TIKHVIN, RUSSIA [DOM] – His Eminence Archbishop Daniel of Chicago and the Midwest and a delegation from the diocese traveled to Tikhvin, Russia, in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the return of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God.
At the invitation of the Diocesan Hierarch of Tikhvin and Lodeynoye Pole, His Grace Bishop Mystislav, His Eminence made a pilgrimage to various sites throughout Russia. Traveling with the Archbishop was Archpriest Alexander Garklavs, Priest Alexander Koranda, and Reader Justin Tatooles.
The delegation from the Midwest arrived in Moscow on Wednesday, July 3rd, and was greeted by Mitered Archpriest Daniel Andrejuk, representative of the Orthodox Church in America to the Moscow Patriarchate. For the first several days in Moscow, the Archbishop was greeted by various hierarchs, abbots, and abbesses as he venerated the saints of Moscow, including, St. Daniel of Moscow, St. Tikhon of Moscow, St. Hilarion Troitsky, and St. Matrona of Moscow. Throughout the Archbishop’s time in Moscow, meetings were held with the Serbian and Czech representatives to the Patriarch.
On Wednesday, July 4th, the Archbishop and his delegation received an invitation to celebrate Independence Day at the United States of America Embassy in Moscow. During the celebration the Archbishop met with Her Excellency, Lynne Tracy, U. S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation.
As the weekend approached, the delegation traveled to Kazan, Tartarstan on July 6 and July 7 at the invitation of the Metropolitan of Kazan, His Eminence Kirill. Upon arrival the Archbishop was taken to the Kremlin of Kazan and visited the historical churches. That afternoon a meeting was held with state officials and business men of the city. Later that evening Vigil was held at the Kazan Icon Cathedral, for All Saints of Russia. A Hierarchal Liturgy was held the following day at the Holy Sviazhk Monastery. Following the liturgy, tours were given of the local monastery, and then the delegation took a boat ride back to Kazan where they departed to St. Petersburg to being the anniversary festivities.
On Monday, July 8th the delegation arrived at the Holy Dormition Monastery in Tikhvin. The Archbishop venerated the Wonderworking Tikhvin Icon and offer prayers before the holy icon. The All Night Vigil was served that evening and was presided over by Metropolitan Pavel of Surgut and the Philippines and various hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church.
On the feast of the Tikhvin Icon, hierarchs, clergy, and faithful awaited His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, who lead the anniversary celebrations. Concelebrating with the Patriarch were Metropolitan Barsanuphius of St. Petersburg and Ladoga; Metropolitan Gregory of Voskresensk, Administrator of the Moscow Patriarchate; Metropolitan Lev of Novgorod and Staraya Russa; Metropolitan Konstantin of Petrozavodsk and Karelia; Metropolitan Pavel of Khanty-Mansiysk and Surgut; Metropolitan Arseny of Pskov and Porkhov; Archbishop Daniel of Chicago and the Midwest; Bishop Benjamin of Kronstadt, Abbot of the Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky Lavra; Bishop Barnabas of Vyborg and Priozersk; Bishop Mstislav of Tikhvin and Lodeynoye Pole; Bishop Mitrofan of Gatchina and Luga; Bishop Alexander of Plesetsk and Kargopol; Bishop Silouan of Peterhof, Rector of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy; Bishop Alexy of Ramenskoye, Personal Secretary of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill; Archpriest Sergei Kuksevich, Secretary of the St. Petersburg Diocesan Administration; Archpriest Daniil Andreyuk, Representative of the Orthodox Church in America to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia; Archpriest Mikhail Nikolaev, Rector of the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Lodeynoye Pole; Archpriest Alexander Vakhovsky, Dean of the Tikhvin District; Hegumen Anthony (Gutnik), Abbot of the Holy Trinity Alexander Svirsky Monastery; Hieromonk Nikolai (Bestuzhev), Secretary of the Tikhvin Diocese; abbots of monasteries and clergy of the St. Petersburg Metropolitanate.
After receiving Holy Communion, Archbishop Daniel and his delegation were received by His Holiness the Patriarch, during which greetings were exchanged. The Archbishop presented His Holiness with an icon of St. Olga of Alaska, and the Patriarch presented His Eminence with a panagia to commemorate the event. After the services, a festive meal was held in the monastery trapeza.
On Wednesday and Thursday the relics of St. Alexander Nevsky were venerated, along with veneration of St. Xenia of St. Petersburg in the Smolensk Cemetery. Tours were given of the historic Kazan Cathedral and St. Isaac Cathedral. Thursday was the feast of St. Sergius and St. Herman of Vaalam which was celebrated at the Valaam Podvorie in St. Petersburg. Later that day, the delegation also traveled to Tsarskoe Selo to venerate the relics of St. John of Chicago.
The delegation began their journey back to Chicago in the earliest parts of Friday morning.
