Cet après-midi, après que son dernier petit-enfant aie enfin pu
rejoindre toute leur famille réunie depuis lundi autour du père Thomas
mourant, ce dernier s'est endormi dans le Seigneur. Mémoire éternelle.
http://frthomashopko.webs.com/apps/blog/show/43181462-memory-eternal-
Posted by Juliana on March 18, 2015 at 4:15 PM
MEMORY ETERNAL!
Fr. Thomas reposed peacefully today, March 18, shortly after 3 pm.
All
of his five children were able to spend precious time with him and
Matushka Anne at the hospice. His middle child, who was only able to
arrive today, spent some beautiful hours in vigil by his side. She told
him now that he had been with all of his children, he could go. And
shortly after 3 pm, he reposed.
No funeral plans yet. They will be posted as soon as they are available.
MEMORY ETERNAL!
In Memoriam
The Very Reverend Thomas Hopko
March 28, 1939 - March 18, 2015
Protopresbyter
Thomas Hopko, 75, dean emeritus of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological
Seminary, Crestwood, New York, and noted Orthodox Christian priest,
theologian, preacher, and speaker, fell asleep in the Lord today.
Father
Thomas was the beloved husband of Matushka Anne [Schmemann] Hopko. They
were married on June 9, 1963. Together, Fr. Thomas and Anne are the
parents of five children, sixteen grandchildren, and three
great-grandchildren.
Thomas John Hopko was born in Endicott, NY,
on March 28, 1939, the third child and only son of John J. Hopko and
Anna [Zapotocky] Hopko. He was baptized and raised in St. Mary’s
Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Greek-Catholic Church, and educated in
Endicott public schools, graduating from Union-Endicott High School in
1956.
Father Thomas graduated from Fordham University in 1960 with
a bachelor’s degree in Russian studies. He graduated with a theological
degree from St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in 1963, from
Duquesne University with a master’s degree in philosophy in 1969, and
earned his doctorate degree in theology from Fordham University in 1982.
Ordained to the Holy Priesthood in August 1963, Fr. Thomas
served the following parishes as pastor: Saint John the Baptist Church,
Warren, OH (1963–1968); Saint Gregory the Theologian Church, Wappingers
Falls, NY (1968–1978); and Saint Nicholas Church, Jamaica Estates, NY
(1978–1983). Father Thomas was honored with the clerical rank of
Archpriest in 1970 and the rank of Protopresbyter in 1995.
Beginning
in 1968, Fr. Thomas began his long service to Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox
Theological Seminary. Over the years, Fr. Thomas held the following
positions: Lecturer in Doctrine and Pastoral Theology, 1968–1972;
Assistant Professor of Dogmatic Theology, 1972–1983; Associate Professor
of Dogmatic Theology, 1983–1991; Professor of Dogmatic Theology,
1991–1992; Dean, Rector of Three Hierarchs Chapel, and Professor of
Dogmatic Theology, 1992–2002.
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. Fr. Thomas performed
countless duties on behalf of the Orthodox Church in America, including
representing the Church at intra-Orthodox gatherings and ecumenical
meetings.
Upon retirement, Fr. Thomas and Anne moved to Ellwood
City, PA, where they lived near the Orthodox Monastery of the
Transfiguration, and Fr. Thomas began a new ministry: internet-based
Orthodox Christian radio talks. Since 2008, Fr. Thomas has produced well
over 400 podcasts for Ancient Faith Radio.
Father Thomas
exercised untiring and loving pastoral care on behalf many who sought
him out for spiritual guidance. His greatest desire was that every
person would respond to these words of Jesus Christ: “Come to me, all
who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew
11:28)
Father Thomas is survived by his wife, Matushka Anne, and
their five children: Archpriest John Hopko and his wife Macrina, of
Terryville, CT; Juliana and husband Gregory Thetford, of Ellwood City,
PA; Catherine and husband Raymond Mandell, of Clearfield, PA; Mary and
husband Archpriest Nicholas Solak, of East Stroudsburg, PA; and
Alexandra and husband Joseph Sedor, of Ellicott City, MD. He is also
survived by two sisters, Mary Ann Macko, of Endwell, NY, and Barbara
McPherson, of Sayre, PA, and Frostproof, FL. Additionally, Fr. Thomas is
survived by sixteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, as
well as many, many other dear relatives, colleagues, and friends.
Funeral arrangements will follow.
Father
Thomas’s family wishes to thank all those who ministered to him so
lovingly during his long final illness. Special thanks are extended to
Mother Christophora, Abbess, and the entire sisterhood of The Orthodox
Monastery of the Transfiguration for their constant support and help,
the Very Reverend Father Michael and Matushka Susanne Senyo, Protodeacon
Michael Wusylko, M.D., and Good Samaritan Hospice.
In lieu of
flowers, memorial donations may be given to St. Vladimir’s Orthodox
Theological Seminary, Crestwood, NY; The Orthodox Monastery of the
Transfiguration, Ellwood City, PA; Ancient Faith Radio and Good
Samaritan Hospice of Concordia, Wexford, PA.
Memory Eternal!