On Saturday April 25, the Atlantic States Deanery conducted a special event at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Philadelphia to honor the memory and historical legacy of the Holy Hierarch Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow.
The event began with the singing of the Akathist/Moleben to St. Tikhon, led by Archpriest John Vass (Atlantic States Dean and rector of Holy Trinity Church in Baltimore, MD), and concelebrated by Archpriest Gregory Winsky (interim rector of St. Michael Church in Philadelphia), Priest Alexander Tsygankov (cleric of St. Andrew Cathedral in Philadelphia), Priest Daniel Meyer (rector of St. Nicholas Church in Reading, PA), and Priest Oleg Cruz (acting rector of Saints Peter & Paul Church in Scranton, PA). Also, praying in church were Archpriest Mark Shinn (rector of St. Andrew Cathedral in Philadelphia) and Hieromonk John Schieffler (cleric of St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedal in NYC).
At the end of the Divine service, Hieromonk John read the cordial greetings of Bishop Matthew, Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA. In his message, His Grace stated that St. Tikhon was “a wise yet at the same time simple and compassionate shepherd. This inspires clergy to imitate him, and the faithful to entrust to him in prayer their needs and sorrows. For this reason, all forms of glorifying this servant of God are beneficial and edifying – whether liturgical celebrations on the days of his commemoration, or scholarship conferences such as yours, which help both clergy and laity, especially the younger generation, to become acquainted with Saint Tikhon and his legacy.”
Following this, Dr. Scott Kenworthy, a Professor of History at Miami University (Ohio), gave a two-part lecture on his newly published book, “The People's Patriarch”, which analyzes previously untapped primary sources, including St. Tikhon's letters and encyclicals, previously classified documents from the top Bolshevik leadership and Soviet secret police, and materials from a dozen archives in five countries, researched over the course of 12 years.
In the morning session, Dr. Kenworthy, described the exhaustive work of St. Tikhon during his time in America. He spoke about the hierarch’s numerous travels, the significance of securing additional bishops to America, moving the diocesan center from San Francisco to New York, the construction of cathedrals in Chicago and New York, and the establishment of the first Orthodox monastery in America. He clearly showed that the impact of St. Tikhon’s work for Orthodoxy in America cannot be overstated.
During the afternoon session, Professor Kenworthy discussed St. Tikhon's archpastoral work in Yaroslavl, Vilnius, and Moscow before becoming Patriarch. The professor cited many details concerning the Patriarch’s struggles during the Bolshevik Revolution, Civil War, Famine and the Red Terror. Reading from St. Tikhon’s own writings, Dr. Kenworthy demonstrated how the Patriarch’s moral authority, spiritual strength and archpastoral wisdom preserved Church unity despite imprisonment, state persecution, and schisms.
Dr. Kenworthy’s lecture was filled with new insights, interesting historical analyses, and inspirational examples of the Patriarch’s faith and service. The professor presented many remarkable facts he learned through his exhaustive research in a way that was engaging, uplifting and even prayerful.
At the conclusion of the lecture, Fr. Gregory and Suzanne Veres, St. Michael’s council president, presented Fr. John with an icon of St. Michael the Archangel in remembrance of his recent 25th Anniversary of ordination to the Holy Priesthood and in thanks for his ever continuing help and sage guidance to St. Michael the Archangel Church as Dean of the Atlantic States Deanery and as friend of the parish. After remarks “Many Years" was sung.
In summary, the deanery sincerely thanks Dr. Kenworthy for his engaging presentation and encourages everyone to obtain his book – “The People’s Patriarch.” In addition, we extend our special appreciation to Fr. Gregory Winsky, the parish council, and the St. Anna Women's Fellowship of St. Michael the Archangel Church for hosting and providing a generous array of refreshments. Thank you.
