Thomas John Hopko (b. March 28, 1939, Endicott, New York, United States â d. March 18, 2015, Wexford, Pennsylvania, United States) was an Eastern Orthodox Christian priest and theologian. He was the Dean of Saint VladimirâÂÂs Orthodox Theological Seminary from September 1992 until July 1, 2002 and taught dogmatic theology there from 1968 until 2002. In retirement, he carried the honorary title of Dean Emeritus.
Thomas Hopko was born in Endicott, New York of Rusyn descent. His ancestors are linked to the Rusyn village of (now Nevyts'ke) near the city of Uzhorod. He was baptized and raised in St. MaryâÂÂs Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Greek-Catholic Church, Endicott. He gained his B.A. in Russian studies at Fordham University in 1960, followed by a Master of Divinity degree at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in 1963. He later completed a master's degree in philosophy at Duquesne University in 1968 and a Ph.D. in theology at Fordham University in 1982. At St. Vladimir's Seminary, Hopko studied with such renowned Orthodox theologians as Fr. Alexander Schmemann, Fr. John Meyendorff, Nicholas Arseniev and Serge Verkhovskoy.
He was ordained to the priesthood in 1963 and served several parishes in the states of Ohio and New York. In 1968 he began to teach at St. Vladimir's and eventually succeeded his teacher Serge Verkhovskoy as professor of dogmatic theology. He was elevated to the rank of archpriest in 1970 and to the rank of protopresbyter in 1995. Known both in Orthodox and ecumenical circles, 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. During his years of priestly ministry, Fr. Thomas authored numerous books and articles. Most well known of these publications is The Orthodox Faith: An Elementary Handbook on the Orthodox Church. A prolific speaker and preacher, he spoke at conferences, retreats, public lectures, and church gatherings of all kinds, many of which were recorded.
After retiring in 2002 from his position as Dean of St Vladimirsôs Seminary, Hopko moved to Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, where he frequently served at the Womenôs Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration. Starting at 2008, he had several popular podcasts on Ancient Faith Radio. He continued to speak at various events in his retirement.
Hopko died of complications from congestive heart failure due to amyloidosis on March 18, 2015, in the Pittsburgh suburb of Wexford, Pennsylvania. He was survived by his wife and five children. Days before his death, his daughter Juliana created a blog wherein she provided periodic status updates about his declining health and eventual death. He was buried by the Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America in the Monastery of the Transfiguration in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania on March 23, 2015.
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