The Episcopal Consecration of Bishop Daniel of Santa Rosa
On Saturday, January 24, 2015, clergy and faithful from parishes across the Diocese of the West and beyond gathered at historic Holy Trinity Cathedral here for the celebration of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, during which Bishop-Elect Daniel [Brum] was consecrated to the Episcopacy as Bishop of Santa Rosa, Auxiliary to His Eminence, Archbishop Benjamin of San Francisco and the West.
Bishop-Elect Daniel was canonically elected by members of the Holy Synod of Bishops on October 21, 2014.
On the eve of the Consecration, the hierarchs celebrated the Rite of Nomination of the Bishop, after which Bishop-Elect Daniel gave an acceptance speech and then served Great Vespers for the feast of Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg.
Concelebrating with His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon and Archbishop Benjamin was His Grace, Bishop John of Naro-Fominsk, Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, together with several members of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America, including His Eminence, Archbishop Nathaniel of Detroit and the Romanian Episcopate; His Eminence, Archbishop Melchisedek of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania; His Grace, Bishop Michael of New York and New Jersey; His Grace, Bishop David of Sitka and Alaska; and His Grace, Bishop Paul of Chicago and the Midwest.
At the outset of the Liturgy, Bishop-Elect Daniel offered his statement of faith, proclaiming the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, and offered a detailed explanation of the Church’s Trinitarian and Christological doctrines in the presence of Metropolitan Tikhon and the assembled hierarchs, clergy, and faithful. He pledged his commitment to uphold the Church’s canons and the teachings of the Holy Fathers and to preserve unity with his brother bishops.
During the Divine Liturgy, the open Gospel Book was placed over Bishop-Elect Daniel’s head as Metropolitan Tikhon and the consecrating bishops place their hands upon it. The Metropolitan then proclaimed, “By the election and approbation of all the Venerable Bishops of the Holy Synod, the Grace Divine, which always heals that which is infirm and fulfills that which is lacking through the Laying-on-of-Hands, elevates you, most beloved of God, Archimandrite Daniel, to be the Bishop of Santa Rosa, which enjoys the protection of Almighty God…. O Lord our God Who, in that it is impossible for the nature of man to endure the Essence of the Godhead, in Thy Providence hast provided for us teachers of like nature with ourselves to maintain Thine Altar, that they may offer to Thee sacrifice and oblations for all Thy People. O Lord, make this man also, who has been proclaimed a steward of the Episcopal Grace, to be an imitator of Thee, Who art the True Shepherd, Who laid down Thy Life for Thy sheep. Grant that he will be a leader of the blind, a light to those in darkness, a reprover of the unwise, a teacher of the young, a lamp to the world. Grant also that he, having perfected the souls entrusted to him in this present life, may stand unashamed before Thy Throne, and that he may receive the great reward which Thou hast prepared for those who have fought with valor for the preaching of the Gospel.”
At the conclusion of the Liturgy, Metropolitan Tikhon offered words of exhortation to Bishop Daniel. Bishop John also greeted the newly consecrated Bishop and presented him with an icon of Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk.
A festive banquet marking the occasion followed the Liturgy at the renowned McCormick and Kuleto’s Seafood and Steaks in Ghirardelli Square.
On Sunday, January 25, Bishop Daniel celebrated his first Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the Protection/Saint Seraphim Church, Santa Rosa, CA. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Tikhon presented him with the pastoral staff, signifying his responsibility and authority as Bishop of Santa Rosa and Auxiliary to Archbishop Benjamin.
On Sunday, February 1, Bishop Daniel will concelebrate the Divine Liturgy with Archbishop Benjamin at Saints Peter and Paul Church, Phoenix, AZ. Bishop Daniel will continue to care for the parish in addition to his episcopal duties.
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