Broadview Heights, Ohio, March 22, 2024
Bp. Irinej of the Eastern American Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church presented the seminary with relics of St. Nicholai. Photo: domoca.org
St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (Orthodox Church in America) in South Canaan, Pennsylvania, the oldest Orthodox seminary in America, is celebrating its 85th anniversary this year.
Among the year’s celebrations was a weekend event at Archangel Michael Church in Broadview Heights, Ohio, earlier this month, which brought together hierarchs, clergy, and seminary alumni, reports the OCA Diocese of the Midwest.
Photo: domoca.org
The weekend was blessed with the presence of the wonderworking St. Anna Icon, brought by Archimandrite Segius, abbot of St. Tikhon’s Monastery.
On Saturday morning, March 9, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated at St. Michael’s in the morning and Vespers in the evening, both sung by the seminary choir. In the evening a banquet was held in honor of Reader Michael Herzak, a parishioner of St. Michael’s, who served as chairman of the board of St. Tikhon’s for 11 years.
On Sunday, the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated by St. Tikhon’s alum His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon of Washington of All America and Canada, seminary rector His Eminence Archbishop Michael of New York and New Jersey, local ruling hierarch His Eminence Archbishop Daniel, and His Grace Bishop Irinej of the Eastern American Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Photo: domoca.org
The hierarchs were joined by OCA chancellor Archpriest Alexander Rentel, St. Michael’s rector Archpriest John Memorich, seminary dean Archpriest John Parker, professor of Practical Theology Archpriest John Kowalczyk, and dean of students Priest Paul Witek, and Protodeacons Peter Ilchuk, Alexander Kichakov, and Daniel Kovalak.
Following the Liturgy, Bp. Irinej presented Met. Tikhon with relics of St. Nicholai (Velimirović) of Žiča for the seminary on behalf of His Grace Bishop Isihije of Valjevo, whose diocese includes St. Nicholai’s hometown of Lelić, where his relics repose in the local monastery.
St. Nicolai resided at St. Tikhon’s Monastery from 1951 to 1956 and taught at the seminary, serving as rector from 1955 to 1956. The Holy Hierarch reposed at the seminary on March 18, 1956.
Following the service, a brunch was held for honored guests and visitors. Over $79,000 was raised over the weekend for the benefit of St. Tikhon’s Seminary.
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