Metropolitan Tikhon Presides at Diocesan Assembly of New York and New Jersey

At the invitation of His Eminence Archbishop Michael of New York and New Jersey, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon presided at the annual Assembly of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey, held October 29–30, 2026, at the Church of the Mother of God, Joy of All Who Sorrow, in Princeton, NJ. Accompanying His Beatitude was Archpriest Alessandro Margheritino, Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America.

On Thursday, October 29, His Beatitude presided at the Divine Liturgy opening the Assembly. Concelebrating with him were Archbishop Michael, Fr. Alessandro, Archpriest David Cowan, Vice Chancellor of the Diocese, and other diocesan clergy.

In his homily, His Beatitude reflected on the unity of the Church and the responsibility to welcome those seeking Christ, emphasizing the Apostle Paul’s call to speak with grace:

“Our task is not to win arguments, but to bring each person to Christ and to walk with them in His Church.”

He concluded by exhorting the clergy and faithful: “Let us ask, not that our burdens be lifted, but that the door of the word remain open. Let our speech be with grace, seasoned with salt. And let us gather with Christ, and not scatter, so that this diocese…