Thomas Hopko

The Very Reverend Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko (born March 28, 1939, Endicott, New York) is an Orthodox Christian priest and theologian. He was the Dean of Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary from September 1992 until July 1, 2002 and taught dogmatic theology at this institution from 1968 until 2002. After his retirement, he carries the honorary title of "Dean Emeritus".

Life and Education

Thomas Hopko is of Rusyn descent. His ancestors are linked to the Rusyn village of Hrabské near the eastern Slovak city of Bardejov. He was baptized and raised in St. Mary’s Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Greek-Catholic Church, Endicott, New York. He gained his B.A. in Russian Studies, Fordham University, 1960, followed by his M.Div., St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, in 1963. He then took an M.A. in Philosophy, Duquesne University, in 1968 and gained his Ph.D. in Theology, Fordham University, in 1982.

At St. Vladimir's Seminary, Hopko studied with such renowned Orthodox theologians as Fr. Alexander Schmemann, Fr. John Meyendorff, Nicholas Arseniev and Serge Verkhovskoy. He was ordained to the rank of presbyter in 1963 and served several parishes in the states of Ohio and New York. In 1968 he began to teach at St. Vladimir's and eventually succeeded his teacher, Serge Verkhovskoy, as professor of dogmatic theology. He was elevated to the rank of archpriest in 1970 and, upon his election as Dean, to the rank of protopresbyter (1995).

Activities and affiliations

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