Saint Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary is proud to announce that it has received full accreditation from the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) in the United States. This significant milestone marks the Seminary as the only self-standing Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary outside of Ukraine to offer accredited theological education.

The formal announcement was made during the ATS Annual Meeting held in Atlanta, GA (19-20 June, 2024), attended by the Seminary's leadership: Metropolitan Antony - Rector; Archbishop Daniel - Academic Dean; and the Very Reverend Fr. Theophan Mackey - Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. Their presence at this prestigious event underscores the Seminary's commitment to providing high-quality theological education and fostering academic excellence within the Ukrainian Orthodox community.

"This accreditation is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff, and students," said Metropolitan Antony. "We are honored to receive this recognition and look forward to continuing our mission of educating future leaders of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church."

Archbishop Daniel added, "The rigorous standards set by ATS ensure that our programs meet the highest levels of academic and spiritual formation. This achievement will further enhance our ability to serve our community and the broader Orthodox Christian world.

As Saint Sophia Seminary approaches its 50th anniversary in 2025, this accreditation marks a pivotal moment in its history. Founded in 1975, the Seminary has been dedicated to providing comprehensive theological education and spiritual formation for clergy and lay leaders. The institution’s commitment to academic excellence and Orthodox tradition has been unwavering, and this new accreditation will undoubtedly strengthen its reputation and reach."

The Very Reverend Fr. Theophan Mackey expressed his gratitude, stating, "We are deeply grateful for the support and guidance of the ATS throughout the accreditation process. This milestone will enable us to expand our academic offerings and continue our mission with renewed vigor and purpose."

Saint Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary invites the community and all interested parties to join in celebrating this momentous achievement and looks forward to a future of continued growth and service.

For more information, please contact:

Saint Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary

1950 Easton Ave.

Somerset, NJ 08873

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Founded in 1918 and officially recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE), the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) is an accrediting agency responsible for the accreditation of graduate theological institutions and programs in the United States and Canada.

The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) is a membership organization of more than 270 theological schools, colleges and universities under a wide range of Christian denominations. The Commission on Accrediting (COA) evaluates theological institutions and programs based on a set of accreditation standards that focus on educational quality, institutional resources and adherence to the mission of theological education. The Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS/COA) reviews schools and programs on a regular basis to ensure that they continue to meet accreditation standards and maintains a list of accredited institutions and programs.

Accreditation by the Commission on Accrediting of ATS is recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDOE) and is an important credential for schools seeking to establish themselves as providers of high-quality theological education. Accreditation also provides assurance to students, faculty and other stakeholders that an institution meets rigorous standards of educational quality and integrity.

In addition to accreditation, the ATS provides a variety of services and resources to member institutions, including professional development opportunities for faculty and administrators, research and data analysis on theological education and networking opportunities for members of the theological education community.