Archpriest Chad Hatfield of St. Vladimir’s Seminary Announces Retirement

OCP News Service – 24/05/2024

Yonkers – US:  St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) announced today that the Very Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield will be stepping down as President and Rector of Three Hierarchs Chapel, effective July 1, 2024.

Fr. Hatfield’s decision to retire was accepted by His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and the Board of Trustees at their recent meeting.

During his 17-year tenure at SVOTS, Fr. Hatfield served as both Chancellor and President, overseeing significant advancements for the seminary. These include:

• Expanding the faculty and academic programs
• Enhancing campus facilities
• Strengthening the staff and administration
• Reinforcing the Seminary’s financial foundation

Following his retirement, Fr. Hatfield will take a six-month sabbatical before returning as the Skvir Professor of Pastoral Theology until December 31, 2024.

His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon expressed deep appreciation for Fr. Hatfield’s service: “Fr. Chad’s leadership has been transformative for the Seminary. His dedication to the Church has preserved and strengthened the legacy of St. Vladimir’s as a beacon of Orthodox Christian education. We are incredibly grateful for his commitment to upholding the teachings of the Church and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

SVOTS will launch a comprehensive search for Fr. Hatfield’s successor this summer. The search will be led by His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon as Chairman of the Board, who will chair a President Search Committee. Additionally, a Transition Committee has been appointed to ensure a smooth handover of responsibilities.

In the interim, Dr. Ionuţ-Alexandru Tudorie, the current Academic Dean, will assume the role of Interim President and Academic Dean, effective July 1, 2024, to oversee the Seminary’s operations.

Source:
OCP News Service