Parish Internships: Building the Future of the Church in the Diocese of the South

Every summer, seminarians from St. Vladimir’s and St. Tikhon’s Seminaries have the opportunity to leave the classroom and immerse themselves once again in parish life. Through the Diocese of the South Parish Internship Program , seminarians spend (ideally) eight weeks in a parish, living the daily rhythm of liturgical services, pastoral visits, teaching, preaching, and participating in the practical aspects of parish administration and community life.

These internships are not simply an academic exercise—they are an essential part of forming future clergymen and their families for the real and sometimes unpredictable life of ministry in the Church. This past summer, Deacon Sergio Lopez, a seminarian at St. Vladimir’s Seminary, spent his internship at Holy Cross Orthodox Church in Kernersville, NC, under the supervision of Fr. Christopher Foley. Reflecting on his time there ( read more here ), Dn. Sergio highlighted three key lessons:

The Variety of Ministries in the Body of Christ: Beyond ordained service, he witnessed parishioners quietly and faithfully tending to the countless tasks that sustain parish life—from cleaning the temple and serving on parish council, to…