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During the first weeks of September, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon made archpastoral visits to St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in South Canaan, PA, and St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in Yonkers, NY, marking the beginning of the new academic year at both seminaries.
On Thursday, September 3, His Beatitude traveled to St. Tikhon’s Seminary accompanied by Archpriest Alessandro Margheritino, Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America, and Archpriest David Bozeman, Secretary of the Orthodox Church in America.
During the two day visit, His Beatitude met with seminarians, staff, and attended services at the monastery church. On Friday, September 4, His Beatitude met with seminarians over breakfast and offered a presentation welcoming new and returning students to the academic year. In his remarks, His Beatitude reflected on the work of seminary formation and offered practical guidance for the students in their studies as he encouraged them to “be steadfast in your faithfulness to the tradition of the Church, but be creative in doing so.” Fr. Alessandro also offered a presentation to the seminarians.
On Sunday afternoon, September 13, His Beatitude arrived at St. Vladimir’s Seminary, where that evening he presided at the festal Vigil for the Exaltation of the Cross in Three Hierarchs Chapel.
On Monday morning, September 14, His Beatitude presided at the celebration of the hierarchical Divine Liturgy for the feast. Concelebrating with His Beatitude were His Grace Bishop John of Worcester and New England of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese, His Grace Bishop Benedict of Hartford and New England, Fr. Alessandro, Archpriest Alexander Rentel, Rector of Three Hierarchs Chapel, Archpriest Michael Nasser, the seminary Director of Spiritual Formation, Archpriest Sergius Halvorsen, Assistant Professor of Homiletics and Rhetoric, Protodeacon Peter Ilchuk and seminary deacons.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His Beatitude greeted the seminary community and congratulated Dr. Ionuț-Alexandru Tudorie, Dean of St. Vladimir’s Seminary, together with the new and returning seminarians, their spouses, and families, on the beginning of the academic year. Reflecting on the feast and the formation of those preparing to serve the Church, His Beatitude encouraged the seminarians to “give a Cross-wise shape to all your actions and thoughts” and that “the Cross we lift up today ever be a source of strength and consolation for each of you.”
Read the full text of His Beatitude’s remarks
Following the Divine Liturgy, His Beatitude joined the seminary community for a meal and afterwards addressed the seminarians and their families, reminding them that their studies and formation ultimately have Christ as their foundation.
Following his time meeting with the students, His Beatitude departed the seminary for Washington, DC.
