Beginnings in New England

The month began close to home with the feast of the Holy Great-Martyr & Healer Panteleimon. On Saturday, August 9, at the invitation of the rector, Archpriest Dionisy Nalitov, I had the honor of serving alongside Metropolitan Nicholas, our First Hierarch and the ruling hierarch of the Eastern American Diocese at St. Panteleimon Church in Hartford, CT.

The next day, in the nearby parish of the Presentation of the Lord in Stratford, CT, I gave the first lecture on St. Tikhon. I was impressed by level of preparation of the audience for my talk. One of the reasons for this was that the rector, Archpriest Constantine Semyanko – who ministers to the youth at the National Organization of Russian Explorers (NORR) camp in Upstate New York – gave a talk there on the significance of St. Tikhon.

A Festive Day in San Francisco

Mid-August brought me across the country to San Francisco for the consecration of Archimandrite Vasily (Permiakov) as Bishop of San Francisco & the West in the Orthodox Church in America. This cathedral built during Patriarch Tikhon’s tenure in San Francisco was filled with clergy, recalling other great moments in the city’s Orthodox history, particularly St. John’s glorification and the Fourth Pan Diaspora Council.

The following day, I was privileged to speak about Patriarch Tikhon in the so-called Old Cathedral of the Russian Church Abroad. To proclaim the witness of the Patriarch-Confessor in the very city that once served as the see of the Russian Diocese during St. Tikhon’s time was a profound experience of continuity. Bishop James of Sonora, vicar of the Western American Diocese and rector of the cathedral, contributed to the conversation by speaking about the significance of the Book of Needs being available in English for the first generation of converts. The translation was prepared by Isabella Hapgood with the financial support of St. Patriarch Tikhon during his years as a bishop in America.

The Southern Tour

The Southern portion of the tour began on Friday, August 22, with the blessing of Metropolitan Nicholas and through the tireless efforts of Archpriest Mark Mancuso, dean of the Carolinas & Tennessee.

That day, I visited St. Mary of Egypt Church in Roswell (Atlanta), GA, a vibrant parish with a small monastic brotherhood led by Archimandrite John (Townsend). I have spoken there before, and once again the community received the lecture on St. Tikhon warmly. One comment during the discussion has stayed with me: that St. Tikhon matters today because of his missionary spirit, his early use of English, and his vision for the Church in America.

Columbia, SC

The following weekend I traveled to Columbia, SC, where I served at St. Elizabeth the New-Martyr Church with Fr. Mark. It was a joy to reconnect with old acquaintances, including Protodeacon Dimitri Temidis and Subdeacon Gregory Levitsky, and to make new acquaintances with members of the congregation, such as the warden, Joshua Shaw, and his family. Parishioners came well prepared and the discussion that followed was lively and thoughtful, enriched by reflections from both clergy and laity. The spirit of brotherly fellowship continued afterward in the warm hospitality of Fr. Mark’s rectory.

Fletcher, NC

From Columbia, the road led me to Fletcher, NC, where Priest Steven Webb shepherds a parish that endured a devastating hurricane with subsequent flooding. The community not only provided immediate relief but now continues to offer psychological support to survivors. This was my second visit, and it was moving to see old friends again, including Subdeacon Seraphim Nesch, my active colleague on the ROCOR Studies team (rocorstudies.org).

Blountville, TN

My fourth stop was St. Tikhon Church in Blountville, TN, where I served Vespers with Priest Joseph Sefchick and Deacon Iakovos Brown. Fr. Joseph’s quiet fidelity to the flock entrusted to him reminded me of St. Tikhon’s own obedience in difficult times. The parish’s thoughtful questions and warm encouragement made the visit especially meaningful.

Charlotte, NC

I had last spoken in 2022 at the parish of the Reigning Icon of the Mother of God in Charlotte, NC. This time, I arrived from Knoxville, TN and was warmly received. Parishioners hosted an evening meal and generously invited me to spend the night at a B&B owned by a family.

I was glad to see Archpriest Alexander Logunov and his wife, Matushka Natalia. Fr. Alexander grew up in San Francisco, where his father was warden of the cathedral, and he himself served in the U.S. Navy. With his wide experience, it was a joy to spend time together.

Unfortunately, on my way to the church I had an accident and damaged the car. The vehicle was not in good shape, and this certainly affected my journey. Still, the talk was well received, and Fr. Alexander’s thoughtful comments made the event especially lively.

Mebane, NC

My lecture tour concluded at Holy Trinity Church in Mebane, NC, where I was received by Priest Peter Markevich, a former colleague and concelebrant from Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville. Despite the strain of a car accident the day before, I was able to reach the parish and deliver the last lecture of the tour, which Fr. Peter even livestreamed. It was a fitting conclusion, reminding me that the work of sharing St. Tikhon’s witness requires perseverance and trust.

Conclusion

So, one of the great benefits of this trip was that at each stop I gained new insights into St. Tikhon – reflections on his life that spoke back to me as much as to those listening. Again and again, I was struck by the fact that St. Tikhon was not a charismatic preacher, nor a renowned theologian, nor even a prominent leader by worldly standards. Yet he embodied all the essential qualities of true leadership. He gathered trusted co-workers around him, listened carefully, and was willing to adjust his course when needed. Above all, he was deeply a man of the Church – a man of faith who lived with certainty in a God-governed universe.

The figures like St. Tikhon and others of his "spiritual lineage" remain present among us in the Church today. Their quiet but steadfast witness continues to guide us, reminding us that true strength is found not in charisma or acclaim, but in fidelity to Christ and His Church.

Protodeacon Andrei Psarev