A Curese For Life Pt.6: Crowns (Continued)

The week flew passed, or so it seemed. During the week that followed Tikhon's enthronement thousands flocked to Moscow to catch a glimpse of their new Patriarch, flanked by his two new secretaries. They were quite the trinity of youth. A formidable team you could say. It didn't take long for the youth of Russia to fall in love with Tikhon, Pantalaemon and Anastasius.

During that week Tikhon met more people than he could ever remember, and was invited to more parties in his honour than ever before. He attended them greatfully, however, he tried his best not to offend by leaving early. Had he not been the Patriarch this would have been considered slightly rude. Although, he could easily be forgiven. The speeches were just as many. Whilst the speeches were full of thanks and gratitude, they did, however, narrate the changes that Tikhon and his clergy would make to the Church of Russia. As much as he could, Tikhon spoke of a church free from politics. He spoke of instilling in all a respect for the church, that would set an example for the rest of the world. Russia was in raptures. Their Patriarch was going to put them on the religious map.

Of all the things that Tikhon said that week, none recieved a response like the one he recieved on the thursday morning when he stood outside of Saint Basil's Basilica and addressed a crowd of young Orthodox christians.
"God created you all. You are his children. Do not turn away from him. You do yourselves no good by doing so. Come to church. Go to confession. Take Holy Communion. Do it for yourselves. God loves you, i love you, as does the rest of the clergy. To proove to you, that i do, that we do; My children, I will go with you, and change for you! So long as you Do Not Stop Coming To Church. I will go with you and change for you!"

The youth errupted into cheers and applause. "We Love Tikhon" was all they chanted. Adolescents, teenagers, young adults, and even those in their early twenties; They all cheered hard for the man who said he'd "Go with them".

That sunday marked the beginning of Holy week. Easter had come. It would be the first Holy Easter celebrated by the new Patriarch, Tikhon. Palm Sunday was celebrated by the Patriarch in Saint Petersburg Cathedral. Bishops Pantalaemon and Anastasius were present too. In the congregation, the Imperial family watched the Patriarch they loved. They had all grown up. The children had gotten older. As to Alexander and Maria, they had grown older too, but they remained ever in love with Tikhon, and he with them.

It had been a while since Tikhon had visited the family he loved so much, his family. Hence, he went to Anichkov Palace after the liturgy. He remained there for the day. He decided he would celebrate his first Holy week at his old Cathedral, before returning to Moscow for Easter. Next year, God willing he still be alive, he would celebrate his entire easter at the Cathedral.

He missed the family terribly, though it had only been, in all, a month, at maximum, that he'd been away from them. There was so much to talk about. It was late by the time the Patriarch returned to his quarters at the Episcopal Palace in Saint Petersburg, and he stayed up all night, chanting his heart out, in the Cathedral. In the morning he prepared for another day of liturgising for the Holy Monday Vespers. As Holy Easter drew closer and closer the crowds attending steadily grew larger and larger. It was interesting to Tikhon, just how many people really only attended church for the major events. He didn't dwell on the thought. At least his family attended every sunday. More rewarding, however, was the presence of young people who had strayed from the church. Nothing was more rewarding for Tikhon than to see the lost sheep of God's flock, which he was looking after, return.

c. John Apotsis 2008- 2009