In response to two recent articles in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette
(March 21 and 24), His Grace, Bishop Tikhon has submitted the
following letter to the editor of that newspaper:


To the Editor:
I would like to clarify some points that were raised in two recent
Post Gazette reports (March 21 and March 24) in reference to the
Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania and to the
Archdiocese of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. Both of these
entities are part of the Orthodox Church in America and I am involved
administratively with both of them, the first as ruling Bishop and the
second as interim overseer.

My main concern is with the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern
Pennsylvania, to which both aforementioned articles incorrectly
ascribe the title “Archdiocese” rather than “Diocese.” This minor
point of clarification is not as troubling as the characterizations of
the Diocese as “scandal-ridden,” “financially troubled” and in a
financial “mess.” As is well known to the readers of this newspaper,
the Orthodox Church in America is emerging from a difficult time of
scandal and financial corruption, originating within the central
administration but deeply affecting and wounding the entire Church.
Nevertheless, it is unfair to extrapolate from this reality and to
imply, as do these two articles, that scandal and financial corruption
are presently infecting the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern
Pennsylvania.

It appears that the author of the articles and/or her sources have
conflated the complex issues involved and unfairly ascribed elements
of the past scandal to the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania. While it
is true that several issues remain unresolved, such as the financial
debt weighing upon St Tikhon’s Monastery and the apparent
mismanagement that led to that debt, these issues are currently being
investigated at the direction of the Holy Synod of Bishops. In
addition, it also must be clearly stated that, although located within
its territory, the Monastery is not administratively a part of the
Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania. Rather, it is under the
administration of Metropolitan Jonah and the Holy Synod of Bishops,
assisted by myself and by one of the monks who has recently been
appointed Acting Superior precisely in order to implement financially
sound and spiritually healthy administrative practices. St. Tikhon’s
Seminary, likewise located in the diocesan territory, is also
administratively under Metropolitan Jonah, assisted by myself and two
Deans and overseen by a Board of Trustees. Although they exist in
the same territory, the Monastery and the Seminary are three distinct
institutions, each with its own administration, and its own
challenges.

Finally, I feel that I must express the deep sadness felt by my clergy
and faithful at the implication made by these two articles that the
Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania has designs on the financial resources
of Western Pennsylvania and that their attitude toward their brothers
and sisters is mercenary. I can express with confidence that there
exists no desire, plan or intention among the clergy, laity or
diocesan administration of Eastern Pennsylvania to merge with Western
Pennsylvania for financial gain. I am likewise confident that rumors
to the contrary are not shared by the clergy and faithful of Western
Pennsylvania. I believe that the clergy and faithful of both the
Diocese of Philadelphia and the Archdiocese of Pittsburgh recognize
the challenges that face each part of the state and are willing to
work to serve Christ and His Holy Church and to do all things for the
glory of God.

Sincerely,
TIKHON
Bishop of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, Locum Tenens of
Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania

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