During the weekend of January 21-22, Christ the Savior Orthodox Cathedral in Miami Lakes was visited by the new Bishop of Dallas and the South, Bishop Alexander (Golitzin). This was his first pastoral visit since installment as diocesan bishop last year.
On January 21, Bishop Alexander hosted the Winter Retreat at the Cathedral, focusing on the theme “The Theological Relevance of the Old Testament.” As the former professor of Theology at Marquette University, he drew upon his years of teaching experience and academic research in order to outline an understanding of the Bible rooted in early Christian tradition.
He addressed issues like the harmony of science and faith, and the problem with a literal interpretation of the biblical text.
On January 22, he presided over the Divine Liturgy, which was concluded with the blessing of holy water for the year. Afterwards, a banquet was held in honor of his visit.
As the administrative leader of the southern diocese of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), Bishop Alexander oversees parishes from Texas to Florida, and as far north as Virginia. The OCA is the American offshoot of the Orthodox Catholic religion in Europe and the Middle East, a communion of churches including the Russian Orthodox Church and the Greek Orthodox Church. The OCA has a history going back over 300 years, beginning with Russian missionaries to Alaska in 1794. It was granted the right of self-governance in 1970, and began using English as its primary language of worship.
The next event at Christ the Savior Cathedral will be the Lenten Retreat with Dr. David Ford and Dr. Mary Ford scheduled for March 18. They will be speaking on the example of faith given in the lives of canonized married saints.
For more information, visit
www.OrthodoxMiami.org, or call 305-822-0437.