The Apostle Paul Theological Semin ary in Medan, North Sumatra was established in 2005. Our aim was through this school to spread the light of Orthodoxy, because without the necessary means it is difficult for us to preach the faith in Indonesia. That is why the Theological School was the occasion to further spread the Orthodox faith. The School has been recognized by the Indonesian Government as a higher education institution. Students must attend the courses for 4 years. Since the establishment of the school 1002 students have graduated, who are now working in various fields such as teachers, civil servants, university professors. The students are not all Orthodox; some are Roman Catholic, but most are Protestant. Usually, during their studies, some students decide to become Orthodox. Our current student body is about 250 students. In the beginning, only Father Chrysostom Manalu and Elder Elizabeth served as the faculty of the school. Now the Orthodox teachers are 5 persons.
The offer of this school is great. On the one hand, to the world at large, it offers young people who are preparing to become teachers. Thus, the future teachers have come into contact with the Orthodox faith, have appreciated it and will pass this attitude on to young children. On the other hand, he has already offered to us Orthodox three young people, who have recently become priests. The continuation of the Theological School is only due to God’s blessing. The teachers here do not receive salaries. Of course, we collect a small amount as tuition fees from the students to cover the salary of the employees of the School, which is 6 persons, but we Professors offer our services free of charge, because the School has no income to cover these expenses. So far, we have no support, either from our Metropolis or from our parishes. Therefore, it is difficult to describe how it continues to function. It is a continuous miracle. With God’s help, we have already completed ten years since the founding of the school, over a thousand graduates have graduated, and our school has begun to offer graduate programs and has recently begun to offer doctoral degrees. Thank God! Therefore, we ask for your prayers that we may continue this work with enthusiasm and zeal in Christ Jesus.
π. Chrysostomos Manalu
