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pak family

preparing for SERVIce in mexico

Michael and Carlyn (by chrismation Xenia) both have backgrounds in missions and, through a turn of events, have realized that God has called them to serve the rest of their years in Mexico. Michael is an alumnus of Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. Carlyn has a degree in Biology and has diverse experience in children’s education.

Both Michael and Carlyn are preparing for service as missionaries in the Orthodox Church of America, Diocese of Mexico. His Eminence Alejo, Archbishop of Mexico City and Mexico, has requested that they help to establish Mexico’s first Orthodox Christian seminary, San Basilio Orthodox Seminary, in the state of Hidalgo. In addition to the seminary, they will be helping to establish the Dormition of the Theotokos Orthodox Monastery, which was founded adjacent to the seminary. His Eminence plans to build an institution to train men for the service of the Church in a manner that is modeled after Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Seminary and Monastery in the United States.

Michael will be assigned as an instructor of Liturgics at the new seminary. Archbishop Alejo has plans for Michael to travel throughout the diocese and train the existing clergy on the liturgical standard that the diocese hopes to adopt.

The OCA Diocese of Mexico is a mission diocese that is steadily spreading throughout Mexico. In addition to their other ministries, Michael and Carlyn will be assisting in the establishment of a new mission parish in Queretaro, Mexico. Carlyn will be the mission’s catechist and children’s ministry director.

There are also numerous indigenous towns in Veracruz, Mexico, that are in need of priests and religious instruction. Michael and Carlyn will help support the travel and logistical needs of clergy who frequently travel to this area.