The Rev. Dr. Samuel G. Sawitski was ordained into the Holy Priesthood of the Orthodox Church in 1977 in Moscow, Russia. Expert In Ecclesiastical Slavonic, Greek, and Hebrew Languages, Fr. Sawitski holds M.Div. degree from Lancaster Theological Seminary, Th.D. from Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary, and a Doctorate in the Ancient Ecclesiastical Art from Kremlin Institute of Art, Research and Science, Moscow. Having been trained for two years at the Holy Trinity Orthodox Monastery in Sacred Theology and Eastern Spirituality of the Desert Fathers, Fr. Sawitski did postgraduate work in the Department of Psychiatry in Medical School in Moscow in preparation for Priest-Counselor Spiritual Director’s career, earning licentiate in Psycho-Analysis, Psycho-Pathology, Psycho-Therapy, and Cognitive Therapy. Dr. Sawitski is a Professor of Art and Spirituality of Lehigh University, Faculty member of Moravian Theological Seminary, and Lecturer in Lancaster Theological Seminary and Mary Immaculate Seminary. His main field of expertise includes Ancient Ecclesiastical Arts and Aesthetics, Theology, Logic, and Psychology of Spirituality. Being a Representative to the United Nations for the National UCC Office for Church in Society for 19 years, he was awarded a UN Peace Medal “IN RECOGNITION OF HIS ROLE FOR PROMOTING WORLD PEACE AND INTERRELIGIOUS HARMONY”.

Back on the East Coast, where Fr. Sam served UCC churches for fifteen years, he is known as an accomplished artist/designer –his stained glass work is displayed prominently in large churches in the Lehigh Valley and in New York City. Dr. Sawitski also successfully directed heartbreaking and difficult project of rebuilding St. Luke's Church after a devastating fire in February of 2000, and completed rebuilding church in seven months. Having extended experience as a recording engineer and a musician, he personally supervised the designing of the pipe organ, which was also installed and voiced by him (see below).

Pastor Sam’s Bible classes have been a source of wisdom and guidance for people serious about spiritual growth and seeking guidance in meditation and prayer. The presentation’s exceptionally broad scope is paralleled by its depth of coverage which examines not only World Religions, Theology, Philosophy, Ecclesiastical Art, Iconography, etc, but also everyday life and culture. He offers a clear explanation of what the difficulties and consolations of mature prayer are all about. He makes the wisdom of the Church Fathers and other ancient Spiritual teachers an invaluable tool for all who are called in their individual and communal lives to discern what God’s will is in very concrete terms.

Dr. Sawitski has 32 years of experience in parish ministry as a Pastor, Spiritual Director for the clergy and monks in extreme hostile environment, and Counselor for drug-addicted people and social misfits. Leader of Spiritual Retreats for Clergy, Fr. Sawitski is conducting Workshops and Seminars on Practical Spirituality and Meditation, Prayer Retreats, Philosophy and Theology of Art.

Pastor Sam's Art

Back on the East Coast, where Pastor Sam served UCC churches for fourteen years, he is known also as an accomplished artist/designer – some of his stained glass work is displayed prominently in large churches in the Lehigh Valley and in New York City. In 1989, eight 18-foot stained glass windows for the St. John’s church in Allentown, PA were designed, completed, and installed by Dr. Sawitski.

ARTART