Seminarian Fr. Paul Schlafer

Meet Fr. Paul Schlafer

Fr. Paul Schlafer is a third-year seminarian at St. Tikhon’s Seminary and a second-year member of the Mission Choir. By the grace of God and the hand of Archbishop Daniel of Chicago, he was ordained to the Holy Priesthood on December 13, 2025, at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Chicago.

For over a decade before arriving at St. Tikhon’s Seminary, Fr. Paul attended St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Mentor, Ohio (OCA Diocese of the Midwest), with his wife, Matushka Sarah, and their children: Simon (11), Michael (8), Nikolai (5), and their youngest daughter, Anna, who was born shortly after the family arrived at St. Tikhon’s. During their years in the parish, Matushka Sarah served as choir director for more than five years, while Fr. Paul served two terms on the Parish Council. Together, they were involved in every aspect of parish life, from Church School to maintenance projects and everything in between.

St. Tikhon's Seminary Stories Archbishop Daniel and Fr. Paul Schlafer at his ordination to the priesthood.

Reflecting on his vocational journey, Fr. Paul says he felt a pull toward greater service to Christ and His Church for several years before coming to seminary. After reaching a career crossroads in early 2023, he began exploring seminary more seriously. Following a visit to St. Tikhon’s in the spring of 2023, he and his family discerned that this was where God was calling them and decided to apply. Fr. Paul says his time at St. Tikhon's has been a tremendous blessing, allowing him to study, pray, and be formed.

When asked what he loves about St. Tikhon's, Fr. Paul says:

“I particularly enjoy our Mission Choir trips. It provides us with the opportunity to get out of our comfort zone and meet the faithful where they live out their lives in Christ. It also provides a great opportunity to meet and form relationships with senior clergy, serving people in all sorts of capacities.”

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