Mission
St. Finnian Orthodox Seminary exists to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world through the
formation of men for the sacred mysteries. The school seeks to ensure that Priests and Deacons that are ordained in the Orthodox Church are taught accurate and valid Orthodox theology. The seminary serves all Orthodox Churches seeking to ensure their clergy are formed in solid theological knowledge. We do not discriminate on jurisdiction, but all those interested in the seminary must have the permission of their bishop to attend. While the seminary is primarily intended to serve the Western Orthodox Church, it is open to all persons seeking to learn the Orthodox faith. As the Church has always been understood as a hospital, those ordained into Holy Orders must be acquainted with the Church’s unique medicine, consisting of prayer, ascetic labors, the sacramental mysteries, contemplation, and teaching, among other remedies, ensuring accurate and adequate healing of the soul. Yet, living in the 21st century, it is imperative also that clergy are able to deal with the realities of mental health and effective methods of catechesis, backed by science.
Who are we?
The St. Finnian Orthodox Seminary was started by Bishop-Elect Adam Bartimaeus in 2025 to help train Orthodox Priests, Deacons and Catechists in the faith of Jesus Christ according to the Patristic Fathers. The seminary is the primary means that those interested in Holy Orders receive their training in the Diocese. Named after the great Irish Saint, St. Finnian of Clonard, who trained the twelve apostles of Ireland, the seminary works to prepare individuals for ministry, church planting and catechesis in a parochial level. The seminary teaches only the Orthodox theology of the Orthodox Church, incorporating a unique dynamic of both western and eastern Fathers. The seminary celebrates the Western rite and our Liturgical Practicums are done in the western rite unless requested otherwise by a Bishop. All liturgical Practicums are done in the parish community of the man, or religious community. It also places a heavy focus on the Celtic and Anglican fathers’ pre-schism who defended the faith along with the standard Eastern Orthodox saints. Our list of books can be found below:
Catechism of St. Peter Mogila
Longer Catechism of St. Philaret of Moscow
Catechism of Nicholas Bulgaris
Orthodox Study Bible
On the Procession of the Holy Spirit by St. Gregory of Palamas
The Orthodox Church by John Meyendorff
In the Image and Likeness of God by Vladimir Lossky
The Theology of the Church by Dumitru Staniloae
Orthodox Dogmatic Theology by Protopresbyter Michael Pomazansky
Mystical Theology of St Bernard of Clairveux
Homilies of Saint Gregory the Great
This is not an exhaustive list, but only a few that are the most prominent that develop the key components of our classwork. The Seminary aims to provide quality clerical development also through continuing education options for clergy at the annual retreat hosted by the Eparchy.
St. Finnian Orthodox Seminary 