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On Friday, April 19, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon traveled to St. Tikhon’s Monastery and St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in South Canaan, PA, for an archpastoral visit and to ordain third-year seminarian Deacon Seraphim Chang to the holy priesthood.
On Friday evening, His Beatitude presided at Matins and served the Akathist in the monastery church. After the Great Doxology, the monastic brotherhood gathered around the ambo and Archimandrite Sergius (Bowyer), Abbot of the monastery, tonsured Igumen Cyprian (Durant) to the Lesser Schema, giving him the name Sophrony.
On Saturday, April 20, Metropolitan Tikhon celebrated the hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the monastery church. Concelebrating with His Beatitude were Archimandrite Sergius (Boyer), Archpriest John Parker, Dean of St. Tikhon’s Seminary, and clergy of the monastery and seminary, along with visiting clergy. In his homily, His Beatitude noted that the season of Lent brings us to greater understanding of our sin but that the Theotokos is a help in our spiritual battles. He remarked, “We have surety of the Mother of God’s supplications. As long as we remain in the fight, she is our leader, advocate, and ally. She is the sole mediatrix through whom we encounter the unique Mediator, and her mediation is with us in every aspect of our spiritual struggle—as long as we ask for it.”
Read His Beatitude’s Homily for the Saturday of the Akathist
Following the Great Entrance, His Beatitude ordained Dn. Seraphim Chang to the holy priesthood. After the veneration of the cross, the clergy and faithful went in procession to the monastery cemetery where His Beatitude served a Memorial Service for Metropolitan Platon (Rozhdestvensky) and members of his family at the newly renovated Metropolitan Platon Chapel. April 20, 2024, marks the 90th anniversary of his repose. After the singing of Memory Eternal, Babette Basil, the great-granddaughter of Metropolitan Platon, offered thanks for the work of the monastery and seminary in preserving the memory and legacy of her great-grandfather.
Following the Memorial Service, His Beatitude was given a tour of the newly renovated Metropolitan Platon Sitting Room at St. Tikhon’s Seminary by Ms. Basil, who generously funded the design and renovation of the sitting room as well as the cemetery chapel. Ms. Basil also donated many of Metropolitan Platon’s personal items to adorn the walls of the sitting room.
Later that day, Metropolitan Tikhon traveled to St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in Crestwood, NY, where he presided at Vigil for the fifth Sunday of Great Lent.
On Sunday, April 21, His Beatitude celebrated the hierarchical Divine Liturgy in Three Hierarchs Chapel. Concelebrating with His Beatitude were Archpriest Chad Hatfield, President of St. Vladimir’s Seminary, Archpriest Alexander Rentel, Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America, and seminary and visiting clergy. In his homily, His Beatitude encouraged the faithful to use Holy Week as an opportunity to correct our spiritual perspective in light of the end of the story. Whereas we want to place ourselves at the center of things, “Holy Week, by calling us to focus on Christ, reminds us that he is the protagonist of our life and of all creation, for in him and through him and for him all things were made, and by him fallen nature was refashioned anew.”
Read His Beatitude’s Homily for St. Mary of Egypt Sunday
Following the Anaphora, His Beatitude ordained second-year seminarian Monk Cyril (Hanna) to the holy diaconate. Before His Beatitude’s departure, a lenten brunch was held, where he was greeted by seminarians, staff, and visitors.
The faithful and parishes of the Orthodox Church in America are urged to intentionally pray for vocations and to support the seminaries, students, faculty, and their families. It is also vital to commit to financially support the three OCA seminaries as they continue the necessary work of providing exceptional education and spiritual formation for the future leaders of the Orthodox Church.
Parishes are reminded of the resolution approved at the 16th All-American Council in Seattle, which calls for parishes of the Orthodox Church in America to allocate 1% of their budget towards the support of these seminaries.
If you want to know more about supporting our seminaries, their work, or learn more about vocation and theological formation, seminary contact information is available here.
