Father Bogdan Bucur, from St. Anthony Orthodox parish in Butler, Pennsylvania (the Antiochian Archdiocese), was appointed professor of Patristics at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) in New York.
He graduated the Faculty of Orthodox Theology “Justinian the Patriarch” of the University of Bucharest and in 2000 he moved with his wife in the United States to continue his studies at Marquette University in Wisconsin.
His predecessors at the Patristics chair are well-known names of Orthodox theology: Georges Florovsky and John Meyendorff. The recruiting process was extended internationally.
“The Seminary has worked hard to bring in the best Orthodox scholars when faculty positions have come open”, said SVOTS Academic Dean Ionuț-Alexandru Tudorie.
After 2007, Fr. Bogdan Bucur was a tenured Associate Professor of Theology at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he taught Biblical Exegesis and Doctrinal Developments in Early Christianity.
“Although I’ve spent thirteen years at Duquesne University and I am heartbroken to leave my parish family of St. Anthony’s, I count it as a privilege to come to St. Vladimir’s, where a conscious attempt is made to overcome the compartmentalization of academic instruction, liturgical formation, and preparation for social ministry,” said Father Bogdan Bucur.
“My intention is not simply to be added to the Faculty roster, but to join a team of Orthodox scholars and teachers invested in mentoring the preachers and pastors of tomorrow,” he added.
Recently, the SVOTS teaching team has also welcomed Latvia-born Vitaly Permiakov. He will teach Liturgical Theology, a chair once occupied by Father Alexander Schmemann.
Photo: Youtube / International Orthodox Theological Association
