Metropolitan Vladimir (Nagosky)

Metropolitan Vladimir (Nagosky) (1922-1997)

Basil may be spelt Vasili, Vasily, Wasyl, William.

Early life of Basil

Basil Nagosky was born on 6 March, 1922, in Donora, Pennsylvania, to immigrant parents, an Orthodox Christian family from Galicia in Western Ukraine.

His mother was of the Pelech family, amongst whom there was a long line of clergy, including bishops. Some of his ancestors' portraits are in Saint Vladimir's Cathedral in Kiev, Ukraine.

Basil was baptised in the Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church in Donora. This parish was part of the Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church of North America ("Metropolia").

Shortly after his birth, he moved with his family to Cleveland, Ohio. The spiritual formation of Basil as an Orthodox Christian took place in his home, and in the bosom of the Orthodox Christian Church in the Saint Theodosius Cathedral there.

Saint Theodosius Cathedral, Cleveland, Ohio

Basil completed his primary and secondary education in Cleveland.

Military service

Then Basil served in the USA armed forces during World War II, and in the USA Civil Service for almost 6 years thereafter, both in the USA and abroad.

One of his duties during these years was to serve as a court typist at the Nuremburg Trials at Nuremburg, Bavaria, West Germany (20 November, 1945-1 October, 1946), in part, perhaps, because of his extraordinary speed and accuracy as a typist.

Higher education

After he completed his military service, Basil attended the Western Reserve University in Cleveland, and he received a baccalaureate degree.

He continued his education by studying at Columbia University in New York City, and then in Vienna, Austria, at the University of Vienna for a year each.

After this, in 1957, Basil entered Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in New York. At that time, the seminary was situated nearby Columbia University in New York City (at Reed House, 537, West 121st Street, New York 27, NY (at Broadway), in the Morningside Neighbourhood).

Basil graduated from Saint Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in 1959. His thesis was entitled "The Purpose and Meaning of Fasting in the Orthodox Church".

Ordinations, 1959

During the course of his studies at Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, Basil Nagosky was ordained to the Holy Diaconate.

After he had completed his studies in 1959, Deacon Basil Nagosky was ordained to the Holy Priesthood.

Pastoral service

Priest Basil Nagosky’s first parish assignment was serving as a missionary priest, primarily in Alaska.

He served in Saint Michael’s Cathedral in Sitka, Alaska, as well as on the many Aleutian Islands.

Saint Michael's Cathedral, Sitka, Alaska

During this time, he served in Unalaska. There, he experienced an earthquake and tsunami. He later reminisced that on this island, the wind howled all the time, and that this sound and the continual darkness for much of the year made it difficult for anyone not born on the islands. He said that there were very few fruits and vegetables available there, and that the main food was whale blubber. It was both food and fuel, and the smell and the grease of it permeated the homes. This is where he developed stomach trouble. Because he was greatly loved and respected by his parishioners, on one occasion, for his birthday, they presented him with a red bathtub which they had ordered from a catalogue. Although there was no running water in that place, they felt that he would like it, and that he might derive some comfort from it during the cold and dark winter.

Later, after he had left Alaska, he was asked by the central administration office in New York to return to Alaska, and to be amongst those who were given the responsibility to find and unearth the Holy Relics of Saint Herman, the Elder and Wonderworker. He commented to others that there was a sweet aroma both in the Holy Relics and in the soil on Spruce Island, where this was done.

Locally made painting of Holy Ascension Temple, Unalaska, presented to Metropolitan Vladimir by the Ounauashka Native Corporation and shareholders, 16 March, 1981.

Monastic tonsure, 1961

In 1961, Priest Basil Nagosky was tonsured to be a monk, and he was given the name Vladimir.

He was then elevated to the dignity of archimandrite.

Assignment to Japan, 1961

After this, Archimandrite Vladimir (Nagosky) was assigned to serve in the Orthodox Church of Japan. At that time, the Church of Japan was being administered by the Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church in North America (ROGCCNA) (also called the "Metropolia").

Episcopal ordination, 1962

On 14 October, 1962, Archimandrite Vladimir (Nagosky) was ordained to the Holy Episcopate by Metropolitan Leonty (Turkevich) and other bishops of the North American Metropolia at Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral in New York City, New York.

Episcopal service

Bishop of Kyoto

Bishop Vladimir (Nagosky) was assigned to be the Bishop of Kyoto, and Vicar-Bishop to the Archbishop of Tokyo, who was at that time Archbishop Nikon (de Grève).

At that time, Bishop Vladimir was the second American-born bishop to have been ordained in Japan.

In Japan, Vladyka Vladimir went to school to learn the Japanese language (by reputation, a very difficult language to learn). However, to do this, he sat in with the elementary school students in little desks.

One of his responsibilities was to serve as supervisor of the women's monastery, and he later said that he felt compassion for some of the young women who had difficulty with being separated from their families.

During his time of service, Vladyka Vladimir came to know the Emperor, and many high-profile businessmen. These friendships would last for the remainder of his life, and he maintained a correspondence with these friends until his repose.

Nevertheless, it is written that there were some interpersonal tensions between Bishop Vladimir and some clergy. Although these tensions may have had some sources in personalities, the situation of the Church of Japan in the wake of the war and being subject to the Church in North America is likely to have had its own contribution.

One of the most serious difficulties faced by the Japanese Orthodox Church was the fact that the land on which Holy Resurrection Cathedral (popularly called Nikolai-do) was located had to be rented. Because of many difficult circumstances, there was a constant accumulation of rental arrears. On 9 January, 1963, at the suggestion of the consistory and the decision of Bishop Vladimir, the Japanese Orthodox Church entered into an agreement with the state on the purchase of the land.

Then, in 1964, the Holy Synod of the “Metropolia” assigned Bishop Vladimir to be the Diocesan Bishop of Tokyo and Japan, and elevated him to the dignity of archbishop.

At this time, another factor added stress to the relationship between the Faithful of the Church of Japan and the bishops who served them from abroad. From the end of 1964, material assistance from the USA (which was quite substantial in the 1950s) ceased. The reason for this was that the leadership of the North American Metropolitanate was forced urgently to spend money on compensating for the disastrous earthquake in Alaska (27 March, 1964). However, the Japanese believers were tempted to feel that they were now being neglected.

Archbishop of Tokyo and All Japan

Archbishop Vladimir (Nagosky) was assigned to replace Archbishop Nikon (who had been recalled to the USA) as Archbishop of Tokyo and All Japan.

Holy Resurrection Cathedral, Tokyo, Japan

In 1965, at the 12th All-American Sobor of the “Metropolia”, Bishop Vladimir was a very popular candidate, who received a great many nominations when the time came to choose a new metropolitan. Instead (as often happens), the Holy Synod chose Metropolitan Ireney (Bekish) to succeed Metropolitan Leonty (Turkevich) after his repose.

During some of the following years, Metropolitan Vladimir took part quietly (along with some other persons) in some conversations with the Moscow Patriarchate. This eventually led to the autocephaly of the “Metropolia”, and to the autonomy of the Church of Japan. Until this autonomy, the Japanese Church had been a “protectorate” of the “Metropolia” during the post-war reconstruction there.

In this regard, the existence of the Moscow Patriarchate Deanery in Japan acquired special significance. In November, 1965, Priest Nikolai (Sayama) listed the names of 12 priests who came to him and discussed the possibility of a return of the Church of Japan to the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate. At that time, the Japanese Church numbered 31 priests, 6 deacons and 5 catechists. For his part, Archbishop Vladimir made attempts to establish contact with the Church of Moscow leadership in order to further such conversations.

During the time that he served in Japan, and particularly in “Nikolai-do” (pronounced “Nikorai-do” in Japanese), Vladyka Vladimir established many long-lasting friendships amongst the believers there. An example of that sort of friendship is a set of gold vestments (unique in the world because of the fabric), which was given to him by parishioners in the Tokyo Cathedral (Holy Resurrection). A set of vestments made from this same unique fabric was prepared for Pope Paul VI.

While he was in Japan, he also engaged in evangelical works together with a priest as the travelled to Taiwan (between Japan and Communist China) and other places in order to baptise both children and adult converts to the Orthodox Christian Faith.

Vladyka taught repeatedly about the importance of receiving Holy Communion frequently. This was a lesson that was difficult for some to receive. Therefore, Vladyka Vladimir is reported to have told the flock entrusted to him that every Orthodox Christian who is prepared is allowed to receive the Holy Mysteries, even if the person might have leprosy. To make this lesson clear (yet easier to accept for the fearful), he asked that anyone who did, indeed, suffer from leprosy come to receive the Mysteries at the end of the line of communicants. He would let people understand (as do other pastors) that he or another cleric would be immediately consuming the remainder of these Holy Gifts, and he would call to their attention that none of the clergy had ever contracted any disease by consuming the remaining Holy Gifts in the Sacred Chalice, and that they could see this with their own eyes.

This particular lesson could be a useful reference on many future occasions when the spread of various viruses made the Faithful fearful about contagion.

A local cleric had been prepared and educated at Saint Tikhon's Orthodox Seminary at South Canaan, Pennsylvania. On 18 November, 1969, Archbishop John (Shahovskoy) of San Francisco and Archbishop Vladimir (Nagosky) of Tokyo ordained Archimandrite Theodosius (Nagashima) to the Holy Episcopate. He was assigned to serve as Bishop of Kyoto, Vicar-Bishop of the Diocese of Tokyo. With this assignment, he established his residence in Osaka which is near the old imperial city of Kyoto.

On 19 December, 1969, on behalf of an extraordinary Council of the Japanese Orthodox Church, Archbishop Vladimir (Nagosky) and Bishop Theodosius (Nagashima) addressed Patriarch Alexei I (Simansky) of Moscow and All Russia with a petition for the granting of autonomy to the Japanese Orthodox Church and their acceptance into the clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Autocephaly for the North American Church, 1970

On 31 March, 1970, the Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church in North America ("Metropolia") overcame the rupture in communion that had occurred after the repose in Christ of Patriarch Tikhon (Belavin), and in the context of the Soviet government. The Church of Russia then gave autocephaly (complete self-government) to her daughter Church, which became "The Orthodox Church in America" (OCA).

Autonomy for the Church of Japan, 1970

On 31 March, 1970, at the same time that the Church of Russia gave autocephaly to The Orthodox Church in America, she gave autonomy (partial self-government) to the Archdiocese of Toyko and Japan, which then became the Church of Japan, on 31 March, 1970.

On 31 March, 1970, Archbishop Vladimir (Nagosky), now in the jurisdiction of the Church of Russia, was elevated to the dignity, title and responsibility of a metropolitan by the Moscow Patriarchate.

On 10 April, 1970, the Church of Russia, led by Patriarch Alexei I (Simansky) of Moscow and all Russia decided to glorify Archbishop Nicholas (Kasatkin). He was named as "Saint Nikolai, Apostle to Japan, Equal-to-the-Apostles".

On 12 April, 1970, Metropolitan Vladimir (Nagosky) was received by Patriarch Alexei I (Simansky), who presented him with the Patriarchal and Synodal Tomos of the Autonomy of the Church of Japan. He also blessed Metropolitan Vladimir to wear a second panagia.

Later, as the Autonomous Church of Japan was being further developed, Bishop Theodosius (Nagashima) was chosen to become the first person of the Japanese nation to arrive at the leadership of the Church of Japan as its metropolitan.

Uncovering the Holy Relics of Saint Herman of Alaska, 1970

On 11 March, 1969, the Great Council of Bishops (Holy Synod of Bishops) of the Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church in North America (one year later to become "The Orthodox Church in America", OCA) formally declared their intention to glorify Father Herman, “as a sublime example of the Holy Life, for our spiritual benefit, inspiration, comfort, and the confirmation of our Faith”.

In advance of the glorification in August, 1970, the disinterment (exhumation) of the Holy Relics of the Holy Elder Herman was prepared.

Transfer to the USA, 1972

On 19 March, 1972, an extraordinary council of the Japanese Orthodox Church granted the request of Metropolitan Vladimir to resign from his responsibilities as Metropolitan of Tokyo and All Japan. He was issued a letter of leave to return to the jurisdiction of The Orthodox Church in America.

On 21 March, 1972, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church approved and blessed this decision.

In late March, 1972, after having received a canonical release from the Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan Vladimir (Nagosky) returned to the USA.

He was assigned to serve as Vicar-Bishop to Archbishop John (Shahovskoy) of San Francisco.

Metropolitan Vladimir (Nagosky), Sitka, Alaska, 1972

Funeral of Tlingit Chief Charlie Dick, Summer, 1972

Then, 2 years later, in 1974, when Archbishop John retired, Metropolitan Vladimir succeeded to the responsibility of Diocesan Bishop of San Francisco and the Diocese of the Western United States.

Holy Trinity Cathedral, San Francisco

Illness ; retirement, 1975

Very soon, in July, 1975, Metropolitan Vladimir (Nagosky) was given a leave of absence because of poor health. Soon after that, he was given retirement. He suffered from cancer, and he endured many years of treatment for it. Indeed, this was a struggle for him throughout his remaining years.

Nevertheless, during his brief time in San Francisco, he did manage to initiate some renovations at the Monastery of the Dormition at Calistoga.

Holy Dormition Monastery, Calistoga, California

Pastoral service in Winnipeg, 1975

Later in 1975, when he became somewhat stronger (still in retirement as a bishop), Metropolitan Vladimir (Nagosky) was assigned to serve as Rector of Holy Trinity Cathedral in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Holy Trinity Orthodox Sobor

There was a severe shortage of clergy in Canada at that time, and his assignment there was anticipated to be only for a short time. Although he served principally as a parish priest, he would serve hierarchically from time to time with the blessing of Archbishop Sylvester (Haruns). When he did serve hierarchically, he would customarily wear the unique gold vestments that he had been given when he was Metropolitan of Tokyo and Japan.

He did so until he retired completely in 1984.

Metropolitan Vladimir (Nagosky) at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Winnipeg, at Pascha

In December, 1983, Metropolitan Vladimir (Nagosky) was one of the concelebrating bishops for the funeral services of the Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann in New York.

Renovations in the Temple in Winnipeg

During the time of his pastorate in Winnipeg, Metropolitan Vladimir was responsible for the making of a new Holy Table for the Altar in the Temple. He cleaned out the bell-house which had become unusable because of having been used for storage, and he restored it to proper operation.

Vladyka Vladimir cleaned out the basement of the Temple, and it was there that he found a beautiful icon of the Holy Mother of God, face down in the dirt. Those who helped him to clean and prepare the icon commented that the icon emitted a wonderful aroma. One Sunday morning, there was a call from England, which said that this very man had suffered a massive heart attack there. He had been in a coma for 3 days, and the doctors were not sure whether he would ever become conscious. Vladyka Vladimir served a moleben for the family that morning after the Divine Liturgy, in front of this same icon of the Theotokos. Early on the Monday morning, his wife called to Winnipeg and she said that something amazing had happened. Her husband had just awakened, and there was no trace of heart damage to be found. The doctors could not explain what had happened. Indeed, this man never had any heart damage until the day he died. This man built the air-tight box for the icon that remains there today.

This icon was later understood to be a copy of the Icon of the Theotokos which was self-painted, and which had been brought to Holy Trinity Church from Kyiv by Bishop Tikhon in 1904. No-one had any memory of why this icon had been left in the cellar.

Icon of the Theotokos "Self-painted"

The rose-bushes that Vladyka planted on the grounds continued to bloom in the parish yard in 2020. Cedars, hostas and flowering border-plants were planted by Vladyka. He had encouraged people to donate a cedar in memory of departed loved ones, and they did. As it would become necessary, the original hostas and border-plants were later replaced by the parishioners.

In September, 1983, at the request of Metropolitan Philip (Saliba) of the Antiochian Archdiocese, Metropolitan Vladimir (Nagosky) ordained Anthony Edwards to the Holy Diaconate and to the Holy Priesthood. He also ordained Robert Stephen Kennaugh to the Holy Diaconate. Both were assigned by Metropolitan Philip (Saliba) to the Western Rite Vicariate of the Antiochian Archdiocese. Metropolitan Vladimir ordained Ralph (Raphael) Cole to the subdiaconate, so that he would be able to help more at Holy Trinity Cathedral.

In addition, it was during his pastorate that Constance S V Kucharczyk, a grand-daughter of one of the founding families, went to Saint Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in New York to study for the Master of Divinity degree. Having completed that degree, she continued on with further studies in Europe, and to serve the Orthodox Church for many years in Europe, the Middle East, and in North America.

While he was in Winnipeg, Vladyka Vladimir (he is still remembered there simply and affectionately as "Vladyka") continued to teach about the importance of using the English language. As a consequence, there were some who decided to be united to the Orthodox Church. Amongst these was Joseph MacLellan, who then studied at Saint Andrew's College, and was ordained to the Holy Priesthood for service in the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate in Manitoba.

Vladyka at a Winnipeg social : 2 unidentified standing ; seated Anne McIntyre, Metropolitan Vladimir, Preoteasa Martha MacLellan ; standing behind Vladyka, Father Joseph MacLellan

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At Holy Trinity Cathedral : Priest Vasile Ignatescu (Saint Demetrius Romanian Church), Father Mirone Klysh, Father John Harvey (Saint John Suceavsky)

Vladyka Vladimir continued to stress the importance of the proper preparation for and the receiving of Holy Communion on a regular and frequent basis. In order to help to maintain a visible connexion with the Holy Altar, Vladyka Vladimir had the Royal Doors remodelled so that their centre portion was made of glass, which had some decorative wooden pieces attached to it. Thus, when the doors would be closed during services, the parishioners could see the Holy Table. This teaching programme was met with considerable resistance for some time, since these ideas seemed to some parishioners to be new innovations. Many seemed to be afraid that the ideas were promoted under Roman Catholic influence (which they were not). Rather, these teachings (not mere ideas) were at the heart of the earliest days of the Holy Church, in the apostolic period.

Despite differences of opinion and perspective on the part of some parishioners, Vladyka Vladimir established in Winnipeg very many close pastoral friendships both with parishioners and non-parishioners, many of them from widely different ethnic backgrounds. Because he was so well-respected by his neighbours, he baptised many of their children. He was a hard worker, and every winter he shovelled metres of snow from the sidewalks and paths round about the Temple. He was also a good socialiser. When the women of the Sisterhood of the Myrrh-bearing Women were working in the basement of the parish hall (as they frequently did), he would very often go down to them from his quarters on the second floor, and join them in doing their food-preparation and other tasks.

Vladyka with daughters of Priest Joseph and Preoteasa Martha MacLellan

Vladyka, Preoteasa Martha, Doris Skakun, Ann McIntyre

Vladyka, Preoteasa Martha, Jean Kucharczyk, Kenneth Roach, and others

Retirement to Arizona, 1984

After his retirement in 1984, Vladyka Vladimir moved to live in Arizona. He lived in Sun City, a new town within metropolitan Phoenix. He would serve at Saints Peter and Paul's Church, and also at Saint Sava's Serbian Orthodox Church in Phoenix. He enjoyed gardening there, and he offered warm hospitality to the many who went to visit him.

Once, when he entertained visitors (in fact, old friends) from Winnipeg, he invited them to "see the basement" he had purchased. He led them to a spot in a cemetery. His friends insisted that he would not occupy that grave, and they laughed about it.

When his health failed greatly, he went to stay in the home of his sister, Annie Mack and her husband Joe, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Repose, 1997

On 2 August, 1997, Metropolitan Vladimir (Nagosky) reposed in the Lord at the home of his sister.

The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, followed by the Funeral Services for the Burial of a Hierarch were led by Bishop Tikhon (Fitzgerald) of San Francisco and Los Angeles at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, 7 August, at Saints Peter and Paul's Church in Phoenix, Arizona.

Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, Phoenix, Arizona

After the serving of the Order for the Burial of a Hierarch, Metropolitan Vladimir's body was in fact not interred in the grave he had purchased in Arizona.

Instead, his body was transferred to the cemetery at Saint Tikhon’s Monastery at South Canaan, Pennsylvania. There, at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, 9 August, the Divine Liturgy for the feast of Saint Herman of Alaska was served, and at 11:00 a.m., his body was entombed in the new mausoleum in the cemetery. Metropolitan Vladimir was the first person to be entombed there.

Mausoleum marker at Saint Tikhon's Cemetery

— Bishop of Kyoto, Japan (ROGCCNA-MP) 1962-1964. Preceded by : Bishop Sergius (Tikhomirov). Succeeded by : Bishop Theodosius (Nagashima).

— Vicar-Bishop of the Archdiocese of Tokyo 1962-1964.

— Archbishop of Tokyo and Japan 1964-1970. Preceded by : Archbishop Nikon (de Grève).

— Archbishop of Tokyo, Metropolitan of All Japan (ROGCCNA-MP) 1970-1972. Succeeded by : Metropolitan Theodosius (Nagashima).

— Archbishop of San Francisco (OCA) 1972-1975. Preceded by : Archbishop John (Shahovskoy). Succeeded by : Archbishop John (Shahovskoy).

— Former Archbishop of San Francisco 1975-1997.

Reflections

A Winnipeg parishioner recalled Vladyka Vladimir thus :

Vladyka was a very quiet, private, but personable, loving man. He was thoughtful and kind, and was lovely with
his neighbours on Manitoba Avenue - they loved him. He also had a great sense of humour ! He cooked (when we
had evening services, Vladyka, knowing that my husband and I would come right from work, would have a delicious
hot meal ready). He kept his apartment clean, and he also cleaned the church and yard. Vladyka loved rose oil
and he would apply it generously on the icons after cleaning. When you entered the church, the aroma was heavenly !
He was extremely calm, patient and helpful in church, especially when he started teaching us the services. Of course
everyone loves services that run without a hitch, but he always stressed lovingly that God sees the intention,
and it would get better in time. His sense of humour helped put things in perspective, too. Vladyka was always
willing to serve/socialise with everyone, but it was not always reciprocated - he was Russian after all, and
certain local clergy responded negatively because of it ! On the other hand, he treated everyone the same, and he
would socialise with people without distinction. Politics and nationalism were not his concern. But for me, the
most predominant feeling that permeated my entire being when I was in his presence, was that God’s presence was
there too. I knew that his prayers were powerful, and I felt protected and loved. I also knew that whatever
advice he gave me would turn out exactly as he said, if I followed what he said. I am so thankful that God
allowed me to meet him.

When he retired, Vladyka Vladimir received many visits from his former parishioners in Winnipeg.

A priest in Winnipeg wrote thus :

 This Sunday marks the 23rd anniversary of the repose of the blessed Metropolitan Vladimir (Nagosky).  Much has 
 been said about this blessed bishop who served throughout the United States (including the far reaches of Alaska), 
 and Japan (where he was their primate), to Winnipeg where he served from 1975 until he retired in 1984.  But what 
 is remarkable (and why we remember him at every Liturgy) is the fact that in his time here, he blessed and 
 encouraged the use of English, and first welcomed many of those who now make up our parish, and Holy Trinity 
 Sobor.  Like a tiny seed, that when planted and cared for, grows into a mighty tree, his vision of Orthodoxy 
 (cultivated among the indigenous peoples of Alaska, to the faithful Christians in Japan) has grown to transform 
 the lives of many men and women throughout this province, and our parish.

Honours

On 12 April, 1970, Metropolitan Vladimir (Nagosky) received the blessing to wear a second panagia.

References

Orthodoxwiki biography

OCA Obituary

Orthodox Research Institute biography

Russian Wikipedia biography

Russian Wikipedia biography (in Russian)

Drevo Encyclopaedia biography

Orthodox Encyclopedia biography

Additional information :

Shoji, John, “The Orthodox Church of Japan, 1912-1954 : A Time of Troubles” (Masters Thesis at Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, 2007)

Suhanova, Natalya, “History of the Japanese Orthodox Church in the 20th Century : the Road to Autonomy” (St Petersburg : Aletheya, 2013). ISBN 10 : 5914195640 ; ISBN 13 : 978-5914195646. (in Russian)

Tarasar, Constance J, ed., "Orthodox America 1794-1976 : Development of The Orthodox Church in America" (Syosset, NY : The Orthodox Church in America Department of History and Archives, 1975). ASIN : B000ZLZAUE, p. 285.

Russian Religions Persons Abroad obituary (in Russian)

Orthodoxresearchinstitute “Former Hierarchs of The Orthodox Church in America”

Wikipedia article about the Orthodox Church in Japan

Orthodoxwiki article about the Church of Japan

Orthodox Church in Japan web-site

Orthodoxwiki article about The Orthodox Church in America

Orthodoxwiki article about the Church of Japan

Orthodoxwiki article about the Archdiocese of Canada

Moscow Patriarchate article about the Autonomous Church of Japan

Wikipedia article about Holy Resurrection Cathedral, Tokyo, Japan

Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Winnipeg, Manitoba

12th All-American Sobor synopsis by A Liberovsky