who had been his students were overjoyed to be able to listen to him again, and more importantly, to speak with him again.

Father Thomas, Deacon K Jordan (of a British Columbia parish), with a freshly-caught fish

In later 2014, the health difficulties became yet more pronounced, and the couple persevered as ever in living a fully-rounded Orthodox Christian life, and giving a stable Orthodox Christian example to those whose lives have been touched by them.

For several years before his repose, Father Hopko suffered from a rare heart disease which increasingly limited his energy and strength. Nevertheless, until shortly before his repose, he continued to record podcasts for the sake of the faithful people to come (even though he could no longer cope with correspondence). His last days, his repose in Christ, and his joyful funeral services were all filled with blessings. Between 2008 and the time of his repose, Father Thomas produced more than 400 podasts with "Ancient Faith Radio".

Father Thomas, Matushka Anne Hopko, 2013

Repose of Father Thomas Hopko, 2015

On Wednesday, 18 March, 2015, Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko fell asleep in the Lord at Ellwood City, Pennsylvania.

On Sunday evening and Monday morning, 22-23 March, 2015, the Funeral Services for the Burial of a Priest were served by Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard), who was assisted by other hierarchs and approximately 60 clergy.

After the funeral services, his body was interred in the cemetery of Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania.

Funeral Service at Holy Transfiguration Monastery

Interment procession

Interment at the monastery cemetery

Grave-marker

Repose of Matushka Anne Hopko, 2022

While Matushka Anne was (as usual for decades) spending time with her family in the summertime at the family's summer retreat at Lac Labelle, Québec, on 3 August, 2022, she was suddenly stricken by a severe stroke. She had been taking morning tea at the time.

Immediately, the medically-trained family members provided vigorous first-response measures until the ambulance and paramedics could arrive. Matushka Anne was then taken to the hospital in Rivière-Rouge, Québec (about 23 km/12 mi distant), where she was given all possible care. Not the least of this care included the spiritual support that was given through Archpriest Alexis Vinogradov (resident priest in the summertime), not only to Matushka Anna, but also to the family ; and the loving familial care that was given by her sister Masha Tkachuk, and her niece Vera Tkachuk.

The whole family expressed deep gratitude to all the medical care-givers, and to all those near and dear who gave support through various loving acts, and who prayed fervently for Matushka Anne throughout her final hours. Indeed, they all cared for her long past the time of her departure to the Lord.

The family also expressed deep gratitude to Mother Christophora and the Sisterhood of the Monastery of the Transfiguration at Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, who always welcomed their neighbour and friend, Matushka Anne, and who made her feel comfortable and at home in their midst.

Because Matushka Anne reposed in Christ in Canada, and because the funeral services were to be offered in the USA, these services were delayed because of the rules regarding the transport of a body across the international border that separates the 2 countries.

Once the legal details for the transfer of the body of Matushka Anne Hopko to the USA had been fulfilled, the arrangements for the funeral could be confirmed. The Samuel Teolis Funeral Home, Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, was entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

The services (live-streamed on the internet) took place at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Monastery (321 Monastery Lane, Ellwood City), in the large outdoor, covered pavilion.

On Thursday, 18 August, 2022, from 4:30 p.m., it was possible to approach the coffin in the pavilion in order to pray privately.

On Thursday, 18 August, 2022, at 6:00 p.m., the Funeral Vigil (the Funeral Service for the Burial of a Lay-person) took place in the pavilion-chapel. Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard) presided, and he was assisted by 14 priests and 1 deacon. The singers included nuns, family and friends of Matushka Anne. Archpriest John Hopko gave a homily after the Gospel reading. Metropolitan Tikhon gave a homily after the conclusion of the funeral service. Abbess Christophora presented personal remarks thereafter.

On Friday, 19 August, 2022, at 9:30 a.m., the Primatial Hierarchical Memorial Divine Liturgy was served by Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard)], and he was assisted by 6 priests, 1 deacon, and by Altar-servers (all grand-sons of Matushka Anne). In addition to Metropolitan Tikhon, Metropolitan Savas (Zembillas) of Pittsburgh and Archbishop Melchisedek (Pleska) of Pittsburgh were also present, and there were many non-serving clergy as well. The choir consisted of the nuns of Holy Transfiguration Monastery and others who were present on this occasion.

Following the Divine Liturgy, the service of the Trisagion for the Dead was served, after which the Prayers of Parting and Absolution were said, the Last Kiss was given, and the coffin was blessed and sealed.

After the completion of the funeral services, there followed the Procession to the Monastery Cemetery, the Trisagion Service for the Departed at the Graveside, the usual and customary graveside rites, and the interment beside Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko.

After interment, a simple repast was offered on the Monastery grounds by the Monastery Sisterhood.

Photos of the funeral service from the OCA web-site may be seen here.

At the Funeral Matins service

Homily, Archpriest John Hopko ; Comments, Metropolitan Tikhon ; Comments, Abbess Christophora

At the Primatial Hierarchical Memorial Divine Liturgy

Litiya (Trisagion) ; Last Kiss

Procession to the cemetery (left) ; members of the Hopko-Schmemann family present (right)

Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Ellwood City

Reflections

Father Thomas Hopko was a prominent Orthodox Christian lecturer and speaker, well-known both in Orthodox and ecumenical circles. He served as a member of the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches (WCC) and as a delegate from The Orthodox Church in America to the Assemblies of the World Council of Churches in Uppsala, Sweden ; and Nairobi, Kenya. He was also President of the Orthodox Theological Society in America from 1992 to 1995.

Aerial view of Saint Vladimir's Seminary

In April, 2015, oOn the 40th day following the repose of Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko, a Panikhida was served at Saint Vladimir’s Seminary Three Hierarchs Chapel.

At that time, Archpriest Sergius Halvorsen (a former student) preached a homily.

Father Thomas Hopko wrote many books and articles. One of them is concerned with the ordination of women and the reasons for its rejection in the Eastern Orthodox Church. He wrote as well about many other subjects of theological, ethical and social concern. In addition to writing and to public speaking, Father Hopko also provided many informative talks by means of “podcasts” on the internet, and particularly with "Ancient Faith Radio". He always was deeply concerned with helping Christians to persevere in following Christ. He carefully answered his correspondence ; he read what was sent to him ; he daily prayed for his students and correspondents.

After the evening service at the time of the funeral, Mother Christophora, the Abbess of the Holy Transfiguration Monastery (near which Father Hopko lived and prayed in retirement) gave a eulogy which included these comments :

[...] It is Father Tom whom we must thank for living his life in accordance to the Holy Gospel, in season and
out of season, in times of joy and sorrow, in thick and thin, taking very seriously the teachings of Christ and
remaining so faithful to Him. [...]
Thank you Father for your well-ordered, well-prepared, informative and thoughtful homilies. Thank you for teaching
while you preached, inspiring while you pondered.
Thank you for your prayerful, careful and reverent celebration of the divine services in our holy chapel. For praying
each word sincerely with heart and lips. Thank you for teaching us to pray by the way we saw you pray. Thank you for
your spiritual and physical reverence and attention during all of the services, even in your illness and fading strength.
Thank you for your prayerful and careful censing of the holy temple each and every time, showing us to respect and
celebrate every service as though it were Pascha.
Thank you for your deep respect for Church order and for your humility. Your daily faithful greeting to me every time
you entered our church, your humble asking my permission to serve the divine services, your respectful attitude during
the litanies and moments when the abbess and sisterhood is prayed for. Each of these moments was not a comfortable one
for me personally, but your humility taught me humility and respect for Church order. You have taught us by example that
everything is to be done decently and in order.
Thank you for your love for all the feasts of the Church, your love for the festal seasons, the seasons of Nativity and
Theophany, for serving them so joyfully and so attentively.
Thank you for your reverent reading of the Great Canon during the first week of Lent (even reading it this Lent, just four
weeks ago !). And for your lovely and loving reading of the Great Canon during the fifth week of Lent (which this year is
to be celebrated tomorrow night). We felt we maybe could extend your funeral just one more day [...] so that you would be able
to preside at that holy service one more time !
Thank you Father for helping us extend hospitality to all who enter our monastery, for going briefly from table to table
at each coffee hour, to greet and chat. For extending your homily at the table, talking on so many varied topics, during
which the sisters gathered to catch a spiritual crumb that fell from the table where you were speaking.
And thank you for answering so many questions.
Thank you for your love for everyone who came, teaching us to love and respect all – to truly care for everyone.
And thank you Father for bringing spiritual maturity to our lives and to our community.
Thank you for solidifying our community, bringing us to a higher plan, a deeper love and reverence for the Holy Church,
as well as a deeper respect and love for each other, by the way you loved and respected each of us.
Thank you for praying for us, enabling us to grow with God’s grace, according to His Holy will.
And thank you Father for your integrity – for being a whole and undivided person. An honest person, speaking the truth in love,
gentle when speaking to someone and about someone. For being no liar, no busybody.
Thank you for being a loving and gentle husband, and an obedient patient to Matushka Anne, whom you recently referred to as your
abbess and your cell attendant, being obedient to her, taking your medicine, resting and keeping your special diet, and
recognizing that she was your lifeline now.
Thank you for being a loving, gentle and respectful father and grandfather, giving us this example of holy family life.

The following was the published opinion of the Archpriest Lawrence Farley :

If we could reduce the years of that inspired preacher to a sermon, it might tell us three things.

First, Christians must be courageous. It is always tempting to temper the truth, to look full into the faces of those who disapprove
of our Gospel and to falter, speaking only the words which our hearers will like. It is always tempting to tailor our Gospel for the
times and to proclaim only those parts of the Faith which are currently fashionable. Father Tom taught us to have none of that. He taught
us to speak the truth in season and out of season. Like St. Paul, he did not shrink from declaring anything that was profitable, but
declared the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:20, 27). Not surprisingly one of his many books was entitled, ‘Speaking the Truth in Love’.
The days to come will be at least as challenging for Christians as the days past. Father Tom teaches us to have courage and to speak
the truth in difficult times.

Secondly, Christians must use their minds. It is of course no sin to be simple (the Church canonized Paul the Simple, the disciple of
St. Anthony), but if we have good minds, we must use them in our service of the Gospel. As controversies rage, it is easy to take sides
and to simply react thoughtlessly, over-simplifying complex issues and scoring cheap debating points. When we feel strongly about an
issue our heated blood bids us speak (sometimes loudly), without first listening to the other side and weighing the arguments and
counter-arguments. Fr. Tom teaches us to listen, and reflect, and to speak in measured sentences. He taught us that it is possible
to combine fervent intensity with balanced nuance. Just the other day I heard of a priest who gave Fr. Tom’s book ‘Christian Faith and
Same-sex Attraction’ to a gay man who was investigating the Orthodox Faith. The man said that it was the first time he read an irenic and
balanced book on the subject, one which didn’t make him feel judged. Father Tom was able to navigate with nuance, and pick a safe way even
through such a minefield. Father Tom knew how to use his mind.

Finally, Christians must make the Lord Jesus Christ their message. It is easy in a Church with such a rich historical heritage as the
Orthodox Church to focus on other things, and to make icons our message. Or the Apostolic Tradition. Or fasting, or the calendar, or the
Typikon. In short, it is easy make Orthodoxy our message, and so to inadvertently preach ourselves. Father Tom knew that we preach not
ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves simply as your servants for Jesus’ sake (2 Corinthians 4:5). His focus was ever on
Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. And those looking at Father Tom saw someone who was a servant, for Jesus’ sake.

The legacy of the Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko is truly difficult to estimate and to express in words. His series "The Orthodox Faith : An Elementary Handbook on the Orthodox Church" has been for many decades a fundamental element of the catechetical formation of many an Orthodox Christian – whether one coming to the Orthodox Faith as an adult, or whether an adult Orthodox Christian refining one`s understanding. He left a host of recorded lectures and podcasts about various important subjects, and he spoke directly, not merely politely, so as to be understood quickly. Although his manner of teaching and speaking expressed a very different life-formation and personality, his honesty and directness well expressed that of his teacher, Professor Sergei Sergeievich Verhovskoy. His love and service of Christ was always paramount.

Writings

A partial bibliography of Father Hopko’s writings, together with his “curriculum vitae” was published on the Saint Vladimir’s Theological Seminary web-site.

Books & Publications :

• “The Orthodox Faith : An Elementary Handbook on the Orthodox Church” (New York: Department of Religious Education of the Orthodox Church in America, 1972 - 1976) In 4 volumes : (these 4 volumes are made available at the SVS Press & Bookstore web-site)

1. ‘Doctrine’

2. ‘Worship’

3. ‘Bible and Church History’

4. ‘Spirituality’

• Substantial portions of these 4 volumes have been translated into Russian, French, Arabic, Serbian, Bulgarian, Spanish, Finnish, Swedish, Dutch Albanian, Korean, and Persian.

• The Russian language edition “Osnovy Pravoslaviya” of these 4 volumes, originally published by Religious Books for Russia : Glen Cove, NY, 1987, 1989 was republished in 100,000 copies in Minsk by Polifakt Publishing Co., 1991. A Japanese translation is now being prepared.

• “Speaking the Truth in Love” (Crestwood : SVS Press, 2004). ISBN : 0881412635 ; ISBN 13 : 9780881412635.

• “Christian Faith and Same-Sex Attraction : Eastern Orthodox Reflections” (Chesterton, IN : Ancient Faith Publishing, 2015). ISBN : 193627020X ; ISBN 13 : 9781936270200.

• “The Winter Pascha” (Crestwood : SVS Press, 1984). ISBN : 088141025X ; ISBN 13 : 9780881410259.

• “Women and the Priesthood” (Crestwood : SVS Press, 1983, revised & expanded 1999). ISBN 10 : 0881411469 ; ISBN 13 : 9780881411461.

• “The Lenten Spring” (Crestwood : SVS Press, 1983). ISBN : 0881410144 ; ISBN 13 : 9780881410143.

• “All the Fulness of God” (Crestwood : SVS Press, 1982). ISBN : 0913836966 ; ISBN 13 : 9780913836965.

• “The Spirit of God” (Danbury : Morehouse Barlowe, 1976) - Translated into Indonesian and Greek, 1994. ISBN : 0819212172 ; ISBN 13 : 9780819212177.

• “Christian Spirituality – East and West”, with Jordan Aumann OP and Donald Bloesch (Chicago : The Priory Press, 1968).

• “God and Charity: Images of Eastern Orthodox Theology, Spirituality and Practice” (Brookline, MA : Holy Cross Orthodox Press, 1979). ISBN : 0916586340 ; ISBN 13 : 9780916586348.

• “The Names of Jesus: Discovering the Person of Jesus Christ through Scripture” (Chesterton, IN : Ancient Faith Publishing, 2015). ISBN : 1936270412 ; ISBN 13 : 9781936270415.

• “Christ in the Old Testament: Prophesy Illustrated” with Niko Chocheli (Crestwood, NY : SVS Press, 2002). ISBN : 0881412376 ; ISBN 13 : 9780881412376.

Essays in Books :

• “Orthodoxy and Cultures”, Ioan Sauca, ed. (Geneva, Switzerland : WCC, 1996)

• “Reclaiming the Bible for the Church”, Carl E. Braaten and Robert W. Jenson, eds. (Grand Rapids, MI : Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1995)

• “Speaking the Christian God”, Alvin J. Kimel, ed. (Grand Rapids, MI : Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1992)

• “The Legacy of St. Vladimir : Papers presented at a Symposium commemorating the Fiftieth Anniversary of St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, 1990", J Breck, J Meyendorff and E Silk, eds. (Crestwood : SVS Press, 1990)

• “Speaking of Silence, Christians and Buddhists on the Contemplative Way”, Susan Walker, ed. (New York: Paulist Press, 1987) •Taken from the Buddhist-Christian Dialogues held at Naropa Institute in Boulder, CO

• ‘Christian Spirituality, Origins to the Twelfth Century’, Bernard McGinn, John Meyendorff and Jean Leclercq, eds., Volume 16 of “World Spirituality -- An Encyclopedic History of the Religious Quest"” (New York : Crossroad, 1985)

• “God, Jesus, Spirit”, Daniel Callhan, ed. (New York : Herder and Herder, 1969)

Articles :

• “Fifty-five Maxims of the Christian Life”

• “A Spiritual Springtime for American Orthodoxy”, delivered at the 40th Anniversary of the Consecration of the Chapel at the Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration

• “Fr Thomas Hopko honoring Fr Dennis Pavichevich on his retirement”

• “Commencement Address”, delivered at St Vladimir's Seminary's commencement ceremonies (19 May, 2007)

• “What the Orthodox Have to do to Have Unity: discussion delivered at St John Orthodox Church” (July, 2006)

• “An Orthodox Christian Perspective : The Living Will/Health-Care Proxy” (Spring, 2004)

• “Making Unity Happen”

• “Roman Presidency and Christian Unity”

• “John Paul II and His Successor”

• “Mel Gibson’s Messiah”

• “Remembering Our Leaders"”

• “The Serbian Church and Milosevic” (May, 1999)

• “In the Spiritual Arena” (April, 1999)

• “Prophets, Priests, Pastors, and Professors” (December, 1998)

• “Orthodoxy in Post-Modern Pluralistic Societies”

• “The Mission of the Orthodox Church in North America” (Bucharest, August, 1996)

• “The Narrow Way of Orthodoxy”

• “Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry”

• “Pentecost: The Descent of the Holy Spirit”

• “Serving Christ in Our Neighbor” (6 October, 2001)

• “Hooda Germack : A Servant of Christ in her Neighbors” (6 October, 2001)

• “Eucharistic Discipline in the Orthodox Church” (October 7, 2000)

• “Preparation for Holy Communion" (7 October, 2000)

• “On the Lord’s Coming Yesterday and Today” (2 October, 1999)

• “Theological Education at St Vladimir’s Seminary : Yesterday and Today” (3 October, 1998)

• “Finding One’s Calling In Life” (5 October, 1996)

• “Orthodox Christianity and Ethics” (7 October, 1995)

• “Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts”

• “Are Protestants in the Church?”

• “10 Essential Conditions for Coming to know God’s Truth and Finding Life”

• “Life after Death : Mysteries beyond the Grave”

In addition, assorted articles have been published various journals, including : “St Vladimir's Theological Quarterly” ; “Greek Orthodox Theological Review” ; “Russian Orthodox Journal” ; “Commonweal” ; “Diakonia” ; “Spiritual Life” ; “Religion in Life” ; “Journal of Ecumenical Studies” ; “The Ecumenical Review” ; “Worship” ; “Liturgy” ; “Parabola” ; “Sourozh” ; “One World” ; “Again” ; “Encyclopedia Americana Annual”.

Audio & Video recordings :

Ancient Faith Radio has published more than 400 podcasts by Protopresbyter Thomas J Hopko.

Ancient Faith Radio has published 43 "Occasional Lectures".

Published recordings include the following titles :

• “The Holy Trinity”, 1995

• “Mary : Icon of Human Perfection”, 1995

• “The Church of Christ”

• “The Church and Liturgy”

• “The Church and Salvation”

• “The Lord’s Prayer”(10 Lectures)

• “The Apocalypse” (4 Lectures)

• “Praying with Icons” (Lecture and Sermon)

• “Ordination of Women : the Contemporary Debate”

• “A Theology of Gender”

• “Dynamics of Religion in American Society”

• “Orthodox Spirituality”

• “Theology of Work”

• “The Work of God’s People”

• “The Word of the Cross”

• “The Love of God”

• “Monastic Elder and Parish Priest”

• “Monastic Elder and Parish Priest” (discussion)

• “The Church of Christ”

• “The Church and Liturgy”

• “The Church and Liturgy” (discussion)

• “The Church and Salvation”

• “The Church and Salvation” (discussion)

• “Wisdom! Let Us Attend”

• “Only Christ”

• “Victorious Living in a Godless World”

“Curriculum vitae” of Father Hopko’s Experience :

 • Taught summer sessions at John Carroll University in Cleveland, OH; University of Dallas in Texas ; 
   Naropa Institute in Boulder, CO ; and John XXIII Center, Fordham University in NYC 
 • Adjunct Professor of Religion, Drew University, Madison, NJ, 1987 
 • Ely V Lilly Visiting Professor of Religion, Berea College, Berea, KY, 1986 
 • Adjunct Professor of Orthodox Christianity, Fordham University, New York, NY, 1984 
 • Adjunct Professor of Eastern Christianity, Columbia University, New York, NY, 1983 
 • Adjunct Professor of Eastern Christianity, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, 1965-1968

  Positions held at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary : 
 
 • Dean Emeritus, 2002-2015
 • Dean and Professor of Dogmatic Theology, 1992-2002 
 • Professor of Dogmatic Theology, 1991-1992 
 • Associate Professor of Dogmatic Theology, 1983-1991 
 • Assistant Professor of Dogmatic Theology, 1972-1983 
 • Lecturer in Doctrine and Pastoral Theology, 1968-1972

 Church Activities :
 
 • Ordained priest in the Orthodox Church in 1963 ; Archpriest 1970 ; Protopresbyter 1995 
 • Delegate from the Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church to the World Council of Churches Assembly in Uppsala, Sweden, 1968 
 • Delegate from The Orthodox Church in America to the WCC Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya. 1974 
 • Member of the World Council of Churches Faith and Order Commission 1975-1991 ; also serving as a member of the 
   Faith and Order Standing Commission 
 • Chairman of the Faith and Order Commission Steering Group on Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry (BEM), 1985-199l
   (This group prepared the Faith and Order Report on reactions to the Lima document, including the official 
   responses to BEM from about 185 Christian churches)
 • President of the Orthodox Theological Society in America, 1992-95.

 Parish assignments (The Orthodox Church in America) : 
 
 • Pastor of Saint Nicholas Church, Jamaica Estates, NY, 1978-1983 
 • Pastor of Saint Gregory the Theologian Church, Wappingers Falls, NY, 1968-1978 
 • Pastor of Saint John the Baptist Church, Warren, OH, 1963-1968

A MEDITATION FOR THE SUNDAY OF ALL SAINTS :

The Way of the Saints

by Father Thomas Hopko (1939-2015)

There are certain characteristics which belong to all of the saints, whoever they were and whenever they lived. Among these characteristics are the following :

Every saint is God-centered and seeks in his or her life the “one thing necessary”—to glorify God by doing His will.

Every saint is Christ-centered and seeks to pattern his or her life after the life of Jesus; following Him, keeping His commandments and imitating His example.

Every saint is Spirit-centered, knowing and living by the fact that it is only by the Holy Spirit that any person can do anything that is good, true and beautiful in his life.

Every saint is Other-centered, giving up his or her own life for the sake of the life of others, rejoicing in the good of others as the only satisfaction and fulfillment in life.

Every saint accepts and loves his or her own person and position in life, sanctifying and fulfilling it according to the real possibilities that are given. The servant serves. The worker works. The parent nurtures. The ruler rules. The preacher preaches. The teacher teaches. The pastor guides. The scholar inquires. The student studies. The manager manages. The scientist investigates. The producer produces. The artist creates. Each one does his own thing, according to his or her own talents and gifts . . . for the glory of God and the good of the other.

Every saint lives in the present moment, in his or her own time and place. The saint never pines over the past or worries about the future. The saint never wishes to be somewhere else, in some other conditions, with some other people. The saint never wishes to be somebody else. He trusts God in all things and does what has to be done and can be done in the given circumstances. The saint knows that whatever it is that has to be done, it can only be done right now . . . for only the present is in the power of the person, and nothing else.

Every saint pays attention to details and does the smallest, seemingly most insignificant act with the greatest love and devotion. For the saint, no act is too small, no work too trifling, no task too demeaning, no deed too insignificant. Every little thing, for the saint, has eternal value and importance. Every little thing Is done before God and has meaning and fulfillment In Him.

Every saint pays attention to persons . . . and not to structures, institutions, parties, programs or roles. For the saint only the person counts, and everything else Is subordinated and ordered to the good of the person. The saint is never impersonal. He never loves or serves “humanity in general.” He only loves and serves the person near at hand, the neighbor given by God—the most difficult and most divine manner of acting that there is.

Every saint loves the whole of God’s good creation, not only living persons, but animals, plants and all that positively exists. The saint never blasphemes God’s good world, but rejoices in the beauties of creation to the glory of their Creator.

Every saint is an utter realist. There is no sentimentality in the saint, no partial views, no prejudicial opinions, no petty interests. There may be real passions and fanatically impassioned actions. There may be factual one-sidedness and fierce conviction, but it is always in the light of the total reality of God and man, and It Is always for the good of all.

Every saint suffers—with joy and gladness—for others. The saint does not “come down from his cross.” He loves his cross as the way to his resurrection. He loves his death to himself as the way to his life in God. He loves to put himself down, and be put down, if it means that someone else will be saved and exalted. The saint is not a masochist. He does not love sufferings and pains for their own sake. But he is a realist who knows that what is lasting and good requires the payment of a great price, and he is willing to pay the price in his own blood. When one does good in the sinful world, he suffers. It is as simple as that. And the saint does good.

Every saint hates sin, in himself and others, but he loves the sinner, including his own “self,” as created in the image and likeness of God, and as loved and saved by God in Christ. The saint knows himself to be the “greatest of sinners.” It Is his very sanctity which gives him this knowledge. And as God, he loves men in their sins and does them good as the expression of his love.

Every saint recognizes the devil and the power of evil, and he fights them to his last breath, in himself and others. The saint never justifies sin and he gives no place to the rationalization of evil. Evil is to be vanquished, not explained. The devil is to be destroyed, not discussed. And the proof of a person’s sanctity is seen in the intensity with which the devil attacks him, and in the power with which the devil is overcome.

Every saint fasts and prays and lives fully in the life of the Church. It is in this way that he or she is a saint: empowered with grace, enlightened with wisdom, inspired with love and enlivened with the life of God that has no end.

Every saint—whoever he or she is—has learned to transform the routine of his small, limited, human, mundane, earthly existence into the paradise of the Kingdom of God.

According to the Scriptures, we are all “called to be saints” (Romans 1:7).

References

Orthodoxwiki biography

Wikipedia biography

Saint Vladimir's Seminary biography

Russian Wikipedia biography

“Church bids Farewell to Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko”

“Homily at the Funeral Service of Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko The Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration, 23 March, 2015” by Archpriest John Behr

Archdiocese of Canada “In Memoriam : Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko”

Additional information :

Prokurat, Michael ; Golitzin, Alexander & Petersen, Michael, eds., “The A to Z of the Orthodox Church” (Lanham, MD : Scarecrow Press, 2010), p. 161. ISBN : 978-0-8108-7602-6.

"The Orthodox Faith" by Father Thomas Hopko

"Speaking the Truth in Love" - Podcast by Father Thomas Hopko

"Women and the Priesthood" - Reflections and Debate

50th Anniversary of Priesthood

Canadian Award

Reference to Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko at the Religious Family web-site

'In Memoriam' by Dr. Peter Buteneff in "Church Messenger", 2015

Metropolitan Leonty (Turkevich)

Metropolitan Ireney (Bekish)

Metropolitan Theodosius (Lazor)

Metropolitan Herman (Swaiko)

Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard)