On August 14-16, 2021, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon visited the parish of Christ the Savior in Berlin, MD to preside at the great feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God and the patronal feast of the parish on Monday, August 16. During the three day hierarchical visit, His Beatitude was welcomed warmly by the parish community and its rector, Archpriest John Parsells.
On Saturday, August 14, His Beatitude hosted a question and answer session with the parishioners addressing questions relating to liturgical practices and the challenges facing the Orthodox Church in the 21st century. Later that evening, His Beatitude served a Panikhida for the departed members of the parish and presided at the Great Vespers for the feast.
On Sunday, August 15, His Beatitude presided at the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and elevated Father John to the rank of Archpriest while commending his work at Christ the Savior. After the liturgy, His Beatitude blessed the Archway built at the entrance to the Church complex. He acknowledged the efforts of Thomas Seraphim Mathews in designing the archway by presenting him with a Diocesean Gramota.
His Beatitude’s visit continued with Great Vespers on Sunday evening and the hierarchical Divine Liturgy for the feast of the Image “Not-Made-By-Hands” of Our Lord Jesus Christ on Monday morning.
In his homily, Metropolitan Tikhon spoke of the image of Our Lord Jesus Christ and our call to pursue that image despite the challenges of a world that promotes individualism. His Beatitude emphasized that it is only when we emulate Christ and follow His Gospel that we begin to take steps to fuller personhood and spiritual uniqueness.
A festive luncheon followed the liturgical celebration.
Photo credit: Reader Alex Hubiak
