10/30/2026
Saint John’s Theological Seminary Board Meets at the Mor Aphrem Center, Paramus, New Jersey, Announces Historic First Graduation for June 2027
Paramus, New Jersey — August 17, 2026: The Board of Trustees of Saint John’s Theological Seminary held a meeting on Monday, August 17, 2026, at the Mor Aphrem Center in Paramus, New Jersey. The meeting was hosted by His Eminence Mor Dionysius John Kawak, Vice President of the Seminary, and focused on the Seminary’s continued growth, academic development, and plans for the coming year.
The meeting was attended by His Eminence Mor Titus Yeldho, President of the Seminary; His Eminence Mor Dionysius John Kawak, Vice President; Rev. Fr. Dr. Jerry Jacob, Chief Executive Officer (CEO); Rev. Fr. Dr. Jacob Joseph, Dean and Chief Academic Officer; Dr. Mathew Alapurath, Seminary Director; and Dr. Christine Kiraz, Member of the Board of Trustees.
During the meeting, the Board reaffirmed its unwavering allegiance and loyalty to the Holy Apostolic Throne of Antioch and to His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Patron of Saint John’s Theological Seminary. The Board expressed its gratitude for the spiritual leadership and guidance of His Holiness and reaffirmed its commitment to carrying forward the faith, teachings, and sacred traditions of the Syriac Orthodox Church.
The Board also emphasized the unique place of Saint John’s Theological Seminary as a Seminary of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church and the first institution of its kind established in North America. While headquartered in the United States, the Seminary serves students from around the world, bringing together individuals who share a desire to study the Holy Scriptures, theology, Church history, liturgy, and the rich spiritual heritage of the Syriac Orthodox tradition. Its establishment marks an important step in making formal theological education more accessible to clergy, seminarians, and lay faithful throughout the Church.
A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to reviewing the Seminary’s academic progress and discussing its future development. The Board considered matters relating to curriculum, faculty development, academic administration, and the continued strengthening of the Seminary’s educational programs.
The Board also reviewed the admission of the new Fall 2026 entering class. With the addition of these students, Saint John’s Theological Seminary has reached a total enrollment of 40 students. The Board welcomed this growth as an encouraging sign of the interest in theological education and the need for such an institution within the Church.
In view of the growing interest in the Seminary’s programs, the Board decided that admissions for the Spring 2027 semester would be announced shortly, allowing additional students to pursue their theological studies.
Among the most significant decisions made during the meeting was the announcement that the first graduation ceremony of Saint John’s Theological Seminary will be held in June 2027. This will mark an important milestone in the Seminary’s history, as the institution prepares to recognize its first graduates and celebrate the beginning of what is hoped to be a long tradition of theological scholarship and service to the Church.
The Board also discussed the importance of continuing to develop a strong and qualified faculty, maintaining high academic standards, and ensuring that the Seminary remains firmly grounded in the Orthodox faith and the theological and liturgical traditions of the Syriac Orthodox Church.
As the Seminary continues to grow, its leadership remains committed to providing meaningful theological education while strengthening the connection between academic study, spiritual formation, and service to the Church.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to the continued development of Saint John’s Theological Seminary under the spiritual patronage of His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II and in faithful service to the Holy Apostolic Throne of Antioch.
With 40 students currently enrolled, preparations for Spring 2027 admissions, and its first graduation scheduled for June 2027, Saint John’s Theological Seminary continues to move forward in its mission of serving the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church through theological education.
