BURBANK, IL [DOM Communications] – The Diocese of the Midwest celebrates the graduation of two diocesan seminarians, Priest Ephraim Tauck, and Mr. Aaron Rutz.
Fr. Ephraim graduated from St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary with Honors in Pastoral Arts and Praxis for his thesis, “Addiction: An Exploration of Treatment for Orthodox Clergy”. St. Tikhon’s Seminary held a limited and private commencement on Friday and Saturday, May 29 and 30, 2020 with parts of the ceremony held online. Archimandrite Zacharias from the Monastery of Saint John the Baptist, Essex, England, was this year’s guest commencement speaker. His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, President of the Seminary, and His Eminence Archbishop Michael, Rector of St. Tikhon’s also addressed the graduates and their families.
Mr. Rutz, will partake in commencement ceremonies from St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in the fall. The day of commencement will begin with Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on the morning of September 12. The Service of Thanksgiving will then be held at the Seminary’s Three Hierarchs Chapel, followed by Commencement Exercises.
Fr. Ephraim is being assigned to Theotokos “Of Unexpected Joy” Orthodox Church in Ashgrove, Missouri starting this summer. Mr. Rutz will be enrolled in a chaplaincy program in Pennsylvania for the next year and will then return to serve the diocese.
Axios, and many years to the graduates and their families. His Eminence and the Diocese of the Midwest wish you great success in the next chapter of your life.
