St. John’s Theological Seminary (SJTS) is the first Syriac Orthodox Seminary in North America, formally established in 2025 after more than a century of faithful prayers, aspirations, and dedicated efforts. Offering rigorous Orthodox theological education, SJTS welcomes all who desire to learn about the faith, regardless of background, while remaining firmly rooted in the teachings and sacred tradition of the Syriac Orthodox Church.
A century old desire
The dream of establishing SJTS has its roots in the enduring vision of the Syriac Orthodox faithful in North America. For more than a century, the desire for a theological institution—one that would safeguard the Apostolic faith, train future leaders, and serve the mission of the Church in the Western world—has been present in the hearts of the clergy and laity across all four Syriac Orthodox Archdioceses on this continent.
Early Vision and Longstanding Desire
Since the first Syriac Orthodox faithful arrived in the United States in the early 1900s, there has been a longing to preserve and strengthen the Church’s rich heritage for future generations. Over time, as parishes were established and communities grew, clergy and laity expressed the need for a seminary that would serve as a home for theological study, priestly training, and spiritual formation.
In the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church in North America, this vision was repeatedly affirmed and voiced at the Annual Delegates Meeting. On several occasions, delegates formally requested that a theological seminary be established in the United States, recognizing its importance for the spiritual formation of future clergy and leaders. These resolutions and appeals gave His Eminence Mor Titus Yeldho, Archbishop and Patriarchal Vicar, the encouragement and clear mandate to take concrete steps toward bringing the Seminary to life.
This collective call from the representatives of parishes throughout the Archdiocese provided a powerful push and became one of the most significant motivating factors behind the establishment of SJTS.
Inspiration and Dedication
The Seminary bears the name of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist, the beloved disciple of Christ, whose writings and witness proclaim both the depth of God’s love and the richness of theological truth. His legacy is a guiding light for SJTS: to unite love, knowledge, and service in forming future leaders for the Church. The Seminary’s dedication is not confined to one Archdiocese but extends to the entire Syriac Orthodox presence in North America, serving as a common heritage and resource for all — and welcoming anyone with a sincere desire to study and understand the Orthodox faith.
Formal Founding in 2025
This longstanding vision came to fruition with the formal founding of St. John’s Theological Seminary in 2025. The Seminary was established under the leadership of His Eminence Mor Titus Yeldho, Archbishop and Patriarchal Vicar of the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church in North America, with the permission and approval of its Supreme Patron, His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East.
The founding of SJTS was made possible through the initiative and tireless efforts of its dedicated founders: Rev. Fr. Dr. Jacob Joseph, Rev. Fr. Dr. Jerry Jacob, and Dr. Mathew Alapurath, working in close collaboration with Archbishop Titus Yeldho. Through their vision, hard work, and persistence, the Seminary was not only conceived but also formally registered, giving life to a long-cherished dream of the Syriac Orthodox Church in North America.
From its earliest stages, His Eminence Mor Dionysius John Kawak, Archbishop and Patriarchal Vicar of the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese for the Eastern United States, has also taken a major and ongoing role in shaping the Seminary’s identity and mission. His active leadership ensures that SJTS is not limited to one jurisdiction, but recognized and embraced as a pan-Archdiocesan institution. By working alongside His Eminence Mor Titus Yeldho and the Seminary’s founders, Archbishop Kawak has been instrumental in strengthening its direction, broadening its scope, and ensuring its integration into the life of all Syriac Orthodox Archdioceses in North America.
This historic step marked a new chapter in the life of all Syriac Orthodox Archdioceses in North America, uniting their faithful under a single theological and spiritual institution.
Mission and Purpose
From its foundation, SJTS was envisioned not merely as a school of theology, but as a center of formation—preparing clergy, deacons, teachers, and lay leaders to serve with both intellectual strength and spiritual humility. Its mission integrates rigorous theological study with deep liturgical life, ensuring that all who pass through its doors are equipped to live and serve faithfully in the Church and society.
Importantly, SJTS is open to all who wish to learn about the Christian faith. While students may come from diverse backgrounds, its teachings, curriculum, and formation are firmly rooted in the Orthodox faith and the sacred tradition of the Syriac Orthodox Church. The Seminary provides a rich environment where anyone with a sincere desire to grow in theological understanding can study the Scriptures, the teachings of the Church Fathers, and the Orthodox spiritual life as handed down through the centuries.
Looking Forward
Though newly founded, the Seminary is the fruit of prayers spanning more than a century, beginning with the first Syriac Orthodox faithful who arrived in America in the early 1900s. Its establishment and inauguration in 2025 represent the realization of a vision cherished collectively by all Syriac Orthodox faithful in North America and entrusted to future generations. As SJTS grows, it will continue to serve as a unifying presence, strengthening bonds across jurisdictions and preparing leaders who will carry forward the Church’s mission.
In this way, St. John’s Theological Seminary stands not merely as an institution, but as a living witness to the Lord’s teaching:
“Not to be served, but to serve.” (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45)
Formal Approval – September 11, 2025
Inauguration and Blessing – September 16, 2025
On September 11, 2025, His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II issued Patriarchal Bull No. EI 41/25, formally approving St. John’s Theological Seminary and its Board of Trustees. The vision became a living reality just days later, on September 16, 2025, when His Holiness, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, solemnly inaugurated St. John’s Theological Seminary during a grand ceremony at the Mor Aphrem Center in Paramus, New Jersey. This historic occasion brought together hierarchs, clergy, and faithful to witness the fulfillment of a dream cherished and prayed for by generations.
His Holiness was received and welcomed by His Eminence Mor Titus Yeldho, along with His Eminence Mor Dionysius John Kawak, His Eminence Mor Augeen Al-Khoury Nemat, and the Patriarchal Secretary. Present for this momentous event were the Seminary’s founders: Rev. Fr. Dr. Jerry Jacob, Rev. Fr. Dr. Jacob Joseph (joining via video), and Dr. Mathew Idichandy Alapurath, whose tireless efforts helped bring the Seminary to life.
The ceremony opened with prayers and the chanting of hymns, invoking the Holy Spirit’s guidance over the Seminary, its faculty, and its future students. His Holiness then unveiled the official Seminary Logo, depicting the Church presenting the Holy Scriptures to the world — a powerful symbol of SJTS’s mission to faithfully transmit the Apostolic faith. This was followed by the release of the Seminary’s academic prospectus and the inauguration of the Seminary’s official website, formally opening admissions to students worldwide.
In a moment of profound significance, His Holiness gladly accepted the request of the Hierarchs and the founders to serve as the Supreme Patron of St. John’s Theological Seminary, thereby placing the Seminary under His spiritual care and Patriarchal blessing. His Holiness further declared St. John’s Theological Seminary to be a Seminary of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church, based in North America and registered in the United States, affirming its place as an institution serving the entire Church.
Following this, His Holiness blessed and declared the Seminary’s Board of Trustees, officially recognizing their leadership roles:
His Eminence Archbishop Mor Titus Yeldho – Chairman and President
His Eminence Archbishop Mor Dionysius John Kawak – Vice President
Rev. Fr. Dr. Jerry Jacob, MD, PhD – Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Rev. Fr. Dr. Jacob Joseph, PhD – Dean and Chief Academic Officer (CAO)
Dr. Mathew Idichandy Alapurath, Ed.D – Seminary Director
His Holiness commended their vision and dedication, calling SJTS “a house of wisdom and faith that will form future generations of spiritual leaders and faithful stewards who will serve Christ and His Church across the globe.”
Finally, His Holiness declared admissions open for the Seminary’s first academic program — the Diploma in Theology, a part-time online program spanning four semesters and designed to be accessible to students worldwide. He encouraged both clergy and laypeople to take part, emphasizing that this Seminary is not merely for academic learning but for spiritual growth and service to the Church.