On Sunday, November 19, the 24th Sunday after Pentecost, the clergy and parishioners of St Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral prayerfully commemorated the 100th Anniversary of the Election St Tikhon (Bellavin) to the Patriarchal throne and the 115th anniversary of the Consecration of the Patriarchal cathedral. The festal Divine Liturgy was presided by the Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon of all America and Canada. His Beatitude was co-served by the Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA His Grace Bishop John of Naro-Fominsk; the Chancellor of the OCA, Archpriest John Jillions, Secretary to the Metropolitan Archdeacon Joseph Matusiak and clergy of the cathedral.

During the Augmented Litany, special petitions and prayers commemorating the election of Patriarch Tikhon.

At the conclusion of the Liturgy, Metropolitan Tikhon was greeted by Bishop John who thanked him for the opportunity for serving together marking this momentous occasion for St Nicholas Cathedral. In honor of His Beatitude’s visit, Bishop John presented him with a Panagia.

Metropolitan Tikhon then greeted the serving clergy and faithful, underlining the importance of these anniversaries for all Orthodox America.

Interaction between the hierarchs and clergy continued during the festal meal in the refectory. Joint ventures between the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and the Orthodox Church in America were discussed, as well as the upcoming visit of the Primate of the OCA to the Moscow Patriarchate at the invitation of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all Russia marking the anniversary of St Tikhon’s election as Patriarch and the restoration of the Patriarchate.