In an unprecedented expression of unity, the Bishops of Philadelphia (OCA) and Mayfield (ROCOR) concelebrated the Vigil and the Divine Liturgy for the Feast of St Tikhon of Zadonsk. The celebration took place at St Tikhon’s Monastery on Friday and Saturday, August 12-13.  His Grace Bishop Tikhon, of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, was pleased to welcome His Grace, Bishop George of Mayfield, and a group of clergy and lay people from the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. In addition, the Monastery was blessed by the presence of the miracle working Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God.

This celebration is the first time a hierarch from the Church Abroad has celebrated the Liturgy at the monastery church in almost 70 years.  Bishop Tikhon and Bishop George have met numerous times in the preceding months. As mentioned in a previous announcement Bishop George has been friends with the current dean of the seminary Fr. Alexander Atty for many years so it comes as no surprise that he recently expressed interest in attending the Monastery’s Patronal Feast day.  

In the community meal that directly followed the service His Grace Bishop Tikhon announced that he and Bishop George having been working closely together on the Committee for Monastic Communities, one of the official committees of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America. 

By the prayers of the Most Holy Mother God and those of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk, may God continue to guide all our respective hierarchs as they continue on a national level to strive for the unity demonstrated today! 

Vigil Photos 

We have included a link to the article by the Eastern American Diocese (ROCOR). It is an extremely well written article that captures the significance of this historic event.