You are on page 1of 20

Summer, 2003

the O R T H O D O X
FROM HIS GRACE:
Getting in focus
The Great Apostle, writing to the Philippians
IV:8, said: “Whatsoever things are true, whatso-
ever things are honest, whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things
are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any praise, think on these things.”

This is a reminder of timeless value to everyone call- the authentic, traditional (but not necessarily tradition-
ing himself or herself a Christian among other Chris- alist) and focused Way. This is calendarism.
tians, i.e., belonging to the Body of Which Christ Him- Calendarism arose in this century due to a reform that—
self is the Head. There are many temptations and decep- like the reforms, tragic in their consequences, of Patri-
tions placed before us by the Prince of Darkness, the arch Nikon—came down from the airy reaches of a
great deceiver and liar, who always wants to distract us church elite. Such elitism arose in the Western church
from precisely those “whatsoevers” that the Apostle of the Middle Ages when institutions like the Univer-
listed. Many of these distractions bear the name of “- sity of Paris attempted to dominate the Church ideo-
isms.” There should be no “-isms” within an authentic logically. It also resembles a continuing elitist process
traditional and focused Christian witness and piety, nor in contemporary Protestantism, where theological semi-
should there be any “-ists” among Christ’s authentic, tra- naries, professors and technical theologians, are the
ditional, and focused followers. And such followers founts of change, of the wisdom of the day, and of the
themselves should avoid adopting such “-isms” for them- future direction of the church, by virtue of possessing
selves alongside their true allegiance: Christ. They should superior knowledge-gnosis.This calendar “reform” was
also not be quick to apply the labels of “-ists” to those unilateral and inspired mainly by the Ecumenical Patri-
who differ from them or “-isms” to the beliefs of their archate of the early decades of the last century, an Ecu-
brothers and sisters in the authentic, traditional, and fo- menical Patriarchate so out of touch with the real life of
cused body of the Faithful. If I must mention some of the Church as to recognize the hierarchs of the Bolshe-
these “-isms” and “-ists,” I would start with traditional- vik-nurtured Living Church as the legitimate Church of
ism and traditionalists, innovators and innovationists, Russia, even as Saint Tikhon was languishing in con-
conservatism (which doesn’t seem to have finement! From the date of this reform-from-above,
“conservatists,” rather conservatives—the same thing), the Orthodox world has become prey to calendarisms
and liberalism (old and new), fundamentalism and fun- of one sort or the other: Old Calendarism or New
damentalists, renovationism and renovationists. In just Calendarism. Both are wrong and both are based on an
listing these unfortunate concepts which plague us, one illusion or, better, a delusion. In fact all Orthodox
feels a certain exhaustion at the thought of dealing with churches and believers follow the same Calendar (ex-
them while what one really wants to do is discuss, pray, cept for the Finnish and Estonian churches at certain
argue, and work to fulfill such Evangelical imperatives periods in their history when they apparently felt such
as prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, while holding onto a need of tax money and/or other support from their
those Pauline “whatsoevers” and worshiping God “in Lutheran-dominated governments that they therefore
spirit and truth” according to our Saviour’s own words. adopted a non Orthodox Paschalia). A moment’s reflec-
In this article I’d like to discuss and try to discuss one of tion only, added to even the most rudimentary acquain-
these “-isms” as a legitimate concern of those seeking tance with the way our services are ordered, shows this
V I S I O N S u m m e r , 2 0 0 3

“There should be no ‘-isms’ within an authen-


tic traditional and focused Christian witness
and piety, nor should there be any
‘-ists’ among Christ's authentic, traditional, and
focused followers.”
to be true. New Calendarists and Old Calendarists fol-
low one and the same Menaion which mandates the cel-
ebration of Christ’s Nativity, for example, on December
25th. This is the duty and obligation of Orthodox Chris-
tians, accountable to our Holy Tradition. Old
Calendarists and New Calendarists both consider them-
selves (and both do so rightfully) to be living in the Or- Diocesan Members in
thodox and Patristic Tradition. What divides these “ists”
from each other is the understanding of just when De- Military Service
cember 25th is. The so-called New Calendarists con- The following from our diocese are amongst those
sider that December 25th falls on December 25 accord- who were on active duty during the war in Iraq:
ing to the civil calendar, the calendar that they live by.
They assume that the church fathers, in designating De- Priest Jerome Cwiklinski
cember 25th as the date for this commemoration, in- Orthodox Chaplain with Marines in Iraq
tended that Christians would always celebrate Decem-
ber 25th on the civil calendar of the society in which Priest Mark Kozak
Orthodox Navy Chaplain on Hospital Ship
Christians live. The so-called Old Calendarists consider
that December 25th falls on January 7th according to
Priest Jose Velez
the civil calendar, the calendar that they live by. When Orthodox Chaplain Serving in the Middle East
someone labeled an Old Calendarist takes out a pencil
or a pocket calculator (rather than the Menaion alone) to Carmen Anthony Brown
determine when such-and-such a feast will occur, this St. Nicholas, Portland, OR
process is followed simply in order to readjust the date USS Nimitz in the Middle East.
in the Menaion according to the calendar that was in Reader in the Navy Chaplaincy
effect in those states where the Fathers once lived. Noth- browncl@nimitz.navy.mil
ing is really wrong or sinful about either process. What
is wrong and sinful is when those observing either sys- Matthew Barngrover
St. George, Hesperia, CA
tem become “ists” on behalf of this or that process and
call others “ists” that differ with them. If we do this then
Jennifer Barlas, Marine
we become CALENDARISTS. When we become Elevation of the Holy Cross, Sacramento, CA
Calendarists (and, remember, there are no old or new
calendars in the Menaion or the canons) then we enlist Elizabeth Bartneck
ourselves in the legions following the author of all St. Elias, Placerville, CA
“isms,” who is the Deceiver, the Divider. Much more
could be said, but need not be said, lest I fall prey to the Kenneth Berven
temptation myself. (It is very easy to do so!) I would Helicopter Pilot,
counsel everyone who is concerned with this problem to Nimitz Batttle Group
reflect further on the Apostle’s words and to add to them (Bp. Basil Rodzianko’s Nephew)
these words from the same Apostle, written to the
Marcus Rossi
Colossians (II:16):“Let no man therefore judge you in
Joy of All Who Sorrow Mission,
meat and drink, or in respect of any holy day, or of the Culver City, CA
New Moon or of the Sabbath days.” Serving In Iraq

+Bishop TIKHON (cont’d. on next page)

1
the O R T H O D O X
WWW.OCADOW.ORG
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

Word from
a Chaplain
Fr. Paul Schellbach

During these troubled times it can be a blessing to serve


St. Theodore the Recruit God as an Orthodox Priest in uniform. It is an opportu-
+306 nity to glorify God and give hope to the people who
serve in the Armed Forces. I am currently a Chaplain in
(Military Service, cont’d. from previous page)
the California Army National Guard with the rank of
Captain. The type of Army unit I belong to is a Quarter-
John Schaeffer master unit which deals with supplying equipment and
Casey Christopher Tweedle
various needs to other military units. I have 20 years
St. Andrew, Delta, CO
of military experience as an enlisted soldier and an of-
USS Constellation, Persian Gulf
ficer. This experience helps me understand and empa-
Karrina Thompson thize with those who are in need of encouragement and
St. Innocent, Tarzana, CA hope.
Marine in Iraq Even though I have not been deployed, I have been
available to soldiers and their family members who are
Conor Patrick Tweedle experiencing various emotions. As a Priest I can offer
St. Andrew, Delta, CO them hope in the Risen Christ as they open their hearts
Intelligence, Washington DC Area and souls to me.
I do not come across many Orthodox Christians in
William Wennberg
uniform so my Sacramental ministry is limited to prayer
In Iraq
and counsel. However, if I am in a situation where Or-
Marine
thodox soldiers and family members come to me then I
can offer them all that parish life can. I had this oppor-
tunity when I served on active duty with the Army a few
years back. On most military bases there are small pock-
ets of Orthodox communities that have the need for an
Orthodox Chaplain.
All in all, the times we live in, the need for spiritual
guidance to military folks is a very rewarding experi-
ence. As for me, I grow in Christ to serve wherever I
am called.

Fr. Paul and wife, Patty, also serve at St. George the Great
Martyr Mission in Hesperia, CA

2
V I S I O N S u m m e r , 2 0 0 3

In This Issue
Volume 9, Number 1

From His Grace:


Inside Front Cover
The Official Publication of the
Diocese of the West of the Diocesan Members in Military Service:
Orthodox Church in America 1
Diocese of the West
650 Micheltorena Street
Word From a Chaplain:
Los Angeles, CA 90026-3612 2

Publisher Berkeley Students Visit St. Vladimir’s:


His Grace Bishop TIKHON
Bishop of San Francisco and
4
the Diocese of the West
650 Micheltorena Street Special Report on Missions:
Los Angeles, CA 90026-3612 6
Phone: (323)666-4977
Fax: (323)913-0316
Holy Virgin Cathedral:
Address all stories & comments: Reflection on the Beginnings:
Editor-in-Chief 8
Priest Isaac Skidmore
475 N Laurel St.
Ashland, OR 97520-1112 Announcements:
Phone: (541)488-3748 Awards, Appointments, Transfers:
Fax: (541)488-3748 13
Email: st_gabriel_orth@yahoo.com

Send All Address Changes to: An Interview with


Mary Caetta His Grace, Bishop TIKHON
25 Captains Cove 14
Oakland, CA 94618-2311
Email: Caetta@limsys.com
Words from St. Tikhon of Zadonsk
The Orthodox Vision is published three times a year by the 17
Diocese of the West. It is free to all parish members and out-
reach within the Diocese.

The articles contained herein do not necessarily reflect the


views or policies of the Diocese or the editors. The advertise- The cover photograph was taken by Olga Raevsky-
ments contained herein are not necessarily endorsed by the Dio- Hughes, a visitor to Holy Virgin Cathedral in Los Angeles
cese or Editorial Staff.

3
the O R T H O D O X
Editors Box
Spring, 2003
Berkeley Students
Dear Reader:

“Box” suggests containment and


Visit St. Vladimir’s
protection. You might imagine that by James A McRay
my influence will be confined to
this column. I might imagine that I
can avoid criticism by saying, For most college students, spring break is synonymous
“After all, I’m only the editor . . .”
with fun in the sun and heading off to a warm destination
Neither is true, of course. For better or worse, you are
stuck with my judgment as to what should be printed and like Florida or Mexico where faith, academic institutions,
left out. You are stuck with my perspective, even when it and thought-provoking discussions are not usually on
suffers from ignorance or laziness. And I, rightly, take the agenda.
whatever opinions come my way. What a fearful prospect Yet for 10 students from the Orthodox Christian
for both of us! Fellowship (OCF) at the University of California-
You can help. If I am to be an editor and not the writer of Berkeley, the desire to learn more about their Orthodox
The Orthodox Vision, I need you to contribute wherever Faith motivated them to pass on the sunscreen and head
you can. What an opportunity! I need you to share . . . to St. Vladimir’s Seminary (SVS) in Crestwood, New
York, for their spring break, March 22-29.
photos
recipes
The Berkeley OCF has been active for many years,
original poetry and fiction providing Orthodox students a place to fellowship and
tips for hot stories discuss their faith. In recent years, they have gone skiing
fully-written news stories together and visited St. Nicholas Ranch in Dunlap,
letters, opinions and reflections (for a reader’s forum) California.
obituaries, in memoriums and tributes
edifying, educational, reflective pieces (meditations upon
However last year, the OCF students decided that
Scripture, homilies, etc.) learning about their faith should also be in their spring
movie, book and web-site reviews break plans, so they scheduled a trip to Holy Cross Greek
suggestions for improvements and new features Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline,
stories of your own Orthodox experience Massachusetts. Spending time at Holy Cross and visiting
stories of remarkable parishioners
travel reports
Boston was such a positive experience, that the group
news of upcoming events & reports on retreats and events already planned a visit to New York City and St. Vladimir’s
held Seminary this year.
“bridge-building” pieces that help Orthodox communicate their “The trips offered a good balance between religious
faith to our non-Orthodox neighbors education and fun and excitement in the big cities,”
regional, national or world news that affects our diocesan Church
life
explained Bojana Zdraljevic, Berkeley OCF co-
reports on what has worked in your parish President.
names of potential writers, reporters, photographers (you or While staying at SVS, the Berkeley students ate meals
someone you know) (Want to be a regional “bureau-chief”?!) with seminarians, attended classes, and worshiped with
. . . and more! the community in the seminary’s chapel. The students
also had a chance to meet with SVS Dean John H.
In short, I need pieces from young old, male and female, Erickson. “It’s often said that a seminary is a great place
clergy and laity that tell us what is going on, what is
to talk about Christianity in the 6th century, but hopefully
important. This is our Orthodox Vision. Please, rescue
me from my box! St. Vladimir’s is a place where young people can engage
in discussion about important issues facing the church
Your new editor, today,” Dean Erickson told the OCF group. “Together,
we need to discover the place of the Orthodox Church in
Fr. Isaac Skidmore the public square.”
st_gabriel_orth@yahoo.com Dean Erickson, a Berkeley and OCF alumnus, added
(or phone or snail-mail, as you please) that youth movements like OCF have played a role in
4
V I S I O N S u m m e r , 2 0 0 3

have an audience with His Eminence, Archbishop


Demetrios and His Grace, Bishop Gerasimos.
St. Vladimir’s Seminary Dean, John Ericson, talks with Berke- Many in the Berkeley OCF hope to continue traveling
ley Students as a group in the future, and perhaps even spend next
the development of Orthodoxy in America. “Hopefully spring break on a short missions trip. Until then, their
the OCF can continue to make an impact,” Erickson says. visit to SVS has played another important role. “We
“It’s important that we continue to encourage young have a few in our group who are considering going to
people.” seminary, and spending time at SVS has been helpful as
The Berkeley students are a great example of how the they consider that important decision,” Jadelrab adds.
OCF can make a difference. Their on-campus group
meetings often focus on how the Orthodox Church can James A McRay is Communications Director at St.
become more involved in the community, and what the Vladimirs Seminary
Church needs to do to educate their members.
“So many who grow up Orthodox never gain an
understanding of what is happening in the Church as a
whole. Everyone in our OCF group wants to know what
Now Available
is happening in the Orthodox Church today,” says Laila
Jadelrab, Berkeley OCF co-President. “We’ve come to
the East Coast, to Holy Cross and to St. Vladimir’s, to
try and get a better perspective of the broader issues
facing the Church outside of Berkeley and our own
parishes.”
While in New York, the OCF group visited St. Basil’s
Academy where they spent time playing with the
children. They also visited the Greek Orthodox
Archdiocese of American where they were fortunate to

$11.00 plus S&H

Order from:
Deprtment of Communications
Diocese of the West
5400 Annie Oakley Drive

5
the O R T H O D O X
SPECIAL REPORT
ON MISSIONS
Fr. Paul Lazor Addresses Mission Retreat
Fr. Paul Lazor, dean of Students at St. Vladimir’s Seminary, ad-
dressed priests and delegates from the Missions deanery of the Dio-
cese of the West who met for a retreat at the Lifegiving Spring Retreat
Center in Boulder, Nevada from February 17-19th. He based his re-
marks on Galatians 4:19, in which the Apostle Paul expresses his con-
cern that “Christ be formed” in those to whom he had preached.
Fr. Lazor described priesthood as a “vocationless vocation,” saying
that the priest’s primary task is to be transparent and make Christ’s
presence possible. A priest must first of all be the good news that he
proclaims. The priest should know each of the sheep by name, like
the Good Shepherd of John 10, and discern what “next step” each
might take towards Christ, and how to assist him or her in doing so.
Warning against perfectionism, he drew examples from Anton
Checkov’s “The Murder”, in which zealous believers kept perfect all-
night vigil–and then killed someone for eating olive-oil during Lent.
“Don’t try to jump to heaven. You might break your neck,” he said,
remembering words from the late Fr. Alexander Schmemman. The
priest should reveal God and, at the same time, keep both feet on the ground, “like Christ in the icons of the
Transfiguration.”
Reports were also made by Fr. Ian MacKinnon, former dean of the Missions Deanery, Fr. Matthew Tate, its
present dean, Fr. Eric Tosi, who now oversees the Department of Evangelism for the Orthodox Church in America,
and each of the deanery priests concerning their respective missions.
The retreat convened on Wednesday morning, following the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at the Retreat
Center’s recently renovated chapel.

Women’s Fellowship
Collects Animals
The women of the Martha and Mary Fellowship of
St. Gabriel Orthodox Church in Ashland, Oregon
struggled to find an almsgiving activity for Lent. They
decided to collect stuffed animals for the Children’s
Advocacy Center in Medford, OR, an organization that
helps trauma-stricken children. In a two week period
the women collected over 1,300 stuffed animals. The
Center was overwhelmed at the women’s generous gift
and the time they had spent on the project. As a result
of this drive, the Advocacy Center now has an eighteen
month or better supply of stuffed animals.

6
V I S I O N S u m m e r , 2 0 0 3

Chico Mission Grows Grass Valley Mission


by Matusha Rachel Rome
Takes Root
A new mission is growing in Grass Valley, California,
in the Sierra foothills, about 40 miles north of Auburn,
and an hour and a half from Sacramento. This is the
second such mission planted in the Gold Country of the
Sierras, the first being St. Susannah Mission in Sonora,
CA.
The Mission's first planning meeting took place Feb.
23 at Elevation of the Holy Cross in Sacramento. Present
were Fr. David Lowell, Deacon Joseph Ruocco-Brown,
Fr. Ian MacKinnon, Peter Schwalbenberg (Mission
Board Chairman), along with interested faithful from
You may remember that SS Cyril and Methodius Mis- the area. Following the meeting a Molieben was served.
sion was featured in The Vision in 2000. We were The group was particularly mindful of the intercessions
fundraising to move out of our rented house and buy a of St. Tikhon, patron of the Mission Deanery.
suitable building. We had been focusing on a property A second meeting was held on Sunday, April 6 (St.
in Paradise, 10 miles away. However, that proved im- John Climacus), following Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross
possible, so we looked again in Chico. in Sacramento. On Wednesday, May 7th, Fr. Jonah
We were very blessed that so many of you responded Paffhausen spoke to a crowd of 15 at the local library,
to our appeal. With the money we raised, we bought a the first of a series of public talks being planned in the
house on a busy street going towards the airport. We Grass Valley/Nevada City area to expand the mission’s
worked hard during the summer of 2001, painting, clean- core.
ing and moving the church into the living/dining room. Bishop TIKHON has blessed Fr. Lowell (415-474-
Bright Saturday, 2002, we celebrated our feast day there– 4621) to guide the mission, under the direction of Fr.
a wonderful day to honor our patrons. Fr. Ian McKinnon, Matthew Tate, Mission Dean. Father David has volun-
at that time our dean, and abbot Gerasim, of St. Herman teered to take time away from his duties at Raphael
of Alaska monastery in Platina, celebrated with us. Fam- House and Holy Trinity Cathedral. The local contact is
ily and friends came to join us. Fr. Deacon Ruoccco-Brown (530 268-4657), who re-
We are looking forward to remodeling part of our build- cently moved with his family into the area.
ing into a lovely traditional church. We are a small par-
ish of twenty-plus people. We have a very active sunday Mission Report cont’d. on pg. 12 . . .
school, music department, and full liturgical life.
Please keep us in your prayers that God would bless San Jose Candle Company
our efforts to establish a lasting Orthodox presence here
Church Supplies Since 1947
in Chico.
WWW.sanjosecandle.com/
Pure Hand-dipped Beeswax Candles

Size Qty / Box Price


1/4” X 10” 1000 140.00
3/8” X 10” 600 140.00
1/2” X 12” 240 140.00
1/4” X 12” 1000 175.00

All prices are based on $7 per pound

Shipping is free with an order of 2 boxes or more.


Many other sizes available.

7
the O R T H O D O X
Holy Virgin Cathedral:
Reflections on the Beginnings
on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of its founding
Holy Virgin Cathedral celebrates its 75th anniversary this Spring. In what follows, we trace the Cathedral’s first 50 years,
beginning with the words of one of it’s founders, and concluding with the words of His Grace, Bishop TIKHON, who wrote
as its Archpriest in 1983.

Reminiscences of V. L.Maleev about the Founding of


The Parish Church in the city of Los Angeles
The first idea of founding a parish was voiced in the Vladimir Sakovich, who had shortly before this come to
fall of 1922 among a group of Russian immigrants who, Los Angeles and served in the Orthodox Serbian Church.
on the initiative of E.A. Begliarov, secretary of the Rus- Through Father Sakovich, we succeeded in getting Fa-
sian Department of the International Institute, gathered ther Paul Razumov, who had recently arrived from China.
from time to time in a building of the International Youth Father Razumov arrived soon after Nativity and served
Club on Pleasant Avenue. In November 1922, E. A. the 2nd and 3rd Liturgies on Sundays in the Serbian
Begliarov sent around an Church. However, the
invitation to all Russians Serbian Church and the
(whose addresses he had) cemetery where it had
to a meeting to consider the been built were at that time
question of a Russian located on the easternmost
Church. At that meeting boundary of the city, and
appeared 12-15 people of not many Russians were
whom I remember: V.M. agreeable to travelling
Zaikovsky, N.P. Maleev, there.
V.A. Pleshkov, K.V. K.V. Iakovlev, who
Iakovlev and, as I recall, knew English very well
S.A. Rastegin. At the meet- indeed and had many
ing it was decided to try to American acquaintances
arrange for church services and friends, found out that
in the Russian language. It the Episcopalians had a
was also decided to invite church on the corner of 9th
older Russian immigrants, and Wilson where ser-
like N. I. Belikov, T.N. vices were no longer be-
Dol, and others. ing held. After approach-
Professor V.L. Maleev ing the head of the Epis-
was elected President of copal Church in Los An-
the organizing group; Co- geles, Bishop Stephens,
P r e s i d e n t — V. M . K.V. Iakovlev received
Zaikovsky; Treasurer— permission from him for
V.A. Pleshkov; Secre- the use of the Church
tary—K.V. Iakovlev. building at no cost and
These persons were given indefinitely, as well as
the task of finding a Priest the hall under the Church
and a place for Divine Ser- building for meetings. At
Photo by His Grace, Bp. Tikhon, May 2003
vices. that Church there was a
In San Francisco at that time there was already both a large space providing many spaces for cars. The man-
Russian church on Green Street and its Rector, Father cont’d. next page . . .

8
V I S I O N S u m m e r , 2 0 0 3
. . . cont’d. from previous page 1924.The money from that collection, together with that
ager, the Episcopalian nun Sister Mary, was an extremely saved up previously, appeared to be enough for a down
happy sort in general and well-disposed to us Russians. payment for a piece of property for the Church. There
Through her Father Razumov got a good apartment free, could be no question of a Church in the center of the
at the same Church, and M.N. Beloblodskaya, who or- city, and everyone agreed to buy two good lots in the
ganized the Church choir, got an apartment for a very new area around Ramon Boulevard. Some thought this
very low rent. was too remote for most, but agreed that this represented
The first Liturgy in that Church was celebrated by a necessary economy. And so it seemed. At the end of
Father Razumov in February, 1923. For the occasion S. 1927, when it seemed the amount was just about all col-
Rastegin, who was an expert in everything, made a very lected, it was found to be enough to buy a lot on
beautiful candlestand out of wood. Candles at that time Micheltorena Street, a purchase that we could not even
were purchased from a store belonging to Roman Catho- think of in 1924.
lics. From the very start of the parish until 1926 the Presi-
The wooden candlestand built by Rastegin still stands dent of the Church Committee was uninterruptedly V.L.
in our Church. On those rare occasions when Father Maleev who at the annual general meeting in 1926 de-
Razumov could not serve, he was replace by Father clined to be on the ballot and nominated F.A.
Sebastian Karpenko. The parish in those days was very Ladyzhensky as President. The following year F.A.
poor, and we were unable to pay a Priest more than fifty Tolubeyev was elected President, and one must attribute
dollars a month. In order to exist in such circumstances, the success in building the Church on Micheltorena to
Father Razumov worked weekdays in one of the city’s his energy and abilities. He also selected the name: the
buildings operating the elevator. wonderworking icon of the Mother of God: “Rescuer of
After Liturgies Matushka Ann Vasilievna Razumova the Perishing,” that is located in Moscow in the Church
would invite the active members of the parish for a cup of Christ’s Nativity “on Palashakh” and which is cel-
of tea in their apartment, and it was at those teas that the ebrated on February 5th, old style.
idea was born of founding a Ladies’ Circle with the pur- In conclusion it must be added that for the Church
pose of working for the magnificence of the church ser- building eight icons on the Iconostasis and many others
vices, obtaining icons, vestments for the Priest and deco- were painted at no charge by General Anatoly L’vovich
rating the Church on the Great Feasts. The first Presi- Schultz, who was one of the most energetic raisers of
dent of it was T.N. Dol and an active role was taken by money in building the Church and also Starosta for many
O. I. Bekish (relative of Metropolitan Ireney +B.T), M.N. long years.
Beloblotskaya and others. Administratively and spiritu- ************************
ally our Church was actually in the care of Metropoli-
tan Platon, but partially under the direction of the Vicar
Bishop of Chicago, Most Reverend Theophilus. Parish History 1973-1983
Bishop Theophilus’s son, Boris Pashkovich, lived at
that time in Los Angeles and was a member of our par-
ish. Fifty years of the Holy Virgin Mary parish came to a
Among those who took part in the activities of our conclusion with the jubilee celebration of February,
parish at that time one must mention: N.I. Beliakov, K.I. 1973. At the anniversary banquet at the Roger Young
Dragun, I.I. Nasedkin, P.I. Orlov, I.K. Reutovich, A.K. Auditorium, the parish Starosta, Mr. Ilarion (“Larry”)
Kostygin (also a member of the Committee)(who is now Worontzoff, rose and began to give a truly inspirational
a Priest in the San Francisco Cathedral), N.I.Damaskin, address to the assembled guests. At a particularly
F.A. Lodyzhensky, M.I. Vavich, and I.I. Rasson. exalted moment in this address, he collapsed and fell
The life of the parish flowed along peacefully. The asleep in the Lord.
number of parishioners grew; the financial situation im- It had been a glorious day–His Beatitude Metropolitan
proved and there appeared, though not that much, some Ireney and His Eminence Archbishop John had presided
money in the bank. People began to say that it would be over church services. Fr. Dimitri’s son, Seraphim, had
good to build their own Church. This was given a push been ordained Deacon at the Divine Liturgy. During
by a good collection of money—taken up during the meal the same Liturgy, Fr. Dimitry was awarded the privilege
after the Paschal Liturgy in, I think, the spring of cont’d. on next page . . .

9
the O R T H O D O X
. . . cont’d. from previous page by splendid greetings from church and civic leaders,
including His Beatitude, Metropolitan Theodosius, and
Fr. Dimitri's childhood friend, Fr. Alexander
Schmemann, still the whole parish had to now gather
together the strengths it had built up under Fr. Dimitri's
pastorship and rely on the Lord God to continue to bless
all the activities leading to the salvation of mankind.
The Parish Council, together with Fr. Dimitri,
forwarded a resolution to Metropolitan Theodosius, then
"locum tenens" of our diocese, asking the Fr. Stephen
would be appointed Rector and another priest be
appointed as assistant. While Fr. Stephen was appointed
rector immediately, it took some time to locate a second
The 50th Anniversary Banquet–Fr. Dimitri and the late priest. In the interim, Archimandrite Mark (Pemberton),
Metropolitan Ireney on loan from the Antiochian Patriarchate, served at the
English services, until, in June, Fr. Alexander Lisenko
of wearing the jeweled pectoral cross, and Archbishop
beginning of 1980. Fr. Dimitri's health problems were
brought on, in the writer's opinion, by long years of
overwork and the stresses of building up and maintaining,
in the face of the onslaught of visible and invisible
enemies, especially at the time of the controversies
accompanying the attainment of a fully canonical and
independent (autocephalous) status by the national
Orthodox Church in America, of the oldest and largest
Russian parish in Los Angeles, and, by 1980, in the
Diocese of the West. While financial and material
burdens are borne, more or less, by all the parish, the
main part of spiritual burden had to borne in this case by
Fr. Dimitri. That the parish survived the attacks of these
A visit from the late Metropolitan Leonty
irrational forces so well, when many did not, is due in
large part to Fr. Dimitri's wise and energetic, and self- arrived in the parish from Santa Rosa, California. Fr.
sacrificing leadership. Alexander was uniquely suited for the next phase in
So it was that Fr. Dimitri's retirement was greeted with parish life. Instead of, as in the past, one priest being
many tears, and feelings of insecurity, and while Fr. assigned to do English services and one priest doing
Dimitri's retirement dinner in the parish hall was marked Slavonic services, and consequently, serving an "English
side" and a "Russian side", respectively, Fr. Stephen
decided that each priest should serve the whole parish,
and so the English and slavonic services are served
alternately by both priests, and the idea of "sides" of the
parish is therefore weakened or changed from a divisive
to a complementary factor in parish life.
In July 1980, Bishop Basil tonsured V. Morosan and
H. Soot Readers in his first official visit to our parish.
In August the parish council voted to help out two new
missions, in Sacramento and Santa Maria, with cash
loans. In October a new liturgical custom was added to
our already rich liturgical life. In view of the really large
Some active parishioners in the days of
Fr. Dimitri’s tenure. cont’d. on next page . . .

10
V I S I O N S u m m e r , 2 0 0 3

life. The name L.O.V.E.S. is an acronym for Los Angeles


Orthodox Visitors to the Elderly and Sick. They now
have their own van and regularly transport people to
church as well as visit and cheer up shut-ins with regular
programs. In the summer of 1981, parishioner Vincent
Peterson graduated from St. Vladimir's Seminary and
took over the post of English Choir Director held by
Alexander Cardenas since 1977. In the Fall, V. Morosan
took a post at a college in North Carolina, and he was
replaced by the famous Orthodox Choir Director,
Michael Milosheff.
For some years the Saturday School had been
experiencing a gradual decline in attendance; moreover,
the character of its students had changed in that their
parents had been mostly born, raised in the immigration
and were not as proficient in the Russian language or
the teachings of the Orthodox Church as those who had
preceded them. Instruction became more and more
difficult, since parents were able to give less and less in
the way of home instruction, in many, many cases.
His Grace (Archpriest Stephen) as Rector Classes were changed from ten one-year grades to five
two-year groups, and teaching methods were adapted
number of sick and elderly parishioners, Fr. Stephen more closely to those appropriate to the teaching Russian
instituted the practice of having a special prayer for the as a second language.
sick on the first Sunday of every month; thus, those who In July, 1982, Bishop Basil raised Fr. Stephen to the
have loved ones in hospitals and convalescent homes, rank of Archpriest by decision of the Holy Synod of the
are urged to come to divine Liturgy, confess and Orthodox Church in America. In September, Vincent
commune, offering prosphora (altar breads) for the health Peterson decided to take another position in one of
of their loved ones, then having attained to the height of Detroit's churches, and Alexander Ruggieri returned to
Communion with our Lord and the whole church, to lift Los Angeles in time to replace him. In the same month
up their hearts in redoubled prayers for the sick and the decision of the Holy Synod to return to the civil
diseased, handicapped, and those undergoing operation. calendar, that is, to return to the celebration of Christmas
At the parish feastday in 1981, a new portable icon, on December 25, as was done in pre-revolutionary
"Rescuer of the Perishing", painted by a former Russia, was implemented in our parish, a step for which
parishioner, iconographer Irene (Saruba) Guttierez, was our parishioners had overwhelmingly voted as long ago
donated to the Church by Mr. and Mrs. Gregory and as 1971. This gave rise to some sadness, unrest, and
dedicated by His Grace Bishop Basil. In March a group even misunderstandings at first, but as parishioners
of parishioners got together and decided to form a local realized that the Holy Pascha and all the services and
chapter of Religious Books for Russia, Inc. This seasons dependent on it remained unchanged, these
organization, now headed by Mrs. M.R. Gisetti, is feelings did not develop into tragic ones.
dedicated to seeing that works of religious literature of All in all by the time of the 60th anniversary celebration
all kinds are sent, mostly by clandestine means, to be of 1983, parishioners of our Holy Virgin Mary Russian
sure, to the Christians of the Soviet Union, who by Orthodox Cathedral had no cause to be anything other
government policy, are starved of such spiritual food. than grateful to our merciful and compassionate God
In May of the same year, this new benevolent society for all the blessings He has poured out us and continues
was joined in the parish by L.O.V.E.S.–a group of to pour on us. We are alive and growing. We have a
parishioners met with Fr. Alexander Lisenki and liturgical life unmatched by any other parish in the
determined to do something about all those sick and older diocese. Our parish organizations are vigorous and
people living alone or in convalescent and rest homes, working hard for the good of our Church and therefore
who feel forgotten and left out of society and church cont’d. aon next page . . .

11
the O R T H O D O X
. . . cont’d. from previous page
of mankind. Throughout all the past ten years (and
before) our Sisterhood has been under the wise and
energetic direction of that unique person, Mrs. N. N.
Wulffert. She has been a true steward of the talents
entrusted to her by God and by the parish, and a steadfast
and loyal pillar of help to to the pastors of the church.
The ladies of the Sisterhood in their selfless hard work
need no special lessons in "Stewardship." Indeed, they
are themselves examples worthy of emulation in this
Christian quality. We have to express gratitude that
impulses exist in our parish to do good for others as
evidenced by the organization of the R.B.R. chapter and
L.O.V.E.S. Such affiliate organizations as the "O" Club, vine Liturgy on Sundays. At the present our membership con-
which supports all Church functions, and helps various sists of approximately 20 people.We are praying that God
national F.R.O.C. projects as well as local missions, and will bless us with increased growth and to become a greater
the S.O.S. Fund, and the Hollywood Branch of the blessing to our community at large. Reno, being a 24 hour
Russian Children's Welfare society, Inc., also are grounds
for hope that God will not desert us in the future, as He
did not in the past. Thanks and Glory to Him for
everything!

–Archpriest Stephen Fitzgerald


Missions Report, cont’d. from page 9 . . .

Reno Mission Praises God


for Worship Space
by Fr. Hilarion Frakes
The Mission of St.John of Kronstadt in Reno, Nevada was
founded with the blessing of His Grace Bishop Tikhon in
November, 2000. city with gambling, and drinking at its core, makes it a rather
For our first 9 months, all services were conducted in the "tough audience." We humbly ask everyone's prayers and as
home of Fr. Hilarion and Mathushka Anna Frakes. it sometimes is a struggle to make ends meet, any support
In September, 2001 we moved into a professional office that anyone can offer. Glory to God for all things. Christ is
space located near the Reno/Tahoe International Airport. Risen!
In March, 2003 we found a preferred,and much more vis-
ible space in a church building owned by the local Roman
Catholic diocese. This particular facility was formerly a
Seventh Day Adventist church and is now used by the Ro-
man Catholic church as their parish center which is man-
aged and operated by Franciscan nuns. We are able to have
everything in our leased space set up permanently, and this
contributes to our ability to celebrate a more full cycle of
services. We are able to, as we grow, to use the larger church
sanctuary upstairs, which is used only twice a year for ser-
vices by the Catholic parish.There are also some large rooms
that will serve well for public lectures and presentations,
inquirer's classes, etc.It also has a full kitchen which is won-
derful for our coffee hours and agape meals following Di-

12
V I S I O N S u m m e r , 2 0 0 3

Announcements
Annual Ft. Ross Liturgy with Retreat Diocesan Assembly 2003
Liturgy and a memorial for the departed were served The 2003 Diocesan Assembly will take place in
on Friday, July 4th, at Holy Trinity chapel, constructed Tacoma/Puyallup, WA on October 7th and 8th. It will
in 1828 on the grounds of Ft. Ross, established in 1812 be hosted by Holy Resurrection Church. Clergy and
as a base for Russian expansion in California. His Grace, delegates will be housed at the Best Western Park Plaza
Bishop TIKHON, presided. This continues an annual Hotel (bestwesternpark plaza.com, 253-848-1500), a
tradition, begun seven decades ago, by Fr. Vladimir new facility, near restaurants and other amenities. Those
Sakovich, then dean of Holy Trinity Cathedral in San arriving by air can obtain shuttle transport from Seatac
Francisco. Airport via Shuttle Express (shuttleexpress.com, 800-
The service was accompanied by a weekend retreat 487-7433).
sponsored by the Monastery of St. John of San Fran- Registration begins at noon, on Monday the 6th, at
cisco, with talks by Fr. Jonah Paffhausen and a cycle of the hotel. The Diocesan Council will meet at 7 p.m. that
services for the feast of St. John of San Francisco on evening. A hierarchical Divine Liturgy will be celebrated
Saturday the 5th. Participants in the retreat were housed at 8 a.m. on Wednesday.
at nearby St. Columba’s Retreat Center in Inverness, A page devoted to information on the Assembly will
CA. be posted on the Holy Resurrection (orthodoxtacoma.
Olympia Mission receives new name com) and Diocese of the West websites, (ocadow.org)
websites. Information may also be obtained by calling
On May 5th, the mission in Olympia, WA received Holy Resurrection Church at (253) 537-4883.
the name, “Holy Ascension Orthodox Mission.”

Awards, Appointments, Transfers


–At the meeting of the Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox ary. They are also expecting their fourth child. Father
Church in America held in Syosset, March 31st–April 3rd, Benedict graduated from St. Tikhon's Seminary last spring.
Fr. Anthony Karbo (Ss. Constantine and Helen Church, He is originally from the Diocese of the South, having con-
Colorado Springs, CO) was awarded the Gold Cross and Fr. verted to Orthodoxy at St. Symeon's parish is Birmingham,
Basil Kalinowski (Christ the Savior Church, San Francisco) AL.
was assigned the rank of Archpriest.
–The Reader James Brown was elevated to the Subdiaconate
–Archpriest Alexander Lisenko has been assigned by His by His Grace at Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in Denver,
Grace to St. Nicholas in San Diego, having been released and attached to the St. Mary Holy Dormition Church in
from the Diocese of the Midwest. Father Alexander previ- Calhan, Colorado, effective February 15, 2003.
ously served at Protection of the Virgin in Santa Rosa and
Holy Virgin Mary Cathedral in Los Angeles. He arrives with –Priest Michael Rome, formerly serving on loan from the
Matushka Emily and their children. Patriarchate of Antioch as Acting Rector of Ss Cyril and
Methodius Mission, Chico, California, was received under
–Father Alexander replaces Archpriest Paul Kasaty, who the Omophorion of His Beattitude, Most Blessed Metropoli-
was recently granted retirement by Bishop TIKHON (effec- tan HERMAN, released to the Diocese of the West and ap-
tive Feb. 1. 2003), having served for over 30 years at St. Nicho- pointed as Rector to the same, effective April 1, 2003.
las, as deacon and priest, where he will remain attached.
–At the clergy retreat, held May 19-21, in Boulder, NV, Fr.
–Priest Benedict Crawford has been assigned by His Grace Ian MacKinnon was presented with the Jewelled Cross.
to St. Catherine Mission in Kirkland, WA. He and Matushka
Anna, along with their three children, arrived in early Febru-
13
the O R T H O D O X
An Interview with His Grace,
Bishop TIKHON
His Grace celebrates the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood on July 25th. This Vision exclu-
sive gives us a chance to see him in greater perspective.
Vision: Your Grace, can you describe your upbring- B . T . : In the Orthodox Church these were the East
ing? Ukrainian friends, then, I suppose, Father Peter
Zolnerovich (the Chaplain who received me into the
B . T . : I born in Detroit into a working-class family Church), Bishop Dmitri, Father Arkady Moisejev in
with one older sister and was raised in suburban Detroit. Washington D. C. and then Father and Matushka Dimitri
The family religion was German Lutheran. Gisetti in Los Angeles.
After finishing high school in Jan. 1950, I worked my
way through college: two years at St. Olaf College, then V i s i o n : What special challenges do you feel the
one year at Wayne State, followed by three years US Church faces in our day?
Army service followed by
the final year and gradua- B . T . : Sin, of course, is
tion from Wayne State with first, followed closely by
a B.A. in German. false teachings of all kinds,
both doctrinal and existen-
V i s i o n : How did you tial.
first come in contact with
the Orthodox Church? Vision: Your Grace, you
have a reputation for capi-
B . T . : First contact was talizing on Internet tech-
a "Detroit News" photo of nology. Could you com-
an Epiphany water bless- ment on the opportunities
ing by a Russian Priest. and dangers it presents for
Next was mention of the Church life?
"Greek Catholic Church which alone did not submit to
the Pope" in an appendix to my Lutheran catechism. Next B . T . : The Internet needs a LOT of attention by the
was my 12th grade Advanced Composition paper, com- Church leadership, and it is not getting it, except in the
paring the doctrines of the Anglican Communion with form of web pages as Public Relations--writ large.
those of the Orthodox Church. First personal contact was It is a tremendous forum, according to my perceptions,
with, first, one, then many East Ukrainian DPs (during almost completely neglected by would-be Orthodox
the time I was working before going to college). These missionaries. I feel that a formal and funded effort should
were devout intellectuals: something that had been for- be made to address the possibilities of preaching the Gos-
eign to my experience until then. pel to every creature by being invited into people's home
offices, homes, private offices and studies. It must be
Vision: How did you arrive at the decision to seek realized that there are people whose "door" is open to
ordination? the Church through this medium who would never an-
swer the door to a missionary, or reply to an ad, or visit
B.T.: This was prompted by the urges of Bishop Dmitri a church because of an appeal to the medium of televi-
(then of Washington) to "do more for the Church." sion, of radio, of print or any other of the media. I have
access to dialogues, some ridiculously uncivil, but some
Vision: Who have been the most influential people in almost heart-breaking in the hunger of some for some-
your own development? thing which they do not yet realize is the Triune God.

14
V I S I O N S u m m e r , 2 0 0 3
In some of the jurisdictional or special lists, one may learn of a sur-
prising lack of liturgical, theological knowledge and "know-how" among
even seminary graduates who hotly debate matters that I recall were
covered in the first year studies that I had at SVS. It seems some "got
through" or were passed through, somehow, even as children are passed
through school in some sorry school districts: "in order to keep up with
their 'age' group!"

Vision: Our nation is now at war. Does this have implications for
Orthodox Christians in the practice of their faith?

B . T . : This is the question that faces all Christians. Just think how
many studies have been made on the actions, reactions of Christians
during WWII,
trying to learn
what could and
should have
been expected
of Christians. I
was particularly
exercised in my
years before becoming Orthodox by the question of Ger-
man Christians and the popularity of Hitler among them,
and wondered what responsibility they had in the years
when Hitler's ideology was engulfing the entire national
psychology and ethos. How was it, I asked, that such an
intelligent, educated, and devout people could fall for such
an banal, hence evil (or evil, hence, banal) sales pitch as
that of the nazis or, if not fall for, idly sit by and watch?
I feel this same question faces Americans today, there-
fore us Americans, in a particularly acute, painful way. How can
the Orthodox Christian pray at a Litiya that the Lord God will
protect us from foreign invasion, and not realize that Iraqi Chris-
tians are praying for the same? It is true that Iraq is not America:
it does not have our huge military establishment, our huge finan-
cial establishment with its markets of all sorts, massive Faith com-
munities that include such powerful groups as Mormons and South-
ern Baptists, our culturally and socially dominant media, espe-
cially film and television, a gambling industry of a scope never
before seen in the history of mankind, a prosperous abortion in-
dustry, Self-Improvement and Self-Realization contexts for every
known human activity, as America does, yet one asks why the
lack of all that makes it somehow permissible to be invaded by
foreigners. We ourselves possess a warehouse of weapons of mass
destruction on such a scale that one can say we have reached the
point where quantitative difference turns into qualitative differ-
ence. Does this mean that we are more responsible or less danger-
ous than some other human beings?
Yet, this entire structure was shaken to its foundations, causing
fundamental changes in what used to be considered “American-

15
the O R T H O D O X
ism,” by no weapons of mass destruction at all, but by those ready
to lay down their own lives for a way of life they thought was being
destroyed by ours.
The blood of the Martyrs is indeed the seed of the Church.
St.Ignatius longed for it, he longed to be ground up by lions' teeth
like grain for bread.
Are we in the Tradition of St. Ignatius? Just a few thoughts on
"implications."

Vision: Have you learned lessons in dealing with the stress of


ministry that would be helpful to others?

B.T.: The most important thing is to remember that we are Noth-


ing.

Vision: What was it like for you to be elevated to the episco-


pacy?

B . T . : I accepted it and said nothing against it. It certainly was a


happy event for the Diocese, which did not deserve the instability
in leadership it had endured for a while. I think of the remarks of
my late ever-memorable Mother at the consecration banquet, after
someone asked what my sister's husband did “for a living”: I ex-
plained that he had held a high position at Ford’s. My mother inter-
rupted, “My son, too, once worked at Ford’s, and if he had only
stayed
there he’d have a REAL good job by now!"

Vision: Has there been a high-point to your episco-


pacy?

B.T.: “Wa-a-ay many high points”, in today’s lingo! I


think the most thrilling moments have been church con-
secrations and ordinations.

Vision: How did you receive the name,“Tikhon”?

B.T.: A few weeks before I was tonsured “in the


Mantiya”, or, more correctly, before I was tonsured as a
Stavrophore monastic, His Beatitude, Metropolitan
Theodosius, offered me the chance to contribute three
names that were to my liking, without promising that
any of them would be selected. I chose the names Platon,
Sergius, and Tikhon (with reference to Metropolitan
Platon (Levshin) of Moscow and Metropolitan Platon
of All America and Canada; Sergius of Radonezh, and
Tikhon, Bishop of Voronezh, Wonderworker of
Zadonsk). It was only at the conclusion of the extremely
moving tonsuring that I learned that I had become
Tikhon.

16
V I S I O N S u m m e r , 2 0 0 3
Vision: Our diocese spans everything from Old-cal-
endar Russian churches to parishes made up almost en-
tirely of converts from Protestantism and, in some cases,
New-age religion. How can we minister to so many di-
verse groups?

B.T.: We must not interfere with Christ's ministry to


all these groups. That seems almost ridiculously obvi-
ous, but it must be said that there is nothing, nothing at
all that Bishop Tikhon or even a study group or task
force appointed by him or elected to operate under his
egis, could devise that could improve upon that Tradi-
tion that we received. It cannot be said often enough
that we should all preach Christ’s Gospel, primarily by
and in our own lives. We should be careful not to substi-
tute information about Tradition, and information about
the Gospel, for Tradition and the Gospel: they are not
even close to being the same.
It's very hard to express in this short interview all my
ideas and feelings on this one. I often say this, though,
that I cannot imagine St. Basil the Great, St. John
Chrysostom or St. Gregory the Theologian asking if the
Church is growing, asking if each other's churches are
growing, what to do “to keep youth in the Church”, and St. Tikhon of Zadonsk
all the questions that are not about truth and salvation, +1783
but about institutional health. (August 13th)

Vision: What examples of Church life can we look to From your youth you loved Christ, O Blessed one.
to guide us in our understanding of what the Church You were a model to all in word, life, love, spirit, faith,
could and should be? purity and humility.
Wherefore you have now taken up your dwelling in the
B.T.: Of course, the Apostles are our first examples heavenly mansions,
after Christ. They seem to have left the temple and syna- where, as you stand before the throne of the Most Holy
gogue worship alone: in other words, Liturgical theol- Trinity,
ogy as lived by them was not a “priority” in their preach- O Saint Tikhon, pray that our souls be saved.
ing or teaching. Whether or not all the people partici-
pated along with the High Priest in the Temple or with “God is the supreme good from Whom every good thing
the Apostles and Bishop’s in their episcopacy, or presi- flows, and all blessing that is and ever shall be.
dency/superintendence of the Eucharist and Community Without God all blessedness is cursedness and woe, life
does not seem to be a question that distracted them or is death, joy and sweetness are bitterness. To live with God
preoccupied them to the degree it does us today. We need is happiness in misfortune, riches in poverty, glory in dis-
to realize more that we are nothing and that God is ev- honor, and consolation in sorrow. Without God there can-
erything, that none of us is called, like a modern-day not be true repose, peace and consolation.
Luther, to “recover” Therefore love Him as your supreme good and blessed-
ness, love Him above every creature, above father and
mother, above wife and children, and above your own self.
Vision: Thank you, Your Grace.
Cleave to Him alone in your heart, and above all, desire
Him alone because He is your eternal good and blesseness
Master Bless! without Whom there is neither life or blessedness in this
age or the next.”
Eis Polli Eti Despota! –St. Tikhon

17
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

You might also like