John H. Erickson
Encyclopedia
Reverend John H. Erickson is an Eastern Orthodox American scholar, with specialization in the areas of Orthodox canon law
and church history. From 2002 until 2007 he served as the Dean
of Saint Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary
in the United States
. His term as dean expired on June 30, 2007 and he was replaced by Fr. John Behr.
After growing up in northern Minnesota
, Erickson joined the Orthodox Church in 1964. He studied at Harvard (B.A.
, 1966), Yale
(M.Phil., 1970), and St Vladimir's Seminary (M.Th., 1984).
Erickson began teaching canon law
and church history at Saint Vladimir's Seminary in 1973. Following the retirement of Father Thomas Hopko
, he became Dean in July 2002, the first layman
to hold the post.
After four years at the head of the seminary, he was ordained
deacon
on January 30, 2006 and priest
on May 7 of the same year. Both ordinations were performed by the Seminary President, Metropolitan Herman (Swaiko) of the Orthodox Church in America
.
On June 29, 2006 Metropolitan Herman announced that, in accordance with the decision of the Seminary's Board of Trustees, Fr. Erickson will step down as the Dean of the Seminary after the completion of his current term. He continued teaching at the seminary as Peter N. Gramowich Professor of Church History until his retirement after the 2008/2009 academic year.
Canon law
Canon law is the body of laws & regulations made or adopted by ecclesiastical authority, for the government of the Christian organization and its members. It is the internal ecclesiastical law governing the Catholic Church , the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches, and the Anglican Communion of...
and church history. From 2002 until 2007 he served as the Dean
Dean (religion)
A dean, in a church context, is a cleric holding certain positions of authority within a religious hierarchy. The title is used mainly in the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church.-Anglican Communion:...
of Saint Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary
Saint Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary
Saint Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary is an Orthodox Christian seminary in Crestwood, New York, in the United States. Although it is under the omophorion of the Metropolitan of the Orthodox Church in America, it is a pan-Orthodox institution, providing theological education to students...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. His term as dean expired on June 30, 2007 and he was replaced by Fr. John Behr.
After growing up in northern Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
, Erickson joined the Orthodox Church in 1964. He studied at Harvard (B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
, 1966), Yale
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
(M.Phil., 1970), and St Vladimir's Seminary (M.Th., 1984).
Erickson began teaching canon law
Canon law
Canon law is the body of laws & regulations made or adopted by ecclesiastical authority, for the government of the Christian organization and its members. It is the internal ecclesiastical law governing the Catholic Church , the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches, and the Anglican Communion of...
and church history at Saint Vladimir's Seminary in 1973. Following the retirement of Father Thomas Hopko
Thomas Hopko
Thomas Hopko is an Orthodox Christian priest and theologian. He was the Dean of Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary from September 1992 until July 1, 2002 and taught dogmatic theology there from 1968 until 2002. Now retired, he carries the honorary title of Dean Emeritus.- Life and...
, he became Dean in July 2002, the first layman
Laity
In religious organizations, the laity comprises all people who are not in the clergy. A person who is a member of a religious order who is not ordained legitimate clergy is considered as a member of the laity, even though they are members of a religious order .In the past in Christian cultures, the...
to hold the post.
After four years at the head of the seminary, he was ordained
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
on January 30, 2006 and priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
on May 7 of the same year. Both ordinations were performed by the Seminary President, Metropolitan Herman (Swaiko) of the Orthodox Church in America
Orthodox Church in America
The Orthodox Church in America is an autocephalous Eastern Orthodox church in North America. Its primate is Metropolitan Jonah , who was elected on November 12, 2008, and was formally installed on December 28, 2008...
.
On June 29, 2006 Metropolitan Herman announced that, in accordance with the decision of the Seminary's Board of Trustees, Fr. Erickson will step down as the Dean of the Seminary after the completion of his current term. He continued teaching at the seminary as Peter N. Gramowich Professor of Church History until his retirement after the 2008/2009 academic year.
External links
- Erickson's faculty page at the St Vladimir's website.