Thank you all for your insight. I know that seminary would be the best but I am unable to attend due to my family obligations. Hence the reason that I need some sort of distance learning program. I love the greek church but would find it extremely difficult to learn all that is required at seminary AND try to learn greek. Any insight or suggestions are greatly appreciated.
I know how difficult it must be with a family to contemplate a life-change like entering the priesthood, and how difficult it can be to achieve that goal - I am surrounded by men and women (i.e. their wives) who are making that commitment.
It is true that if you chose to attend our GO seminary (Holy Cross), that part of the program will be learning Greek - which is why our program is 4 years unlike St. Vladimir's which is only 3 (I think). It can be a big challenge to those who are not of Greek descent, but our bishops view it for the time being as a pastoral tool. (And I can't help but mention that priests trained overseas often learn multiple languages, like Greek and Arabic and Hebrew, for example - all three of which you can study at Holy Cross).
I would also agree with Bogoliubtsy when he says that it is a matter to be discussed with your priest and your bishop - not only for pragmatic reasons (the priest and bishop need to approve your going to a seminary) but also for spiritual ones; the journey to the priesthood is filled with trials and tribulations, and can be a spiritual test unlike any you have experienced. I believe very strongly that satan wishes to tempt the shephards of the future in order to scatter the sheep more effectively. And it can often be very subtle.
Also, Bogoliubtsy is dead-on when he talks about being hatched from the parish. I have seen men come here who have not lived a full Orthodox life within the parish, and thus are lost once they come to seminary - they are stuck having to learn the normal stuff all of us have to learn, but are also forced to learn the basics of Orthodox worship and ethos at the same time, which is difficult (if not impossible) to do - I have seen those men struggle mightily; some leave the faith, others trudge through and become bitter and disillusioned, etc. The life that you live at the parish will help give you the spiritual fortitude to handle many of the challenges that will come up studying for the priesthood.
While there is finanicial assistance available, and on-campus housing for married students with their families, I know just the move from your home and the task of working and studying and raising a family can be a bit much. There are a few GOA metropolitans who use the St. Stephen's program to train parish deacons with lay ministries - those who are ordained deacons and assist at the parishes part-time, but who also keep their secular professions (and this is done with caution - most of the time these men have lay professions that are seen as healing and helping ministries, like medicine, psychology/psychiatry, etc.) - it is an excellent program, one that will allow you to learn much of what we study here at the seminary while having the convenience of staying home. All you would need to do in addition to that is then study the Teleturgics (how to physically do the services) within the parish context, and the bishop will consider ordaining you to the deaconate. The priesthood, though, may require time at a seminary. Again, this is all up to you and your priest and bishop - and I'd be interested to hear in which diocese you are in - that can have an effect on whether you can do the St. Stephen's program, etc.
I hope and pray that God enlightens you and helps you to whatever end He wants!
