“Stand fast and hold to the traditions which ye were taught either by word or our epistle.”2 Thessalonians 2:15
Our Patron
Saint Philaret of New York
Metropolitan Philaret was born George Voznesensky in Kursk in 1903. After the revolution of 1917 in Russia, his family joined the emigration to Harbin, in Manchuria, where he was educated, tonsured a monk, and ordained.
He served there for three decades through successive occupations, remaining after most of the clergy had gone. He left China in 1962 and two years later was elected First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, serving until his repose in 1985. When his grave was opened thirteen years later, his relics were found incorrupt.
In His Own Words
Sayings of Saint Philaret
“He brought to this earth His love and mercy. Judging no one, He forgave everyone, worked innumerable miraculous works of mercy, love, forgiveness, and healing.”On bearing the cross · Sermons and Homilies, vol. II (New York, 1989), pp. 9–10
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“The Lord, the Heavenly Father, does not send a stone instead of bread, but when He does send sorrows, they must be borne in a Christian manner.”
On bearing the cross · Sermons and Homilies, vol. II (New York, 1989), pp. 9–10 -
“No matter how sinful we may be or how unworthy, we joyfully say that She is the mother of mankind and the Heavenly Mother of every one of us.”
Vespers of the Dormition · Sermons and Homilies, vol. I (New York, 1981), pp. 175–176 -
“He had brought to the earth a new principle, the principle of humility.”
Sermon on the Theophany · Sermons and Homilies, vol. I (New York, 1981), pp. 70–74 -
“He who wasn’t able to come to church before and only comes during these holy days will be astounded by the beauty of the prayers and the sacraments.”
Sermon on Palm Sunday · Sermons and Homilies, vol. I (New York, 1981), pp. 142–143
Each passage is from a sermon Saint Philaret preached as First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, printed in Propovedi i poucheniya (New York, 1981 and 1989); volume and page are given above so any of them can be checked. English translations published by the Missionary Center of the Martyr Athanasius of Brest and Orthodox Life. More can be set here on request.
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