OCA and Macedonian Church Celebrate Historic Liturgy in Washington

Photo: oca.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On September 2, 2025, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, primate of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), concelebrated the Divine Liturgy with His Beatitude Archbishop Stefan of the Macedonian Orthodox Church–Ohrid Archbishopric, formally marking the recognition of the newest autocephalous Orthodox Church by the OCA.

The liturgy, celebrated at St. Nicholas Cathedral, was attended by hierarchs, clergy, and faithful from multiple jurisdictions. Among the concelebrants were Bishop Seraphim of Kostajnica, representing Patriarch Porfirije of the Serbian Orthodox Church, as well as Archbishop Melchisedek of Pittsburgh, Archbishop Irénée of Ottawa, Archbishop Michael of New York, Archbishop Daniel of Chicago, Bishop Nikodhim of Boston, and Bishop Vasily of San Francisco. Macedonian Ambassador Zoran Popov and Metropolitan Metodij of Toronto were also present.

His Beatitude Met. Tikhon speaks to His Beatitude Abp. Stefan during his homily. Photo: oca.org

In his homily, Metropolitan Tikhon reflected on the apostolic mission of spreading the Gospel, calling the celebration “only the beginning of a good and bright relationship” between the OCA and the Macedonian Orthodox Church. He expressed his hope that the two Churches would “enrich each other with our respective unique gifts” and bear united witness to Christ in the world.

"In the very epistle reading appointed for today, the Apostle Paul himself commends the generosity and hospitality of the Macedonians as an example for the Corinthians to whom he is writing. Today, we likewise look to the Macedonian Orthodox bishops, clergy, monastics, and faithful to be our inspiration in fulfilling the Gospel of Christ and ministering to the saints."

The service featured responses by the Archdiocesan Choir of Washington, D.C., and included the Hawaiian Myrrh-Streaming Iveron Icon of the Mother of God and relics of the newly canonized St. Olga of Kwethluk for veneration. At the conclusion, Metropolitan Tikhon presented Archbishop Stefan with an icon of the North American saints and relics of St. Olga as a gift.

The Hawaiian Myrrh-Streaming Iveron Icon of the Mother of God. Photo: oca.org

Archbishop Stefan, in turn, greeted the OCA primate, voicing his desire for “fruitful cooperation between our two sister Churches,” emphasizing the need for a “living witness of unity and love” in today’s world.

Following the liturgy, the hierarchs and clergy joined Ambassadors Popov and Dragan Šutanovac of Serbia for a private reception at the Macedonian Embassy.

Abp. Stefan of the Macedonian Orthodox Church gives remarks as Met. Tikhon of the OCA looks on. Photo: oca.org

Previously, UOJ reported that the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) had officially recognized the autocephaly of the Macedonian Orthodox Church–Ohrid Archbishopric.

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