summer 2002 orthodox vision newsletter, diocese of the west

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Summer 2002


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The Official Publication of the

Diocese of the West of the

Orthodox Church in America

Diocese of the West

650 Micheltorena Street

Los Angeles, CA 90026-3612

Publisher

His Grace Bishop TIKHONBishop of San Francisco and

the Diocese of the West

650 Micheltorena Street

Los Angeles, CA 90026-3612

Phone: (323)666-4977

Fax: (323)913-0316

Address all stories & comments:

Editor-in-Chief

Priest Eric George Tosi5400 Annie Oakley Drive

Las Vegas, NV 89120

Phone: (702)898-4800

Fax: (702)898-0303

Email: [email protected]

Send All Address Changes to:

Mary Caetta

25 Captains Cove

Oakland, CA 94618-2311

Email: [email protected]

The Orthodox Vision is published three times

a year by the Diocese of the West. It is free to

all parish members and outreach within the

Diocese.

The articles contained herein do not neces-

sarily reflect the views or policies of the Dio-

cese or the editors. The advertisements con-

tained herein are not necessarily endorsed

by the Diocese or Editorial Staff.

In This IssueVolume 7, Number 2

WWW.OCADOW.ORGNew & Revised as of September 2002

For the latest information on the Diocese of the West

Information on all parishes, institutions and departments

Archived issues ofThe Orthodox Vision

Complete letters of instruction from His Grace

And much, much more

From His Grace: Some Reflections on the AAC 1

OCA Gather in Council 2

Biography of Metropolitan HERMAN 4

Ask Fr. Joseph: What is a Metropolitan? 5

Matushka Retreat Held in Boulder City 6

Fort Ross 2002 7

News Around the Diocese 7

Mourning at St. Nicholas 8

Celebration at St. John the Baptist 8

Book Review: Essays on a Christian Life 9

Fire Skirts Monastery in Colorado 10

St. John Monastery Announces Fall Schedule 11

Teen Retreat 2002 12

From the Fathers: St. Ignatius of Antioch 13


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From His Grace Bishop TIKHON

The Orthodox Vision

The election of Metropolitan HERMAN was the third time I had been

present at the election of a Metropolitan of All America and Canada. It was

edifying to consider that at all these three elections the Statute of the

Orthodox Church in America and the Canons of the Church to which that

Statute is subject were followed punctiliously. As an Orthodox Christianthis is extremely important. As an American, however, I admit that I espe-

cially appreciate the American characteristic of this process which is this:

the delegates to the All-American Council (but not all the members of the

Orthodox Church in America, not all the laos, as would be the case in a

democratic election) themselves elected the only men that would be con-

sidered by the Hierarchs as they carried out their canonical duty to elect

their chief, premier, or first Hierarch. The process is not the same as the

process whereby a Bishop is elected for a diocese.

I believe this may be poorly understood in some quarters of our Orthodox

Church in America and even in the Diocese of the West. What is the canoni-

cal basis of even having a Metropolitan of All America and Canada or a

First, Premier or Chief-Hierarch (Latin term is primate) in the

Orthodox Church in America? It is the 34th Canon of the 85 Apostolic

Canons. It reads like this:

It behoveth the Bishops of every people to know the first among them, and

recognize him as their head, and do nothing exceeding their powers without

his permission: let each do only what concerns his own diocese and the

places belonging to it. However, let not the first do anything without the

advice, consent and approval of all. For thus there will be oneness of mind

and thus will be God glorified for the Lord in the Holy Spirit, the Father, the

Son, and the Holy Spirit.

For the Bishops, then, strict observance of the Holy Canons requires only

that they pick one of their number as first, premier, or chief. It is only out

of humility and love for the people of God that the Bishops, first in Russia

and then in America, have required some participation of delegates, clergy

and lay, to a Church Council, in their deliberations. In Russia, in 1917, it

was determined that three names would be elected by delegates of the

Dioceses and Institutions to be on the Hierarchs ballot, so to speak. Hav-

ing received these three names, the Hierarchs proceeded further to entrust

themselves to the Spirit of God and, like the Apostles selecting a Twelfth

Apostle to replace Judas, they resorted to a drawing: the name of St.

TIKHON was drawn from a vessel placed before the Vladimir icon by a

senior Staretz of the Church. St. TIKHON was not by any means or stretch

of the imagination, in popular political terminology of that day and of this

day, the peoples choice; i.e., it was Metropolitan ANTONY

(Khrapovitsky) who received the most delegate votes by far. So it was,

ultimately, the Hierarchy of the Church of Russia who decided, by a draw-

ing, how to know the first among them, although the voice of the people

was heard by condescension in their choice of the names from whom the

Bishops would select their first.

Thus at the All-American Councils that elected Metropolitan IRENEY

(which I attended as a Saint Vladimirs Seminary student), Metropolitan

THEODOSIUS (which I attended as a Protodeacon from Los Angeles), and

Metropolitan Herman (which I attended as an Elector), the people did not

choose one candidate, but two, from which the Bishops should elect the

first among them. Metropolitan IRENEY, Metropolitan THEODOSIUS,

Metropolitan HERMAN (and St. TIKHON!)none of them was the

peoples choice. In the first case, it was Metropolitan VLADIMIR who

got the most delegate votes; in the second case, it was Bishop DMITRI

who got the most delegate votes, and in the third, most recent case, it was

Bishop SERAPHIM who got the most delegate votes. The voting of the

Bishops was secret. Nevertheless, I may state that the Bishops voted on

the names given them by

the delegates and did not

elect anyone not chosen

for them by the delegates.

I feel that in this respect,it is our duty as Orthodox

Christians to raise our

hearts to God in utter

thanksgiving for all His

mercies poured out on our

young, small, and, possi-

bly, least important of the

Local Churches. No other

Local Church at all has

such an open, public process of selecting the First Hierarch, only our

Orthodox Church in America. No Synod of Bishops of any Orthodox

Church, saving only the Russian Church, and that once, in 1917, listened

first to some representatives of clergy and laity before choosing the one

who should be first among them on the Holy Synod of the OrthodoxChurch in America. As for the empty question I heard once or twice, Bu

why didnt the one who got more ofourvotes become Primate, I feel i

cannot be answered except by another question: If there were eleven of the

former Twelve voting, why did they cast lots, to choose between Joseph

and Matthias, rather than selecting one that got a majority? Here is how the

ever-memorable Metropolitan EVLOGY of Paris(1) described the election

of St. TIKHON.

Only on the fourth ballot, on October 31st, was an absolute majority

received by: Archbishop ANTHONY of Kharkov (Khrapovitsky), Arch

bishop ARSENIUS of Novgorod and the Metropolitan of Moscow, TIKHON

Archbishop ANTHONY received by far (naibolshee) the largest number of

votes: choosing him to be Patriarch would be but the realization of the wil

of the majority. thats the way Vladyka ANTHONY looked at it. Arch-

bishop ARSENIUS, who received the second largest number of votes was

terrified at the prospect of becoming Patriarch and just managed to pray to

God that this cup would pass him by. Metropolitan TIKHON just re

ferred everything to Gods will

Who of the three Hierarchs should be chosen to be Patriarch? In that

deciding vote, the Bishops alone had the right to participate. But they de

cided to give up their right and to rely on the Lord, that is, they decided to

choose the Patriarch by lots. This decision was proclaimed at the session of

the Council on November 2nd

Finally, I would like to go on record in hoping that the next time this

happens, care will be taken so that hymns invoking the Holy Spirit and

other prayers would be sung before or during and not afterthe delegates

vote, as was done twice. It was only while theBishops voted that prayersand hymns were sung. At the election of St. TIKHON, too, the Liturgy and

a Moliebenprecededthe drawing.

To His Beatitude, Most Blessed HERMAN, Archbishop of Washing

ton and Metropolitan of All America and Canada, may God gran

many years!

+ TIKHON

Bishop of San Francisco and the Diocese of the West

(1) From Put moej zhizni(The Course of my Life: reminiscences of Metro

politan EVLOGIUS YMCA Press. Paris. 1947, page 301. Transl. +B.T.

SOME REFLECTIONSOFTHE ALL-AMERICANCOUNCILINORLANDO


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The Orthodox Vision

This July, the clergy and lay delegates from the entire Orthodox

Church in America gathered together in Orlando, Florida for the 13th

All-American Council. This Council is normally held every three

years in order to chart the future of the Church as well as conductany business. However, this years Council was seminal event as

the Church came together to elect a new primate of the Orthodox

Church in America.

This Council was by far the best-attended All-American Council.

Over 1300 clergy and lay delegates gathered from all of the Dioceses

of the Church including a substantial representation from the Alas-

kan Diocese and the Diocese of Mexico. All active and retired bish-

ops of the Church were in attendance as well as representatives

from the Moscow Patriarchate, the Archdiocese of the Greek Ortho-

dox Church, the Archdiocese of the Antiochian Orthodox Church,

the Serbian Orthodox Church and Romanian Orthodox Church.

There were also observers from other jurisdictions and denomina-

tions.

The website of the Orthodox Church in America had extensive cov-

erage of the Council and many of the details can be found there.

However, there were certain decisions of the Council that should be

recounted.

The first order of business was the election of the new Metropolitan

to replace His Beatitude THEODOSIUS, the beloved primate of our

Church for the past 25 years. His remarks prior to His resignation

were moving and timely. His Beatitude urged the Church to con

tinue Her mission to be the Orthodox Church in America and tha

our mission must be to continually preach the Gospel. He reminded

people that while we must be faithful to all ethnic groups in thiscountry, we must never forget that we are here to continue the

American Mission. And finally, in a very strong statement, His

Beatitude called upon all Orthodox in America to come together in

unity and form one Church. With this call, Metropolitan

THEODOSIUS stepped down as primate of the Orthodox Church in

America after a long and fruitful service.

In Gods great mercy, the gathered Church called upon the Holy

Spirit to give us a new primate. The doors were sealed, and prayer

were offered and the ballots were passed among the delegates

While the ballots were counted, the gathered sang hymns to the

Holy Spirit and all of the saints who have shown forth in America

The results were then revealed that no one candidate received the

necessary two thirds vote, though Bishop SERAPHIM of Canada

received the majority, followed by Archbishop HERMAN of East-

ern Pennsylvania. This sent the election into a second round where

two votes were recorded and the two with the most votes were

submitted to the Holy Synod for selection. The same two candi

dates received the highest number of votes and the Holy Synod

retired to the sanctuary to make their selection. It was then an

nounced that Archbishop HERMAN was to be our new primate

He was immediately proclaimed and vested as the new Archbishop

of Washington and Metropolitan of All America and Canada.

The Orthodox Church in America Gathers in Council


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The Orthodox Vision

Truly, the focus of the All-American Council was the election of

the new primate. However other business needed to be attended.

Two major resolutions were passed at the plenary sessions. The

first was the property issue in Diocese. Since the problem with the

Living Church in the early Twentieth Century caused many par-

ishes to have to incorporate separately to protect their assets, it

was becoming an increasing problem with maintaining these prop-

erties when parishes decided to change jurisdictions. In addition,

there was definational loophole in the Statutes of the OCA thathas been interpreted differently in different courts in various states.

Not to mention the uncanonical nature of the structure. It was

decided to offer a definition of the statutes in order to prevent fur-

ther confusion so that it is clearly understood that the OCA was

hierarchical and that parish property was held in trust from the Dio-

cese and would revert to the Diocese in case of closure. This, in

effect, closed the loophole and ensured the canonical status of the

property. It will hopefully spur the parishes to redo the bylaws to

reflect this as well. This measure was passed with minimum debate

and by a great majority.

The other measure was to deal with the Fair Share proposal for

financing the central Church. This fostered a much greater discus-sion. Basically, the Church is trying to eliminate the member assess-

ment on each parish but rather go to another system. The Church

studied this for the past three years and offered the Fair Share

proposal. It would basically divide the population of the Church

into the percentage of members in each Diocese. Then each Dio-

cese would be responsible for that percentage of the national bud-

get and were free to collect that amount in any way. This caused

considerable discussion and debate. Alternative solutions were

offered and the only major revision was to cap the amount that can

be charged per person. In the end, a resolution was passed which

would in effect raise the assessment to over $85 per person. This

was also combined with a new budget for the central Church that

added new positions.

The Council did have other presentations and reports. It demon-

strated the success of some of the intiatives from the last Council,

namely the Seminarian Internship Program and the FOCUS Educa

tion Program. There were daily workshops which covered areas a

diverse as working with new immigrants to teaching the Bible. Eachdelegate had a chance to choose and attend these. There also were

displays from different vendors and organizations from within and

without the Church. This showed the wide range of work being

done in the Church.

Other highlights of the All-American Council included the Grand

Banquet with over 1000 people in attendance. Serge Schmemann

was the toastmaster and there were wonderful talks by honored

guests such as Archbishop DEMETRIUS of the Greek Archdio-

cese. Perhaps the most powerful speech was by Metropolitan

KYRILL of Smolensk and External Affairs of the Moscow Patriarch

ate. His impassioned plea for Orthodox unity in America brough

many people to their feet. He spoke frankly and honestly about thesituation in America and the desire to see the American Church

mature. There was also a video in honor of Metropolitan

THEODOSIUS that recounted his life and his service to the Church

The question that was asked most often was simply

Was the Council a success? In terms of business

absolutely, as many issues were reported on and the

spirit remained peaceful and optimistic. In the sense

of Church: absolutely, in that a peaceful and Spirit-

filled election gave us a new primate. In the sense o

community: absolutely, in that people gathered from

the entire country, Canada, Mexico and elsewhere to

build the Church and forge (and renew) friendships

In the sense of education: absolutely, in that the

workshops offered were timely and educational. Bu

the Church does not judge success on these ele

ments. In fact, it judges the success on one elemen

alonethe Gospel of Jesus Christ. For where two

or three are gathered together in My name, I am

there in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20) And

by gathering together the Church and to preach the

Gospel and to witness to the world the truth of Or-

thodoxy, then certainly and absolutely this makes

the Council a success.


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The Orthodox Vision

His Beatitude, Metropolitan HERMAN was born Joseph Swaiko in

Briarford, PA on February 1, 1932. After completing his elementary

and secondary education in the West Deer Township PA schools,

he enrolled in Robert Morris College, Pittsburgh, where he received

a degree in business administration and secretarial science with

honors. Subsequently, he served in the Adjutant General Corps of

the US Army, being stationed in Labrador.

After being discharged from the military in 1959, he enrolled in Saint

Tikhon Seminary, South Canaan, PA, from which he graduated in1963. He was appointed personal secretary to His Grace, Bishop

KIPRIAN, who became Rector of the seminary in 1961.

Following his ordination to the Holy Diaconate in March 1964 and

to the Holy Priesthood the following month, he served on the semi-

nary administration and as Instructor of Church Slavonic. He also

served as rector of Saint John the Baptist Church, Dundaff, PA and

Saints Peter and Paul Church, Uniondale, PA. He was appointed to

the seminarys accreditation committee and was instrumental in form-

ing the seminarys Board of Trustees, of which he was a charter

member and secretary-treasurer. For many years he also served as

spiritual advisor to the Anthracite District of the Fellowship of Or-

thodox Christians in America.

On December 4, 1970, he was tonsured to monastic rank and given

the name Herman, in honor of Saint Herman of Alaska. On October

17, 1971, he was elevated to the rank of Igumen and named Deputy

Abbot of Saint Tikhon Monastery.

On October 19, 1972, he was elected to the episcopate and elevated

to the rank of Archimandrite three days later. He was consecrated to

the episcopacy at Holy Resurrection Cathedral, Wilkes-Barre, PA

on February 10, 1973 with the title of Bishop of Wilkes-Barre, serv-

ing as an auxiliary of the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Penn-

sylvania.

Bishop HERMAN continued to reside and teach at Saint Tikhon

Monastery and Seminary. In addition to his ministry within the Dio

cese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, he served as Tem

porary Administrator of the Diocese of the West in 1975 and Tempo

rary Administrator of the Diocese of New England in 1978. Follow

ing the death of Archbishop Kiprian, he was elected Bishop of Phila-

delphia on March 17, 1981 and rector of Saint Tikhon Seminary the

following May. In 1994 he was elevated to the rank of Archbishop

by the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America

In addition to his service to the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern

Pennsylvania, Archbishop Herman has served the Orthodox Church

in America in a wide variety of capacities. He has served as chairman

of the OCA Department of Finance, vice-chairman of the Depart

ment of Missions; member of the Board of Theological Education

vice-chairman of the Preconciliar Commission; episcopal moderator

for the Department of Stewardship; chairman of the Pension Board

vice-chairman of the Office of Inter-Church Relations and Ecumeni

cal Witness; and member of the Lesser Synod of Bishops.

Metropolitan HERMAN has represented the OCA at numerous

events abroad, often traveling with Metropolitan THEODOSIUSHe also participated in the historic conference of North Americas

Orthodox Bishops in Ligonier, PA in 1994.

Metropolitan HERMAN is well known as a proponent for the sanc-

tity of life. For many years, he has participated in the March for Life

held in the US capital every January, leading the Orthodox partici-

pants and addressing thousands in defense of the unborn.

On September 29, 1999, he was named acting treasurer of the Ortho-

dox Church in America, while he served as temporary administrato

of the Orthodox Church in America from May until September 2001

during Metropolitan THEODOSIUS medical leave of absence. Mos

recently, he oversaw the process leading to the full accreditation oSaint Tikhon Seminary.

Metropolitan HERMAN has received numerous awards and hon-

ors, including an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Nashotah

House Seminary in Wisconsin and an honorary Doctor of Business

Administration degree from his alma mater, Robert Morris College

In 1994 he was awarded the Order of Saint Innocent Silver Class, the

highest honor bestowed by the Orthodox Church in America.

A Brief Biography of His Beati-

tude, Metropolitan HERMAN


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The Orthodox Vision

The basic unit of the Church is the Diocese. Simply put, a diocese isall of the Orthodox Christian clergy and people in a city, town or

even a village and countryside, gathered around their Bishop. In

America, a diocese may be much larger. Our own Diocese of the

West covers a good portion of the United States but the norm is for

them to be much smaller. One Bishop in one city. In some places

such as North Africa or Egypt, in early centuries there were hun-

dreds of Bishops: one for every town and village. In other places

such as Palestine, local Deans, often called Country Bishops, but

were actually Archpriests who served under a Bishop of a larger

near-by town or city headed Churches in smaller towns. Neverthe-

less, it seems that from the beginning of the Church, St Ignatius of

Antiochs rule was observed, Where the Bishop is, there let the

people be gathered as where Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.

Still, Bishops did not act alone. While each one was head of his own

diocese, each also was part of a Synod or gathering of bishops

within their region. Very early in Church history, a rule developed

which became part of the Holy Canons. This rule required all of the

bishops within a region or country to meet at least twice a year in a

Holy Synod under the presidency of the Bishop of the important

city within the region. This person came to be called Archbishop

which is something like Leader of Bishops and which gave him

special dignity and honor such as presiding at Synod and at the

Ordination of new bishops, writing letters to other Archbishops and

Churches on behalf of the bishops of his synod, hearing accusa-

tions against brother bishops and giving judgment and, later, pre-siding at the Consecration of the Holy Chrism and distributing this

to the local bishops.

As the Church structure developed, certain ancient or centrally lo-

cated cities were recognized as possessing great dignity because

their antiquity and world wide network of communication provided

them with a greater likelihood of holding and possessing the full-

ness of the Faith without error. When, for example, the Fathers of the

first Council addressed their letter to the Bishop of Rome, it was to

inform him of their decisions not to ask his approval. They say, It

seemed right to inform you who sits in the city which witnessed the

blood of two of the foremost Apostles. Some of these great old

cities, Jerusalem, Alexandria, Antioch, Rome and, later,

Constantinople or New Rome were designated as Patriarchates

because their bishops presided over very important synods.

The term Metropolitan was used for Bishops of important cities

and in other places, titles such as Catholicos (Georgia) or Pope

(Rome and Alexandria) were granted to indicate special jurisdiction

and authority.

In the more modern Greek system, Metropolitan is the title of

almost every bishop of a large regional city or Metropolis, while

Archbishop is the title of heads of newer self governing Churches

or important regions.

In the older Russian system which was brought there by the early

Greek missionaries, the title of Metropolitan was one of dignity

second only to that of Patriarch. Of course, there was no Patriarch

in Russia for the first several centuries of Christianity there. Later

as Newer Churches became Autocephalous or Self headed

they often bestowed the title of Patriarch upon their chief Metro

politan. Examples of this are the Churches of Russia, Serbia, Roma-

nia and Bulgaria. Other independent churches such as Greece, Arch-

bishops who are the senior Metropolitan of their Church head

Cyprus etc.

Generally, Metropolitans who are the Primates or first Hierarchs oautocephalous Churches are addressed as Your Beatitude and

are described as The Most Blessed. Beatitude denotes bless

edness or spiritual joy.

When our O.C.A. was granted autocephaly in 1970, it was under-

stood that the head of the Church in such an expansive land should

be a Patriarch. Nevertheless, because of the lack of canonical unity

among the many missionary jurisdictions, humility suggested tha

for the time being the title of Metropolitan should be retained. The

address of the Primate, however, was changed from His Eminence

to His Beatitude. At the last All American Council, Archbishop

DEMETRIUS, head of the Greek Church in the U.S., addressed Met-

ropolitan HERMAN as Your Beatitude which was the first time Ican recall a Greek Chief Hierarch using this nomenclature

Finally, there is the question of what the Metropolitan is for, wha

does he do. At first glance, it would appear that his function is more

one of being President or First Among Equals of the Holy Synod

He also has a function of providing a center of unity for the entire

O.C.A. and of dealing with other Orthodox Churches, but beyond

that, he is no more of a bishop than any other and exercises only

such authority within any other ruling hierarchs diocese as cour-

tesy and custom suggest. In final analysis, it is the peoples place to

remain in communion with their bishop, the Bishops job to remain

in the unity of the Holy Synod and with its Metropolitan and the

Metropolitans office to maintain the Communion of the Orthodox

Church in America with all of the other Orthodox Churches Hier-

archs and throughout the world.

All my life I have heard Metropolitan THEODOSIUS mentioned at the Divine Liturgy, now that he has retired we

are mentioning Metropolitan HERMAN who was just elected. This has made me wonder just what a Metropoli-

tan is and why we call the Metropolitan, His Beatitude. Can you explain this?

Ask Fr. Joseph Returns:

Fr. Joseph Hirsch is the Dean of the Transfiguration of Christ Ca-

thedral in Denver, Colorado. He is often asked by The Orthodox

Vision to answer the many questions that are posed to the Dio-

cese. If you have a question for Fr. Joseph, please feel free to

submit them to the editor and they will be passed onwards.


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The Orthodox Vision

The annual Diocese of the West Clergy Wives Retreat was held for

the third year at the Life-Giving Spring Retreat Center in Boulder

City, Nevada. There were twenty-two in attendance, some traveling

from as far as Billings, Montana and Portland, Oregon. This years

theme was maintaining a healthy and balanced life, both physically

and spiritually.

Susanne Senyo gave a presentation on the various ways to stay

healthy and fit, and how intimately connected physical well-being is

with ones mental and spiritual life. Theresa Tate gave a talk and

facilitated a discussion on mental health: brainstorming with the

group on how to deal with various stresses, and how to better incor-

porate the things one enjoys with ones obligations. Each morning

began with a light walk to Centennial Park in Boulder City, followed

by morning prayer.

The group was blessed to have Father Daniel Jones and Father Ian

MacKinnon to celebrate the prayer services, and to give workshops

on the spiritual life. Father Daniel, in his sessions, focused on the

necessity of humility in this day of hedonism and dangerous ambi-tion; true humility, first of all, in understanding that everyone is

created in the image and likeness of God and that all are called to be

like Him. Secondly, in recognizing the unique calling of being a clergy

wife and all which that entails, while at the same time understanding

ones limitations. For guidance and example, one must remember to

look to the saints, an incredible resource as to how to live a life fully

in Christ. One of most powerful points of his lecture was his focused

reminder to, in the words of St. John Chrysostom, give glory to God

in all things. In both trying and prosperous times, it is crucial to

recognize that everything in life is a gift from God for the salvation of

the soul.

Father Ian stressed the blessed union of marriage and the family

and how those, in that unity, foretaste the Kingdom of God. A holy

marriage does not only serve the couple, but extends into the world

as an example of Christian love. A solid and Christ-centered mar

riage is fundamental to the clergy ministry, and is never to be taken

lightly. Father Ian also had all in the group speak briefly about how

their year had gone, both what they experienced as blessings andas struggles in order to increase a sense of connectedness among

participants.

A special treat was a gourmet lunch on Saturday prepared by the

retreat centers cook, Eric Patterson. At the business meeting tha

day, there was much discussion of changing the date of the retrea

to a time that would better suit those women who could not attend

The final decision was to keep the date the same for 2003, but hope-

fully have the 2004 retreat at a different time.

This year the clergy wives had a renewed sense of unity as His

Grace, Bishop TIKHON, assigned the group the patron saint, Eliza

beth the New Martyr. A highlight of the retreat was the beautifulservice of the Akathist to St. Elizabeth on Friday evening.

Some of the most meaningful moments to the retreatants were the

small-group discussions and social time, where women connected

with old friends, formed new bonds, and achieved a greater sense of

the clergy-wife network throughout the Diocese.

The retreat concluded with Divine Liturgy at St. Paul the Apostle

Church in Las Vegas on Sunday morning, where the women were

greeted warmly by parishioners. Many thanks are due to Eric and

Makrina Patterson, Father Eric Tosi and Father Lawrence Gaudreau

for their hospitality at the Retreat Center and St. Pauls.

Annual Matushka Retreat Held at the Retreat Centerby Matushka Katherine Gaudreau


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The Orthodox Vision

Close to two hundred faithful gathered for the annual pilgrimage

celebrated at Fort Ross on July 4, 2002. His Grace Bishop TIKHON

celebrated the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the chapel located within

the walls of the fort. Six local priests and a deacon assisted in the

celebration.

Following Divine Liturgy, a large procession made its way to the old

cemetery where Bishop TIKHON served a Panikhida for the numer-

ous Russians buried there. St. Seraphims Orthodox Church in Santa

Rosa, CA provided the choir which was directed by Fr. Lawrence

Margitich. They also prepared and served the meal after the comple-

tion of the services.

The weather was close to perfect with sunny skies, no fog or wind,and temperatures in the high 70s. The pilgrims lingered and social-

ized many hours into the afternoon. The monks from St. John

Maximovitch monastery in Point Reyes Station, CA came and set up

their bookstore. In the afternoon following the meal, Fr. Lawrence

Margitich with the help a park ranger, was allowed to shoot off one

of the forts canons, which was a big hit with the kids.

Fort Ross was established by the Russians in 1812 and was the

southernmost Russian fort in California. Located directly on the

beautiful northern California coast, it served as a potential base fo

future Russian expansion in California and as a trading post with the

Spanish. It was also hoped to be a supply base for food for the

Russian colonies in Alaska. The enterprise did not work as the

Russians planned, and the fort was sold John Sutter in 1841. The

chapel was built by 1828 and was dedicated to the Holy Trinity (o

St. Helen by some accounts). It was the first Orthodox structure

south of Alaska. St. Innocent visited Fort Ross in 1836 and spen

about five weeks there administering to the spiritual needs of the

workers. In 1906, the site was established as a California State Park

and is now designated as a National Historic Landmark. The fort has

been restored to look as it did when the Russians left in 1841.

The annual pilgrimage to Fort Ross by Bishop TIKHON and the

faithful of the Diocese is a living testimony to presence of Russians

here and throughout California. The Divine Liturgy and Panikhida

serve to remind us that our Orthodox faith is still alive here and did

not leave with the Russian traders.

Fort Ross 2002by Seminarian Brian Fetsko

News Around the DioceseJune 23 - His Beatitude THEODOSIUS, as requested by His Grace

TIKHON, ordained the Subdeacon Jeremiah Crawford to the Holy

Diaconate at Holy Trinity Cathedral in San Francisco. He is as-signed to the Protection of the Holy Virgin Mary Church in Santa

Rosa, California.

August 6 - His Grace TIKHON has appointed the Archpriest Ian

MacKinnon to the position of the Chancellor of the Diocese of the

West. Fr. Ian was the Dean of the Mission Deanery for many

years. He fills the yearlong vacancy left by His Grace NIKOLAI

upon his consecration and subsequent assignment to the Diocese

of Alaska. Fr. Ian will remain as the rector of the Elevation of the

Holy Cross Church in Sacramento, California.

August 22 - His Grace TIKHON has appointed the Archpriest

Matthew Tate as the interim Dean of the Mission Deanery. Elec-

tions for the position of Dean will be held at the Annual Assemblyin October in Denver.

October 9 - The Diocesan Council will meet in Denver prior to the

opening of the Annual Assembly.

October 10-11 - The Diocese of the West will hold its Annual

Assembly at Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in Denver, Colorado.

October 25-27 - Annual Teen Retreat to be held at the Life Giving

Spring Retreat Center in Boulder City, Nevada.


10/168

The Orthodox Vision

Patronal Celebration in Berkeleyby Olga Hughes

Mourning at St. Nicholas

Living in this world of ours, we must say that sooner or later sorrow

and death comes to every man. There is no one who has not looked

down into a grave where it seemed that all of that which we loved

was being laid to rest. So, it was a great shock for all of us at St.

Nicholas to learn that our beloved Matushka Irene, wife of Fr. Paul,

had suddenly passed away. During her 12 days in the hospital she

underwent many different kinds of treatment then on June 20th, herheart stopped.

Irene (Konowaiczyk) Kasaty was born in Poland, now Belarus. Dur-

ing the German occupation, she and her husband were sent to Ger-

many. There they performed work under very difficult conditions.

At the end of the war they were in the northern part of Germany and

there two of their children, Renate and Peter were born. A few years

later they went to a camp for displaced persons and as soon as it

was possible they applied for a visa to emigrate to another country.

While at the camp they went through all kinds of examinations,

including physical exams and American councils. Finally, they re-

ceived a sponsor from Texas and were able to come to this country.

They arrived in Ellis Island, New York, on May 18, 1951, the 6th

birthday of their daughter Renate Ludmila. From New York they

obtained employment in Texas where their son Michael was born.

Finally, after several years working in other places, they came to San

Diego in 1960.

Here they joined the St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, and became

active members of the Parish. Irene treasured her life in the Church

and was close to and part of everything that went on in the Church.

She had a warm personality and good character that left a lasting

impression upon all here at St. Nicholas. She left us, but we have

wonderful memories of happiness that we shared for so many years.She is survived by her husband V. Rev. Paul Kasaty, her children

and spouses Renate and Walter Tauriainen, Peter Kasaty, Michael

P. and Rose Kasaty; by her grandchildren Andrew and spouse

Wendy Tauriainen, USAF Capt. Angela Tauriainen, Rick Tauriainen

and fianc Stephanie Hall, Michael Paul Kasaty Jr. and Eric R. Kasaty,

and one great grandson Evan Tauriainen.

May Gods goodness and mercy follow her as she dwells in the

house of the Lord. Memory Eternal!

Not unto us, 0 Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give the

praise (Psalm 115:1)

This year our parish festival, the Nativity of John the Baptist, was

celebrated in an especially satisfying fashion. Our bishop, The Righ

Reverend TIKHON, served both the evening Vigil and the Divine

Liturgy on the feast day itself, the 6th and the 7th of June. At the

Little Entrance of the Liturgy our Bishop placed upon our Fr. Kiril

the decorated cross, an award of which Fr. Kirill was judged worthy

by our Synod of Bishops. In few, but well-chosen words, His Grace

noted that such awards are to be received and worn, not for per-

sonal glory, but for that of the Church. After Liturgy all present wereinvited to a festal table. In his address, the vice-president of our

parish council, I. I. Pouschine, thanked His Grace for His participa

tion in our celebration. He also congratulated Him on the triple

jubilee His Grace was observing this year: His 15th year as a bishop

His 30th year as a priest, and His own 70th birthday.

Then having congratulated Fr. Kirill on his award, he expressed ou

thanks to him for his decade-long service to our parish. In describ

ing our Bishops festive jubilees and His Graces leave-taking of

Metropolitan THEODOSIUS at Holy Trinity Cathedral, I. I. Pouschine

also related that at the banquet following the Vigil of Pentecost, the

starosta of our parish, O. P. Raevsky-Hughes, received the Order of

St. Innocent from the Metropolitan Himself. Saying a few wordabout this award, Bishop TIKHON reminded us that, although this

order is granted to a specific person, it must also be considered as

an honor to the entire parish.

Special thanks were given to our Sisterhood and to its president, E

G. Pouschine, for their outstanding work in preparing the festa

table. One must also mention the inspired singing of our parish

choir under the direction of Veronica Gorodetskaya, which contrib

uted greatly to the success of our joyful and grateful festival. Every-

one present then congratulated all those observing anniversaries

receiving awards and organizing the festivities by spontaneously

singing Many Years!


11/169

The Orthodox Visio

Mother Raphaela, Abbess of Holy Myrrhbearers Monastery in

Otego, New York, presents here a rare and compelling collection of

essays on the Christian life. With a firm foundation in Scripture and

the fathers, Mother Raphaela sets out the clear, yet strenuous path

of the Christian, especially in relation to todays society. She stresses

the many subtle dangers that are ever-present in the current culture,

especially the false, though seductive notion that one can live a full

life in Christ while at the same time strive for the things of this world.

The life in Christ is not a partial decision, but one which embodies

the full person; and to be Orthodox is not simply something one

does, but who one is. To embark on this narrow and unpaved way,

the Christian should expect to enter into a fierce spiritual battle, one

which requires great discipline and steadfastness in the faith, but

which ultimately will be ones final and greatest joy, Christ Himself.

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but

Christ who lives in me; and the life I live in the flesh I live by faith

in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Gal.

2:20)

This book is especially good for those considering the monastic

life. Mother Raphaela explains in detail the discipline and obedience

required of the monastic, and the necessity that the monastics only

goal be to serve God and his neighbor. She warns against the manyenticing, though incorrect, draws to the monastic life. This compila-

tion of essays is also important for lay persons who question the

place and function of the Monastery in the Church and society.

While Mother Raphaela focuses on the monastic calling, she does

make the point that there is no real higher calling among Christians.

All Orthodox are called to give their lives completely over to God,

and to renounce all that which separates them from Him. The whole

of life is a working out, with the grace of God, of ones salvation, and

sometimes the very incident of being turned away from the monas-

tic life may lead a person to an eventual higher calling. She explains

that everyone is required to go into a wilderness of sorts. While the

monastic separates himself physically from the world, the Christianliving in the world must also create a wilderness for himself where he

is completely still and alone to hear the word of God.

What is especially sobering about these essays is how unwaveringly

they are grounded in reality. There is no argument against the Chris-

tian life that is not at least touched upon by Mother Raphaela in this

book. Reading them, one is at first overwhelmed with the discovery

of what is ultimately required of him, but at the same time under-

stands that there is no alternative for one desiring to live a life in

Christ. Here, it is Gods truth unarguably which pours from the pages,

and will serve as a guidance and inspiration to all who read them.

NNNNNooooow Aw Aw Aw Aw Avvvvvailableailableailableailableailable

$11.00 plus S&H

Order from:Deprtment of Communications

Diocese of the West5400 Annie Oakley Drive

Las Vegas, NV 89120

Make Checks Payable to the Diocese of the West

Book Review:

Living in Christ: Essays on the

Christian Life by an Orthodox Nun

by Mother Raphaela (Wilkinson)

by Matushka Katherine Gaudreau

o Icons

o Hand-made Rugs

o Worship Items

o Prayer Ropes

o Cds

o Books and more Books

Protection of the Holy Virgin

Monastery Catalog

To recieve the catalog call

(719)748-3999

or write

Protection of the Holy Virgin Monastery

2343 County Road 403

P.O. Box 416

Lake George, CO 80827


12/1610

The Orthodox Vision

Fires Draws Near to Monasteryby Mother Cassiana

The year of 2002 can certainly be called the year of the fires in the

entire western United States. The fourth consecutive year of drought

was being felt in the high country of Colorado early in the spring as

we learned day after day of yet another fire in the state. As Saturday,

June 9th dawned, we did not realize that the beautiful Lake George

area would become not just another statistic in the year of the fires.

A fire ignited that day in a section of the Pikes Peak National Forest

in Lake George, the Hayman Fire which grew to be the biggest fire

in Colorado history within twenty-four hours, and before being con-

tained grew to consuming nearly 150,000 acres, threatening not only

Colorado Springs, but also the southwest suburbs of Denver.

The fire began just north of a small highway which runs through the

tiny community. Holy Protection Monastery is located six miles

south of the highway. The prevailing winds during the summer

come from southwest, which, in this case, meant that the fire would

be blowing away from the Monastery. Nearby neighbors all left

their daily jobs and activities to assist in evacuating livestock from

small ranches in the area as the entire community drew together to

support each other.

On Monday, June 11, the huge mushroom cloud of smoke from the

fire was clearly visible from the Monastery, appearing to be muchtoo close for comfort. That evening efforts began to evacuate the

Monastery bookstore as friends arrived to help pack cases of books

into trucks that they then stored in their own garages on the eastern

prairies of Colorado. Tuesday, further arrangements were made as i

began to appear that any slight shift of wind could bring the fire

south of the small highway and through the dry timber to the smal

oasis dedicated to the Theotokos. The chalice, anitmens, and relics

were removed from the church to be taken to Ss Constantine and

Helen Church in Colorado Springs, the building was anointed with

holy oil from St. John of Kronstadt and St. Xenia of St. Petersburg

and icons were placed on the exterior walls of the main building as

the grounds were again blessed with holy oil. The Orthodox Church

in America Chancery kept up a press release on the proximity of the

Hayman Fire to the Monastery, asking all to pray for the firefighters

the people of the Lake George area and the Monastery.

The sisterhood was prepared to evacuate at a moments notice as

we all continued to pray that such a necessity would not arise. For

the entire month of June, we attended informational meetings in

Lake George daily to be updated on the spread of the fire. Through

the prayers of the Church, the fire came no closer than six miles from

the Monastery and was considered contained after about one month

The only harm suffered by the Monastery was loss of time that

would have been spent on fund raising projects.


13/16

The Orthodox Visio

11

Monastery Announces Fall Schedule

The Monastery of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco in Point

Reyes, California has announced its Fall schedule of events. People

are invited to support these events as they raise money to help in the

much-needed renovations on the property.

Because of the location and the growth in the brotherhood, the cost

of renovations is quite high and the space is very limited. As such,

people are asked to help support the needs of the Monastery.

Hieromonk Jonah (Paffhausen), the abbot of the Monastery, will be

the leader of many of these wonderful events.

The Fall schedule is as follows:

On Saturday, September 28 there will be a Hierarchical Liturgy at 10:00

AM at the Monastery. This will be followed by a salmon and seafood

potluck. Donations are requested to help the monastery

On every Monday night beginning on September 16 and going through

December 16 at 7:00 PM there will be a class on the Dogmatic Theol-

ogy of the Church. This class will be held at St. John the Baptist

Church in Berkeley and Fr. Jonah will be the instructor. The sug-

gested donation to attend the classes is $125.

On the second Sunday of each month (September 8, October 13,

November 10, December 8) there will be An Evening of Spiritual

Conversation at the Monastery. There will be Vespers at

5:00 PM followed by a potluck dinner, spiritual conversation

and ended with Compline. Donations are requested.

There will also be a weekend Retreat at the Holy Trinity/Escot Retreat Center at South Fork Road in Trinity County

near Eureka, California. The retreat will go from Friday, Oc-

tober 25 to Sunday October 27. The theme is The Orthodox

Path to Spiritual Maturity. Fr. Jonah will also be the speaker.

There is a $125 suggested donation.

If you would like more information, please call the Monas-

tery at (415)663-1705 or look on their website

www.monasteryofstjohn.org Please help us in supporting

the wonderful work and growth of the monastic voaction.

2002 Diocesan Assembly

To be held

Thursday, October 10 to Friday, October 12

At Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in

Denver Colorado

Registration to be begin on

Wednesday, October 9 from Noon until 6:00 PM

Hierarchical Liturgy to be held on Friday

Hotel Reservations can be made at

Best Western Central Denver Hotel200 W. 48th Avenue

Denver, CO 80216

(303)296-4000

Agenda and Schedule will be Forthcoming.

Observer and commuter fee is $40. Other

fees sent to the parishes.

For more information call:

Fr. Joseph Hirsch at (303)294-0938

Mary Caetta at (510)923-3613

Diocesan Office at (323)913-3615


14/1612

The Orthodox Vision

The Liturgy After the Liturgy

&The Life of Mother Maria Skobtsova

Diocesan Teen Weekend 2002

For youth in grades 9-12

The 2001 Diocesan Teen Weekend will again be held in Las Vegas at Life-Giving Spring Retreat Center

This years presentation and discussion will be led by Fr. Michael SenyoThe Retreat begins on Friday evening, October 25 through Sunday afternoon, October 27

Items to Bring:

sleeping bag, pillow, towel, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, sneakers, hiking shoes, sweatshirt/sweaters/

jackets, Church clothes and shoes, Bible and prayer book

Please return the bottom portion of this form together with your Medical Information/Permission Form and Registration Fee

Diocesan Teen Weekend 2001October 25 -27, 2002

Life-Giving Spring Retreat Center

701 Park Place, Boulder City, NV 89005 Telephone: (702) 293-7208

Registration Fee: $20.00 per person

Please make checks payable to: Life Giving-Spring Retreat Center

And send to: 701 Park Place, Boulder City, NV 89005

Attn: Diocesan Teen Weekend 2002

Name: _________________________________ Age: _____________ Present Grade: ______

Address: _________________________________ Telephone: _____________City: _________________________________ State: _____________ Zip: _________

Additional

Names: _________________________________ Age: _____________ Present Grade: _____

_________________________________ Age: _____________ Present Grade: _____

_________________________________ Age: _____________ Present Grade: _____

Home Parish: ____________________________ City/State: ___________________________________

For Office Use Only:

Amount Paid: ___________ Medical Information/

Cash/Check: #___________ Permission Form: ___


15/16

St. Ignatius of Antioch On the Bishop From His Letter to the Smyrnians

Chapter VIII - Let Nothing Be Done Without the Bishop.

See that ye all follow the bishop, even as Christ Jesus does the Father, and the presbytery as ye would the apostles. Do ye alsoreverence the deacons, as those that carry out [through their office] the appointment of God. Let no man do anything

connected with the Church without the bishop. Let that be deemed a proper Eucharist, which is [administered] either by the

bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude [of the people] also be

even as where Christ is, there does all the heavenly host stand by, waiting upon Him as the Chief Captain of the Lords might

and the Governor of every intelligent nature. It is not lawful without the bishop either to baptize, or to offer, or to present

sacrifice, or to celebrate a love-feast. But that which seems good to him, is also well-pleasing to God, that everything ye do

may be secure and valid.

Chapter IX - Honour the Bishop.

Moreover, it is in accordance with reason that we should return to soberness [of

conduct], and, while yet we have oppor- tunity, exercise repentance towards GodIt is well to reverence both God and the bishop. He who honours the bishop has

been honoured by God; he who does anything without the knowledge of the bishop

does [in reality] serve the devil. Let all things, then, abound to you through grace

for ye are worthy. Ye have refreshed me in all things, and Jesus Christ [shall re-

fresh] you. Ye have loved me when absent as well as when present. May God

recompense you, for whose sake, while ye endure all things, ye shall attain unto

Him.

Moreover, it is in accordance with reason that we should return to soberness [of

conduct], and, while yet we have oppor- tunity, exercise repentance towards God

For in Hades there is no one who can confess his sins. For behold the man

and his work is before him. And [the Scripture saith], My son, honour thou

God and the king. And say I, Honour thou God indeed, as the Author and Lord

of all things, but the bishop as the high- priest, who bears the image of God-of

God. inasmuch as he is a ruler, and of Christ, in his capacity of a priest. After

Him, we must also honour the king. For there is no one superior to God, or even like to Him, among all the beings that exist

Nor is there any one in the Church greater than the bishop, who ministers as a priest to God for the salvation of the whole

world. Nor, again, is there any one among rulers to be compared with the king, who secures peace and good order to those

over whom he rules.

He who honours the bishop shall be honoured by God, even as he that dishonours him shall be punished by God. For if he that

rises up against kings is justly held worthy of punishment, inasmuch as he dissolves public order, of how much sorer punish-

ment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who presumes to do anything without the bishop, thus both destroying the[Churchs] unity, and throwing its order into confusion? For the priesthood is the very highest point of all good things among

men, against which whosoever is mad enough to strive, dishonours not man, but God, and Christ Jesus, the First-born, and the

only High Priest, by nature, of the Father.

Let all things therefore be done by you with good order in Christ. Let the laity be subject to the deacons; the deacons to the

presbyters; the presbyters to the bishop; the bishop to Christ, even as He is to the Father. As ye, brethren, have refreshed me

so will Jesus Christ refresh you. Ye have loved me when absent, as well as when present. God will recompense you, for

whose sake ye have shown such kindness towards His prisoner. For even if I am not worthy of it, yet your zeal [to help me]

is an admirable thing. For he who honours a prophet in the name of a prophet, shall receive a prophets reward. It is manifes

also, that he who honours a prisoner of Jesus Christ shall receive the reward of the martyrs.

13

The Orthodox Visio

From the Fathers:


16/16

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