His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon Presides at the Consecration of St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church in Colorado Springs, CO
On the weekend of February 8-9, 2025, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon traveled to Colorado Springs, CO, to preside at the consecration of the newly built St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church. Accompanying His Beatitude were Archpriest Alessandro Margheritino, Acting Chancellor and Secretary of the Orthodox Church in America, and Protodeacon Peter Ilchuk.
Upon arrival at the Colorado Springs airport, His Beatitude was greeted by His Eminence Archbishop Benjamin of San Francisco and the West; Archpriest Kirill Sokolov, Chancellor of the Diocese of the West; Archpriest Andreas Blom, local Dean and Rector of Holy Theophany Orthodox Church; and Priest Anthony Machnee, Rector of St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church.
On Saturday evening, February 8, Great Vespers was served by Fr. Andreas at Holy Theophany Orthodox Church, where over 200 faithful gathered. The responses were sung by the choir of more than 40 singers. At the conclusion of the service, His Beatitude addressed the assembled faithful, reflecting on the spiritual growth of the community and honoring the memory of the founding pastor, Archpriest Anthony Karbo of blessed memory.
Following Great Vespers, the community gathered in the parish hall for a presentation by Hieromonk Vasily (Permiakov), Assistant Professor of Liturgical Theology at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. Fr. Vasily spoke on the rite of consecration of churches, the subject of his doctoral dissertation, offering insight into the liturgical significance of the event that would take place the next morning.
On Sunday morning, February 9, His Beatitude presided at the rite of consecration at St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church. The service began at 8:30 AM with the preparation of the Holy Table. Concelebrating with His Beatitude were His Eminence, Fr. Alessandro, Fr. Kirill, Fr. Andreas, Fr. Anthony, and numerous visiting clergy from across the Diocese of the West. The consecration was followed by the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. Over 400 faithful from throughout Colorado and neighboring states filled the newly consecrated temple. At the conclusion of the service, His Beatitude congratulated the community on this blessed milestone in the life of Orthodox Christianity in Colorado Springs.