Seminarian Jacob Kurtz
Class of 2028
Meet Jacob Kurtz
Jacob Kurtz is a seminarian at St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, residing in South Canaan, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Mariana, and their three children: Luka (3½), Noah (2), and Magdalena (5 months). His home parish is Holy Apostles Orthodox Church. By Divine Providence, he was baptized into the Orthodox Faith in 1998 in the very nave of the supporting sister parish.
Prior to coming to seminary, Jacob spent a year working as the pastoral assistant at St. Philip Orthodox Church in Souderton, Pennsylvania. Before that, he served as a probation and parole officer in suburban Philadelphia for about five years. Looking back, Jacob says those years were instrumental in his discernment and what he came to see as his calling to seminary, preparing him for what he hopes will be a fruitful future ministry in the Church.
He considers it a blessing to learn from such scholars and genuinely holy people in the classroom. While balancing studies, church, and family life is certainly a challenge, he says the overall experience has been enlightening and full of joy. His family has also enjoyed forging lifelong relationships among their peers. Remembering that all provisions come from God has helped ease the stresses of seminary life, and he hopes to use everything he has received during his time at St. Tikhon's for the betterment of his diocese upon graduation.
When asked what he loves about St. Tikhon's, Jacob says:
“Having grown up visiting this holy place over the years, it is immensely humbling to call it home for a time. I found it so surreal to serve in the Altar for the first time last semester, knowing that actual saints of our faith once stood and served at the same Altar.”
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