• Cupolas of an Orthodox church.cupolas of orthodox church image by GeoM from Fotolia.com
  
  Eastern Orthodox Christians have many communities to choose from in the United States. Finding information about Orthodox theological training can be challenging, however, because many bishops were trained in other countries and are unfamiliar with U.S. schools. Fortunately for aspiring American bishops, there are three Eastern Orthodox schools accredited by the Association of Theological Schools that offer easy-to-access information about themselves.
  
  

Hellenic College and Holy Cross School of Theology

• Hellenic College offers a four-year liberal arts education, the strongest concentrations being classics and religious studies. The college also teaches modern Greek history, and students in good standing may study in Athens during their junior year. The faculty boasts a clear commitment to the Greek Orthodox community and values. For example, the college strives to live in harmony with the environment and against human greed.
  
  The graduate school of theology, headed by Archbishop Demetrios of America, offers a master's degree in divinity for intending clergy. It specializes in Greek studies, Orthodox theology, traditional church music, and church history during the Patristic and Byzantine eras.
  
  Hellenic College
  
  50 Goddard Avenue
  
  Brookline, MA 02445
  
  617-731-3500
  
  hchc.edu/
  
  

St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary

• St. Tikhon's began in the early 20th century as a monastery of a Russian hieromonk immigrant in rural Pennsylvania. Soon it grew from a haven for Russian clergy to a theological seminary. The seminary is anchored in the monastery's tradition and activity, unaffected by years of rapid change in America. The all-male student body and students' wives participate in a liturgy-centered lifestyle and follow the directions of the faculty and staff for acceptable activities. The men are expected to take part in the choir, monastery prayer schedule, and charities chosen by their mentors.
  
  St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary
  
  St. Tikhon's Road
  
  South Canaan, PA 18459
  
  570-937-4067
  
  .stots.edu/
  
  

St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary

• St. Vladimir's in New York is another Russian Orthodox seminary that traces its history to the turn of the last century. As the New York community grew, the 1950s saw St. Vladimir turn to a program of outreach, first pan-Orthodox, then ecumenical (all-Christian). In the spirit of its 1950s dean, Friar Florovsky, the school teaches both ancient and modern church philosophers and compares ancient church tradition with modern culture. It has long relationships with Columbia University and Union Theological Seminary. However, the school has never left its Russian Orthodox tradition, born in the monastery. All students and faculty echo that tradition with liturgical services and celebrations. The faculty stresses that study and church activity cannot be separated. Students, their families and the Orthodox community come together to share meals, tend to the community garden, and help one another with projects.
  
  St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary
  
  575 Scarsdale Road
  
  Yonkers, NY 10707
  
  914-961-8313
  
  svots.edu/