Date: November 13, 2025
Two icons have now been added to the walls of Immanuel Chapel. When the Chapel was built, we installed the Icon of the Incarnation in the corner above the flock-of-birds votive candle holder. Yesterday, we blessed a second icon—this one honoring St. Leo Malania, the extraordinary priest, liturgist, and leader in the renewal of Episcopal worship. He was the first Georgian priest in the Episcopal Church. Born in what is now Tbilisi, Georgia, he fled the Soviet occupation, lived for a time in Canada, and eventually moved to the United States. His gifts included a remarkable capacity to think deeply and carefully about liturgy, making him a prime mover behind the revision of The Book of Common Prayer.
We honor him for two reasons. First, VTS has a deep and important connection with the Convocation of Europe. We remain grateful for the extraordinary work of Bishop Mark Edington, and we are delighted to be playing a key role in the emergence of an Episcopal congregation in Tbilisi—one that will offer a pro-LGBT+ witness in this important country. Second, VTS wants to celebrate the significance of liturgy and the role of The Book of Common Prayer in our worship. The post-communion prayer on page 365—known by almost all seminarians from memory—was written by Fr. Malania.
There is another icon hanging in the Chapel, one that will be blessed on a later occasion. This is the icon of Pauli Murray. Her remarkable story and her significance will be shared in another commentary on another day.
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary and the President of The General Theological Seminary.