His Eminence Archbishop Michael and St. Tikhon’s Pilgrims Received by His Beatitude Archbishop Stefan in Macedonia
On Wednesday, June 10, 2026, His Beatitude Archbishop Stefan, Primate of the Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric, welcomed His Eminence Archbishop Michael, Archbishop of New York and the Diocese of New York and New Jersey, Rector of St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, together with clergy and pilgrims.
The meeting took place at the Monastery of St. Panteleimon in Gorno Nerezi, a 12th century monastery on the outskirts of Skopje. Archbishop Michael was accompanied by Archpriest John Parker, Dean of St. Tikhon’s Seminary, Archpriest Daniel Degyansky, Archpriest Josiah Trenham, Archpriest John Vitko, Deacon Ephraim Rivers, and 26 additional pilgrims.
Archbishop Stefan offered generous words of welcome to the pilgrims, including a brief reflection on the history of the Macedonian Orthodox Church and the apostolic roots of Christianity in the region. Gifts were exchanged, and the pilgrims were welcomed to hospitality at the monastery. Archbishop Michael extended the greetings of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, who is eagerly anticipating a future time he will be able to visit the Macedonian Church.
During the visit, Archbishop Stefan and Archbishop Michael spoke about the growth of the Church, seminary life, and the work of forming clergy and faithful for service in the Orthodox Church. Archbishop Stefan also recalled with gratitude his concelebration with Metropolitan Tikhon at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Washington, DC. “We know one another when we visit one another, especially when we pray the Liturgy together,” he said.
At the conclusion of the visit, Archbishop Michael, clergy, and pilgrims gathered for a group photo inside the 12th century church. At the request of Archbishop Stefan, “Many Years” was intoned for Metropolitan Tikhon.
The pilgrimage, sponsored by St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, is taking place from June 2–13 in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the repose of St. Nikolai Velimirovich. The journey traces the life, ministry, and legacy of St. Nikolai, who spent the final years of his life at St. Tikhon’s Seminary in South Canaan, PA, where he served as professor and rector.