His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon presided at the 100th Anniversary of Holy Transfiguration Church, New Haven, CT, on the weekend of September 26-27, 2015. Concelebrating was His Eminence, Archbishop Nikon, together with numerous clergy and seminarians. The weekend also marked the 35th Anniversary of Archpriest Michael and Matushka Lydia Westerberg’s assignment to the parish. Two hundred and fifty guests from as far as South Carolina, southern California, Montana and across New England attended the banquet at La Mirage, North Haven, CT.
The weekend opened with the celebration of a Panikhida for all parishioners who had departed this life during the past 100 years, followed by Great Vespers. During Sunday’s Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, two readers were tonsured and Subdeacon Joseph [Tristan] Gall was ordained to the diaconate. Metropolitan Tikhon presented a Synodal gramota to the parish and Father Michael, while Archbishop Nikon presented diocesan gramotas to several faithful parishioners and stewards.
In addition to the banquet addresses of Metropolitan Tikhon and Archbishop Nikon, Archpriest John Dresko of Saint Paul Church, Las Vegas, NV, offered warm reflections on the many years of service and friendship working together when he served as Dean of the Connecticut Deanery and Father Michael served as Chancellor of the Diocese of New England. A ten-minute audio/video presentation highlighted the many faces and memorable moments of the parish’s history. Priest Joshua Mosher of Saints Peter and Paul Church, Meriden, CT, was congratulated on the 10th Anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, which took place during the celebration of Holy Transfiguration’s 90th Anniversary.
In January 2015, Father Michael observed the 40th Anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. He begins his 36th year of ministry at Holy Transfiguration on October 1, 2015.
