The Holy Martyr Platon, brother of the holy Martyr Antiochus the Physician (July 16), was born at the city of Ancyra in Galatia. While still a youth he left home and went through the cities, preaching the Word of God to pagans, amazing his audience with the persuasiveness and beauty of his speech, and his profound knowledge of Greek learning.
Because of his preaching he was arrested and brought for trial to the temple of Zeus before the governor Agrippinus. At first, the judge attempted to persuade the saint to turn away from Christ by flattery. He assured the youth that he might be on a par of intellect with the greatest of the philosophers Plato, if only he worshipped also the pagan gods. To this St Platon answered, that the wisdom of the philosopher, although great, was but ephemeral and limited, whereas the true, eternal and unbounded wisdom comprised the Gospel teachings. Then the judge promised to give him his beautiful niece for his wife if he would deny Christ. He also threatened him with torture and death if he refused. St Platon replied that he chose a temporal death for the sake of eternal life. The patience of the governor was exhausted, and he gave orders to mercilessly beat the martyr, and then send him off to prison.
When they led St Platon off to prison, he turned to the people gathered about the temple, and he called on them not to forsake the Christian Faith. Seven days later they again led the Martyr Platon for trial before Agrippinus in the temple of Zeus, where they had the implements of torture already prepared: boiling cauldrons, red-hot iron and sharp hooks. The judge offered the martyr a choice: either to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, or to feel the effects of these implements of torture on his body. Again the saint steadfastly refused to worship idols, and after his tortures they threw him in prison for eighteen more days without bread or water. But seeing that this did not shake the martyr, they offered him his life and freedom if he would only say, "Great is the god Apollo." The martyr refused to deny Chirst or to sacrifice to the idols. Therefore, Agrippinus ordered the holy Martyr Platon to be beheaded.
His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon continues to receive congratulatory messages on the occasion of his election as Primate of the Orthodox Church in America at the 17th All-American Council in Parma, OH on Tuesday, November 13, 2012. [See related story.]
The texts of the greetings received through Friday, November 16, appear below. Additional greetings will be posted on the OCA web site as they are received.
From His Holiness, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.
His Beatitude, Tikhon Archbishop of Washington Metropolitan of All America and Canada
Your Beatitude, Dear Brother in the Lord:
I congratulate you on your election to the primatial throne of the Archbishops of Washington, Metropolitans of All America and Canada.
By the will of the plenitude of the Orthodox Church in America, a high responsibility has been placed on you for the future of the youngest Local Orthodox Church, which has experienced a difficult time in her history in recent years. I hope that through the efforts of Your Beatitude the American Church will restore full-fledged relations with other Local Orthodox Churches, restore peace and harmony within herself and make comfortable the further life of your predecessor at the Metropolitan See of Washington.
I prayerfully wish that through the intercession of the great apostle of America, St. Tikhon the Patriarch of All Russia, the Lord Pantocrator will give you strength and wisdom as you will work in the difficult field of Primatial ministry.
With brotherly love in the Lord, + Kirill Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia
From His Beatitude, Metropolitan Volodymyr of Kyiv and All Ukraine.
To His Beatitude, most Blessed Tikhon, newly elected Primate of the Orthodox Church in America: Your Beatitude, my beloved brother and concelebrant in the Lord!
From the fullness of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and from me personally, I would like to express my sincere congratulations on your election as the Primate of the Orthodox Church in America.
The life of a person who truly strives to realize his goal and to find a sense of his existence in this world brings him without doubt to search of the source of all things, which for us can be found in Our Creator.
The whole life of your Beatitude shows us how persistent and tireless you were in your personal search for Truth. From your personal archpastoral experience you know that care for the God loving Christian flock is that cross of life which one can only bear with a prayer in the heart and complete dependence on God.
In the search for peace on earth a hierarch should preach the Word of God with the peace of Christ in his soul following in the footstep of the good Shepherd (John 10, 11).
Today on the day of your election as the Primate of the Orthodox Church in America you accepted from God the honour to become a leader (pilot) of the Church steering this saving ship to the peaceful harbour of the Heavenly Kingdom, specifically helping people in their search of life with Christ and in Christ.
I prayerfully participate in the joy of Orthodox America and wish that your primatial service will be truly fruitful.
May our great Hierarch, Our Lord Jesus bless your work for the good of the Church and grant you joy and peace, strengthening you spiritually and physically for many blessed years.
With the brotherly love in Christ, + Volodymyr Metropolitan of Kyiv and all Ukraine
From His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, Chair of the Department of External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate.
His Beatitude Tikhon Elected Archbishop of Washington Metropolitan of All America and Canada
Your Beatitude,
Please accept my cordial greetings on the occasion of your election as the sixth Primate of the Orthodox Church in America.
The 17th All-American Council has elevated you to the lofty and important ministry of the Metropolitan of All America and Canada. Special spiritual and physical strength is needed for preaching the truths of the Orthodox faith on the North American Continent – this truly vast vineyard of Christ (cf. Mt 21:33-41) which has been cultivated by the toil and exploits of Saint Herman of Alaska, Saint Innocent and your heavenly patron Saint Tikhon of Moscow.
I believe that through the intercession of the holy and equal-to-the-apostles enlighteners of the American land, God will give you His mighty helping hand (cf. 1 Pt 5:6) and establish and guard (cf. 2 Thess 3:3) the Orthodox Church in America, the youngest in the family of Local Autocephalous Churches, against any discord and disorder.
I hope that your ministry will greatly contribute to the strengthening of the spiritual relations between our fraternal Churches and wish Your Beatitude peace and abundant grace from the All-Generous God.
With respectful love in the Lord, + Hilarion Metropolitan of Volokolamsk Chairman, Department for External Church Relations, Moscow Patriarchate
From His Eminence, Archbishop Justinian of Naro-Fominsk, Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA.
His Beatitude Tikhon Metropolitan of All America and Canada, Archbishop of Washington
Your Beatitude!
It is my pleasure to extend my sincere congratulations to you on the occasion of your election as the Primate of the Orthodox Church in America. I wish you spiritual strength, wisdom and inexhaustible assistance of our Lord Jesus Christ, through the intercession of holy prayers of your predecessor and heavenly patron—Saint Tikhon (Bellavin)—in your upcoming endeavors.
+ Justinian Archbishop of Naro-Fominsk Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA
From His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.
His Beatitude Tikhon Archbishop of Washington Metropolitan of All America and Canada Orthodox Church in America
Your Beatitude, Most Blessed Master!
It is with profound joy that we have learned of your election as the Primate of the Orthodox Church in America. With fraternal love in the Lord and deep respect I congratulate Your Beatitude and your divinely saved flock, wishing you good health, fortitude and length of days, that you may zealously carry out the exalted ministry entrusted to you by the Chief Shepherd, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Your brother and concelebrant, + Hilarion Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia
From His Eminence, Metropolitan Joseph and His Grace, Bishop Daniil of the Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Diocese of the USA, Canada, and Australia.
The Most Blessed Metropolitan Tikhon P. O. Box 675 Syosset, NY 11791
Nov 15, 2012 Repose of St. Herman, Wonderworker of Alaska, Martyrs Gurias, Samonas and Abibus Beginning of the Nativity Fast
Your Beatitude, Dear Metropolitan Tikhon,
It is our honor and joy to congratulate Your Beatitude on your election for the Metropolitan Primate of the Orthodox Church in America! Axios! Worthy! Dostoin!
We prayerfully wish you that our Lord Jesus continue to grant you wisdom and His mighty help be with you in your new service in His Church.
Eis polla eti, Despota!
With love in Christ, + Metropolitan Joseph + Bishop Daniil
Greetings also have been received from the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.
From His Eminence, Metropolitan Zachariah Nicholovos of the Northeast American Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.
Your Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon,
It is with immense joy and thanksgiving to God, the clergy and the faithful of the Northeast American Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, join me in proclaiming AXIOS on Your Beatitude’s election as Primate of the Orthodox Church in America.
The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church has always enjoyed a warm relationship with the Orthodox Church in America. It is with great hope in Christ our Lord, we trust our relationship will grow and we can work together to facilitate the healing of this great division between the Oriental and Eastern Orthodox Churches.
I convey the heartfelt greetings and joy of His Holiness, the Catholicos of the East, Baselios Paulose II, and the Holy Synod of the Indian Orthodox Church. May the intercession of Holy Theotokos, and our Father among the Saints, St. John Chrysostom, whose Feast Day we celebrate today, preserve you in your ministry as the newly elected Metropolitan of All America and Canada.
AXIOS! AXIOS! AXIOS!
Your Brother in our Lord, + Zachariah Nicholovos Metropolitan
From His Eminence, Metropolitan Alexios Mar Eusebius of the Diocese of South-West America, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.
To: His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon Archbishop of Washington Metropolitan of All America and Canada
We are extremely delighted to hear of Your Beatitude’s recent elevation as the Primate of the Orthodox Church in America. Your Beatitude has been a spiritual father and great influence to many of our young clergy who studied at St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary during your tenure as Rector, and we are thankful for your presence and role in molding them as priests.
As we move forward, we hope to work with Your Beatitude to strengthen the bonds between our Churches and help build a common witness of the Holy Orthodox Christian Faith in North America. We are currently in India, and we have informed His Holiness the Catholicos of your election. His Holiness sends his apostolic greetings to you and all the faithful of the Orthodox Church in America.
On behalf of the Diocese of South-West America of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, we extend to Your Beatitude our love and pray that the Lord may continue to guide you in your new responsibility of shepherding the flock of the Orthodox Church in America.
Your brother in Christ, + Alexios Mar Eusebius Metropolitan
In related news, Metropolitan Tikhon addressed the clergy, monastics and faithful of the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania in a letter dated November 15, 2012, the text of which reads as follows.
To the Clergy, Monastics and Faithful of the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania:
Christ is in our midst!
By the grace of Almighty God, on Tuesday, November 13, 2012, I was elected to the position of Primate of the Orthodox Church in America by the Holy Synod of Bishops during the 17th All-American Council held at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Parma, Ohio. I am truly humbled by the trust that has been placed in my by the Church and I especially ask for the continued prayers of all the clergy and faithful of the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania as I assume my new responsibilities.
On the day following the Council, the Holy Synod of Bishops met in Parma and addressed a number of matters resulting from my election, including the question of hierarchical oversight of the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania. It was the consensus of the Holy Synod that my responsibilities as Primate would require my full attention and that the oversight of my former diocese should be given to another hierarch.
Therefore, the Holy Synod appointed His Grace, Bishop Melchisedek of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, as Locum Tenens of the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania. He is to be commemorated as such during all divine services within the Dicoese, following the usual commemoration of the Metropolitan.
In addition, the Holy Synod appointed His Grace, Bishop Mark of Baltimore, as Administrator of the Diocese. Both of these appointments are effective immediately and I would ask for your prayerful support of Bishop Melchisedek and Bishop Mark during this period of transition as the Diocese begins the process of searching for a new diocesan bishop.
At the same time, I would like to assure you that there will be no changes to the existing administrative structures of the diocese. The chancery officers remain in place according to my previous appointments: Fr. John Kowalczyk as Chancellor and Fr. Martin Browne as Treasurer. Likewise, the administrative staff will continue unchanged with Matushka Sandy Kopestonsky continuing as Administrative Assistant and Mr. Aric Gingo working in the Department of Communications. The Diocesan Center office hours will remain in effect, Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
All three deaneries have recently held their elections for officers and I have approved the officers elected and appointed one vacant position. I attached a list of the current Administration and Deanery officers.
In general, the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania will continue to operate as normal and all the programs that have been, or are being, implemented will continue on their present trajectory. Much has been accomplished over the past several years in the Diocese and it is my fervent hope that the momentum that the clergy and faithful have developed in this work will be sustained and increased by your zeal and energy.
I am particularly pleased with the progress that has been made in the area of parish revitalization, clergy health and administrative responsibility within the parishes. It is my prayer that all of you will continue to support this work and will offer of yourselves for the continued blossoming of our diocese and the Orthodox Church in America.
I am grateful to God for the opportunity to have served as your diocesan bishop for almost eight years and I leave with much sorrow over this separation. I have grown to love and respect my brothers in Christ, the priests and deacons of Eastern Pennsylvania, together with their families; and it has been my great joy to serve the faithful Christian people of this Diocese, to learn from them and be inspired by their devotion to Christ and his Holy Church.
As your new Primate, my presence within the diocese, of course, will be limited, but it is my intention to return as often as I can, with the blessing of the diocesan authorities, to the place where I began my ministry as a bishop, where I was blessed to serve and where I know that I can count on the prayers and love of the good people of Eastern Pennsylvania (and the Northern tip of Delaware).
May the Lord bless you abundantly and strengthen all of you for our common labors in the vineyard of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I ask for your prayers as I give you assurance of my love and prayers for you.
Sincerely yours in Christ, + Tikhon Archbishop of Washington and Metropolitan of All America and Canada
Archbishop Tikhon was born Marc R. Mollard in Boston, MA on July 15, 1966, the oldest of three children born to Francois and Elizabeth Mollard. After brief periods living in Connecticut, France, and Missouri, he and his family settled in Reading, PA, where he graduated from Wyomissing High School in 1984. In 1988 he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in French and Sociology from Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, PA, after which he moved to Chicago.
In 1989 he was received into the Orthodox Church from Episcopalianism and, in the fall of the same year, he began studies at Saint Tikhon Seminary, South Canaan, PA. One year later he entered the monastic community at Saint Tikhon Monastery as a novice.
After receiving his Master of Divinity degree from Saint Tikhon Seminary in 1993, he was appointed instructor in Old Testament at Saint Tikhon Seminary. He continues to serve as Senior Lecturer in Old Testament, teaching Master level courses in the Prophets and the Psalms and Wisdom Literature. He is also an instructor in the seminary’s Extension Studies program, offering courses in the lives of the Old Testament saints, the liturgical use of the Old Testament, and the Old Testament in patristic literature.
Archbishop Tikhon collaborated with Igumen Alexander (Golitzin) in the publication of “The Living Witness of the Holy Mountain,” published by Saint Tikhon Seminary Press, by illustrating this classic book about Mount Athos.
In 1995 he was tonsured to the Lesser Schema by His Eminence, Archbishop Herman, and given the name Tikhon, in honor of Saint Patriarch Tikhon, Enlightener of North America. Later that year he was ordained to the Holy Diaconate and Holy Priesthood at Saint Tikhon Monastery. In 1998 he was elevated to the rank of Igumen, and in 2000 to the rank of Archimandrite.
In December 2002, he was appointed by Metropolitan Herman to serve as Deputy Abbot of Saint Tikhon Monastery.
His Beatitude, Metropolitan HERMAN presided at the consecration of Archbishop Tikhon [Mollard] to the episcopacy at Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk Monastery on Saturday, February 14, 2004.
Archbishop Tikhon was elevated to the rank of Archbishop on May 9, 2012.
On November 13, 2012, Archbishop Tikhon was elected Primate of the Orthodox Church in America at the 17th All-American Council.
The Orthodox Church in America’s Department of Christian Service and Humanitarian Aid (CSHA) is encouraging all parishes to assist International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) in providing emergency assistance to those suffering as a result of Hurricane Sandy.
According to Mrs. Donna Karabin, department chair, IOCC has received initial requests for anticipated shipments of emergency relief items from its ecumenical partners for communities recovering from Hurricane Sandy. IOCC is urging Orthodox Christian parishes to assist by assembling emergency relief items and by making financial donations.
“The scenes of destruction that we have witnessed from this superstorm certainly prompt us to keep all those affected in our thoughts and prayers,” said Constantine M. Triantafilou, IOCC Executive Director. “Now is the time to assemble emergency health and infant kits as well as clean-up buckets which will be sorely needed by storm survivors.”
“Parishes may also find helpful information from those who in the past have undertaken Gift of the Heart projects in an article, ‘Providing Disaster Relief with Gift of the Heart Kits,’ that appeared in an earlier edition of the OCA’s Resource Handbook,” added Mrs. Karabin. The article may be accessed athttp://oca.org/resource-handbook/commservice/providing-disaster-relief-with-gift-of-the-heart-kits.
Financial gifts to help the victims of disasters in the United States, like Hurricane Sandy, may be made to the United States Emergency Response Fund athttps://www.sagepayments.net/sagenonprofit/shopping_cart/forms/donate.asp?M_id=785466237868 which, will provide immediate relief as well as long-term support through the provision of emergency aid and recovery assistance. To make a gift, please visithttp://www.iocc.org call ,toll free at 1-877-803-IOCC (4622), or mail a check or money order payable to IOCC to PO Box 17398, Baltimore, MD 21297-0429.
Questions or comments about parishes’ experiences with the Gift of the Heart project may be directed to the CSHA atcsha@oca.org.
O Master, Lord our God, Who through Thy consubstantial Word, Who is without beginning, and Thy life-giving Spirit, Who is equal in honor, hast brought everything out of nothingness into being; Who hast set sandy barriers to the sea, and hast weighed the mountains and the valleys in a balance; Who hast measured the skies and holds the water in the palm of Thy hand; Who hast given to this visible world of the senses its law and rules, its harmony and order; Who hast appointed changes to the weather and variations in the orbit of the sun; Who, through the mingling of the elements, holds all things together by Thine inexpressible power and keeps them free from harm and intact: Do Thou Thyself, all-good King, extending to us Thine innate and customary love and goodness, visit the work of Thy hands. Do not deprive us of Thy mercies and Thy compassion, and do not destroy Thine inheritance, for Thou hast ineffably created us in Thine own image.
Thou hast given Thine only-begotten Son as a ransom for us, and through the mystical communion of Thy Spirit hast made us share in Thine own divinity; forgive, we pray, the multitude of our sins in the far greater multitude, of Thy mercies. Thou didst wash away the sins of humanity through the Cross and the Blood of Thy Son. Restore the world of nature, which has been grievously disturbed into an unnatural state, and restore it to its natural harmony and order. Make the great ocean return to its usual calmness, bring to end the tempest and the disturbance of the elements that threaten us, order the winds to blow once more with gentleness and moderation. Rebuke the raging of the sea and the unnatural violence of the gales; let the storm be stilled and the tempest return to tranquility, through the intercession of the most blessed Lady Theotokos, of all the Angels and Saints, and the good pleasure and love of Thine only-begotten Son, with Whom Thou are blessed, together with Thine all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
