On Saturday, April 25, 2026, with the blessing of Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, temporary administrator of the Patriarchal parishes in the USA and Canada, a conference dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the repose of Saint Tikhon—the Enlightener of America and Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’—was held at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The event was preceded by a prayer service (moleben) with the chanting of an akathist to Saint Tikhon, led by Archpriest John Vass, dean of the Atlantic States, concelebrated by the rector of the church, Archpriest Gregory Vinski, and clergy of the deanery.
After the service, Hieromonk John (Shefler), a cleric of St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York, delivered a greeting from Bishop Matthew:
“Your Reverences and beloved fathers in the Lord, dear brothers and sisters—CHRIST IS RISEN!
I warmly greet all of you gathered in these holy days of Paschal joy in the city of Baltimore to honor the memory of Saint Tikhon—a great hierarch of the Church of Christ who left an indelible mark on the history of Orthodoxy on the North American continent.
With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’, last year the fullness of the Russian Orthodox Church prayerfully commemorated the 100th anniversary of the repose of Saint Tikhon. Yet the magnitude of his personality and his outstanding works could not be confined to the canonical boundaries of the Russian Church alone. Many Local Churches, reverently preserving the memory of this wise and courageous confessor-patriarch, joined in this celebration. First and foremost, these are the dioceses and communities of various Orthodox jurisdictions in the USA and Canada, which rightly venerate Saint Tikhon as their heavenly patron, for there is not a single jurisdiction in North America that has not, in one way or another, benefited from the fruits of his archpastoral labors during his ministry in the New World.
The image of Saint Tikhon, as portrayed in his life, his sermons, the character of his activity, and the recollections of those who knew him, reveals to us a wise yet simple and compassionate shepherd. This inspires clergy to emulate him and encourages the faithful to entrust their needs and sorrows to him in prayer. This is why all forms of honoring this saint of God—whether liturgical celebrations on his feast days or academic conferences such as yours—are so beneficial and edifying, as they help acquaint both clergy and laity, especially the younger generation, with Saint Tikhon and his legacy.
I sincerely thank Archpriest John Vass, Dr. Scott Kenworthy, and all the organizers of this event for their pious labors in honor and glory of Saint Tikhon the Confessor. I believe that through his prayers for all his flock in America and Russia, the Lord will grant us a peaceful and prosperous life, so that we may worthily continue, to the glory of God, the labors of Saint Tikhon and all the saints who have shone forth in the lands of Russia and America. Truly, the Lord is Risen!”
Afterward, Dr. Scott Kenworthy, Doctor of History and professor at Miami University (Ohio), delivered a two-part lecture on his recently published book “The People’s Patriarch.” The work draws on previously unused sources, including letters and encyclicals of Saint Tikhon, declassified documents of the highest Bolshevik leadership, and materials from twelve archives in five countries, gathered over twelve years of research.
Dr. Kenworthy spoke in detail about the multifaceted activity of Saint Tikhon during his ministry in America. He highlighted the archpastor’s numerous travels, the importance of appointing auxiliary bishops, the transfer of the diocesan center from San Francisco to New York, the construction of cathedrals in Chicago and New York, and the founding of the first Orthodox monastery in America. The speaker also addressed Saint Tikhon’s service in Yaroslavl, Vilna, and Moscow prior to his election as Patriarch. He presented numerous facts concerning the trials the saint endured during the years of revolution, civil war, famine, and the Red Terror. Referring to Saint Tikhon’s own writings, Dr. Kenworthy showed how the Patriarch’s moral authority, spiritual strength, and pastoral wisdom helped preserve the unity of the Church despite imprisonment, state persecution, and schisms.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Archpriest John Vass, on behalf of Bishop Matthew, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Professor Scott Kenworthy, Archpriest Gregory Vinski, and all participants of the gathering.
