His Grace, the Ruling Hierarch
Successor to the Apostles · Shepherd of the Texas Flock
His Grace, the Bishop
Ruling Hierarch · Holy Orthodox Diocese of Texas
Biographical information will be published here upon the formal enthronement and announcement of His Grace.
Until then, we ask the faithful to pray for the wisdom, guidance, and strength of our Bishop, that the Lord may grant him many years of fruitful pastoral service to the Church in Texas.
Apostolic Succession
The Bishop possesses the fullness of the priesthood by direct apostolic succession — an unbroken chain of laying-on of hands that extends from the Apostles whom Christ ordained, through the centuries, to today.
This is not merely a historical claim but a sacramental reality: when a bishop ordains a priest or deacon, when he celebrates the Divine Liturgy, when he teaches the faith, he does so as a direct successor of the apostles, with the same authority Christ gave to Peter and the Eleven.
Chief Celebrant
The principal celebrant of the Divine Liturgy · the center of the Eucharistic assembly of the local Church.
Teacher of the Faith
The principal teacher and guardian of Orthodox doctrine, preserving the teaching received from the Apostles.
Spiritual Father
The spiritual father of all the faithful of the diocese · clergy and laity alike · shepherding souls toward Christ.
Guardian of Order
The guardian of canonical order, ensuring that the life of the diocese conforms to the sacred canons of the Church.
Pastoral Letters
His Grace regularly addresses the faithful of the diocese through pastoral letters and encyclicals on matters of faith, worship, and the spiritual life. These will appear here as they are published.
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UPCOMING
Inaugural Pastoral Letter to the Faithful of Texas
The first pastoral letter from His Grace upon the formal establishment of the diocese.
Pray for Your Bishop
The Orthodox faithful are exhorted by the Scriptures and the Fathers to pray daily for their bishop. A traditional prayer:
“O Lord, save Your servant our Bishop, and grant him many years of life, that he may rightly divide the word of Your truth, for the salvation of his flock.”