Pontifical Georgian College: The United Roman-Ruthenian Church

PONTIFICIVM COLLEGIVM GEORGIANVM
PONTIFICAL GEORGIAN COLLEGE
ПАПСКИЙ ГЕОРГИАНСКИЙ КОЛЛЕДЖ

FOUNDED 1987 BY ST. EDWIN CAUDILL. CONTINUED BY APOSTOLIC MANDATE IN PERPETUITY.
ОСНОВАНЪ ВЪ 1987 ГОДУ СВ. ЭДВИНОМЪ КАУДИЛЛОМЪ. ПРОДОЛЖЕНЪ ПО АПОСТОЛЬСКОМУ ПОВЕЛѢНІЮ ВЪ ВѢЧНОСТЬ.
CONDITUM ANNO 1987 A SANCTO EDWINO CAUDILL. MANDATO APOSTOLICO IN PERPETUITATEM CONTINUATUM.

Under the authority and leadership of His Apostolic Highness the Most Holy Radislav I, Roman-Ruthenian Pope
(Click here for Academic biography.)

Pontifical Georgian College is a private theological institution that serves as the historic and principle seminary of the United Roman-Ruthenian Church. The College employs a Competency-Based Education (CBE) model, a proven approach designed to form clergy and lay scholars with both excellence and efficiency. Rather than binding students to inflexible schedules or uniform pacing, CBE allows each learner to progress according to demonstrated mastery. Those who arrive with prior knowledge or significant ministerial experience may move quickly through familiar material, while areas that are new, complex, or pastorally significant can be approached with greater depth and reflection. This model respects the diversity of backgrounds within the Church, honors the maturity and vocation of adult learners, and ensures that every graduate is formed not simply by time spent in a classroom, but by demonstrated competence in theology, Scripture, liturgy, and pastoral practice.

The United Roman-Ruthenian Church is an autocephalous Apostolic Church of ancient origins and Orthodox and Catholic heritage. The Church is in special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council since 2019.

The college serves the needs of the United Roman-Ruthenian Church, conferring ecclesiastical academic honours on behalf of the Church's Holy Apostolic See under the authority of the Diocese of Rome-Ruthenia. The College also fulfills the mandate of service through scientific enquiry and field research. PGC was founded in 1987 as Saint George's School of Theology (renamed to St. George Theological Seminary when reactivated in 2008) and was based in San Antonio, Texas. It is historically affiliated with Rome, Italy, and Oxford, England, at at the time of its founding by St. Edwin Caudill, it was part of the Diocese of the Southwest, of which the United Roman-Ruthenian Church is the direct, documented legal successor. From its beginning, the seminary maintained a formal affiliation with Wolsey Hall, Oxford, England, and was the exclusive administrator of the theology programme in the United States. Although the College continues a cordial relationship today, Wolsey Hall no longer offers theology courses. And, although the Diocese of the Southwest was originally part of the so-called “continuing Anglican” movement, it ceased its participation in that milieu long before its full restoration in 2008 and had moved decisively toward Orthodox-Catholic identity under the path established by St. Edwin.

H.A.H. Radislav I censes the icon of St. Edwin Caudill during the
Divine Liturgy according to the Gallo-Russo-Byzantine Rite.

In 2010, the then Archdiocese of the Southwest arranged an external academic pathway for postulants through Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, an internationally recognized Anglican seminary of the evangelical tradition with a significant Anglo-Catholic presence. The Very Rev. Dr. Justyn Terry, then Dean and President of the seminary and a priest of the Church of England, affirmed in writing that postulants from the Archdiocese of the Southwest would be welcomed and could be placed in suitable Anglo-Catholic field education settings. As he wrote to the Metropolitan of the Southwest at the time, “There are also opportunities for appropriate field education placement for these students.” Although no candidates ultimately enrolled through this pathway, the correspondence reflected the Archdiocese’s ongoing commitment to high academic standards in clergy formation and demonstrated recognition and support by respected external institutions for its evolving clergy-training programme.

Stained glass window of the old seal of the Pontifical Georgian College,
then St. George's School of Theology.
Photograph of the original seminary seal copyright URRC 2018. All rights reserved.

The late H.E. the Right Rev. Archabbot Anthony Giunta, TOR Mar
formerly Professor of Canon Law, Pontifical Georgian College

Released in its Second Edition by Pontifical Georgian Press (formerly St. George Seminary Press) in 2025, Journey of Faith: The Holy Apostolic See, by Radislav I is a history of the present See and its people - those who went before us, laying the groundwork over the last decades and past centuries, and those who keep the faith today.

St. George Theological Seminary continues today as Pontifical Georgian College under the same ecclesiastical lineage and faculty recognition that carried forward from its founding era, including confirmation by former diocesan officials. Although the original cathedral and other physical properties of the Diocese have passed through the hands of multiple unrelated congregations over the years, physical possession of those former buildings does not confer ecclesiastical or corporate succession. While historic artifacts and remnants of the old corporation may exist in various locations, the institutional and ecclesiastical continuity of the Seminary was formally transferred in 2008 by apostolic mandate and has been maintained without interruption since that time. The United Roman-Ruthenian Church is and remains the legal successor to the original Diocese of the Southwest, founded by St. Edwin Caudill.

Exemplar of an original St. George's School of Theology diploma conferring the degree of Master
of Arts on a future Bishop of the Southwest. It is signed by St. Edwin Caudill. Image Copyright URRC 2008.

Exemplar of an original diploma, in Latin, for the degree of Doctor of Divinity conferred by
St. George Theological Seminary (the name of the seminary used after 2008). Image Copyright URRC 2008.

Examples of Diplomas in current use by Pontifical Georgian College. On the left is the
style for the Diplomate and Licentiate. On the right is the doctoral diploma.

In an era where technology has transformed the way we learn, adaptability and innovation are key to staying relevant. This is precisely why the Pontifical Georgian College, which once held onsite classes at physical property in San Antonio, Texas, USA, made the bold decision some time ago to transition to an online-based model.

For years, Pontifical Georgian College, with its traditional affiliations in San Antonio, Oxford, and Rome and collaboration with Wolsey Hall at Oxford, established itself as a prestigious theological institution, producing many well-trained clerics. However, as the digital era unfolded, it became increasingly evident that embracing distance learning was necessary for staying relevant and best serving the needs of the Church.

Evolution of the seals of the college.
Left: St. George Theological Seminary (earlier, St. George's School of Theology)
Centre: Pontifical Georgian College, earlier (the ombrellino, key, sword, and lily sceptres were added)
Right: Pontifical Georgian College, current (the name in Russian/cyrillic was added, and the coat of arms was surround with oak leaves)

Operating solely online allows seminarians access to the college without geographical constraints. This inclusivity ensures that no talented individual is left behind due to their location. The online format provides seminarians with greater flexibility in balancing studies with other commitments such as work or family, empowering them to tailor their learning experience according to their own schedule. Depending on the programme, seminarians may be required to be in residence at an approved parish and may have additional residence requirements. Additionally, all ordination are conducted entirely in person in accordance with the doctrine and laws of the Church.

Also, having long-since moved away from physical property significantly reduced operational costs for the College and the Church. Those cost savings can be redirected into other areas of need.

The decision to embrace online operations reflects the college's commitment to adapting and evolving with the changing needs of seminarians and the Church. By leveraging technology, Pontifical Georgian College is positioned as a forward-thinking institution that embraces innovation while maintaining its reputation in theological academics.

Historical document between Pontifical Georgian College (then St. George Theological Seminary)
and Wolsey Hall, Oxford. Photograph of the original document copyright URRC 2018. All rights reserved.

From the Stephenian Archives of the United Roman-Ruthenian Church, this is a former ad
in the publication "U.S. Anglican" for St. George seminary (now Pontifical Georgian College)
Photograph copyright URRC 2018. All rights reserved.

From the Stephenian Archives of the United Roman-Ruthenian Church, this is an excerpts from a letter
from St. Edwin Caudill referencing the seminary, mentioning that the first class would graduate that year.
Photograph copyright URRC 2025. All rights reserved.

The purpose of the college is to ensure excellence in education of the clergy of the United Roman-Ruthenian Church. For this purpose, there are five faculties: Sacred Theology, Sacred Philosophy, Canon Law, History, and Sacred Music. Faculty hold the ranks of Professor, Vice Professor, Deputy Professor, or Instructor, according to qualification, experience, and tenure.

Diplomate: Conferred in Sacred Theology (S.T.Dip.) and Sacred Philosophy (S.Phil.Dip.). The grade of Diplomate of Sacred Theology signifies successful completion of Minor Seminary. There are two tracks, a general one and one for those concurrently undertaking general baccalaureate education. The Diploma of Sacred Philosophy recognizes basic studies in related fields such as history or sacred music.

Licentiate: Conferred in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.), Sacred Philosophy (S.Phil.L.), and Canon Law (J.C.L.). The Licentiate in Sacred Theology or its equivalent is the prerequisite for ordination to the priesthood. The Licentiate of Sacred Philosophy recognizes advanced studies in related fields, while the Licentiate of Canon Law recognizes in-depth knowledge in that field.

Doctorate: Conferred in Sacred Theology (S.T.D.), Sacred Philosophy (S.Phil.D.), Canon Law (J.C.D.), and Sacred Letters (S.L.D.). The Doctorate of Sacred Letters is exclusively given as an honourific to recognize laymen who have made significant and outstanding contributions to theology and/or religion. The Doctorate of Sacred Theology is the terminal theological honour and signifies advanced, in-depth knowledge of theology. The Doctorate of Sacred Philosophy recognizes significant achievement in study of related fields. The Doctorate of Canon Law represents mastery of Canon Law. All doctoral honours except for the Doctorate of Sacred Letters require original research and successful defense of a dissertation.

Historical photos of commencement ceremonies of Pontifical Georgian College (then known as St. George's Schoo of Theology, later in 2008 as St. George Theological Seminary).
In the red doctoral toga is H.E. the late Bishop Edwin Caudill of the Diocese of the Southwest, which later became the Coadjutorship of Rome.
Photograph of the original photograph copyright URRC 2018. All rights reserved.

H.A.H. Prince-Bishop Radislav (Rutherford) I, Roman-Ruthenian Pope, Regent of Pontifical Georgian College,
in secular academic regalia with a toga representing a Doctor of Philosophy from the
University of Kentucky and the hood of a Master of Liberal Arts from Harvard.

HISTORICAL DOCUMENT EXCERPTS
The following are historical documents that form part of the Stephenian Archives pertaining to the heritage of the Pontifical Georgian College. These documents are presented here as part of the historical record.

Original document showing details of the college program, with St. Edwin Caudill listed as president. Images copyright URRC 2008.

Original General Ordination Exam, which formed the basis of the exam used in the United Roman-Ruthenian Church today. Images copyright URRC 2008.

Original St. George's School of Theology question and answer docuement. Images copyright URRC 2008.

The sole purpose of the College is to provide religious and ecclesiastical formation for the clergy and lay leaders of the United Roman-Ruthenian Church and its affiliated jurisdictions. Accordingly, the College does not seek and does not maintain secular or governmental accreditation. Its programs, degrees, and credentials are ecclesiastical in nature and are accredited solely by the Church.

Because the College exists strictly for religious instruction, its programs fall outside the scope of review or oversight by secular accrediting bodies or civil higher-education authorities. The College and the Church nevertheless recognize the important role that accreditation plays in general and secular education. Individuals seeking academic credentials for employment, licensure, or secular professional purposes are encouraged to pursue studies through a regionally or nationally accredited institution recognized by the appropriate authorities in their country of residence (such as the U.S. Department of Education in the United States).