Dr. Aleksandr Gavrilins, a Latvian Orthodox historian, who is Associate Professor of archaelogy and auxiliary historical disciplines at the University of Latvia in Riga, Latvia, visited the US in early March to conduct research in the Archives of the Orthodox Church in America for a biography of the late Archbishop John (Garklavs) + 1982, a native of Latvia, who was ruling hierarch of the OCA Diocese of Chicago and Minneapolis for more than 20 years until his retirement in 1978. Dr. Gavrilins’ visit also provided opportunity for discussion of possible future cooperation with the OCA Archives, particularly in research on Orthodox hierarchs and clergy from Latvia who served in the Orthodox Church in America.
With Archpriest Sergei Garklavs, Archbishop John’s adopted son, Dr. Gavrilins visited Archbishop John’s grave at St. Tikhon’s Monastery in South Canaan, PA. Pictured at Saint Tikhon’s Monastery Church are: (l-r) Archpriest Sergei Garklavs; His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman; His Grace, Bishop Tikhon of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, and Dr. Aleksandr Gavrilins.