Campus Ministry
Campus Ministry
Father Pratt and a student

Orthodox Christian Life

For nearly 50 years Orthodox Christian Life has served students at Georgetown University, giving strong support to the students and faculty of many different faith traditions present on campus. While remaining true to its Roman Catholic and Jesuit roots, the university has continually sought to offer ministry to those of other religious backgrounds, enhancing the spiritual lives of those who use the services of the Office of Campus Ministry. 

Our first service is for the beginning of the academic year, where all present are individually blessed with Holy Water. Liturgy is the primary expression of the Orthodox faith, and thus Orthodox Life at Georgetown centers on liturgical services. During most of the academic year, we gather weekly for vespers in Copley Crypt Chapel. Vespers, an evening prayer service, reflects the Orthodox Liturgical calendar and marks Holy Days and Saints Days. During Great Lent, we hold the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts so that students have an opportunity to receive communion on campus. On Sundays, students are encouraged to attend Liturgy at one of the two local Orthodox churches. For Pascha, the university provides transportation to and from those churches for midnight services.

Thanks to a generous gift from Georgetown Board of Directors member Michael Psaros (B’89) and Family, the Orthodox Chaplaincy is the first chaplaincy in the Office of Campus Ministry to be endowed with a named Chaplain. The Orthodox Christian Chaplaincy Director Fr David Pratt holds the His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew I Orthodox Chaplaincy chair.

Georgetown Orthodox Christian Fellowship

Georgetown OCF is an active student community group on campus with a close relationship with Orthodox Christian Life. Join our Facebook group!

group of students laying on the floor playing scrabble

Orthodox Christian Life Retreat

During Lent we hold a day long retreat on campus, also with a Divine Liturgy, a fellowship meal and a short excursion to a location of interest to Orthodox students. All are welcome to attend our retreats and other activities throughout the year.

Explore the Orthodox Christian Life Retreat

Vespers Schedule

To see a full schedule of all Campus Ministry gatherings and services, please visit our Campus Ministry Religious Services Calendar.

Meet Our Team

Headshot of V. Rev. David Pratt

Fr. David Pratt is the Director for the Orthodox Christian chaplaincy and the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Endowed Orthodox Chaplain at Georgetown University endowed by the Michael Psaros Family. He is an archpriest in the Russian Orthodox Church. He has held the position of associate professor of philosophy at St. Martin’s University in Washington for the past ten years, and the position of sessional professor of pastoral practice at New York Theological Seminary for the past five. Fr. Pratt previously served 23 years as a U.S. military chaplain and ethicist. He holds a Ph.D. in comparative ethics from the University of Louvain, an S.T.L. from the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, and an M.Div. from St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. Fr. Pratt also serves as a residential minister in Reynolds Hall.

Headshot of Becky Hay

Becky Hay-Reed is the Assistant Director for Christian and Ecumenical Engagement. In this role, she supports the chaplains and student teams in coordinating services and events for the Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox traditions. Originally from central Illinois, Becky ventured to the East Coast for a BA in Crime, Law, and Justice and a BA in Religion from Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, Massachusetts. After her undergraduate studies, she felt led to pursue ministry in a deeper way and earned her MA of Divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri. During her graduate studies, she got involved in community-based conflict resolution work and learned a lot about the power of listening. Becky is excited to support the work of campus ministry as it has played a significant role in her life and faith journey! For time to rest and seek joy, Becky enjoys trying local coffee shops for the best iced coffee, thrift store shopping, and going on walks with friends and family.

Questions? Please email orthodoxlife@georgetown.edu.