BATH, PA [DOEPA COMMUNICATIONS]
On Wednesday, July 15, 2026, on behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Mark, the Clergy, Matushki, and Faithful of the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, the Diocesan Media Office extends its warmest congratulations, heartfelt prayers, and best wishes to His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All America and Canada, the Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, on the occasion of his 60th birthday.
Born on Friday, July 15, 1966, the eldest of three children of Francois and Elizabeth Mollard. He spent his childhood in Connecticut, France, and Missouri before his family settled in Reading, PA. He graduated from Wyomissing High School in 1984. In 1988, he moved to Chicago after completing his undergraduate studies at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in French and Sociology. In 1989, he was received into the Orthodox Church from the Episcopal Church and began studies at Saint Tikhon’s Theological Seminary in South Canaan, PA. The following year, he entered the monastic community of Saint Tikhon’s Monastery as a novice.
In December 2002, he was named Deputy Abbot of Saint Tikhon’s Monastery. On October 29, 2003, the Holy Synod of Bishops elected him to the episcopacy, and he was consecrated on Saturday, February 14, 2004, at Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk Monastery Church as the first Bishop of South Canaan, auxiliary to the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania. On Friday, May 27, 2005, he was canonically elected as Bishop of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania and installed on Saturday, October 29, 2005. He also served as Rector of Saint Tikhon’s Seminary from 2005 to 2012. He was elevated to the dignity of Archbishop on Wednesday, May 9, 2012.
On Monday, November 13, 2012, Archbishop Tikhon was elected Primate of the Orthodox Church in America at the 17th All-American Council. His enthronement as Metropolitan of All America and Canada took place on Saturday, January 27, 2013, at Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Washington, DC. Throughout his primatial ministry, Metropolitan Tikhon has faithfully shepherded the Orthodox Church in America through his unwavering commitment to the Gospel and gentle humility. Through his leadership, he has strengthened the life and witness of the Church across North America while continually calling the faithful to lives of prayer, repentance, and service to Christ.
In celebration of this joyful milestone, the Diocesan Media Office has compiled a commemorative collection of 60 photographs highlighting His Beatitude's primatial and archpastoral ministry throughout the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania.
We, as a Diocese, join together in celebrating His Beatitude's 60th birthday and pray that God will grant him many years of health, strength, peace, wisdom, and abundant blessings as he continues his primatial ministry in the vineyard of Christ. May the Lord preserve His Beatitude for many blessed years.
EIS POLLA ETI DESPOTA!
Issued by the Diocesan Media Office
