[[Image:Hopko cropped.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Ft. Thomas Hopko at St. Vladimir's Seminary, 2007]]Very Reverend Protopresbyter '''Thomas Hopko''' (born [[March 28]], 1939– [[March 18]], Endicott, New York2015) is was an Orthodox Christian [[priest]] and [[theologian]] of the [[Orthodox Church in America]]. He was the Dean of [[St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (Crestwood, New York)|Saint St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary]] from September 1992 until [[July 1]], 2002, and having also taught dogmatic theology in this institution there from 1968 until 2002. After his retirement, he carries honorary title of ''Dean Emeritus''.

Fr==Life==Thomas John Hopko was born on March 28, 1939, in Endicott, New York. Thomas Hopko was [[baptism|baptized]] and raised in St. Mary's Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Greek-Catholic Church, Endicott, NY. He gained his B.A. attended public schools 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 UniversityEndicott, graduating from Union-Endicott High School in 19821956.

After graduating from high school, Thomas enrolled at Fordham University in New York, graduating in 1960 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Russian Studies. He continued his education at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, from which he received his Master of Divinity degree in 1963. At St. Vladimir's Seminary, Hopko Thomas studied with such renowned Orthodox theologians as Fr. [[Alexander Schmemann]], Fr. [[John Meyendorff]], Nicholas Arseniev and Serge Verkhovskoy. He was [[ordination|ordained]] to holy presbyterate Later in 1963 and served several parishes 1968, he earned a Master of Arts degree in the states of Ohio and New YorkPhilosophy from Duquesne University. In 1968 1982, he began to teach at Streceived his Ph. Vladimir's and eventually succeeded his teacher, Serge Verkhovskoy, as professor of dogmatic theologyD. He was made [[archpriest]] in 1970 and, upon his election as Dean, was elevated to the rank of Protopresbyter (1995)Theology from Fordham University.

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 Before he was [[World Council of Churchesordination|ordained]] and as a delegate from the Orthodox Church in America to the Assemblies of WCC [[priest]]hood, he married Anne Schmemann in Uppsala, Sweden; and Nairobi, Kenya1963. He was also President of the Orthodox Theological Society in America (1992-1995)They raised five children.

After his ordination in 1963, Fr. Tom served as pastor at a number of [[parish]]es, beginning with Holy Resurrection Church at Warren, Ohio, from 1963 to 1968. He was the parish [[priest]] at St. Gregory the Theologian Church in Wappingers Falls, New York, from 1968 to 1978. From 1978 to 1983, Fr. Tom served at the St. Nicholas Church in Jamaica Estates, New York.  In 1968, while he was serving at St. Gregory the Theologian Church he began teaching at St. Vladimir's Seminary and eventually succeeded his teacher, Serge Verkhovskoy, as professor of dogmatic theology. In addition to dogmatic theology, the courses he taught included practical theology, homiletics, and spirituality. In September 1992, Fr. Hopko was appointed Dean of St. Vladimir's Seminary, and served until his retirement from the office on [[July 1]], 2002. While serving as dean, Fr. Tom was the [[rector]] of the seminary's Three Hierarchs [[Chapel]]. In 1970, he was elevated to [[archpriest]], and, after his election as Dean, he was raised to the rank of Protopresbyter in 1995. Upon his retirement, Fr. Hopko was given the title of Dean Emeritus by the Board of Trustees of the St. Vladimir's Seminary. Fr. Hopko was a prominent Orthodox Christian lecturer and speaker, well-known both in Orthodox and ecumenical circles. Many of his recordings are available via [[Ancient Faith Radio]]. 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 from 1992 to 1995. The Hopkos retired to live near the [[Monastery of the Transfiguration (Ellwood City, Pennsylvania)|Monastery of the Transfiguration]] in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, where he continued sharing his vocation with the community there until his repose on March 18, 2015. He was survived by his wife, their five children, two sisters, 16 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. ==SourceSources==*[http://www.svots.edu/very-rev-thomas-hopko/ SVOTS: Bio] - St. Vladimir’s Seminary web page, lists publications and articles

* [http://www.oca.org/OCorthfaith.asp? ''The Orthodox Faith''] by Fr. Thomas Hopko* [http://www.oca.org/QAindex.asp Questions and Answers About Orthodoxy] (*[http://ancientfaith.com/podcasts/hopko Speaking the Truth in Love] - Podcast by Fr. Thomas Hopko*[http://www.ocaancientfaith.orgcom/podcasts/QAaboutspiritandtruth Worship in Spirit and Truth] - Podast by Fr.asp Who answers all of these questions?])Thomas Hopko*[httphttps://oldwww.svots.edu/Faculty/Thomaschurch-bids-farewell-protopresbyter-thomas-Hopko/ hopko Church Bids Farewell to Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko, Dean Emeritus] - (St. Vladimir’s Vladimir's Seminary web memorial page, lists publications and articles )*[http://ancientfaithwww.orthodoxmonasteryellwoodcity.comorg/?podcasts/hopko Speaking the Truth in Love] - Podcast by Fr. frhopko In Memoriam: Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko] (Monastery of the Transfiguration, Ellwood City, memorial page)  [[Category:Modern Writers|Hopko]][[Category:Priests|Hopko]][[Category:St. Vladimir's Seminary Graduates|Hopko]] [[ro:Thomas Hopko]]