Metropolitan Tikhon expresses gratitude after 2018 Diocesan Clergy Convocation
CHICAGO, IL [MW Diocese Communications] — At the invitation of His Grace, Bishop Paul, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon was the keynote speaker at the annual Diocesan Clergy Convocation during the second week of May 2018.
Metropolitan Tikhon especially highlighted the centrality of evangelization in the life and ministry of the Church.
After the Convocation, Metropolitan Tikhon sent a note of gratitude to Bishop Paul and the clergy of the diocese.
“It was an honor to be again in the Diocese of the Midwest, and my home parish of Saints Peter and Paul with Your Grace and the brotherhood of the diocese,” Metropolitan Tikhon wrote. “It was a spiritual joy to worship with you at the Divine Liturgy and the other services, especially in the presence of the Tikhvin icon of the Mother of God. Please accept my sincere gratitude for Your Grace’s invitation and for the hospitality received during my visit.
“The opportunity to speak to you and share the outlines of the ‘Four Pillars for the Fulfillment of the Apostolic Work of the Church’ was one that I greatly appreciated, and I am grateful for the feedback which you provided during the sessions, over meals, and privately,” Metropolitan Tikhon continued. “The opportunity to speak directly with you, the shepherds in the field, is of great importance to our work as the Orthodox Church in America. As you reflect on the convocation, should you have further comment I am very happy to receive them, and I invite you to send them to me through Archdeacon Joseph at jmatusiak@oca.org.
“Finally, please accept my gratitude for the great work you are doing to expand the mission of the Orthodox Church in America in the Diocese of the Midwest,” Metropolitan Tikhon concluded. “We cannot, and should not, shy away from the fact that we have many challenges facing us today. But I left the convocation last week heartened by the talent and the good works being done in the Diocese of the Midwest. May God continue to bless, strengthen and preserve each of you and your families as you continue in your ministry to Christ and His Church.”
Metropolitan Tikhon’s letter is also available in PDF format.
