Boston, December 5, 2023
Photo: dneoca.org
Several hierarchs of the Orthodox Church in America, headed by His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon of Washington and All America and Canada, gathered in Boston over the weekend to consecrate the new bishop for the Diocese of New England.
The previous hierarch, His Eminence Archbishop Nikon of Boston and New England and the Albanian Archdiocese reposed in the Lord on September 1, 2019. On November 7 of this year, the OCA Synod formally named Hieromonk Benedict (Churchill) from North Carolina as bishop-elect, and on Saturday, December 2, he was consecrated to the episcopacy.
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The OCA hierarchs were also joined by His Grace Bishop John of Worcester of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese and His Grace Bishop Irinej of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Eastern America.
The Diocese of New England reports:
In an atmosphere of unparalleled joy and spiritual fervor, we celebrated the consecration of Archimandrite Benedict as the Bishop of Hartford and the New England Diocese, held in the magnificent Boston Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. This momentous event, deeply rooted in ancient liturgical traditions, brought together clergy and laity in a resounding affirmation of our unity in faith. Bishop Benedict, ordained amidst the reverent gaze of sacred icons and the heartfelt prayers of the faithful, was adorned in the episcopal regalia, symbolizing his new role as a shepherd of God’s flock. The cathedral resounded with the thunderous chants of “Axios! Axios! Axios!”—a Greek acclamation declaring “He is worthy!”—echoing our collective acknowledgment of his divine calling. This historic day marks not just a new chapter in the life of Bishop Benedict but a reaffirmation of our commitment to the apostolic faith, guided by the teachings of the Bible and the wisdom of our Orthodox tradition. As we embark on this journey under Bishop Benedict’s guidance, we pray fervently for his ministry to be a beacon of Christ’s love, a faithful steward of the Church, and a nurturing father to the clergy and faithful of our diocese.
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The Divine Liturgy with the consecration of Bp. Benedict was broadcast and can be watched on Boxcast.
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