ROCOR Consecrates Bp. Peter of Seattle in San Francisco
Metr. Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of ROCOR, urges faith and steadfast leadership amid “times of suffering, enmity, and division."
SAN FRANCISCO — The Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) has consecrated Archimandrite Peter (Karakozov) as Bishop of Seattle, marking a significant moment for the Western American Diocese.
The episcopal consecration took place March 28 at the Joy of All Who Sorrow Cathedral during the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Metr. Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, who was joined by hierarchs from ROCOR and the Orthodox Church in America.
Several hierarchs were in attendance for the consecration of His Grace Bp. Peter of Seattle. Photo: Kyria Gorny
As reported by the ROCOR Synod, concelebrating with His Eminence were Abp. Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America; Bishops Irenei of London and Western Europe, Vasily of San Francisco and the West (OCA), Theodosiy of Manhattan (formerly of Seattle), James of Sonora, and Job of Stuttgart; Archimandrite Peter (Karakozov), who had been elected Bishop of Seattle, vicar of the Western American Diocese; the cathedral clergy; clergy of the Western American Diocese; and visiting clergy.
Following the ordination, the First Hierarch presented the newly consecrated bishop with the episcopal staff and delivered an address highlighting the gravity of episcopal ministry in challenging times.
Bp. Peter vested with the mantiya. Photo: Kyria Gorny
“The Lord calls you… in a difficult time,” Metr. Nicholas said, pointing to “times of suffering, enmity, and division” facing the Church. He emphasized that a bishop must possess “firm faith in God and complete submission to His saving will.”
Drawing on the image of the Church as a ship, he added, “When the helmsman… firmly and confidently holds the rudder, all aboard remain calm,” underscoring the responsibility of Church leaders to guide the faithful with confidence and trust in God.
His Eminence continued:
The episcopal staff is a sign of the power of Christ bestowed in ordination. “The Lord shall send you a rod of strength out of Zion” (Psalm 109:3), sings the Psalmist. As a sign of the laborious ministry now entrusted to you, receive this staff. May it remind you of the glorious labors of the hierarchs of both the Russian land and the diaspora, so that, like them, you may faithfully proclaim to your new flock the mystery of piety and eternal salvation. May the Chief Shepherd, our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen your powers and guide you into all truth.
Bp. Peter, who will serve as vicar of the Western American Diocese, also imparted his first archpastoral blessing to the faithful following the service, in keeping with Orthodox tradition.
The previous day, March 27, Bp. Peter was formally nominated as Bishop of Seattle.
Bp. Peter offers an address on the occasion of his election and consecration to the episcopacy. Photo: Kyria Gorny
In His Grace's address, he stated:
This is the way the Lord has brought me here, not by my designs, but by His will, working spiritually through each of these people and many others. With their hands, the "other" girded me, long before this day. And now, standing before you, Your Graces, I hear the same question addressed to me: "Do you love Me?" I answer in the only possible way: "Lord, You know everything" – You know my weakness, and You know my love, and may Your will be done, and not mine. As our ever-memorable Metropolitan Anthony (Khrapovitsky) said in his speech at his nomination in 1897: "It is not in bold plans, not in fervent imagination that power is revealed..., but in the very renunciation of one's natural power, the power of God finds its place." but according to the will of Him who sent me.
I also humbly ask you, God-gathered archpastors: if you see that I deviate from the right path and seek my own, and not Christ's, rebuke, correct, do not allow the souls entrusted to my infirmity to suffer from my negligence. For the Lord has made us "watchmen of the house of Israel" (Ezek. 3:17), and our answer will be the same. I also beseech you not to deprive me of your hierarchal prayers: only strengthened by them will I be able to worthily continue my service to God and His Holy Church, to which I am now called.
Previously, the UOJ reported that the ROCOR Synod had elected new vicar bishops.
