Friday, March 2, 2012

OCA Bulgarian Diocese to consecrate Arch. Alexander in May

(OCA) - Saint George Cathedral here will be the site of the episcopal consecration of Archimandrite Alexander [Golitzin] as ruling hierarch of the Orthodox Church in America’s Bulgarian Diocese Friday through Sunday, May 4-6, 2012.

The weekend will begin with the celebration of Vespers at the cathedral on Friday, May 4, at 7:00 p.m. During Vespers, Archimandrite Alexander will make his profession of faith before the members of the Holy Synod of Bishops. A reception will follow in the cathedral hall.

At 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 5, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah and concelebrating hierarchs will be greeted at the cathedral entrance, after which the Consecration Divine Liturgy will commence. A banquet will follow in the cathedral hall. Great Vespers will be celebrated at 6:00 p.m.

At 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 6, Bishop Alexander will serve the Divine Liturgy. A brunch will follow in the cathedral hall.

After a one year search to fill the See proclaimed vacant after the repose of His Eminence, the late Archbishop Kyrill, Archimandrite Alexander was nominated at the diocese’s Fifth Congress-Sobor held in Toledo, OH June 9, 2011. On October 4, 2011, the members of the Holy Synod of Bishops canonically elected Archimandrite Alexander to the vacant See of Toledo and the Bulgarian Diocese.

Raised at Saint Innocent Church, Tarzana, CA, Archimandrite Alexander received a BA in English from the University of California at Berkeley and an M.Div. from Saint Vladimir’s Seminary. He spent seven years pursuing doctoral studies at Oxford University in England under His Eminence, Metropolitan Kallistos [Ware]. During this time, he also spent two years in Greece, including one year at Simonos Petras Monastery on Mount Athos.

After receiving his D.Phil. in 1980, he returned to the US, where he was ordained to the diaconate in January 1982 and to the priesthood two years later. In 1986, he was tonsured to monastic orders. He served OCA missions in northern California and headed the Diocese of the West’s mission committee. In 1989, he accepted a teaching position in the Theology Department of Milwaukee’s Marquette University, a position that he holds today. Concurrently, he was attached to the city’s Saints Cyril and Methodius Church.

The Bulgarian Diocese includes 19 parishes and missions and one monastery.

Additional information concerning the consecration, banquet, housing and transportation has been sent to all parishes of the Bulgarian Diocese and will appear on the diocesan web site. Questions may be directed to Saint George Cathedral at 419-662-3922.

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