Jeffrey & Caryn MacDonald Visit
Dr. Jeffrey and Caryn Macdonald live in the village of Shen Vlash in Albania as long-term missionaries. They are both teaching at the Resurrection Orthodox Theological Academy in Shen Vlash, near Durres. The theological academy was established in 1992 to train Albanian clergy and church workers to help restore Church life after the period of communist persecution.
Dr. Macdonald previously taught for many years at St. Herman’s Seminary in Kodiak helping to prepare Native Alaskans to serve in the Church in Alaska. Dr. Macdonald studied at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary, following an undergraduate degree in Biblical Studies and Archaeology at Wheaton College, in Illinois. He later completed a doctoral degree in Early Christian Studies at the Catholic University of America, in Washington, D.C.
The students and faculty of the Resurrection of Christ Seminary in Shen Vlash with Archbishop Anastasios and the graduates at the Seminary graduation Saturday. photo by Dcn. Stephanos. June 12, 2017
This photo shows the rebuilt monastery of Shen Vlash (St. Blaise, a first century martyr) which was destroyed under communism. Currently these buildings house the Theological Academy, the Home of Hope (orphanage/foster home), the Dormition of the Mother of God church, and Holy Myrrhbearers women’s monastery. June 23, 2013