Summer 2002

In This Issue
Volume 7, Number 2

The Official Publication of the From His Grace: Some Reflections on the AAC 1
Diocese of the West of the
Orthodox Church in America OCA Gather in Council 2

Diocese of the West Biography of Metropolitan HERMAN 4

650 Micheltorena Street
Los Angeles, CA 90026-3612 Ask Fr. Joseph: What is a Metropolitan? 5
Publisher
Matushka Retreat Held in Boulder City 6
His Grace Bishop TIKHON
Bishop of San Francisco and
the Diocese of the West Fort Ross 2002 7
650 Micheltorena Street
Los Angeles, CA 90026-3612 News Around the Diocese 7
Phone: (323)666-4977
Fax: (323)913-0316
Mourning at St. Nicholas 8
Address all stories & comments:
Editor-in-Chief Celebration at St. John the Baptist 8
Priest Eric George Tosi
5400 Annie Oakley Drive Book Review: Essays on a Christian Life 9
Las Vegas, NV 89120
Phone: (702)898-4800
Fire Skirts Monastery in Colorado 10
Fax: (702)898-0303
Email: marsaba@aol.com
St. John Monastery Announces Fall Schedule 11
Send All Address Changes to:
Mary Caetta Teen Retreat 2002 12
25 Captains Cove
Oakland, CA 94618-2311
From the Fathers: St. Ignatius of Antioch 13
Email: Caetta@limsys.com

The Orthodox Vision is published three times

a year by the Diocese of the West. It is free to
all parish members and outreach within the
Diocese.
The articles contained herein do not neces-
sarily reflect the views or policies of the Dio-
cese or the editors. The advertisements con-
tained herein are not necessarily endorsed
by the Diocese or Editorial Staff.
WWW.OCADOW.ORG
“New & Revised” as of September 2002
For the latest information on the Diocese of the West
Information on all parishes, institutions and departments
Archived issues of The Orthodox Vision
Complete letters of instruction from His Grace
And much, much more

From His Grace Bishop TIKHON
SOME REFLECTIONS OF THE ALL-AMERICAN COUNCIL IN ORLANDO
The election of Metropolitan HERMAN was the third time I had been
present at the election of a Metropolitan of All America and Canada. It was
edifying to consider that at all these three elections the Statute of the
Orthodox Church in America and the Canons of the Church to which that
Statute is subject were followed punctiliously. As an Orthodox Christian
this is extremely important. As an American, however, I admit that I espe-
cially appreciate the American characteristic of this process which is this:
the delegates to the All-American Council (but not all the members of the
Orthodox Church in America, not all the “laos”, as would be the case in a
“democratic” election) themselves elected the only men that would be con-
sidered by the Hierarchs as they carried out their canonical duty to elect
their chief, premier, or first Hierarch. The process is not the same as the
process whereby a Bishop is elected for a diocese.
I believe this may be poorly understood in some quarters of our Orthodox
Church in America and even in the Diocese of the West. What is the canoni-
cal basis of even having a “Metropolitan of All America and Canada” or a
“First,” “Premier” or “Chief-Hierarch” (Latin term is ‘primate’) in the
Orthodox Church in America? It is the 34th Canon of the 85 Apostolic
Canons. It reads like this:
“It behoveth the Bishops of every people to know the first among them, and
recognize him as their head, and do nothing exceeding their powers without
his permission: let each do only what concerns his own diocese and the
places belonging to it. However, let not the first do anything without the
advice, consent and approval of all. For thus there will be oneness of mind
and thus will be God glorified for the Lord in the Holy Spirit, the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Spirit.”
For the Bishops, then, strict observance of the Holy Canons requires only
that they pick one of their number as first, premier, or chief. It is only out
of humility and love for the people of God that the Bishops, first in Russia
and then in America, have required some participation of delegates, clergy
and lay, to a Church Council, in their deliberations. In Russia, in 1917, it
was determined that three names would be elected by delegates of the
Dioceses and Institutions to be on the Hierarchs’ ballot, so to speak. Hav-
ing received these three names, the Hierarchs proceeded further to entrust
themselves to the Spirit of God and, like the Apostles selecting a Twelfth
Apostle to replace Judas, they resorted to a drawing: the name of St.
TIKHON was drawn from a vessel placed before the Vladimir icon by a
senior Staretz of the Church. St. TIKHON was not by any means or stretch
of the imagination, in popular political terminology of that day and of this
day, “the people’s choice”; i.e., it was Metropolitan ANTONY
(Khrapovitsky) who received the most delegate votes by far. So it was,
ultimately, the Hierarchy of the Church of Russia who decided, by a draw-
ing, how “to know the first among them,” although the voice of the people
was heard by condescension in their choice of the names from whom the
Bishops would select their first.
Thus at the All-American Councils that elected Metropolitan IRENEY
(which I attended as a Saint Vladimir’s Seminary student), Metropolitan
THEODOSIUS (which I attended as a Protodeacon from Los Angeles), and
Metropolitan Herman (which I attended as an Elector), the people did not
choose one candidate, but two, from which the Bishops should elect “the
first among them.” Metropolitan IRENEY, Metropolitan THEODOSIUS,
Metropolitan HERMAN (and St. TIKHON!)—none of them was “the
people’s choice”. In the first case, it was Metropolitan VLADIMIR who
got the most delegate votes; in the second case, it was Bishop DMITRI
who got the most delegate votes, and in the third, most recent case, it was
Bishop SERAPHIM who got the most delegate votes. The voting of the
Bishops was secret. Nevertheless, I may state that the Bishops voted on
1
The Orthodox Vision
the names given them by
the delegates and did not
elect anyone not chosen
for them by the delegates.
I feel that in this respect,
it is our duty as Orthodox
Christians to raise our
hearts to God in utter
thanksgiving for all His
mercies poured out on our
young, small, and, possi-
bly, least important of the
Local Churches. No other
Local Church at all has
such an open, public process of selecting the First Hierarch, only our
Orthodox Church in America. No Synod of Bishops of any Orthodox
Church, saving only the Russian Church, and that once, in 1917, listened
first to some representatives of clergy and laity before choosing the one
who should be first among them on the Holy Synod of the Orthodox
Church in America. As for the empty question I heard once or twice, “But
why didn’t the one who got more of our votes become Primate,” I feel it
cannot be answered except by another question: If there were eleven of the
former Twelve voting, why did they cast lots, to choose between Joseph
and Matthias, rather than selecting one that got a majority? Here is how the
ever-memorable Metropolitan EVLOGY of Paris(1) described the election
of St. TIKHON.
“Only on the fourth ballot, on October 31st, was an absolute majority
received by: Archbishop ANTHONY of Kharkov (Khrapovitsky), Arch-
bishop ARSENIUS of Novgorod and the Metropolitan of Moscow, TIKHON.
Archbishop ANTHONY received by far (naibol’shee) the largest number of
votes: choosing him to be Patriarch would be but the realization of the will
of the majority.— that’s the way Vladyka ANTHONY looked at it. Arch-
bishop ARSENIUS, who received the second largest number of votes was
terrified at the prospect of becoming Patriarch and just managed to pray to
God that “this cup” would pass him by. Metropolitan TIKHON just re-
ferred everything to God’s will…
Who of the three Hierarchs should be chosen to be Patriarch? In that
deciding vote, the Bishops alone had the right to participate. But they de-
cided to give up their right and to rely on the Lord, that is, they decided to
choose the Patriarch by lots. This decision was proclaimed at the session of
the Council on November 2nd…”
Finally, I would like to go on record in hoping that the next time this
happens, care will be taken so that hymns invoking the Holy Spirit and
other prayers would be sung before or during and not after the delegates’
vote, as was done twice. It was only while the Bishops voted that prayers
and hymns were sung. At the election of St. TIKHON, too, the Liturgy and
a Molieben preceded the drawing.
To His Beatitude, Most Blessed HERMAN, Archbishop of Washing-
ton and Metropolitan of All America and Canada, may God grant
many years!
+ TIKHON
Bishop of San Francisco and the Diocese of the West
(1) From “Put’ moej zhizni”(“The Course of my Life: reminiscences of Metro-
politan EVLOGIUS” YMCA Press. Paris. 1947, page 301. Transl. +B.T.
The Orthodox Vision
The Orthodox Church in America Gathers in Council
This July, the clergy and lay delegates from the entire Orthodox
Church in America gathered together in Orlando, Florida for the 13th
All-American Council. This Council is normally held every three
years in order to chart the future of the Church as well as conduct
any business. However, this year’s Council was seminal event as
the Church came together to elect a new primate of the Orthodox
Church in America.
This Council was by far the best-attended All-American Council.
Over 1300 clergy and lay delegates gathered from all of the Dioceses
of the Church including a substantial representation from the Alas-
kan Diocese and the Diocese of Mexico. All active and retired bish-
ops of the Church were in attendance as well as representatives
from the Moscow Patriarchate, the Archdiocese of the Greek Ortho-
dox Church, the Archdiocese of the Antiochian Orthodox Church,
the Serbian Orthodox Church and Romanian Orthodox Church.
There were also observers from other jurisdictions and denomina-
tions.
The website of the Orthodox Church in America had extensive cov-
erage of the Council and many of the details can be found there.
However, there were certain decisions of the Council that should be
recounted.
The first order of business was the election of the new Metropolitan
to replace His Beatitude THEODOSIUS, the beloved primate of our
Church for the past 25 years. His remarks prior to His resignation
2
were moving and timely. His Beatitude urged the Church to con-
tinue Her mission to be “the Orthodox Church in America” and that
our mission must be to continually preach the Gospel. He reminded
people that while we must be faithful to all ethnic groups in this
country, we must never forget that we are here to continue the
American Mission. And finally, in a very strong statement, His
Beatitude called upon all Orthodox in America to come together in
unity and form one Church. With this call, Metropolitan
THEODOSIUS stepped down as primate of the Orthodox Church in
America after a long and fruitful service.
In God’s great mercy, the gathered Church called upon the Holy
Spirit to give us a new primate. The doors were sealed, and prayers
were offered and the ballots were passed among the delegates.
While the ballots were counted, the gathered sang hymns to the
Holy Spirit and all of the saints who have shown forth in America.
The results were then revealed that no one candidate received the
necessary two thirds vote, though Bishop SERAPHIM of Canada
received the majority, followed by Archbishop HERMAN of East-
ern Pennsylvania. This sent the election into a second round where
two votes were recorded and the two with the most votes were
submitted to the Holy Synod for selection. The same two candi-
dates received the highest number of votes and the Holy Synod
retired to the sanctuary to make their selection. It was then an-
nounced that Archbishop HERMAN was to be our new primate.
He was immediately proclaimed and vested as the new Archbishop
of Washington and Metropolitan of All America and Canada.
 The Orthodox Vision

Truly, the focus of the All-American Council was the election of

the new primate. However other business needed to be attended.
Two major resolutions were passed at the plenary sessions. The
first was the property issue in Diocese. Since the problem with the
Living Church in the early Twentieth Century caused many par-
ishes to have to incorporate separately to protect their assets, it
was becoming an increasing problem with maintaining these prop-
erties when parishes decided to change jurisdictions. In addition,
there was “definational” loophole in the Statutes of the OCA that
has been interpreted differently in different courts in various states.
Not to mention the uncanonical nature of the structure. It was
decided to offer a definition of the statutes in order to prevent fur-
ther confusion so that it is clearly understood that the OCA was
hierarchical and that parish property was held in trust from the Dio-
cese and would revert to the Diocese in case of closure. This, in
effect, closed the loophole and ensured the canonical status of the
property. It will hopefully spur the parishes to redo the bylaws to
reflect this as well. This measure was passed with minimum debate
and by a great majority.
namely the Seminarian Internship Program and the FOCUS Educa-
The other measure was to deal with the “Fair Share” proposal for tion Program. There were daily workshops which covered areas as
financing the central Church. This fostered a much greater discus- diverse as working with new immigrants to teaching the Bible. Each
sion. Basically, the Church is trying to eliminate the member assess- delegate had a chance to choose and attend these. There also were
ment on each parish but rather go to another system. The Church displays from different vendors and organizations from within and
studied this for the past three years and offered the “Fair Share” without the Church. This showed the wide range of work being
proposal. It would basically divide the population of the Church done in the Church.
into the percentage of members in each Diocese. Then each Dio-
cese would be responsible for that percentage of the national bud- Other highlights of the All-American Council included the Grand
get and were free to collect that amount in any way. This caused Banquet with over 1000 people in attendance. Serge Schmemann
considerable discussion and debate. Alternative solutions were was the toastmaster and there were wonderful talks by honored
offered and the only major revision was to cap the amount that can guests such as Archbishop DEMETRIUS of the Greek Archdio-
be charged per person. In the end, a resolution was passed which cese. Perhaps the most powerful speech was by Metropolitan
would in effect raise the assessment to over $85 per person. This KYRILL of Smolensk and External Affairs of the Moscow Patriarch-
was also combined with a new budget for the central Church that ate. His impassioned plea for Orthodox unity in America brought
added new positions. many people to their feet. He spoke frankly and honestly about the
situation in America and the desire to see the American Church
The Council did have other presentations and reports. It demon- mature. There was also a video in honor of Metropolitan
strated the success of some of the intiatives from the last Council, THEODOSIUS that recounted his life and his service to the Church.

The question that was asked most often was simply,

“Was the Council a success?” In terms of business:
absolutely, as many issues were reported on and the
spirit remained peaceful and optimistic. In the sense
of Church: absolutely, in that a peaceful and Spirit-
filled election gave us a new primate. In the sense of
community: absolutely, in that people gathered from
the entire country, Canada, Mexico and elsewhere to
build the Church and forge (and renew) friendships.
In the sense of education: absolutely, in that the
workshops offered were timely and educational. But
the Church does not judge success on these ele-
ments. In fact, it judges the success on one element
alone…the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “For where two
or three are gathered together in My name, I am
there in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20) And
by gathering together the Church and to preach the
Gospel and to witness to the world the truth of Or-
thodoxy, then certainly and absolutely this makes
the Council a success.
3
The Orthodox Vision
A Brief Biography of His Beati-
tude, Metropolitan HERMAN
His Beatitude, Metropolitan HERMAN was born Joseph Swaiko in
Briarford, PA on February 1, 1932. After completing his elementary
and secondary education in the West Deer Township PA schools,
he enrolled in Robert Morris College, Pittsburgh, where he received
a degree in business administration and secretarial science with
honors. Subsequently, he served in the Adjutant General Corps of
the US Army, being stationed in Labrador.
After being discharged from the military in 1959, he enrolled in Saint
Tikhon Seminary, South Canaan, PA, from which he graduated in
1963. He was appointed personal secretary to His Grace, Bishop
KIPRIAN, who became Rector of the seminary in 1961.
Following his ordination to the Holy Diaconate in March 1964 and
to the Holy Priesthood the following month, he served on the semi-
nary administration and as Instructor of Church Slavonic. He also
served as rector of Saint John the Baptist Church, Dundaff, PA and
Saints Peter and Paul Church, Uniondale, PA. He was appointed to
the seminary’s accreditation committee and was instrumental in form-
ing the seminary’s Board of Trustees, of which he was a charter
member and secretary-treasurer. For many years he also served as
spiritual advisor to the Anthracite District of the Fellowship of Or-
thodox Christians in America.
On December 4, 1970, he was tonsured to monastic rank and given
the name Herman, in honor of Saint Herman of Alaska. On October
17, 1971, he was elevated to the rank of Igumen and named Deputy
Abbot of Saint Tikhon Monastery.
On October 19, 1972, he was elected to the episcopate and elevated
to the rank of Archimandrite three days later. He was consecrated to
the episcopacy at Holy Resurrection Cathedral, Wilkes-Barre, PA
on February 10, 1973 with the title of Bishop of Wilkes-Barre, serv-
ing as an auxiliary of the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Penn-
sylvania.
4
Bishop HERMAN continued to reside and teach at Saint Tikhon
Monastery and Seminary. In addition to his ministry within the Dio-
cese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, he served as Tem-
porary Administrator of the Diocese of the West in 1975 and Tempo-
rary Administrator of the Diocese of New England in 1978. Follow-
ing the death of Archbishop Kiprian, he was elected Bishop of Phila-
delphia on March 17, 1981 and rector of Saint Tikhon Seminary the
following May. In 1994 he was elevated to the rank of Archbishop
by the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America.
In addition to his service to the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern
Pennsylvania, Archbishop Herman has served the Orthodox Church
in America in a wide variety of capacities. He has served as chairman
of the OCA Department of Finance, vice-chairman of the Depart-
ment of Missions; member of the Board of Theological Education;
vice-chairman of the Preconciliar Commission; episcopal moderator
for the Department of Stewardship; chairman of the Pension Board;
vice-chairman of the Office of Inter-Church Relations and Ecumeni-
cal Witness; and member of the Lesser Synod of Bishops.
Metropolitan HERMAN has represented the OCA at numerous
events abroad, often traveling with Metropolitan THEODOSIUS.
He also participated in the historic conference of North America’s
Orthodox Bishops in Ligonier, PA in 1994.
Metropolitan HERMAN is well known as a proponent for the sanc-
tity of life. For many years, he has participated in the March for Life
held in the US capital every January, leading the Orthodox partici-
pants and addressing thousands in defense of the unborn.
On September 29, 1999, he was named acting treasurer of the Ortho-
dox Church in America, while he served as temporary administrator
of the Orthodox Church in America from May until September 2001,
during Metropolitan THEODOSIUS’ medical leave of absence. Most
recently, he oversaw the process leading to the full accreditation of
Saint Tikhon Seminary.
Metropolitan HERMAN has received numerous awards and hon-
ors, including an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Nashotah
House Seminary in Wisconsin and an honorary Doctor of Business
Administration degree from his alma mater, Robert Morris College.
In 1994 he was awarded the Order of Saint Innocent Silver Class, the
highest honor bestowed by the Orthodox Church in America.

Ask Fr. Joseph Returns:
All my life I have heard Metropolitan THEODOSIUS mentioned at the Divine Liturgy, now that he has retired we
are mentioning Metropolitan HERMAN who was just elected. This has made me wonder just what a “Metropoli-
tan” is and why we call the Metropolitan, “His Beatitude”. Can you explain this?
The basic unit of the Church is the Diocese. Simply put, a diocese is
all of the Orthodox Christian clergy and people in a city, town or
even a village and countryside, gathered around their Bishop. In
America, a diocese may be much larger. Our own Diocese of the
West covers a good portion of the United States but the norm is for
them to be much smaller. “One Bishop in one city.” In some places
such as North Africa or Egypt, in early centuries there were hun-
dreds of Bishops: one for every town and village. In other places
such as Palestine, local Deans, often called “Country Bishops”, but
were actually Archpriests who served under a Bishop of a larger
near-by town or city headed Churches in smaller towns. Neverthe-
less, it seems that from the beginning of the Church, St Ignatius of
Antioch’s rule was observed, “Where the Bishop is, there let the
people be gathered as where Christ is, there is the Catholic Church”.
Still, Bishops did not act alone. While each one was head of his own
diocese, each also was part of a Synod or gathering of bishops
within their region. Very early in Church history, a rule developed
which became part of the Holy Canons. This rule required all of the
bishops within a region or country to meet at least twice a year in a
Holy Synod under the presidency of the Bishop of the important
city within the region. This person came to be called “Archbishop”
which is something like “Leader of Bishops” and which gave him
special dignity and honor such as presiding at Synod and at the
Ordination of new bishops, writing letters to other Archbishops and
Churches on behalf of the bishops of his synod, hearing accusa-
tions against brother bishops and giving judgment and, later, pre-
siding at the Consecration of the Holy Chrism and distributing this
to the local bishops.
As the Church structure developed, certain ancient or centrally lo-
cated cities were recognized as possessing great dignity because
their antiquity and world wide network of communication provided
them with a greater likelihood of holding and possessing the full-
ness of the Faith without error. When, for example, the Fathers of the
first Council addressed their letter to the Bishop of Rome, it was to
inform him of their decisions not to ask his approval. They say, “It
seemed right to inform you who sits in the city which witnessed the
blood of two of the foremost Apostles.” Some of these great old
cities, Jerusalem, Alexandria, Antioch, Rome and, later,
Constantinople or “New Rome” were designated as Patriarchates
because their bishops presided over very important synods.
The term “Metropolitan” was used for Bishops of important cities
and in other places, titles such as “Catholicos” (Georgia) or “Pope”
(Rome and Alexandria) were granted to indicate special jurisdiction
and authority.
In the more modern Greek system, “Metropolitan” is the title of
almost every bishop of a large regional city or “Metropolis”, while
“Archbishop” is the title of heads of newer self governing Churches
5
The Orthodox Vision
or important regions.
In the older Russian system which was brought there by the early
Greek missionaries, the title of “Metropolitan” was one of dignity
second only to that of Patriarch. Of course, there was no Patriarch
in Russia for the first several centuries of Christianity there. Later,
as “Newer” Churches became “Autocephalous” or “Self headed”
they often bestowed the title of Patriarch upon their chief Metro-
politan. Examples of this are the Churches of Russia, Serbia, Roma-
nia and Bulgaria. Other independent churches such as Greece, Arch-
bishops who are the senior Metropolitan of their Church head
Cyprus etc.
Generally, Metropolitans who are the Primates or first Hierarchs of
autocephalous Churches are addressed as “Your Beatitude” and
are described as “The Most Blessed”. “Beatitude” denotes bless-
edness or spiritual joy.
When our O.C.A. was granted autocephaly in 1970, it was under-
stood that the head of the Church in such an expansive land should
be a Patriarch. Nevertheless, because of the lack of canonical unity
among the many missionary jurisdictions, humility suggested that
for the time being the title of Metropolitan should be retained. The
address of the Primate, however, was changed from His Eminence
to His Beatitude. At the last All American Council, Archbishop
DEMETRIUS, head of the Greek Church in the U.S., addressed Met-
ropolitan HERMAN as “Your Beatitude” which was the first time I
can recall a Greek Chief Hierarch using this nomenclature.
Finally, there is the question of what the Metropolitan is for, what
does he do. At first glance, it would appear that his function is more
one of being President or First Among Equals of the Holy Synod.
He also has a function of providing a center of unity for the entire
O.C.A. and of dealing with other Orthodox Churches, but beyond
that, he is no more of a bishop than any other and exercises only
such authority within any other ruling hierarchs diocese as cour-
tesy and custom suggest. In final analysis, it is the people’s place to
remain in communion with their bishop, the Bishop’s job to remain
in the unity of the Holy Synod and with its Metropolitan and the
Metropolitan’s office to maintain the Communion of the Orthodox
Church in America with all of the other Orthodox Churches Hier-
archs and throughout the world.
Fr. Joseph Hirsch is the Dean of the Transfiguration of Christ Ca-
thedral in Denver, Colorado. He is often asked by “The Orthodox
Vision” to answer the many questions that are posed to the Dio-
cese. If you have a question for Fr. Joseph, please feel free to
submit them to the editor and they will be passed onwards.
The Orthodox Vision
Annual Matushka Retreat Held at the Retreat Center
by Matushka Katherine Gaudreau
The annual Diocese of the West Clergy Wives Retreat was held for
the third year at the Life-Giving Spring Retreat Center in Boulder
City, Nevada. There were twenty-two in attendance, some traveling
from as far as Billings, Montana and Portland, Oregon. This year’s
theme was maintaining a healthy and balanced life, both physically
and spiritually.
Susanne Senyo gave a presentation on the various ways to stay
healthy and fit, and how intimately connected physical well-being is
with one’s mental and spiritual life. Theresa Tate gave a talk and
facilitated a discussion on mental health: brainstorming with the
group on how to deal with various stresses, and how to better incor-
porate the things one enjoys with one’s obligations. Each morning
began with a light walk to Centennial Park in Boulder City, followed
by morning prayer.
The group was blessed to have Father Daniel Jones and Father Ian
MacKinnon to celebrate the prayer services, and to give workshops
on the spiritual life. Father Daniel, in his sessions, focused on the
necessity of humility in this day of hedonism and dangerous ambi-
tion; true humility, first of all, in understanding that everyone is
created in the image and likeness of God and that all are called to be
like Him. Secondly, in recognizing the unique calling of being a clergy
wife and all which that entails, while at the same time understanding
one’s limitations. For guidance and example, one must remember to
look to the saints, an incredible resource as to how to live a life fully
in Christ. One of most powerful points of his lecture was his focused
reminder to, in the words of St. John Chrysostom, give glory to God
in all things. In both trying and prosperous times, it is crucial to
recognize that everything in life is a gift from God for the salvation of
the soul.
6
Father Ian stressed the blessed union of marriage and the family,
and how those, in that unity, foretaste the Kingdom of God. A holy
marriage does not only serve the couple, but extends into the world
as an example of Christian love. A solid and Christ-centered mar-
riage is fundamental to the clergy ministry, and is never to be taken
lightly. Father Ian also had all in the group speak briefly about how
their year had gone, both what they experienced as blessings and
as struggles in order to increase a sense of connectedness among
participants.
A special treat was a gourmet lunch on Saturday prepared by the
retreat center’s cook, Eric Patterson. At the business meeting that
day, there was much discussion of changing the date of the retreat
to a time that would better suit those women who could not attend.
The final decision was to keep the date the same for 2003, but hope-
fully have the 2004 retreat at a different time.
This year the clergy wives had a renewed sense of unity as His
Grace, Bishop TIKHON, assigned the group the patron saint, Eliza-
beth the New Martyr. A highlight of the retreat was the beautiful
service of the Akathist to St. Elizabeth on Friday evening.
Some of the most meaningful moments to the retreatants were the
small-group discussions and social time, where women connected
with old friends, formed new bonds, and achieved a greater sense of
the clergy-wife network throughout the Diocese.
The retreat concluded with Divine Liturgy at St. Paul the Apostle
Church in Las Vegas on Sunday morning, where the women were
greeted warmly by parishioners. Many thanks are due to Eric and
Makrina Patterson, Father Eric Tosi and Father Lawrence Gaudreau
for their hospitality at the Retreat Center and St. Paul’s.

Fort Ross 2002
by Seminarian Brian Fetsko
Close to two hundred faithful gathered for the annual pilgrimage
celebrated at Fort Ross on July 4, 2002. His Grace Bishop TIKHON
celebrated the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the chapel located within
the walls of the fort. Six local priests and a deacon assisted in the
celebration.
Following Divine Liturgy, a large procession made its way to the old
cemetery where Bishop TIKHON served a Panikhida for the numer-
ous Russians buried there. St. Seraphim’s Orthodox Church in Santa
Rosa, CA provided the choir which was directed by Fr. Lawrence
Margitich. They also prepared and served the meal after the comple-
tion of the services.
The weather was close to perfect with sunny skies, no fog or wind,
and temperatures in the high 70’s. The pilgrims lingered and social-
ized many hours into the afternoon. The monks from St. John
Maximovitch monastery in Point Reyes Station, CA came and set up
their bookstore. In the afternoon following the meal, Fr. Lawrence
Margitich with the help a park ranger, was allowed to shoot off one
of the fort’s canons, which was a big hit with the kids.
News Around the Diocese
June 23 - His Beatitude THEODOSIUS, as requested by His Grace
TIKHON, ordained the Subdeacon Jeremiah Crawford to the Holy
Diaconate at Holy Trinity Cathedral in San Francisco. He is as-
signed to the Protection of the Holy Virgin Mary Church in Santa
Rosa, California.
August 6 - His Grace TIKHON has appointed the Archpriest Ian
MacKinnon to the position of the Chancellor of the Diocese of the
West. Fr. Ian was the Dean of the Mission Deanery for many
years. He fills the yearlong vacancy left by His Grace NIKOLAI
upon his consecration and subsequent assignment to the Diocese
of Alaska. Fr. Ian will remain as the rector of the Elevation of the
Holy Cross Church in Sacramento, California.
7
The Orthodox Vision
Fort Ross was established by the Russians in 1812 and was the
southernmost Russian fort in California. Located directly on the
beautiful northern California coast, it served as a potential base for
future Russian expansion in California and as a trading post with the
Spanish. It was also hoped to be a supply base for food for the
Russian colonies in Alaska. The enterprise did not work as the
Russians planned, and the fort was sold John Sutter in 1841. The
chapel was built by 1828 and was dedicated to the Holy Trinity (or
St. Helen by some accounts). It was the first Orthodox structure
south of Alaska. St. Innocent visited Fort Ross in 1836 and spent
about five weeks there administering to the spiritual needs of the
workers. In 1906, the site was established as a California State Park
and is now designated as a National Historic Landmark. The fort has
been restored to look as it did when the Russians left in 1841.
The annual pilgrimage to Fort Ross by Bishop TIKHON and the
faithful of the Diocese is a living testimony to presence of Russians
here and throughout California. The Divine Liturgy and Panikhida
serve to remind us that our Orthodox faith is still alive here and did
not leave with the Russian traders.
August 22 - His Grace TIKHON has appointed the Archpriest
Matthew Tate as the interim Dean of the Mission Deanery. Elec-
tions for the position of Dean will be held at the Annual Assembly
in October in Denver.
October 9 - The Diocesan Council will meet in Denver prior to the
opening of the Annual Assembly.
October 10-11 - The Diocese of the West will hold its Annual
Assembly at Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in Denver, Colorado.
October 25-27 - Annual Teen Retreat to be held at the Life Giving
Spring Retreat Center in Boulder City, Nevada.
The Orthodox Vision
Mourning at St. Nicholas
Living in this world of ours, we must say that sooner or later sorrow
and death comes to every man. There is no one who has not looked
down into a grave where it seemed that all of that which we loved
was being laid to rest. So, it was a great shock for all of us at St.
Nicholas to learn that our beloved Matushka Irene, wife of Fr. Paul,
had suddenly passed away. During her 12 days in the hospital she
underwent many different kinds of treatment then on June 20th, her
heart stopped.
Irene (Konowaiczyk) Kasaty was born in Poland, now Belarus. Dur-
ing the German occupation, she and her husband were sent to Ger-
many. There they performed work under very difficult conditions.
At the end of the war they were in the northern part of Germany and
there two of their children, Renate and Peter were born. A few years
later they went to a camp for displaced persons and as soon as it
was possible they applied for a visa to emigrate to another country.
While at the camp they went through all kinds of examinations,
including physical exams and American councils. Finally, they re-
ceived a sponsor from Texas and were able to come to this country.
They arrived in Ellis Island, New York, on May 18, 1951, the 6th
birthday of their daughter Renate Ludmila. From New York they
obtained employment in Texas where their son Michael was born.
Finally, after several years working in other places, they came to San
Diego in 1960.
Here they joined the St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, and became
active members of the Parish. Irene treasured her life in the Church
and was close to and part of everything that went on in the Church.
She had a warm personality and good character that left a lasting
impression upon all here at St. Nicholas. She left us, but we have
wonderful memories of happiness that we shared for so many years.
She is survived by her husband V. Rev. Paul Kasaty, her children
and spouses Renate and Walter Tauriainen, Peter Kasaty, Michael
P. and Rose Kasaty; by her grandchildren Andrew and spouse
Wendy Tauriainen, USAF Capt. Angela Tauriainen, Rick Tauriainen
and fiancé Stephanie Hall, Michael Paul Kasaty Jr. and Eric R. Kasaty,
and one great grandson Evan Tauriainen.
May God’s goodness and mercy follow her as she dwells in the
house of the Lord. Memory Eternal!
8
Patronal Celebration in Berkeley
by Olga Hughes
“Not unto us, 0 Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give the
praise…” (Psalm 115:1)
This year our parish festival, the Nativity of John the Baptist, was
celebrated in an especially satisfying fashion. Our bishop, The Right
Reverend TIKHON, served both the evening Vigil and the Divine
Liturgy on the feast day itself, the 6th and the 7th of June. At the
Little Entrance of the Liturgy our Bishop placed upon our Fr. Kirill
the decorated cross, an award of which Fr. Kirill was judged worthy
by our Synod of Bishops. In few, but well-chosen words, His Grace
noted that such awards are to be received and worn, not for per-
sonal glory, but for that of the Church. After Liturgy all present were
invited to a festal table. In his address, the vice-president of our
parish council, I. I. Pouschine, thanked His Grace for His participa-
tion in our celebration. He also congratulated Him on the triple
jubilee His Grace was observing this year: His 15th year as a bishop,
His 30th year as a priest, and His own 70th birthday.
Then having congratulated Fr. Kirill on his award, he expressed our
thanks to him for his decade-long service to our parish. In describ-
ing our Bishop’s festive jubilees and His Grace’s leave-taking of
Metropolitan THEODOSIUS at Holy Trinity Cathedral, I. I. Pouschine
also related that at the banquet following the Vigil of Pentecost, the
starosta of our parish, O. P. Raevsky-Hughes, received the Order of
St. Innocent from the Metropolitan Himself. Saying a few words
about this award, Bishop TIKHON reminded us that, although this
order is granted to a specific person, it must also be considered as
an honor to the entire parish.
Special thanks were given to our Sisterhood and to its president, E.
G. Pouschine, for their outstanding work in preparing the festal
table. One must also mention the inspired singing of our parish
choir under the direction of Veronica Gorodetskaya, which contrib-
uted greatly to the success of our joyful and grateful festival. Every-
one present then congratulated all those observing anniversaries,
receiving awards and organizing the festivities by spontaneously
singing “Many Years!”
 The Orthodox Vision

Book Review:
Protection of the Holy Virgin
Living in Christ: Essays on the Monastery Catalog

Christian Life by an Orthodox Nun o

o
Icons
Hand-made Rugs
by Mother Raphaela (Wilkinson) o Worship Items
o Prayer Ropes
by Matushka Katherine Gaudreau o Cds
o Books and more Books
Mother Raphaela, Abbess of Holy Myrrhbearers Monastery in
Otego, New York, presents here a rare and compelling collection of
essays on the Christian life. With a firm foundation in Scripture and To recieve the catalog call
the fathers, Mother Raphaela sets out the clear, yet strenuous path
of the Christian, especially in relation to today’s society. She stresses
(719)748-3999
the many subtle dangers that are ever-present in the current culture, or write
especially the false, though seductive notion that one can live a full Protection of the Holy Virgin Monastery
life in Christ while at the same time strive for the things of this world. 2343 County Road 403
P.O. Box 416
The life in Christ is not a partial decision, but one which embodies
the full person; and to be Orthodox is not simply something one
Lake George, CO 80827
does, but who one is. To embark on this narrow and unpaved way,
the Christian should expect to enter into a fierce spiritual battle, one
which requires great discipline and steadfastness in the faith, but
which ultimately will be one’s final and greatest joy, Christ Himself.
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but
Christ who lives in me; and the life I live in the flesh I live by faith
in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Gal.
Now A
Avv ailable
2:20)

This book is especially good for those considering the monastic

life. Mother Raphaela explains in detail the discipline and obedience
required of the monastic, and the necessity that the monastic’s only
goal be to serve God and his neighbor. She warns against the many
enticing, though incorrect, draws to the monastic life. This compila-
tion of essays is also important for lay persons who question the
place and function of the Monastery in the Church and society.

While Mother Raphaela focuses on the monastic calling, she does

make the point that there is no real higher calling among Christians.
All Orthodox are called to give their lives completely over to God,
and to renounce all that which separates them from Him. The whole
of life is a working out, with the grace of God, of one’s salvation, and
sometimes the very incident of being turned away from the monas-
tic life may lead a person to an eventual higher calling. She explains
that everyone is required to go into a wilderness of sorts. While the
monastic separates himself physically from the world, the Christian
living in the world must also create a wilderness for himself where he
is completely still and alone to hear the word of God.
$11.00 plus S&H

What is especially sobering about these essays is how unwaveringly Order from:
they are grounded in reality. There is no argument against the Chris- Deprtment of Communications
tian life that is not at least touched upon by Mother Raphaela in this Diocese of the West
book. Reading them, one is at first overwhelmed with the discovery
of what is ultimately required of him, but at the same time under-
5400 Annie Oakley Drive
stands that there is no alternative for one desiring to live a life in Las Vegas, NV 89120
Christ. Here, it is God’s truth unarguably which pours from the pages,
and will serve as a guidance and inspiration to all who read them. Make Checks Payable to the Diocese of the West

9
The Orthodox Vision
Fires Draws Near to Monastery
by Mother Cassiana
The year of 2002 can certainly be called the “year of the fires” in the
entire western United States. The fourth consecutive year of drought
was being felt in the high country of Colorado early in the spring as
we learned day after day of yet another fire in the state. As Saturday,
June 9th dawned, we did not realize that the beautiful Lake George
area would become not just another statistic in the year of the fires.
A fire ignited that day in a section of the Pikes Peak National Forest
in Lake George, the “Hayman Fire” which grew to be the biggest fire
in Colorado history within twenty-four hours, and before being con-
tained grew to consuming nearly 150,000 acres, threatening not only
Colorado Springs, but also the southwest suburbs of Denver.
The fire began just north of a small highway which runs through the
10
tiny community. Holy Protection Monastery is located six miles
south of the highway. The prevailing winds during the summer
come from southwest, which, in this case, meant that the fire would
be blowing away from the Monastery. Nearby neighbors all left
their daily jobs and activities to assist in evacuating livestock from
small ranches in the area as the entire community drew together to
support each other.
On Monday, June 11, the huge mushroom cloud of smoke from the
fire was clearly visible from the Monastery, appearing to be much
too close for comfort. That evening efforts began to evacuate the
Monastery bookstore as friends arrived to help pack cases of books
into trucks that they then stored in their own garages on the eastern
prairies of Colorado. Tuesday, further arrangements were made as it
began to appear that any slight shift of wind could bring the fire
south of the small highway and through the dry timber to the small
oasis dedicated to the Theotokos. The chalice, anitmens, and relics
were removed from the church to be taken to Ss Constantine and
Helen Church in Colorado Springs, the building was anointed with
holy oil from St. John of Kronstadt and St. Xenia of St. Petersburg
and icons were placed on the exterior walls of the main building as
the grounds were again blessed with holy oil. The Orthodox Church
in America Chancery kept up a press release on the proximity of the
Hayman Fire to the Monastery, asking all to pray for the firefighters,
the people of the Lake George area and the Monastery.
The sisterhood was prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice as
we all continued to pray that such a necessity would not arise. For
the entire month of June, we attended informational meetings in
Lake George daily to be updated on the spread of the fire. Through
the prayers of the Church, the fire came no closer than six miles from
the Monastery and was considered contained after about one month.
The only harm suffered by the Monastery was loss of time that
would have been spent on fund raising projects.
 The Orthodox Vision

2002 Diocesan Assembly

To be held
Thursday, October 10 to Friday, October 12

At Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in

Denver Colorado

Registration to be begin on
Monastery Announces Fall Schedule Wednesday, October 9 from Noon until 6:00 PM

The Monastery of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco in Point Hierarchical Liturgy to be held on Friday
Reyes, California has announced its Fall schedule of events. People
are invited to support these events as they raise money to help in the
much-needed renovations on the property.
Hotel Reservations can be made at

Because of the location and the growth in the brotherhood, the cost Best Western Central Denver Hotel
of renovations is quite high and the space is very limited. As such,
people are asked to help support the needs of the Monastery.
200 W. 48th Avenue
Denver, CO 80216
Hieromonk Jonah (Paffhausen), the abbot of the Monastery, will be (303)296-4000
the leader of many of these wonderful events.

The Fall schedule is as follows: Agenda and Schedule will be Forthcoming.

Observer and commuter fee is $40. Other
On Saturday, September 28 there will be a Hierarchical Liturgy at 10:00
AM at the Monastery. This will be followed by a salmon and seafood fees sent to the parishes.
potluck. Donations are requested to help the monastery
For more information call:
On every Monday night beginning on September 16 and going through
December 16 at 7:00 PM there will be a class on the “Dogmatic Theol-
ogy of the Church.” This class will be held at St. John the Baptist
Fr. Joseph Hirsch at (303)294-0938
Church in Berkeley and Fr. Jonah will be the instructor. The sug- Mary Caetta at (510)923-3613
gested donation to attend the classes is $125. Diocesan Office at (323)913-3615

On the second Sunday of each month (September 8, October 13,

November 10, December 8) there will be “An Evening of Spiritual
Conversation” at the Monastery. There will be Vespers at
5:00 PM followed by a potluck dinner, spiritual conversation
and ended with Compline. Donations are requested.

There will also be a weekend Retreat at the Holy Trinity/

Escot Retreat Center at South Fork Road in Trinity County
near Eureka, California. The retreat will go from Friday, Oc-
tober 25 to Sunday October 27. The theme is “The Orthodox
Path to Spiritual Maturity”. Fr. Jonah will also be the speaker.
There is a $125 suggested donation.

If you would like more information, please call the Monas-

tery at (415)663-1705 or look on their website
www.monasteryofstjohn.org Please help us in supporting
the wonderful work and growth of the monastic voaction.

11
The Orthodox Vision

“The Liturgy After the Liturgy”

&
“The Life of Mother Maria Skobtsova”
Diocesan Teen Weekend 2002
For youth in grades 9-12
The 2001 Diocesan Teen Weekend will again be held in Las Vegas at Life-Giving Spring Retreat Center

This year’s presentation and discussion will be led by Fr. Michael Senyo
The Retreat begins on Friday evening, October 25 through Sunday afternoon, October 27

Items to Bring:
sleeping bag, pillow, towel, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, sneakers, hiking shoes, sweatshirt/sweaters/
jackets, Church clothes and shoes, Bible and prayer book

Please return the bottom portion of this form together with your Medical Information/Permission Form and Registration Fee

Diocesan Teen Weekend 2001

October 25 -27, 2002

Life-Giving Spring Retreat Center

701 Park Place, Boulder City, NV 89005 Telephone: (702) 293-7208
Registration Fee: $20.00 per person

Please make checks payable to: Life Giving-Spring Retreat Center

And send to: 701 Park Place, Boulder City, NV 89005
Attn: Diocesan Teen Weekend 2002

Name: _________________________________ Age: _____________ Present Grade: ______

Address: _________________________________ Telephone: _____________
City: _________________________________ State: _____________ Zip: _________
Additional
Names: _________________________________ Age: _____________ Present Grade: _____
_________________________________ Age: _____________ Present Grade: _____
_________________________________ Age: _____________ Present Grade: _____
Home Parish: ____________________________ City/State: ___________________________________

For Office Use Only:

Amount Paid: ___________ Medical Information/
Cash/Check: #___________ Permission Form: ___
12
 The Orthodox Vision

From the Fathers:

St. Ignatius of Antioch “On the Bishop” From His Letter to the Smyrnians
Chapter VIII - Let Nothing Be Done Without the Bishop.

See that ye all follow the bishop, even as Christ Jesus does the Father, and the presbytery as ye would the apostles. Do ye also
reverence the deacons, as those that carry out [through their office] the appointment of God. Let no man do anything
connected with the Church without the bishop. Let that be deemed a proper Eucharist, which is [administered] either by the
bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude [of the people] also be;
even as where Christ is, there does all the heavenly host stand by, waiting upon Him as the Chief Captain of the Lord’s might,
and the Governor of every intelligent nature. It is not lawful without the bishop either to baptize, or to offer, or to present
sacrifice, or to celebrate a love-feast. But that which seems good to him, is also well-pleasing to God, that everything ye do
may be secure and valid.

Chapter IX - Honour the Bishop.

Moreover, it is in accordance with reason that we should return to soberness [of

conduct], and, while yet we have oppor- tunity, exercise repentance towards God.
It is well to reverence both God and the bishop. He who honours the bishop has
been honoured by God; he who does any- thing without the knowledge of the bishop,
does [in reality] serve the devil. Let all things, then, abound to you through grace,
for ye are worthy. Ye have refreshed me in all things, and Jesus Christ [shall re-
fresh] you. Ye have loved me when ab- sent as well as when present. May God
recompense you, for whose sake, while ye endure all things, ye shall attain unto
Him.

Moreover, it is in accordance with reason that we should return to soberness [of

conduct], and, while yet we have oppor- tunity, exercise repentance towards God.
For “in Hades there is no one who can confess his sins.” For “behold the man,
and his work is before him.” And [the Scripture saith], “My son, honour thou
God and the king.” And say I, Honour thou God indeed, as the Author and Lord
of all things, but the bishop as the high- priest, who bears the image of God-of
God. inasmuch as he is a ruler, and of Christ, in his capacity of a priest. After
Him, we must also honour the king. For there is no one superior to God, or even like to Him, among all the beings that exist.
Nor is there any one in the Church greater than the bishop, who ministers as a priest to God for the salvation of the whole
world. Nor, again, is there any one among rulers to be compared with the king, who secures peace and good order to those
over whom he rules.

He who honours the bishop shall be honoured by God, even as he that dishonours him shall be punished by God. For if he that
rises up against kings is justly held worthy of punishment, inasmuch as he dissolves public order, of how much sorer punish-
ment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who presumes to do anything without the bishop, thus both destroying the
[Church’s] unity, and throwing its order into confusion? For the priesthood is the very highest point of all good things among
men, against which whosoever is mad enough to strive, dishonours not man, but God, and Christ Jesus, the First-born, and the
only High Priest, by nature, of the Father.

Let all things therefore be done by you with good order in Christ. Let the laity be subject to the deacons; the deacons to the
presbyters; the presbyters to the bishop; the bishop to Christ, even as He is to the Father. As ye, brethren, have refreshed me,
so will Jesus Christ refresh you. Ye have loved me when absent, as well as when present. God will recompense you, for
whose sake ye have shown such kindness towards His prisoner. For even if I am not worthy of it, yet your zeal [to help me]
is an admirable thing. For “he who honours a prophet in the name of a prophet, shall receive a prophet’s reward.” It is manifest
also, that he who honours a prisoner of Jesus Christ shall receive the reward of the martyrs.

13
The Orthodox Vision BULK RATE
The Diocese of the West U.S. POSTAGE
The Orthodox Church in America PAID
5400 Annie Oakley Drive Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas, NV 89120 PERMIT NO. 1274
Non-Profit Organization
Return Service Requested