Metr. Tikhon Celebrates Theophany at St. Mark Orthodox Church
Metr. Tikhon celebrated Theophany at St. Mark Orthodox Church in Bethesda, emphasizing Christ’s baptism as the renewal of creation and the faithful.
BETHESDA, MD — On January 6, 2026, His Beatitude Metr. Tikhon presided over the celebration of the Theophany of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at St. Mark Orthodox Church in Bethesda, Maryland.
Concelebrating with His Beatitude were Archpriest Alessandro Margheritino, Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America; Archpriest Gregory Safchuk, rector of St. Mark’s and Dean of the Washington Deanery; and Priest Nicholas Roth, along with Deacons Michael Mihailov and Matthew Prentice.
The liturgy was enriched by the St. Mark’s choir, directed by Sharon Sielinski, whose responses highlighted the solemnity of the feast. In his homily, Metr. Tikhon emphasized Theophany as the sanctification of all creation, noting that Christ’s baptism in the Jordan renews both the world and the faithful, who are called to live in the light of God’s revelation.
The celebration concluded with a festive meal, allowing clergy and faithful to gather in fellowship following the Divine Liturgy, marking the feast with joy and communal devotion.
Previously, the UOJ reported that Metr. Tikhon said that Thanksgiving represents the "best impulses of our national culture."
