His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon Makes Pastoral Visits for Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday
On April 7-9, 2023, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon made pastoral visits to Holy Annunciation Church, Maynard, MA, Saint Nicholas Church, Salem, MA, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Boston, MA, and Dormition of the Virgin Mary Church, Cumberland, RI.
Friday, April 7, His Beatitude presided at the celebration of Matins that evening at Holy Annunciation Church. The service was followed by a Lenten meal in the church hall.
The morning of Saturday, April 8, His Beatitude presided at the celebration of the Divine Liturgy for Lazarus Saturday at Saint Nicholas Church. Concelebrating with His Beatitude were Priest Lavrentije Soper, acting rector, and Archpriest Mark Sherman.
His Beatitude preached the homily where he called attention to one of the themes of Lazarus Saturday, that Christ “who is yet one person, nevertheless possesses two natures, two activities, and two wills” and that this reality helps us draw near to our Lord in “prayer, contemplation, and activity, both during Holy Week and throughout our lives.”
Following the Liturgy there was a luncheon in the parish hall.
That same evening, His Beatitude visited Holy Trinity Cathedral where he presided at the celebration of the Festal Vigil for Palm Sunday. Concelebrating with His Beatitude were Priest Theophan Whitfield, acting dean of Holy Trinity Cathedral, and Archpriest Robert Arida.
Sunday, April 9, His Beatitude traveled to the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Church where he presided at the celebration of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. During the service, His Beatitude awarded the mitre to Archpriest Vasily Lickwar. Concelebrating with His Beatitude were Archpriest Vasily Lickwar, Archpriest Joseph Lickwar, Archpriest Robert Arida, and Priest Kevin Kalish.
His Beatitude offered the homily where he spoke on the “paradox of Palm Sunday.” He drew attention that it is the Holy Spirit who gathers the Church but that “we are called together to worship the King whom we shall put to death. And this double perspective will remain with us throughout Holy Week. Even as we celebrate Christ’s Passion in solemn triumph, we also recognize ourselves in Judas, the mob, the soldiers, Pilate, the fleeing disciples, the denying Peter. We are all villains and sinners who gave up Our Lord to death.”
Following the service a festive Lenten meal was enjoyed by all.