St. Tikhon’s Seminary has new dean

(STOTS) - The Very Rev. Dr. Steven Voytovich, a licensed professional counselor who spent many years of his career in the field of pastoral care and education, has been named dean of St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, effective August 18.

He succeeds The Very Rev. Dr. Alexander Atty, who retired for health reasons after serving as dean for the past three years.

Father Steven brings to this position years of experience as a parish priest, an educator, a presenter at seminars and retreats, a contributing writer for various religious publications, and a frequent presenter at OCA events.

His Grace, Bishop Michael, Ph.D., Rector of St. Tikhon’s Seminary and Bishop of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey, stated, “I am well pleased that Fr. Steven will be joining St. Tikhon’s Seminary as our Dean. His pastoral, leadership, academic and work related credentials are superb and we look forward to Fr. Steven moving St. Tikhon’s to new heights. On behalf of the board of trustees, faculty, staff and students we welcome him and offer our prayers for his new ministry.”

In 2007, Father Steven represented the OCA and was plenary presenter at the Ninth International Congress for Pastoral care and Counseling held in Krzyzowa, Poland. He served as communications and public relations officer from 2004 to 2007. He also represented the OCA at International Congresses held in Accra Ghana in 1999 and Bangalore, India, in 2004.

He is director of the OCA’s Department of Institutional Ministry where he co-created and coordinated the OCA Seminarian Internship Program, and he helped develop and now serves as director of the OCA’s Institutional Chaplain Department, which supports Orthodox men and women who are serving in institutional chaplaincy roles.

From April of 2010, until joining St. Tikhon’s Seminary, he worked as director of Clinical Pastoral Education at Episcopal Health Services, Long Island, NY. During that time, he was attached to Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in New Britain, CT, as a supply priest for the Connecticut Deanery, but continued serving in multiple capacities within the OCA.

Father Steven was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by His Beatitude Metropolitan Theodosius in 1991 and was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by His Grace, Bishop Job, then of the Diocese of New England.

Over the years, he has served as pastor of Three Saints Orthodox Church in Ansonia, CT; Holy Virgin Mary Orthodox Church in Waterbury, CT; St. Alexis Orthodox Church in Clinton, CT.

Father Steven has earned three advanced degrees from St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in Crestwood, NY, including a Doctor of Ministry degree in 1999. His thesis was “Orthodoxy and CPE: Education for Ministry Beyond the Liturgical Setting.”

He has two masters degrees from St. Vladimir’s, including a Master of Divinity Degree, with Commendation for Thesis, in 1990. His thesis topic: “The Ministry of Those Who Suffer.” In 1991, he earned a Master of Arts Degree in Liturgical Music and served as choir director of the seminary octet.

He also earned a Master of Arts Degree in Community Counseling from Fairfield University, in Fairfield, CT, in 2005, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Minnesota in 1986.

Father Steven, 50, and his wife, Matushka Cindy, live in Guilford, CT. Matushka Cindy is choir director at Three Saints Church in Ansonia, CT, and is a marketing representative for Stony Creek Urgent Care facilities in Branford and Orange, CT.

Of his appointment as Dean of St. Tikhon’s Seminary, Fr. Steven said:

“In accepting this position I look forward to supporting St. Tikhon’s mission of providing quality theological education including personal, spiritual, and pastoral formation to those whom God has called to serve His vineyard.”