Saint Photios Orthodox Theological Seminary

08/24/2026

Orthodox Fasting Without Prayer is Just Dieting | Archimandrite Akakios

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08/21/2026

Your Friends Can Make or Break Your Spiritual Life | Schemanun Eupraxia

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08/17/2026

Axios!

On Sunday, June 15/28, 2026, His Eminence, the Most Reverend Bishop Dr. Auxentios of Etna and Portland, who is the Rector of the Saint Photios Orthodox Theological Seminary, Ordained Jeremiah Stopper to the Diaconate at the Holy Nativity of the Theotokos Orthodox Cathedral in Portland, Oregon. The Reverend Deacon Father Jeremiah Stopper will be serving at the Cathedral in Portland alongside the Reverend Presbyter Father Photios Cooper and the Reverend Presbyter Father James Kalbasky.

Father Jeremiah was raised a Roman Catholic in New Jersey. Throughout much of his subsequent adulthood in the Pacific Northwest, Father Jeremiah was connected with nondenominational Protestant Evangelicalism. He spent most of his working career in construction-related businesses, including various sales and management positions. Later on, he went on to teach and to coach high school boys’ basketball at a private school. Now semi-retired, Father Jeremiah works at a local flower shop, performing a variety of duties.

Father Jeremiah holds a Master of Arts degree in counseling from George Fox University (2005). He also earned a Master of Divinity degree (2012) and a Master of Theology degree (2014) from Multnomah Biblical Seminary in Portland, Oregon. His extensive academic study in Patristics, along with a capstone thesis involving the writings of Saint Irenæus of Lyons (ca. 125–202), led to his conversion to the Orthodox Christian Faith.

His wife, Diakonissa Phoebe Stopper, is a longtime civil servant with a local law enforcement agency and converted to Orthodoxy from Seventh-day Adventism. The Stoppers were Baptized and Chrismated in the Church of the Genuine Orthodox Christians of Greece on the same day in 2016.

Bishop Auxentios Tonsured Father Jeremiah a Reader in 2019, and now by his being Ordained to the Diaconate, he and Diakonissa Phoebe have assented to His Eminence’s call to serve the Church in a more expansive way at the parish of the Holy Nativity of the Theotokos Orthodox Cathedral.

Father Jeremiah’s willingness to answer the call to serve the Church is an example of the kind of faithful service that the Saint Photios Orthodox Theological Seminary seeks to encourage. As the Seminary works to form faithful servants who can contribute to the life and work of the Church, we give thanks for those who offer their gifts and abilities in service to Christ and His Holy Church.

Congratulations to Father Jeremiah, Diakonissa Phoebe, and the Orthodox community in Portland! May this Ordination mark the beginning of many blessed years of faithful and fruitful service to the Church.

08/14/2026

This lecture examines the role of the Royal Priesthood, to which all Orthodox Christians are called, with particular attention to the Ever-Virgin Theotokos Mary as the preeminent exemplar of its fulfillment. The Theotokos is presented as an inspiration for and model of Orthodox Christian life and service, with particular consideration given to the ways in which women are uniquely able to follow her example. The lecture also emphasizes the twofold nature of Christian service throughout.

Mother Eupraxia was raised as an Orthodox Christian by American convert parents. Her father was Ordained to the Priesthood during her early childhood, and she grew up attending the Divine Services in the Chapel at their home.

She entered the Convent of Saint Elizabeth the Grand Duchess of Russia at an early age and has been a member of that monastic community in Etna for the past twenty-nine years. She was a member of the first graduating class of the Saint Photios Orthodox Theological Seminary, having earned the Bachelor of Theology degree, and she subsequently earned the Master of Theological Studies degree as well.

For the past several years, Mother Eupraxia, who is now a Lecturer, has taught the three-part New Testament course at the Seminary.

Please enjoy the lecture!

This is the recording of the public lecture “Behold the Handmaid of...

08/07/2026

The Significance of the Unburnt Bush on Mount Sinai

08/06/2026

A scene from the Orthodox Christian documentary, “The Light of Bulgaria,” about the overlooked issue of ecumenism.

A scene from the Orthodox Christian documentary, “The Light of Bulg...

07/28/2026

Why Do the Eyes of Christ Look Different in the Sinai Pantokrator?

07/27/2026

Many Years!

The Sisterhood of the Convent of Saint Elizabeth the Grand Duchess of Russia in Etna, California, joyfully celebrated its Patronal Feast on Saturday, July 5/18, 2026.

His Eminence, the Most Reverend Bishop Dr. Auxentios of Etna and Portland, Rector of the Saint Photios Orthodox Theological Seminary, presided at the celebration by serving a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the Convent. The occasion was shared by members of the Brotherhood of the Saint Gregory Palamas Monastery, parishioners of the nearby Saints Cyprian and Justina Orthodox Church, as well as pilgrims and friends who came from throughout California and from Iowa.

In his sermon, Bishop Auxentios spoke about the life and witness of the Holy New Nun Martyr Elizabeth of Russia (1864–1918), reflecting on her remarkable accomplishments and enduring example as a Saint of the Orthodox Church. Her life continues to offer a profound example of Christian faith and devotion, inspiring both those living the monastic life and Orthodox Christians in the world.

After the Divine Liturgy, everyone gathered for a festive meal in the Convent’s newly constructed, spacious trapeza. Several students from the Saint Photios Orthodox Theological Seminary joined the nuns in serving the meal, helping to welcome and care for all those who had come to celebrate the feast.

The Feast came only a few days after the Forty Day Memorial Service held in memory of the reposed Very Reverend Abbess Dr. Elizabeth Hagielisabetissa.

The Very Reverend Abbess Mother Kypriane Hagielisabetissa was elected the new Abbess of the Convent on the same day as the Memorial Service. Mother Kypriane is the seniormost member of the Sisterhood and had been serving as the Acting Superior during the forty days following the repose of Mother Elizabeth. This marks an important and historical moment for the Convent as the nuns continue their work and service for the Church.

Many Years, once again, to the Sisterhood of the Convent and to their new Abbess, Mother Kypriane! We ask all of our readers to remember the Orthodox Christian community of Etna in their prayers. May the Holy New Nun Martyr Elizabeth of Russia continue to intercede lovingly before the throne of God for the Saint Photios Orthodox Theological Seminary and for the Convent established in her honor. Please especially keep the Mothers and Sisters of the Convent in your prayers, that the Lord may strengthen, protect, and bless them for many years to come.

07/22/2026

Meet Johannes Jyllhed.

Johannes comes to Saint Photios Orthodox Theological Seminary from Sweden, where he attends the Saints Constantine and Helen Orthodox Church in Stockholm. Since arriving at the Seminary, he has been dedicated to growing both spiritually and academically as he prepares for future service in the Orthodox Church.

Among his favorite saints are Saint John the Baptist, Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco, and Saint Paul the Apostle. His favorite class at the Seminary is Patristics, where he especially enjoys studying the writings of Saint Maximus the Confessor and Saint Gregory the Theologian. When it comes to fasting food, his favorite is vegan vanilla cake with chocolate icing.

When asked about one of his most memorable moments at the Seminary, Johannes pointed to his very first day on campus—a moment that marked the beginning of a new chapter in his life. Looking ahead, his goal is to continue his spiritual and academic development throughout his time at Saint Photios Orthodox Theological Seminary.

07/20/2026

We are excited to announce the upcoming annual Seminary Conference, taking place February 17–19, 2027, hosted by the Saint Photios Orthodox Theological Seminary in Etna, California!

This year’s conference theme will be:
“The Mystery of Holy Communion”

We are especially blessed and honored to announce that His Eminence, Metropolitan Demetrius of America will be present with us in Etna as the keynote speaker for this upcoming conference! His Eminence is the President of the Holy Eparchial Synod and the Metropolitan of America for the Church of the Genuine Orthodox Christians of Greece, as well as the Abbot of the Saint John of San Francisco Orthodox Monastery in Cobleskill, New York.

We are deeply grateful and excited to welcome His Eminence as our keynote speaker and cannot wait to share this special opportunity with all those who attend. As we draw closer to the conference dates, we will be announcing more information about the conference, including registration information.

When registration opens, we encourage you to register as quickly as possible, as space will be limited.

We look forward to welcoming you to Etna, California, next February for this special annual gathering at the Saint Photios Orthodox Theological Seminary.

Stay tuned for more information!

Thank you!