His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon Visits STOTS for Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross
On Saturday, September 13 and Sunday, September 14, 2025, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon made an archpastoral visit to St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary and St. Tikhon of Zadonsk Monastery for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. This visit marks the first of the new academic year.
On Saturday, His Beatitude met with the new and returning seminarians, answering their questions on the various aspects of seminary life and offering guidance on balancing study, prayer, family life, and personal responsibilities.
That evening, His Beatitude celebrated the All-Night Vigil for the feast, including the rite of the Exaltation of the Cross accompanied by the singing of “Lord, have mercy” five hundred times. Concelebrating with His Beatitude were Archimandrite Sergius, Abbot of St. Tikhon’s Monastery, Archpriest John Parker, Dean of St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, along with monastery and seminary clergy.
On Sunday morning, His Beatitude presided at the celebration of the hierarchical Divine Liturgy. Concelebrating with His Beatitude were Fr. Sergius, Archpriest Alessandro Margheritino, Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America, Fr. John, Priest David Bozeman, Secretary of the Orthodox Church in America, along with monastery and seminary clergy.
His Beatitude delivered the homily where he reflected on the “paradox of Christianity.” He noted that, “the Passion of Christ turns the world upside down. Weakness becomes power. Foolishness becomes wisdom. Death becomes life. Suffering becomes joy. The darkness of hades is filled with the light of the Resurrection. Self-emptying becomes the fulfillment of the human destiny. God becomes man; now, man may become god.”
Read the full text of His Beatitude’s homily
At the conclusion of the Liturgy, His Beatitude greeted all those present and joined the monastic brotherhood for a meal.