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On October 15 – 19, 2024 His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon made primatial visits to the Diocese of the West, Diocese of New York and New Jersey, and website in Crestwood, NY.
At the invitation of His Eminence Archbishop Benjamin, Archbishop of San Francisco and the West, His Beatitude first traveled to Milwaukie, OR, where he participated in the Annual Diocesan Assembly, which convened at Annunciation Orthodox Church.
On the evening of October 15, His Beatitude attended Vespers and joined His Eminence and the Diocesan Council for dinner at a parishioner’s home.
On Wednesday, October 16, His Beatitude presided at the opening Molieben, which was served by Archpriest Kirill Sokolov. Following the Molieben His Beatitude addressed the clergy and delegates. Archpriest Alexander Rentel, Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America, also made an address before the business of the Assembly began. Between sessions of the Assembly, His Beatitude had lunch with the clergy wives. Following Vespers that evening, a dinner was held in the church hall.
The next morning, October 17, His Beatitude presided at the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. Concelebrating with His Beatitude was His Eminence. Also serving were Archpriest Kirill Sokolov along with the district deans. The choir led by Archpriest Stephan Meholick sung the responses, with a small group of parishioners assisting.
His Beatitude delivered the homily where he reflected on our temptation to become like the Samaritans who did not receive the Lord as he “set His face toward Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51). His Beatitude challenged them saying, “The Lord, in setting his face for Jerusalem, is going to be crucified. And he calls us, his disciples, to take up our cross and follow him all the way to Golgotha. But so often, we shun that fate; we avoid our cross. We don’t want to go to Jerusalem. We would prefer to shut ourselves up in the comfort of our homes and let the Lord pass us by.”
Read the full text of His Beatitude’s Homily
Following the Liturgy, His Beatitude awarded Archpriest Matthew Tate the Order of St. Innocent, Silver Class, for his exceptional service to the Orthodox Church in America and Diocese of the West. Breakfast was served in the church hall before His Beatitude’s departure.
On Friday, October 18, His Beatitude traveled to St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary where he presided at the Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Apostle and Evangelist Luke. The liturgy was served by Priest Vitaly Permiakov, administrator of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary’s Three Hierarchs Chapel.
On Saturday, October 19, at the invitation of His Eminence Archbishop Michael, Archbishop of New York and the Diocese of New York and New Jersey, His Beatitude visited St. Gregory the Theologian Church in Wappingers Falls, NY, to participate in the parish’s 60th Anniversary celebrations. His Beatitude presided at the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. Concelebrating with him was His Eminence along with Archpriest Eric Tosi, Rector, Archpriest Gary Breton, and Archpriest John Hopko. Archpriest Joseph Lickwar, Diocesan Chancellor, was also in attendance. The choir was under the direction of Matushka Christina Tosi and included singers from St. Vladimir’s Seminary.
In His Beatitude’s homily, he explained that our disobedience to God is “not the rejection of arbitrary rules, but a rejection of the one who loves even unto death, who loves us more than we could ever love, who desires our good in a way that surpasses description.” But, on the other hand, when we submit to Christ and His authority, “we come to realize that the reign and rule and kingdom of Christ are not so much over us, as in us” and “we experience liberation from the tyranny of sin that Christ won for us on the Cross.”
Read the full text of His Beatitude’s Homily
At the conclusion of the Liturgy, the clergy and faithful went in procession to bless the new bell tower and founder’s plaque. A festive luncheon followed. At the luncheon, a video documenting the first 60 years of the parish was shown, the town supervisor made a presentation, and Fr. Eric presented His Beatitude with a donation from the parish to the Diocese of Mexico.
