Beneath the vaulted domes of this holy cathedral, which is dedicated to the Holy Trinity and much beloved by the clergy and all Orthodox people of the Russian Diaspora, before God’s altar you have received particular grace, which has made you a bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.
I greet you with the words spoken during the celebration of the Divine Liturgy – “Christ is in our midst,” and call on you to always retain the memory of these sacred and important minutes of your life.
Henceforth, all of your cares, aspirations, worries and joys, feasts and workdays, will be intertwined with your episcopal service.
Having over the course of many years headed a large Christian community, which you converted to Orthodoxy, you acquired Heavenly wisdom, patience with humility, fervor in your labors, and eminent industriousness.
For almost a quarter of a century, you have served in the Church of Blessed Xenia of Saint Petersburg in Methuen, and for ten years you have led the New England Deanery of the Eastern American Diocese.
Throughout these years, you have experienced a multitude of joys, both spiritual and familial, but your heart has also endured sorrows, both personal and pastoral.
Meditating on the service that stands before you, it can even today be said with certainty that it will not be easy. Is it easy to bear responsibility for hundreds and thousands of human souls? From your pastoral experience you already know how difficult this is.
Your service will furthermore be difficult because today, the people expect from the clergy, especially from the bishops, not only the fulfilment of the Holy Sacraments and the divine services, wise teachings and kind words, but also decisive answers in resolution of many problems, tangible deeds, compassion that is sincere and not merely formal, and a living participation in their lives and fates.
Striving to fulfill all things in the best manner, remember one, perhaps most important, thing: do all things with love, for without it all works lose their meaning. Evaluate your works according to the words of the Apostle Paul: “Though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing” (I Cor. 13:2).
Only an archpastor with a loving heart can reconcile enemies, feed the hungry, see to the destitute, the forgotten, the abandoned, and the lonely. Love cannot be replaced by eloquent words, nor by a comely appearance, nor by any promises or good intentions.
And let not the difficulties that stand in the path of every man who bears witness to Christ’s Truth trouble you. Fortify yourself with ceaseless prayer, remembering the words of the Lord, spoken to the Apostle Paul: “My strength is made perfect in weakness” (II Cor. 12:9). Fear not to stand firmly and boldly against all things that might in any measure whatsoever interfere with the work of salvation of the flock entrusted to you.
There is one more very important archpastoral obligation that you must be reminded of today: that is dedication in serving the Russian Church Abroad. In addition to missionary labors among the American people, in which you have obtained deep and profound experience, you will now have to work together lovingly with the clergy and parishioners of ethnic communities. Show patience, discretion, and prudence in your interactions with them. Help them to preserve the liturgical language and traditions of the Church Abroad, set down by our forebears – the hierarchs who survived persecutions, wars, and exile, who maintained fidelity to the Russian Church, awaited her rebirth with hope, and fervently honored her martyrs and confessors. Such were your predecessors in the See of Boston – Their Graces, Constantine (Essensky) and Mitrophan (Znosko-Borovsky), who by their tears, sweat, and prayers watered the field now entrusted to you. Such were Metropolitans Vitaly, Laurus, and Hilarion, whose wise counsels you employed as a parish priest.
Cherish their memory, preserve their precepts and legacy, unite yourself to their spirit, pray for them and ask their prayerful intercession in your labors. And I ask for your prayers on behalf of my unworthiness, as well.
May God’s grace-filled aid, the protecting veil of the Most Holy Theotokos, and the prayerful intercession of the Holy Hierarch Michael, first Metropolitan of Kiev, accompany you always, and fortify and strengthen you all the days of your life.
And now receive this hierarchal staff as a sign of God’s might, as a symbol of responsibility for the people and succession from your forebears, as a support in your service; ascend the cathedra and bless the people who have prayerfully taken part in your episcopal consecration. Go and lead your flock with love unto their salvation and yours. May God’s almighty aid be with you always. Amen.
