Archbishop Benjamin (Basalyga)
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Archbishop Benjamin (Basalyga) (1887-1963)
Basil may be spelt Basile, Vasilios, Vasili, Vasily, Wasyly.
Benjamin may be spelt Veniamin.
Early life of Basil Gregorievich Basalyga
On 11 January, 1887, Basil (Vasily) Gregorievich Basalyga was born to Gregory and Elena Basalyga in Olyphant, Pennsylvania, which is a borough in the anthracite coal region of northeastern Pennsylvania. It was into this region that many emigrants from the Galician and Carpatho-Russian areas of central Europe had moved in order to work in the coal mines. Thus, Basil (Vasily) was a member of one of the earliest families to emigrate to the USA from Slavic middle Europe (specifically from Carpatho-Russia).
From his youth up, he was an active participant in the Orthodox Mission as it developed in North America.
In October, 1897, seeing their son's aspiration for spiritual life, the parents, despite the financial difficulties associated with caring for 4 sons and 4 daughters, decided to send Vasily (Basil) to the newly-opened Russian Orthodox Missionary School in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
In 1902, Basil graduated from the missionary school. He was immediately given a position as an instructor of the school’s preparatory class.
In July, 1903 Basil was sent to Pennsylvania, where he served as a choir director and a parish teacher in Charleroi and in Pittsburgh until 1905.
In October, 1904, he was sent to serve in the same capacity at Saint Michael's Church in Pittsburgh.
Higher education
In 1905, the new seminary in Minneapolis was opened. Under the influence of Priest John Nedzelnitsky, Basil returned to Minnesota as a student there in September, 1905.
Basil completed a 6-year course of study in a shorter period.
In 1910, Basil became seriously ill for a time.
As soon as he recovered from the illness, he entered the Monastery of Saint Tikhon in South Canaan, Pennsylvania.
Monastic tonsure, 1911
On 29 March, 1911, Basil was tonsured to be a monk at Saint Tikhon's Monastery. He was at that time given the name Benjamin.
Ordinations, 1911
On 2 April, 1911 the Monk Benjamin (Basalyga) was ordained to the Holy Diaconate in Brooklyn, New York by Archbishop Platon (Rozhdestvensky).
On 9 April, 1911, Archbishop Platon ordained Hierodeacon Benjamin (Basalyga) to the Holy Priesthood at Saint Tikhon’s Monastery.
Pastoral service
After his ordination, the Hieromonk Benjamin became a sort of travelling priest (or perhaps better, a missionary priest), in that he served on assignment for short times in many parishes throughout the USA. These included parishes in Chicago, Illinois ; Hartshorne, Oklahoma ; Pueblo, Colorado ; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In addition, he helped to organise parishes in Akron, Ohio ; Spring Valley, New York ; and Bellaire, Ohio. Despite any brevity of service, he managed to improve the organisation, and to strengthen the parishes, and he organised other parishes.
In November, 1919, Hieromonk Benjamin was raised to the dignity of igumen by Archbishop Alexander (Nemolovsky).
Archbishop Alexander (Nemolovsky) then assigned Igumen Benjamin (Basalyga) to serve as the dean of the Scranton, Pennsylvania Deanery.
In 1920, Igumen Benjamin was elevated to the dignity of archimandrite.
Service in Canada, 1920-1922
On 15 December, 1920, Archimandrite Benjamin (Basalyga) was assigned to serve as the administrator of the parishes in Canada. He served in this capacity from Holy Trinity Cathedral in Winnipeg, Manitoba, for 2 years. During his pastorate there, he had to cope with the controversies that arose with the establishment in 1919 of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of Canada. This included a court case in southern Manitoba.
After the return of Metropolitan Platon (Rozhdestvensky) to the USA in 1923, Archimandrite Benjamin (Basalyga) was assigned to serve for a time as the metropolitan's personal secretary.
Thereafter, Archimandrite Benjamin again was sent to serve a series of parishes, including, Alpha, New Jersey ; New York City, New York ; Wilmington, Delaware ; Berlin, New Hampshire ; and Montréal, Québec.
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Hieromonk Benjamin (Basalyga)
With the Wilmington parish council
In the wake of the Russian Revolution of 1917, and the establishment of the "Renovationist Church" in the Soviet Union, the North American Diocese suffered great turmoil for a long time. The "epicentre" of the turmoil was Saint Nicholas Cathedral in New York City, where the residence of Vladyka Platon (Rozhdestvensky) was located. In 1925, Archimandrite Benjamin was arrested by the American authorities for refusing to evacuate the New York Cathedral after an American court had decided to transfer it into the hands of the Renovationist "Metropolitan" John Kedrovsky.
During this period of service, in July, 1928, Archimandrite Benjamin was sent to Ellport (that is, Ellwood City, Pennsylvania) in order to lead the services of dedication of the new Russian Orthodox Holy Trinity Church there.
On 9 September, 1933, Archimandrite Benjamin was elected by the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church of North America (Metropolia) to become a bishop.
Episcopal ordination, 1933
On 10 September, 1933, Archimandrite Benjamin (Basalyga) was ordained to the Holy Episcopate at the Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral in New York City. The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy of the ordination was led by Metropolitan Theophilus (Pashkovsky).
Thus, Bishop Benjamin (Basalyga) became the first bishop of the Orthodox Church who had been born in North America.
Bishop Benjamin (Basalyga)
Episcopal service
Bishop Benjamin (Basalyga) was then assigned to be the Bishop of Pittsburgh and West Virginia. His cathedral was at Saint Michael's Church in Pittsburgh.
Despite the burden of administrative duties, Bishop Benjamin finally found a permanent residence. He was then able to take the time to create a long-needed bilingual (English-Slavonic) prayer book. It was published in 1933, and it passed through at least 5 reprints by 1961.
In 1935, in connection with the reconciliation of the North American Metropolitanate ("Metropolia") with the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) in Sremski Karlovtsy, Bishop Benjamin (Basalyga) became a member of the episcopate of the ROCOR.
On 14-24 August, 1938, Bishop Benjamin was sent as a delegate from the "Metropolia" to the All-Russian Sobor of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia at Sremski-Karlovtsy, Yugoslavia.
In view of the fact that there was not a single Orthodox seminary in the USA at that time, he asked the Serbian Patriarch Gavrilo (Dožić) and the Yugoslav government for permission for American students to receive free education in Yugoslav theological schools. This arrangement provided the North American flock with pastors for many years.
During his stay in Europe, Vladyka Benjamin visited Carpatho-Russia and Galicia, the homeland of his parents, where he visited many Orthodox shrines, especially the Pochaev Lavra.
During World War II, he took an active part in the work of the Pittsburgh branch of the Military Aid Society.
Service in Japan, 1946
After the end of the hostilities of World War II, Japan came under the rule of the Allied Occupation Administration headed by the American General Douglas MacArthur. In association with this, the affairs of religious organisations in Japan came under the jurisdiction of the Americans. In this context, there was an appeal from the Church of Japan that a bishop be sent from North America in order to lead the flock. Thus, at the meeting of the Lesser Synod of Bishops of the North American "Metropolia" in New York on 31 October-1 November, 1946, it was decided to send Bishop Benjamin to Japan.
In 1946, Bishop Benjamin (Basalyga) was assigned to lead the Orthodox Church in Japan, which had been placed under the protection of the American "Metropolia" after the Japanese surrender at the end of World War II. He arrived in Tokyo on 7 January, 1947.
In this responsibility, he led the Church of Japan in its recovery from the devastation caused by the war.
The division within the Japanese flock was intensified since the majority of believers there accepted a new bishop from North America, while a minority professed allegiance to the Moscow Patriarchate. Because he was concerned about the possibility that there might arise some acts of violence on the part of the pro-Soviets in the diocese, Vladyka Benjamin asked the army chaplains near Tokyo to announce the service on 7 January, 1947 (the Feast-day of the Nativity of Christ), and that they encourage the Faithful to attend. All was peaceful at the time. There continued to be some disturbances until 1949, after which the situation calmed.
During his time of service in Japan, Bishop Benjamin was in fact the head the Orthodox Church in Japan, although some continued to be under the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate.
Bishop Benjamin came into conflict with supporters of the Moscow Patriarchate, which resulted in lengthy trials, mutual accusations, assaults and even arrests. This was the case with the Korean Orthodox Mission (which had been under the jurisdiction of the Japanese Church since 1923 by order of Patriarch Tikhon (Belavin)). Its leader, Archimandrite Polycarp (Priymak), refused to accept the jurisdiction of the American "Metropolia".
Nevertheless, Vladyka Benjamin made great efforts to restore Church life in Japan. Because of the war many Temples had been destroyed ; the lives of many priests had been lost, and the country was left in ruins and poverty. According to his appeals, donations were repeatedly collected in North America, and a Committee for Assistance to the Japanese Orthodox Church was organised there. The gradual revival of Church life in Japan was reflected in the organisation of the "Nikolskaya School" ("Nikorai Gakuin") at the Tokyo Holy Resurrection Cathedral in 1950, the founding of the "Morning Dawn" ("Akatsuki-kai") preaching society (13 February, 1950) and the "Tokyo Orthodox Youth Society" (September, 1952).
His works were recognised in the USA. On 14 May, 1947, the Great Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church of North America ("Metropolia") elevated him to the dignity of archbishop.
On 23 March, 1948, Vladyka Benjamin was officially assigned to serve as the Archbishop of Tokyo.
As life in the Church of Japan began to stabilise, on 24 August, 1950, a national meeting of Church school teachers was convened.
In 1950, the Eighth All-American Sobor of the Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church of North America (ROGCCNA) especially noted the achievements of Vladyka Benjamin.
On 12 July, 1951, the 90th anniversary of the arrival of Saint Nicholas (Kasatkin) in Japan was marked during the session of the Annual All-Japan Church Council.
Return to the USA, 1953
In 1953, Archbishop Benjamin was succeeded in Japan by Bishop Ireney (Bekish), and he was returned by the Holy Synod of Bishops to the Diocese of Pittsburgh and West Virginia.
On 22 October, 1961, during the celebration of his 50th anniversary of ordination to the Holy Priesthood, Archbishop Benjamin ordained the monk Theodosius (Lazor) to the Holy Priesthood. Hieromonk Theodosius would in time become one of his successors as the Bishop of Pittsburgh.
Repose, 1963
On 15 November, 1963, during the sessions of the Eleventh All-American Sobor, Archbishop Benjamin (Basalyga) fell asleep in the Lord in New York City. He had suffered a heart attack at that time.
On Sunday, 17 November, 1963, at 7:00 p.m., a Parastas (memorial service) was offered at Saint Gregory's Orthodox Church in Homestead, Pennsylvania.
On Monday, 18 November, 1963, the Funeral Services for the Burial of a Hierarch were offered at Saint Gregory's Orthodox Church in Homestead, Pennsylvania. Presiding was Archbishop Ireney (Bekish) of Boston and New England, with Archbishop John (Shahovskoy) of San Francisco. They were assisted by Protopresbyter Joseph Pishtey of Yonkers, New York (Chancellor of the "Metropolia") and Archpriest Nicephore Befmertunk (dean of the diocese). Alexander Bezsmertny (Secretary of the "Metropolia" and the Metropolitan Council) was also present.
On Tuesday, 19 November, 1963, at 10:00 a.m., the bishops and priests served a Memorial Divine Liturgy, followed by a Litiya (memorial service) at Saint Gregory's Orthodox Church in Homestead, Pennsylvania. At this service, Archpriest Nicephore Befmerunk preached a homily in Russian, and Protopresbyter Joseph Pishtey preached a homily in English.
After the completion of the funeral services, the body of Archbishop Benjamin was interred at the cemetery of Saint Tikhon’s Monastery in South Canaan, Pennsylvania.
— Bishop of Pittsburgh and West Virginia 1933-1946. Preceded by : ___. Succeeded by : Bishop Dionysius (Diachenko).
— Bishop of Tokyo, Japan 1946-1948. Preceded by : Metropolitan Sergius (Tikhomirov) and Bishop Nicholas (Ono).
— Archbishop of Tokyo, Japan 1948-1953. Succeeded by : Archbishop Ireney (Bekish)
— Archbishop of Pittsburgh 1953-1963. Preceded by : Archbishop Dionysius (Diachenko) and Archbishop Vyacheslav (Lisitsky). Succeeded by : Archbishop Amvrossy (Merejko)
Reflections
The Serbian Abbot Sophroniy of Yoshanitsa, who had met with Vladyka Benjamin during his stay in Serbia, later recalled Vladyka Benjamin as being a modest and unassuming bishop :
When I asked His Eminence if I could help him with something or, if he wanted, send him a novice to serve him, he simply replied : 'No, thank you, I can handle it myself'. He was not the type to take advantage of his position to gain benefits.
Vladyka Benjamin also left a memory of himself as a convinced anti-communist.
The American Congress even honoured Archbishop Benjamin with a special speech and commendation dated 2 May, 1961. It was expressed by Representative John H Dent of Pennsylvania, who pointed to
his militant opposition to communism that can only be matched by his zeal for his Church and its members.
Awards
• Nabedrennik (1912)
• Diamond Cross on the klobuk (the Eighth All-American Sobor of the Metropolia, 1950)
References
Russian Religions Persons Abroad biography
Orthodox Encyclopaedia biography
Additional information :
Archdiocese of Canada — Orthodox Church in America, “The Orthodox Church in Canada : A Chronology” (Ottawa : Archdiocese of Canada, 1988).
Borivskaya, G V, ‘Russia and Korea : Review of Church Relations’ in “Missionary Review”, no. 4 (2004).
Dent, the Honourable John H, “Archbishop Basalyga Benjamin - A Testimonial on the Occasion of the Dedication of a New Russian Orthodox Church in Monessen, PA” (Washington : Congressional Record of the House of Representatives-Appendix, 2 May, 1961).
…… “Golden Anniversary Banquet - 50 years of Priesthood of His Eminence, Archbishop Benjamin of Pittsburgh and West Virginia, 1911-1961” (Pittsburgh : Golden Hilton, 1961).
Liberovsky, A P, ‘The Orthodox Church in America : Saints and Cathedrals’ in “Tenth Annual Theological Conference of the Orthodox St. Tikhon Theological Institute: materials” (Moscow : Publishing House PSTBI, 2000), p. 421.
…… ‘Tokyo Cathedral of the Resurrection in the History of the Japanese Orthodox Church’ in “Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate”, no. 6 (2000).
Scratch, Archpriest Gregory, “Archbishop Benjamin (Basalyga)”
Stokoe M, Kishkovsky L, “Orthodox Christians in North America : 1794-1994” (Orthodox Church in America, 1995), p. 77. ISBN : 0866420533, ISBN : 978-0866420532.
Tarasar, C J, ed., “Orthodox America 1794-1976 : Development of the Orthodox Church in America” (Syosset, NY : Orthodox Church in America, 1975). ASIN : B000ZLZAUE.
Ushimaru, Yasuo, “History of the Orthodox Church in Japan” (Tokyo : Printed by the Orthodox Church of Japan, 1978), pp. 150-152. (in Japanese)
Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, parish article
Wikipedia article about Olyphant, Pennsylvania
Wikipedia article about Pennsylvania
OCA article about the Russian Orthodox Mission
Article about the Russian Mission in North America
Orthodoxwiki article about the Church of Japan
Timeline of Orthodoxy in Japan
Japanese Wikipedia article about Holy Resurrection Cathedral (Nikolai-do) in Tokyo
Cathedral web-site history of Nikolai-do, Tokyo
Wikipedia article about the Archdiocese of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania
History of the Diocese of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania
Orthodoxwiki article about St Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary
Orthodox Christianity in North America’ in “The Orthodox Church”, no. 3 (1993), p. 4.
“Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate”, no. 10 (1950), p. 31 ; no. 8 (1960), p. 68. (in Russian)
“Commemorative Album in Honour of the Consecration of the restored Tokyo Resurrection Cathedral” (Tokyo : Memorial Magazine Publishing Committee, 1998) (in Japanese)
Archbishop Alexander (Nemolovsky)
Metropolitan Platon (Rozhdestvensky)
Metropolitan Theophilus (Pashkovsky)
Metropolitan Leonty (Turkevich)
Orthodoxwiki article about The Orthodox Church in America
Findagrave article about Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Cemetery in South Canaan, Pennsylvania
Findagrave listing for Archbishop Benjamin (Basalyga) at St Tikhon’s Orthodox Cemetery
List of Departed Bishops in/of Canada
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