A couple of years ago, rumors began circulating within the Russian Orthodox community in America regarding potential changes in the hierarchy of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR). Speculation grew concerning the imminent appointment of a vicar bishop for the East Coast, and candidates were discussed to fill the Chicago See, which had been vacant since the passing of the ever-memorable Bishop Peter. The lengthy summer visit of Bishop Theodosius of Seattle to the East Coast only intensified these expectations and gave them greater certainty.

In December of last year, the Synod of Bishops made several long-awaited decisions regarding the appointment of new bishops and the transfer of serving archpastors. New bishops were consecrated: Bishop Michael (Crowley) of Boston, a convert to Orthodoxy in America, and Bishop Spyridon (Gusakov) of Toronto. Simultaneously, it was announced that Bishop Theodosius would be transferred from the West Coast to the East Coast, being appointed Bishop of Manhattan and assistant to the First Hierarch, Metropolitan Nicholas. Archimandrite Peter (Karakozov) was elected to succeed him in the Seattle Vicariate.

These decisions were met with great joy and enthusiasm, albeit with a slight note of regret over the transfer of Bishop Theodosius, who over two decades had become a truly close and beloved archpastor for the faithful of the West Coast.

The celebrations for the episcopal consecration of Archimandrite Peter were set for the Feast of the Praises of the Most Holy Theotokos. This lent the event a special spiritual depth, especially as the service took place in the Cathedral of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow.”

Preparation for this day involved not only the clergy but also the choirs and sisterhoods of the Cathedral, the Old Cathedral (where Father Peter served), and St. Nicholas Cathedral in Seattle, which has now become his episcopal see. The entire Orthodox community of San Francisco joined in the preparations, giving the celebration a special warmth and a truly conciliar (sobornal) character.

The Rite of Nomination

On March 27 of this year, on the eve of the Saturday of the Fifth Week of Great Lent—the Saturday of the Akathist—clergy and a multitude of the faithful gathered in the San Francisco Cathedral to witness this significant event.

That evening, the First Hierarch of ROCOR, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York, led the Rite of Nomination of Archimandrite Peter as Bishop of Seattle. Joining him in the service were:

• Archbishop Kyrill (San Francisco and Western America)
• Bishop Irenei (London and Western Europe)
• Bishop Basil (OCA; San Francisco and the West)
• Bishop Theodosius (Manhattan)
• Bishop James (Sonora)
• Bishop Job (Stuttgart)

The presence of great holy relics added a profound spiritual dimension to the celebration: the wonder-working Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God “of the Sign”—the “Directress” of the Russian Diaspora—and the incorrupt relics of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco, which rest in this cathedral.

The Archpastoral Vow

During the Rite of Nomination, Archimandrite Peter addressed the assembly with his “Speech of Nomination.” He spoke profoundly on the Gospel dialogue between Christ and the Apostle Peter: “Do you love Me?”

He emphasized that a true pastoral calling begins not with self-confidence, but with an awareness of one’s own weakness and surrender to the will of God. He noted that the episcopacy is, above all, a cross and a denial of self for the sake of the Church. He spoke of the need for internal humility—the “silencing of the human ‘I’ before God”—to become a vessel for Divine Light.

Expressing gratitude to the hierarchy, Bishop Peter accepted his obedience with a deep sense of responsibility. He specifically honored those who guided his path: his parents, Alexander and Irina; his first mentor, Archimandrite Dimitri (Egorov); Archpriest Anatoly Fedoryuk; Archbishop Kyrill; Metropolitan Mark and the brotherhood of St. Job of Pochaev Monastery in Munich; Bishop Theodosius, who performed his monastic tonsure; and Bishop James, whose pastoral image served as a living example.

The Consecration and Divine Liturgy

The following morning, on the Saturday of the Akathist, even more worshippers gathered. During the Divine Liturgy led by Metropolitan Nicholas, the episcopal consecration (chirotonia) of Archimandrite Peter took place.

Following the Eucharistic Canon, the newly consecrated Bishop Peter performed his first ordination, ordaining Nikita Grekhovodov as a deacon for the Church of St. John of Kronstadt in San Diego.

At the conclusion of the service, Metropolitan Nicholas presented the bishop’s staff (crozier) to the new archpastor. In his exhortation, the Metropolitan noted that this appointment happened through “all-wise and Divine Providence.” He spoke of the spiritual qualities required of a bishop in “exceptional times of suffering, enmity, and division,” emphasizing steadfast faith and total submission to God’s will.

Metropolitan Nicholas also recalled the rich spiritual heritage of the Seattle See, mentioning great predecessors such as Archbishop Tikhon (Troitsky), St. John (Maximovich), Bishop Nektary (Kontsevich), and Archbishop Anthony (Medvedev).

A Pan-Orthodox Celebration

The celebrations concluded with a festive banquet at the Russian Center of San Francisco, organized by the sisterhood of the Old Cathedral under the leadership of Simona Irime.

The following day, March 29 (Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt), Bishop Peter celebrated his first Divine Liturgy as a bishop, during which he ordained Deacon Seraphim Torruella to the priesthood.

The event was a vivid testament to the “catholic” (universal) nature of the Church. The banquet was attended by over 300 guests, including Russians, Romanians, Bulgarians, Palestinians, Serbs, and Americans. The organizing team itself consisted largely of Romanians and Palestinians, demonstrating how the Orthodox faith unites all nations in a bond of love.