News archives: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
• August 29, 2019:
Fraternal Visit to Romania
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In August, Hegumen Father Akakios, Abbot of the Saint Gregory Palamas Monastery, was the guest of His Grace, Bishop Flavian of Ilfov, and the Monastery of the Dormition of the Mother of God, in Bucharest. Father Akakios traveled to Romania to participate in the Divine Services for the Patronal Feast of the Monastery, August 14–15, 2019 (Old Style), and to visit a few of the monastic communities under the spiritual guidance of His Grace. Bishop Flavian and His Grace, Bishop Evloghie of Sibiu presided at the Vigil Service, assisted by twenty-six Priests and eight Deacons, while a large crowd of the faithful attended. At the invitation of Bishop Flavian, Father Akakios delivered a sermon recounting the life of the Most Holy Theotokos.
The Monastery of the Dormition of the Mother of God
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The Hierarchical Liturgies on the Sunday preceding the Feast of the Dormition, August 12 (Old Style), and on the Feast itself were enhanced by the Ordination of two exemplary Hierodeacons, Father Sava and Father Justin, to the Presbytery. Hieromonk Father Sava, an accomplished iconographer, has labored tirelessly for decades to paint the interiors of numerous monastic Churches.
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While in Romania, Father Akakios accompanied Bishop Evloghie and Archimandrite Father Zosima of the Skete of Saint John the Forerunner to the renowned Convent of the Annunciation, in Valea Roșie, Călărași, under the spiritual direction of Abbess Mother Teodosia. The ninety-six nuns of the convent support themselves by sewing vestments and painting icons, in addition to keeping extensive vegetable gardens, running a flour mill and a press for sunflower oil, and operating a small dairy. On the day following the Feast of the Dormition, August 16 (Old Style), three of the Fathers of the Dormition Monastery took Father Akakios for visits to the Skete of Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco, in Cernica, Ilfov, the Skete of the Nativity of the Mother of God, in Medgidia, Constanţa, and the Skete of the Life-Giving Spring, in Agigea, Constanţa. Father Akakios was warmly received by the superiors of the sketes, by the monastics, and by the many pious faithful, all of whom remember him from his previous trips to Romania.
The Church of the Convent of the Annunciation
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• July 14, 2019:
Archpastoral Visits to Tucson, Arizona,
and La Mesa, California
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His Eminence, Bishop Auxentios of Etna and Portland, visited Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, in Tucson, Arizona, for its Patronal Feast on Thursday and Friday, June 28–29, 2019 (Old Style), accompanied by Hierodeacon Father Photii of the Saint Gregory Palamas Monastery. Hieromonk Father Parthenius of the Saint Gregory of Sinai Monastery, who currently serves the parish in an occasional capacity until a fulltime Priest can be assigned to it, was also present. Assisted by Fathers Parthenius and Photii, His Eminence celebrated a Vigil and the Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. During his visit, Bishop Auxentios made one of the members of the small community, Steven Dudley, a catechumen. Following the Divine Liturgy, the clergy were the guests of honor at a festive meal served by the faithful in the parish hall.
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Bishop Auxentios and Father Photii then travelled to the Saint Seraphim of Sarov and Saint John of Kronstadt Orthodox Church, in La Mesa, California, where, on Saturday and Sunday, June 30–July 1, 2019 (Old Style), they served a Vigil and a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy for the Feast of Saints Cosmas and Damian of Rome. They were joined by Protopresbyter Father James Thornton, who, despite his retirement, continues to serve the parish occasionally. After the Divine Liturgy, the parish graciously hosted His Eminence and his clergy to an Agape meal in the parish hall.
Bishop Auxentios surrounded by the faithful of the Saint Seraphim of Sarov
and Saint John of Kronstadt Orthodox Church after
the celebration of the Divine Liturgy
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• June 29, 2019:
Annual Eparchial Synod, Clergy Synaxis,
and Patronal Feast of the Saint John of
San Francisco Orthodox Monastery
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On Wednesday, June 13, 2019 (Old Style), His Eminence, Bishop Auxentios of Etna and Portland attended the annual meeting of the Hierarchs of the Eparchial Synod under the Presidency of Metropolitan Demetrius of America, at the Metropolis Center of the Church of the Genuine Orthodox Christians of America, in Cobleskill, New York. The following two days, His Eminence, accompanied by Archimandrite Father Gregory and Archimandrite Father Patapios, both of the Saint Gregory Palamas Monastery, participated in the Eparchial Clergy Synaxis, also held annually at the Metropolis Center. In his capacity as Dean of the Saint Photios Orthodox Theological Seminary, Father Patapios delivered an address on the Seminary to the assembled Hierarchs and clergymen. In this talk, which received a gratifyingly positive response from the audience, Father Patapios recounted some of the milestones in the history of the school, all of which attested to the Providence of God in upholding and ensuring its steady progress towards the much-desired goal of accreditation. He also urged the parish clergy in particular to redouble their efforts to identify and encourage suitable candidates for the Seminary.
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After the conclusion of the Clergy Synaxis, His Eminence and the two Archimandrites took part in the celebration of the Feast Day of the Saint John of San Francisco Orthodox Monastery, in Cobleskill, New York. On Friday and Saturday, June 15–16 (Old Style), Metropolitan Demetrius was the principal celebrant at the Vigil and the Divine Liturgy. Concelebrating with His Eminence were Their Eminences, Metropolitan Moses of Toronto, Metropolitan Photios of Demetrias (representing the Holy Synod of the Church of the Genuine Orthodox Christians of Greece, under the Presidency of His Beatitude, Archbishop Kallinikos of Athens and All Greece), and Bishop Auxentios of Etna and Portland; and Their Graces, Bishop Christodoulos of Theoupolis and Bishop Maximus of Pelagonia. Twenty-one Priests and eight Deacons served together with the Hierarchs. A large throng of the faithful from the Cathedral of Saint Markella, in Astoria, New York, and from other parishes on the East Coast were present for the long and beautiful services, which were greatly enhanced by the magnificent and compunctious chanting of the monastic choir.
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It should be noted that the Saint John of San Francisco Orthodox Monastery celebrates its Feast Day on the Saturday nearest to June 19 (Old Style), in accord with the policy established by the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad in 1994 at the time of its Glorification of Saint John, who reposed on Saturday, June 19, 1966 (Old Style). This practice has the practical advantage of facilitating the attendance and participation of as many clergy and laity as possible on the Patronal Feast of the Monastery, enabling the clergy in particular to return to their respective parishes or communities in time to celebrate the Divine Services on the following Sunday.
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While in the State of New York, Bishop Auxentios took the opportunity to visit two other parishes of the Eparchy. Holy Ascension of Christ Orthodox Church, in Rochester, first came under the Omophorion of the ever-memorable Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Etna in 2007 at the time the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia joined the Moscow Patriarchate, a move the parishioners could not in good conscience countenance. Bishop Auxentios subsequently inherited Episcopal oversight of this parish, whose members deeply respect him as they did his predecessor. The parish has since been transferred to the Archpastoral care of Metropolitan Demetrius of America, within whose Diocesan territory it falls. Saint Maximus the Confessor Orthodox Church, in Owego, was founded by Lazarus and Rachel Gehring. Its ecclesiastical building is a magnificent stone edifice “based upon the 9th and 10th century Orthodox churches of Asturias in northwestern Spain and is in every detail faithful to the originals,” as reported by the parish website. The iconography, outstandingly executed, is the work of His Grace, Bishop Maximus of Pelagonia, and Protopresbyter Father Thomas Marretta, who is His Grace’s biological father and the parish’s spiritual Father. Bishop Auxentios was deeply moved by the warm welcome he received from the pious members of each of these parishes.
Metropolitan Demetrius censing during the Festal Services
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• June 21, 2019:
Archpastoral Visits to Portland, Oregon,
and Bluffton, Alberta
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His Eminence, Bishop Auxentios of Etna and Portland, visited his Diocesan Cathedral, the Holy Nativity of the Theotokos Cathedral, in Portland, Oregon, on Saturday and Sunday, May 26–27, 2019 (Old Style), accompanied by Abbess Mother Elizabeth and Schemanun Mother Kypriane of the Convent of Saint Elizabeth the Grand Duchess. Assisted by the Cathedral clergy, Presbyter Father Photios Cooper and Deacon Father James Kalbasky, His Eminence celebrated a Vigil and the Divine Liturgy for the 318 Holy Fathers of the First Œcumenical Synod. After the Divine Liturgy, the faithful extended their gracious hospitality to His Eminence and the Mothers at an Agape meal served in the parish hall.
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Bishop Auxentios next travelled to the Protection of the Holy Virgin Mary Convent, in Bluffton, Alberta, accompanied by Mother Kypriane, for a visit from June 4 to June 8, 2019 (Old Style). His Eminence and Mother Kypriane were warmly received by Abbess Mother Amvrosia and her Sisterhood, as well as by Protosinđel Father Dionisije, the Ephemerios (Serving Priest) of the Convent. One of the oldest monastic communities established by the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, the Convent went under the Omophorion of the then Archbishop Chrysostomos of Etna in 2007 to avoid union with the Moscow Patriarchate; it subsequently went under the Omophorion of Bishop Auxentios upon the retirement of Metropolitan Chrysostomos in 2015. During his stay in Bluffton, Bishop Auxentios counseled the members of the community there on various practical and spiritual matters, encouraging and strengthening them in their monastic duties.
Bishop Auxentios delivering a homily to the monastic community of the Protection
of the Holy Virgin Mary Convent in the community’s Church during a
Divine Liturgy which His Eminence celebrated as a Priest
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• March 27, 2019:
Fortieth-Day Memorial for
Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Etna
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His Eminence, Bishop Auxentios of Etna and Portland celebrated the Fortieth-Day Memorial for the late Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Etna at his graveside, on the grounds of the Saint Gregory Palamas Monastery, on Wednesday, March 14, 2019 (Old Style), following the celebration of the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts. Concelebrating with Bishop Auxentios were His Eminence, Bishop Sergios of Portland, Emeritus, and His Grace, Bishop Ambrose of Methone, both of whom traveled to Etna specifically to be in attendance at the Memorial Service. In addition to the resident clergy of the Saint Gregory Palamas Monastery, clergy from the Church of Saints Cyprian and Justina, in Etna, California; from the Saint Gregory of Sinai Monastery, in Kelseyville, California, where Bishop Sergios resides; and from the Holy Nativity of the Theotokos Cathedral, in Portland, Oregon, the Diocesan Cathedral of Bishop Auxentios, also served. Many of Metropolitan Chrysostomos’s spiritual children came from afar to attend his Fortieth-Day Memorial as a consolation for not having been able to attend his funeral and burial the fourth day after his decease, which Services had been limited to those living in Etna and its environs.
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Following the liturgical commemoration, a special memorial banquet, hosted by the Sisterhood of the Convent of Saint Elizabeth the Grand Duchess, in Etna, California, was held in the dining hall of the Saint Photios Orthodox Theological Seminary, also in Etna. Attended by scores of people, including residents of the local community of Scott Valley, the meal was an opportunity to esteem the vibrant and inimitable personality of Metropolitan Chrysostomos and his lifetime of numerous and remarkable achievements. Flautist Angela Koregelos honored the memory of Metropolitan Chrysostomos by performing two pieces composed by Johann Sebastian Bach, the second movement (Largo e dolce) of his Flute Sonata in B Minor and the second movement (Largo) of his Concerto in G Minor, while Archimandrite Father Gregory of the Saint Gregory Palamas Monastery paid tribute to His Eminence by delivering a moving eulogy. Archimandrite Father Patrick, Abbot of the Saint Gregory of Sinai Monastery, then presented the Brotherhood of Saint Gregory Palamas Monastery and the Sisterhood of the Convent of Saint Elizabeth the Grand Duchess of Russia with framed reproductions of a charcoal portrait of their dearly beloved spiritual Father. Finally, His Grace, Bishop Ambrose recounted some edifying stories about Metropolitan Chrysostomos, which inaugurated a lengthy exchange of recollections by others present. For all in attendance, these fond reminiscences greatly alleviated the grief occasioned by the loss of His Eminence, imbuing the gathering with a paradoxical atmosphere of χαρμολύπη, which may be translated as “gladdening sorrow,” “joyful mourning,” or “bright sadness.”
The clergy and faithful gathered at the graveside of Metropolitan Chrysostomos
for his Fortieth-Day Memorial; the Hierarchs are at center: from left
to right, Bishop Ambrose, Bishop Auxentios, and Bishop Sergios
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• February 19, 2019:
Repose of Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Etna
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Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Etna died on February 3, 2019 (Old Style), from complications of a long bout with heart disease. He was co-founder of the Saint Gregory Palamas Greek Orthodox Monastery in Etna, which he served as Abbot for more than a decade, and a Senior Research Scholar at the Center for Traditionalist Orthodox Studies, which is attached to the monastery. He was also a Professor at the Saint Photios Orthodox Theological Seminary in Etna, which he also co-founded.
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Private funeral services and burial were at the Saint Gregory Palamas Monastery.
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The Metropolitan’s grandmother was a minor aristocrat of Spanish and English extraction, and throughout his life, out of respect and admiration for her, he used her Spanish names, as well as his Greek family name. Most of his Greek family fled to Italy and Spain in the fifteenth century, when Greece and the Byzantine Empire were captured by the Turks. In exile, they distinguished themselves in academic life and in business life.
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Continuing in his family’s academic tradition, His Eminence received his undergraduate education in history at the University of California, where he began his studies in pre-medical zoology. He then completed a second B.A. degree in psychology at the California State University and the Licentiate in Theology at the Center for Traditionalist Orthodox Studies, shortly before he became its Academic Director. He also earned an M.A. degree in Byzantine history from the University of California. He completed an M.A. and doctorate in psychology at Princeton University, where he taught for three years as a Preceptor (assistant instructor) in the psychology department. He went on from Princeton to accept a professorship at the University of California, Riverside.
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After becoming a monk, Metropolitan Chrysostomos taught as a professor for a short time at Ashland University, in Ashland, Ohio, and at the Ashland Theological Seminary. Later, he accepted a one-term appointment as visiting professor of Patristics and the psychology of religion at the Theological Institute of Uppsala University in Sweden.
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Among his academic honors were a Chairman’s Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Humanities, and, in 1982, an appointment as Visiting Scholar at the Harvard Divinity School. During the academic year 2000–2001, he was a Fulbright Scholar in Romania. He lectured, as a Visiting Professor under the auspices of his Fulbright appointment, in historical theology at the University of Bucharest, in Byzantine history and business ethics at the Alexandru A. Cuza University in Iași, and in the theology of Orthodox ecclesiastical art and architecture at the Ion Mincu University in Bucharest. From 2002 to 2003, he was executive Director of the U.S. Fulbright Commission in Romania. In the winter of 2006, after two successive appointments as a Visiting Scholar at the Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington, Seattle, and the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, he held a prestigious appointment as the David B. Larson Fellow in Health and Spirituality at the John W. Kluge Center of the U.S. Library of Congress. He was at various times during his career a member of the American Association of University Professors and the American Psychological Association.
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His Eminence was the author of some three dozen books and Patristic translations, and more than sixty of his scholarly articles appeared in various theological, historical, and psychology journals. He also wrote scores of book reviews for a number of scholarly journals and periodicals.
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A widower of many years, Metropolitan Chrysostomos is survived by cousins in Greece, Spain, Italy, and Germany and by five nephews in Canada.
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