Nomination of Archimandrite Vasily (Permiakov): Axios!
(The following announcement from the Orthodox Christianity website, concerns Fr. Vasily (Permiakov), known to many at St. Barbara’s as Fr. Vitaly. As explained herein, a formal nomination by the Diocese of the West must still take place, along with a final election by the Holy Synod of Bishops in July. Should Fr. Vasily be confirmed (as many believe he will) we pray that the Lord strengthen and guide him as he enters his Episcopal Ministry. Prayers are offered as well for Nadejda Permiakova (his mother) and for his entire family. Many Years! Axios!)
The Diocesan Council and Nominating Committee of the Orthodox Church in America’s Diocese of the West announced earlier this month one candidate to replace His Eminence Archbishop Benjamin, who is retiring this summer.
Archbishop Benjamin, 70, who has served as a hierarch since 2004, announced in 2021 that he is suffering from Parkinson’s. In December of last year, the OCA Holy Synod accepted His Eminence’s retirement, which will take effect on July 15. According to the announcement published on May 1, he will live at the diocese’s Home of Mercy charity, located next to the St. Seraphim Cathedral in Santa Rosa, CA.
In regards to choosing a successor, a Nominating Assembly will be held on July 16, during the upcoming OCA All-American Council, to be followed by a Diocesan Assembly on July 18. The consecration or installation of the next bishop will take place on Saturday, August 16, in San Francisco.
At the same time, it seems the Nominating Assembly will be essentially a formality, as only one viable candidate has been put forth for nomination—Fr. Vasily (Permiakov), known as Fr. Vitaly before his recent monastic tonsure.
Fr. Vasily, who has been on the faculty at both ROCOR’s Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, NY, and the OCA’s St. Vladimir’s Seminary in Crestwood, NY, enjoys the full support of both Archbishop Benjamin and the OCA primate, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon of Washington and All America and Canada.
The statement explains:
While it may seem counterintuitive to only have one vetted candidate available for our consideration, the Diocesan Council, meeting at its regular meeting on April 30 at Holy Trinity Cathedral in San Francisco, has decided to write this letter to the entire Diocese of the West to express our considered thoughts, as your representatives, on this momentous duty to nominate a bishop. Having witnessed his humility, pastoral sensitivity, theological depth, and love for Christ and His Holy Church, the Diocesan Council, in unity and with sincere conviction, wholeheartedly endorses the nomination of Archimandrite Vasily.
Accordingly, we warmly and respectfully encourage the clergy and lay delegates of the Diocese to prayerfully consider, and to submit the name of Archimandrite Vasily for nomination at the Special Assembly.
Though change can be difficult, “we do believe that Fr. Vasily’s humble and unassuming nature is of utmost importance for a man who must ‘rightly divide the word of God’s truth,’” the statement continues. “Having a true theologian, one steeped in the knowledge and love of the Divine Services, will benefit this Diocese which has forged a reputation for liturgical excellence and vitality.”
21st All-American Council in July:
The Orthodox Church in America's 21st All American Council will convene in Phoenix, Arizona next month, July 14-18. In light of this upcoming event, please pay close attention to the St. Barbara schedule for mid-July.
Councils have continually played a prominent role in the life of the Church. The Church is not only hierarchical but conciliar in nature. Councils are important vehicles through which the Holy Spirit acts, the means by which Divine Truth – God's will – is discerned and expressed for the salvation of all. In fact, the Orthodox Church has been referred to historically as, "The Church of the Seven Ecumenical Councils."
In North America, councils have nothing to do with defining sacred Truth for the whole of Orthodoxy, as did great councils of the past. They do, however, concern themselves with actions related to conveying such Truth on a local level, discerning a Godly path for the Church on this continent. National Councils help to shape and define elements of local tradition in a formal sense, as the Church seeks to express what can be termed an American Orthodoxy. All-American Councils are convened once every three years. The next such gathering (the year 2028) will be hosted by St. Seraphim Orthodox Cathedral in Dallas.
Pentecost and All Saints Sunday:
On Pentecost (June 8) the Church celebrates the final act of God’s self-revelation and self-donation to the world. God’s plan of salvation – starting with and including the formation of His chosen people, Israel; the sending of the prophets; the birth of Christ; His teachings, miracles, sufferings, death, burial and resurrection – all of this culminates with the giving of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost and the birth of the New Israel, the Church of God, the life of which is the continued presence of the Spirit in our midst.
The Sunday after Pentecost, that of All Saints (June 15), reveals the power of the Holy Spirit in this world, the reason that He was given. The Saints are those who, without a doubt, have been saved and transformed by the Spirit’s presence, a fate open to all who believe. And then finally, on June 22, we commemorate All Saints of America, as a logical follow up to the previous Sunday. This celebration affirms God’s presence and activity amongst His disciples in North America, placing before us local and contemporary examples of sanctity. (Some of the above information taken from Fr. Thomas Hopko’s, The Orthodox Faith, Volume 2, Worship, published by the O.C.A.’s Department of Christian Education)
