An Outpouring of Love: St. Tikhon’s Seminary Community Honors His Grace, Bishop MICHAEL
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n the evening of the Feast of Ascension, May 13, the Seminary community, alumni, family and friends filled the school’s auditorium for a very special banquet honoring His Grace, Bishop MICHAEL. Hosted by His Grace, Bishop TIKHON, the evening provided the opportunity for an expression of heartfelt love and gratitude to the beloved Dean of nine years on the occasion of his consecration and enthronement as Bishop of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey just days before. The number of lives touched during Bishop Michael’s tenure as Dean and professor (His Grace has served for seventeen years as a teacher of Scripture, Ethics, and Pastoral Theology) was beautifully demonstrated not only by the packed house, but by the various presentations made, honoring a man who has overseen years of tremendous growth and transition at the Seminary. 48
The outpouring of love came from every corner of the greater St. Tikhon’s community. The monastery, the alumni, faculty, staff, students and their families, all expressed their appreciation in words and gifts, all of which reflected the unique way that Bishop Michael has ministered to these diverse groups. From the gift of the hand painted copy of the “She Who Is Quick To Hear” Icon, to the memory book compiled by the student-wives, each moment of gratitude was a glimpse into the fruit of Bishop Michael’s tireless work for his beloved Seminary over the past two decades. Among the most moving moments was the gift of song from the Church School kids. One of Bishop Michael’s greatest contributions to the Seminary has been his vision of St. Tikhon’s as a school that embraces, encourages, and enables enrollment and participation of married men with families of all ages. It was a fitting testimony to his work to see a stage full of kids, from toddlers to teenagers, expressing their thanks with their voices and smiles.
When Bishop Michael was first asked to take on full time responsibilities as Administrative Dean at St. Tikhon’s in 2001, he had to make a sacrifice. He had to leave a parish that he loved, a parish that had flourished under his care. Bishop Michael explained in his address to the community at the banquet that he made the decision to come to St. Tikhon’s full time out of his love for the seminarians. And indeed, throughout his time as Dean he has unfailingly preached, and practiced, his belief that to love and support a seminarian and, if he is married, his family as well – is to love and support the Church. It is now time for Bishop Michael to make another sacrifice, leaving a community he loves dearly, a flock that has flourished under his care. It is with sadness that we, the St. Tikhon’s seminarians and our families, say goodbye to our beloved Dean and father. Yet it is with joy and confidence, and love for the Church, that we support His Grace’s departure for the next flock to which he has been called. We pray that his new flock, too, will flourish, sharing that same love of which we have been so privileged to be the recipients.