Archbishop Kiprian (Borisevich)

Archbishop Kiprian (Borisevich) of Philadelphia (1903-1980)

Kiprian may be spelt Cyprian, Cyprianos, Kyprianos.

Borisevich may be spelt Borisevitch, Borysevich, Borisewitsch, Borisewicz, Borisov.

Early life of Boris Pavlovich Borisevich

On 15 August, 1903, Boris Pavlovich Borisevich was born in Kholm (Chełm), in the Lublin Governorate of the Kingdom of Poland (which was at that time was a part of the Russian Empire) to Pavel Borisevich and his wife. Pavel Borisevich worked as a “feldsher” (a middle medical worker, or paramedic).

Boris Pavlovich had an elder brother, Pavel Pavlovich, who had been born in Chełm on 22 March, 1899. This brother Pavel followed a similar path in life, although without emigrating. His biographical summary is found after the end of this biography.

Boris Pavlovich had been born near the Kholm (Chelm) Theological Seminary, and during his early years he was beneficially influenced by the spiritually rich environment of both the seminary and the Orthodox Christian Faith which had for many centuries been prevalent in this region.

In a later recollection about his childhood, he said :

 Vaguely, as in a dream, do I remember those people who were connected with the seminary during my childhood.  
 I remember only the name of Father Macarius {not his looks).  Especially the stories told about him and his
 holy life are still deeply embedded in my heart.  He was indeed a remarkable man of God, a good Christian 
 and a man who gave away everything he had to the needy only to be abused many times by these people for 
 whom he did so much.

In 1914, World War I began, and in early 1915, Boris Pavlovich moved away in evacuation with his parents. First, they went to Smolensk. However, later in the same year they moved to the Moscow Governorate, where they settled in September, 1915, in Zvenigorod, about 60 km (37 mi) east of Moscow.

Soon after their arrival in Zvenigorod, Boris Pavlovich entered the Theological Preparatory School (which included the gymnasium level of education) attached to the Monastery of Saint Sava in Zvenigorod, and he began his theological education.

Higher Education

Some years later (probably soon after the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution) the family again moved, and this time to Kremenets, Volhynia. where Boris Pavlovich entered the Volyn Theological Seminary. Kremenets was at that time in Eastern Poland. He graduated from there in 1925.

Boris Pavlovich next enrolled for study at the Orthodox Theological Faculty of the University of Warsaw. At his graduation in 1931, he received the Master of Sacred Theology degree. His thesis had been entitled “Saint Cyprian : his Life and Works”.

While he was studying, he met Galina Leyitsky, and they decided to marry.

Marriage, 1927

On 23 September, 1927, Boris P Borisevich and Galina Leyitsky were united in Holy Matrimony.

Ordinations

On 12 February, 1928, Boris Pavlovich Borisevich was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by Bishop Simon (Ivanovskiy) of the Kremenets Vicariate of the Volyn Diocese.

On 15 February, 1928, Deacon Boris Borisevich was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by Bishop Simon (Ivanovksiy) of Kremenets.

Saint Nicholas Cathedral, Kremenets

Pastoral service

The Priest Boris Borisevich was assigned to a parish in the village of Lopusho, in the Diocese of Volyn (at that time, called the Volyn and Zhitomir Diocese).

Meanwhile, he was continuing his work towards the completion of his academic studies.

Once he had received his academic degree, Father Boris was assigned to serve in Grodno (after 1921, it was part of Poland). He served as the Supervisor of Religious Education, and he taught in 5 secondary schools there (gymnasium level). He was also assigned to the responsibilities of Diocesan Missioner, and Sacristan of Holy Protection Cathedral.

Holy Protection Cathedral, Grodno

In a later reflection about his experience of teaching in Grodno, he said :

 I remember how shy and unsure I was while conducting my first senior class where the boys and girls 
 were only a few years younger than myself.

In 1939, Father Boris was transferred, and he was assigned to serve as Supervisor of Religious Education to Vilno. At that time, this city was situated in northeastern Poland, which became Lithuania. He, Matushka Galina and their daughter Katherine moved to this city, and Father Boris taught there at the same level (gymnasium) until 1940.

World War II, 1939-1945

By 1940, the great disturbances in society associated with World War II began in this region with the invasion first by the Soviet Union in July, 1940. At this time, the Soviet Government abolished the teaching of religion in all the schools in Lithuania. This period was accompanied by large-scale deportations of people to various USSR concentration camps.

In June, 1942, the occupation of Poland by the Nazi German Army took place.

Soon afterwards, Father Boris Borisevich was assigned to serve as the Assistant Dean of the Annunciation Cathedral in Kaunas, Lithuania.

Holy Annunciation Cathedral, Kaunas, Lithuania

Serving there, Father Boris came into contact with many recent refugees who had fled the Soviet Union, during the German exodus. He was greatly touched by the sincerity of these people who had been deprived of the sacraments of the Church because of the atheistic Communist oppression there. From his many pastoral experiences, he later recalled :

 In my memory lives one particular episode during confessions.  When I asked a young girl if she knew any prayers, 
 and upon receiving a positive answer, I asked her to tell them to me.  She went through several well-known prayers 
 and then said, 'I know one more – “The Sun Rises and Sets”'.  I was shocked, for that is a well-known Russian prison 
 song, and I thought she was a member of the Komsomol and wanted to ridicule the Holy Sacrament and the priest.   
 I asked her to tell it to me.  How I regret that I was not able to write down the words which were so beautiful 
 and inspiring, composed by some pious and deeply religious people.

Exile in Austria and Germany, 1944

Two years later, in July, 1944, when the Soviet Union re-occupied the Baltic States, Father Boris, accompanied by his family, left Lithuania, along with many other refugees. Father Boris and his family went to Austria. There, they settled in Linz. In 1944, this was still in Nazi-controlled territory, and Linz was the site of the Mauthausen Concentration Camp, which included a very large group of other such forced-labour camps. It is not certain in what capacity Father Boris and his family lived in Linz under these circumstances. Regardless, as did other Orthodox priests (and bishops) in similar circumstances, Father Boris did whatever he could to care for the spiritual needs of the Orthodox Christian people who came to him.

It is possible that Father Boris established a parish in Linz, but it is not certain.

In early 1945, the “liberation of Austria” began, and on 5 May, 1945, Linz was liberated by the forces of the Allies. However, this was preceded by more than a month of Soviet control of Austria, and many people were forcibly sent into the USSR.

After this, Father Boris moved to Augsburg, Bavaria, in what soon became West Germany, where he was instrumental in organising a Russian Orthodox Church in that city. There had been a pre-existing community in the city, named for the Icon “Joy of All who Sorrow”, and part of the "Archdiocese of Russian Orthodox Churches in Western Europe". However, it did not yet have its own place, nor did it have regular services. The arrival of refugees now greatly increased the number of Orthodox Faithful.

With the aid of the local Roman Catholics and the Protestants, Father Boris, himself a refugee, was able to care for the needs of the many Russian Orthodox refugees that had fled the Soviet Union and lived in the temporary camps set up for them by various organisations. On a regular basis, he was able to conduct Orthodox Christian services (chiefly the Divine Liturgy) for the many refugees in that city. Managing to do so was fraught with obstacles. As he later recalled :

 In the beginning the services were held in the camp.  However, each Sunday the camp leaders 
 would provide us with a new location. Later we found a [...] room which also proved to be 
 uncomfortable and inconvenient.  We then decided to find a place in the city since most 
 of the parishioners lived outside the camp.  The last service in the camp was held on 
 Palm Sunday, 1946.  We discovered a chapel in a Protestant cemetery.  After meeting with 
 the Protestant clergy and the cemetery administration, we finally received permission 
 to have the use of the chapel.  The Passion service was held in our new church.
 
 The large Chapel was packed by the faithful believers.  The Germans looked with amazement 
 at these 'peculiar foreigners who walked around the streets and boarded streetcars with 
 lighted candles'.
 
 Even though there was a curfew by the military officials and there was no public transportation 
 available, the Glorious Resurrection service, in keeping with tradition, was celebrated at midnight.  
 With the chapel filled to capacity and many people standing outside, the 'Feast of all Feasts 
 and Triumph of all Triumphs' was greeted with joy and happiness.

In gratitude for his devoted service and his untiring efforts in the organisation and development of this parish, Father Boris was awarded a jewelled pectoral Cross, the gift of his beloved parishioners. The Cross was cast of silver and adorned with precious stones that were gathered from different items donated by the Faithful who greatly appreciated his spiritual guidance.

In addition to serving the needs of the parish in Augsburg, Father Boris also served as the chairman of the Missionary Committee, which published many articles and spiritual tracts for distribution to the spiritually-starved refugee people, who had fled the atheist Communist oppression within the Soviet Union.

During this time in Bavaria he was also a member of the Bishop's Council, having been elected by the Diocesan Assembly ; he was also president of the Eparchial Missionary Committee and Vice President of the Building Committee for the restoration of Saint Nicholas Sobor in Stuttgart, Germany.

Emigration to the USA, 1949

After having done his best as a pastor in caring for the spiritual flock of the Augsburg parish for nearly 3 years, Father Boris and his family were able to move to the USA.

On 18 July, 1949, Father Boris, Matushka Galina, and their daughter Katherine landed in New York City. He then presented himself and his documents to the headquarters of the “Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church in America” (ROGCCNA) at the “Holy Protection Cathedral” in the city. Metropolitan Theophilus (Pashkovsky) later received Father Boris officially, and he included him amongst the clergy of the “Metropolia”.

Pastoral service in the USA, 1949

The first assignment of Father Boris Borisevich was as the Second Priest at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Chicago, Illinois.

He served as an assistant to Archbishop Leonty (Turkevich) of Chicago.

Holy Trinity Cathedral, Chicago

In May, 1950, Father Boris Borisevich was transferred, and he and his family moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where he served as the pastor of Holy Trinity Temple there.

In November, 1953, Father Boris Borisevich was transferred, and he was assigned to serve in the parish of Saint Andrew the Apostle in Baltimore, Maryland. At the same time, he was assigned to serve as the Dean of the Washington, DC Deanery. As he cared for the people in Baltimore, he gained the love and support of the Faithful. Together with them, several very important tasks were accomplished : a Church school programme was established. Also, the Temple, the auditorium and the rectory were completely remodelled.

Saint Andrew's Temple, Baltimore, Maryland

While they lived and served in Baltimore, both Father Boris and Matushka Galina were able to rejoice on 23 January, 1955, when their daughter Katherine was married to Walter Perkowetz.

In 1959, Father Boris Borisevich was transferred. He was assigned to serve in the parish of the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos in Stamford, Connecticut. In addition to serving this parish, where he worked in a similarly energetic manner, Father Boris also supported the Central Administration of the “Metropolia” by serving as the editor of the “Russian Orthodox Messenger”. With that assignment, he was also assigned to the Metropolitan Board of Censors, and to be the compiler and editor of the annual Church Calendar with the liturgical rubrics.

Holy Dormition Temple, Stamford, Connecticut (second, newer building)

Bereavement, 1961

In the midst of his pastoral service in Connecticut, on 3 July, 1961, Matushka Galina Borisevich fell asleep in the Lord.

The usual panikhidas (memorial services) for her repose were served at the Assumption Temple in Stamford.

Then the Funeral Services for the Burial of a Lay-person were served at the Assumption Temple.

Following the funeral services, the body of Matushka Galina was interred at the Monastery of Saint Tikhon Cemetery in South Canaan, Pennsylvania.

Grave marker Matushka Galina Borisewitsch, Saint Tikhon's Monastery

It is not unusual that a priest who suffers grief in being widowed would afterwards consider the possibility of becoming a monk. Indeed, in the context of the spiritual inheritance of Father Boris, this consideration would naturally come to his mind and heart.

Because of the needs of the Church, Father Boris was approached by the hierarchs and they also urged him to consider this step. Others of the bishops at that time had also been previously married but then widowed.

Monastic tonsure, 1961

On 6 October, 1961, the Archpriest Boris Borisevich was tonsured to be a monk by Archbishop Ireney (Bekish) of Boston and New England in the Monastery of Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk in South Canaan, Pennsylvania. He was given the name Kiprian (after Saint Cyprian of Carthage).

He was given this name with some historical context in mind. When he had long ago been a student, the the now Hieromonk Kiprian (Borisevich) had written a thesis about Saint Cyprian of Carthage for the Master of Sacred Theology.

On 7 October, 1961, the Hieromonk Kiprian (Borisevich) was elevated to the dignity of archimandrite.

Episcopal ordination, 1961

On 14 October, 1961 (on Feast of the Feast of the Protection of the Theotokos, Old-Style), in the Cathedral of the Protection of the Theotokos in New York City, New York, Archimandrite Kiprian (Borisevich) was ordained to the Holy Episcopate by Metropolitan Leonty (Turkevich) of New York ; Metropolitan Andrey (Petkov) of the Bulgarian Orthodox Diocese of America ; Archbishop Ireney (Bekish) of Boston.

Bishop Kiprian (Borisevich) of Washington

Episcopal service

Bishop Kiprian (Borisevich) was assigned to serve as the Vicar-Bishop of Washington (a vicariate of the Diocese of New York).

As did his predecessor, he continued to reside at Saint Tikhon's Orthodox Monastery.

Saint Tikhon's Monastery and Temple with bell-house before renovation

Original Altar of the Saint Tikhon Temple

The east end of the new Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk Catholicon, with a monastery structure behind

The west entrance of the new Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk Catholicon

The new Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk Catholicon interior

In 1962, Bishop Kiprian (Borisevich) was assigned to serve as the Rector of Saint Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary in South Canaan, Pennsylvania.

Later, Vladyka Kiprian recalled :

 In October of 1961, after the death of my wife, our Lord God called me to a new responsibility – the office of Episcopacy.  
 Together with the Bishop's Omophorion (the Pallium), another task was placed upon my shoulders – the leadership of a seminary 
 whose task it is to prepare future ministers at the Altar, pastors of the Church of Christ.  This is a very difficult and 
 very important task in our days when everything must be accompanied with hard work and great efforts.

Soon after Vladyka Kiprian was assigned to serve as the Rector of Saint Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary, he chose the student Joseph Swaiko to serve as his personal secretary. Joseph continued in this service after his graduation from the seminary in 1963.

From the time he took up his responsibilities, and now living at Saint Tikhon's Monastery, Archimandrite Kiprian began to nurture Saint Tikhon's Seminary by strengthening the academic standards.

He had arrived at a time when the monastic quarters and Temple were being remodelled and expanded.

Archpriest Dimitri Ressetar presents a cheque for the seminary building fund

In 1962, when Archimandrite Gabriel (Sokolov) retired, Bishop Kiprian was assigned to serve as the Abbot of Saint Tikhon's Monastery, and he took up the renovation projects regarding the monastery buildings and the seminary that were already in progress. At that time, the monastic brotherhood numbered 10. Despite the advanced age of most of the monks, the brotherhood had a sense that the Lord was calling them to prepare for the future. Thus, the brotherhood supported the many changes that were in progress.

In part of 1962 and part of 1963, Bishop Kiprian (Borisevich) served as the administrator of the Archdiocese of Canada until the arrival of Bishop Sylvester (Haruns).

On 10 June, 1962 (as part of his responsibility as administrator), Bishop Kiprian (Borisevich) travelled to Sandy Lake, Manitoba, Canada, in order to sanctify the new Temple which had been erected. This Temple replaced the previous one which had been burnt by lightning in 1953. He was assisted by local clergy.

Procession at the sanctification of the Sandy Lake Temple of Saint Nicholas

Then, in 1963, Archbishop Dimitry (Magan) of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania retired.

Bishop of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, 1964

In March, 1964, Bishop Kiprian (Borisevich) was elected to become the Bishop of Philadelphia and the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania. At the same time, he was released from the responsibility of Bishop of Washington.

Bishop Kiprian now added to his already demanding responsibilities the administration of the diocese, the regular pastoral visitations to the many parishes of this diocese, and meetings of the Holy Synod of Bishops.

In March and April, 1964, Bishop Kiprian ordained Joseph Swaiko to the Holy Diaconate and to the Holy Priesthood. He assigned him to serve in 2 nearby parishes as their pastor ; at the same time, he retained the Priest Joseph Swaiko as his secretary, and Vladyka added to his responsibilities that of serving as Instructor in Church Slavonic in Saint Tikhon's Seminary.

On Friday, 29 May, 1964, the second phase of the construction and renovation was blessed by Bishop Ireney (Bekish), Bishop Sylvester (Haruns), and Bishop Kiprian (Borisevich). Present were many visiting clergy besides the monastics.

After this, the faculty of the seminary was expanded and strengthened, and there were developed other methods of fundraising to support the seminary. The 2 phases of the building programme (which had by then been completed), resulted in a remaining mortgage of $40,000. In order to meet the increasing expenses, the seminary administration appealed to the faithful members of The Orthodox Church in America to donate towards the future of this seminary. During that year alone, the seminary mission choir collected over $10,000 in donations towards the seminary building fund, from the parishes that had been visited by the choir during the Great Lenten period. The seminary faculty also became extremely expanded. Besides Bishop Kiprian, their number included Archimandrite Victorin (Ursache) (Professor of Liturgics, Homiletics, and Canon Law) ; Father Dimitry Ressetar (Professor of Church Music) ; Hieromonk Seraphim (Bobich) (Instructor in Church Slavonic and Liturgics) ; Father Paul Kleinshrodt (Professor of Dogmatic Theology, Bible History and English) ; Mr. Alexander Paupertow (Professor of Old and New Testament) ; Mr. Eugene Novitsky (Instructor in Church History and Russian).

With regard to the progress during the first 25 years of the service of Saint Tikhon's Theological Seminary, Bishop Kiprian stated in October, 1963, that :

 The merits and deeds of the seminary do not need to be extolled but should be commemorated with respect and 
 in a manner that will insure the continuity of fruitfulness and service and allow for an increase in scope 
 and progress.

At the 25th Anniversary of Saint Tikhon's Seminary, a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was served by Archbishop Ireney (Bekish), Archbishop Nikon (de Grève), and Bishop Kiprian (Borisevich), along with many clergy. Afterwards, Metropolitan Leonty (Turkevich) served a Moleben of Thanksgiving. He then recalled that he had taught in this seminary for many years ; he had worked for a long time towards its development, and now he felt very glad to see such progress.

Saint Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary

Saint Tikhon's Seminary Chapel

In 1965, Bishop Kiprian (Borisevich) was released from the responsibility of editing “The Orthodox Church” newspaper (the successor to “The Russian Orthodox Messenger”, and this work was transferred to the Archpriest John Meyendorff.

Further building projects were completed in 1967, and the curriculum of the seminary was completely reorganised. Moreover, in this year the seminary was formally incorporated in the State of Pennsylvania. A third beginning during this year was participation in the newly-organised Orthodox Inter-Seminary Movement (OISM).

Also in 1967, the Archpriest Vladimir Borichevsky was added to the seminary faculty.

In 1970, Bishop Kiprian (Borisevich) was elevated to the dignity of archbishop

Archbishop Kiprian (Borisevich)

He was also assigned to serve as a member of the Lesser Synod of Bishops (a small group of bishops meeting periodically with the metropolitan between full meetings of the Holy Synod), and as chairman of the Department of External Affairs.

Autocephaly, 1970

Beginning in 1963, there had been a series of meetings between the “Metropolia” and the Moscow Patriarchate regarding the possibility of the restoration of communion between the North American Church and the patriarchate. There were many meetings, in which Bishop Kiprian was a participant amongst others. Then, on 31 March, 1970, the agreement (the result of these meetings between senior bishops and clergy of the two Churches) was signed in the residence of Metropolitan Ireney (Bekish) in Syosset, New York.

The participants had been : Metropolitan Nikodim (Rotov) of Leningrad (St. Petersburg) ; Archbishop Kiprian (Borisevich) of Philadelphia ; Archpriest Vitaly Borovoy, representative of the Moscow Patriarchate to the WCC ; Archpriest Livery Voronoff, professor at the Leningrad Theological Academy ; Hieromonk Kirill (Gundyaev) ; Protopresbyter Joseph Pishtey II, Chancellor of the “Metropolia” ; Archpriest Alexander Schmemann ; Archpriest John Meyendorff ; Archpriest John Skvir. On the part of both Churches, there had been other persons involved in the preparation of various elements and details. The final agreement (which was the granting of autocephaly to the daughter Church) was confirmed by Patriarch Alexei I (Simansky) soon thereafter (shortly before his repose in Christ).

The actual document, the “Tomos of Autocephaly”, was presented on 10 April, 1970. Metropolitan Pimen (Izvekov) gave the document officially and publicly to Bishop Theodosius (Lazor), who was the bishop sent by the Great Council of Bishops as their representative. This young bishop served as a personal representation of the fruit of the long-previous missionary labours of the Russian Orthodox Church in North America through its “Russian Mission”.

Presentation of the “Tomos of Autocephaly", 10 April, 1970

The delegations at the granting of autocephaly

Thus, the “Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church in North America” became “The Orthodox Church in America”.

Following this pivotal event for the Church in North America, Archbishop Kiprian (Borisevich) continued in the vigourous exercise of his many responsibilities.

After the glorification of Saint Herman of Alaska on 9 August, 1970, Father Joseph Swaiko (who had considered the possibility for a long time) was sufficiently moved by the events that he requested monastic tonsure from Archbishop Kiprian. Vladyka Kiprian understood directly, and later in the year, he tonsured Father Joseph to be a monk in and of the Monastery of Saint Tikhon. He gave the new monk the name Herman (after Saint Herman of Alaska).

First All-American Council, 1970

Archbishop Kiprian (Borisevich) was responsible for the hosting arrangements at Saint Tikhon's Monastery and Seminary for the First All-American Council following the Granting of Autocephaly, which met 20-22 October, 1970.

 On Tuesday, 20 October, 1970, in a remote setting in the Pocono Mountains, a procession of 
 some 319 priests and laymen, followed by 10 bishops, archbishops and His Beatitude, the 
 Most Blessed Metropolitan Ireney, made its way to the Monastery of Saint Tikhon, South Canaan, 
 Pennsylvania.  Once this august body was gathered inside the Church, the Rev. Protopresbyter
 Joseph J Pishtey read the Tomos proclaiming the Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church in America
 the Autocephalous Orthodox Church in America.  No one can put into words the great joy that rang out 
 through the hearts of those gathered in the Church.  Songs of praise and thanksgiving were heard, 
 entreating God's blessings upon the birth of the new Autocephalous Church. There were also prayers
 offered to the newly-canonised Herman, the Blessed Saint of Alaska and the first Saint in North 
 America.  After the Moleiben, the Primate of the Church, His Beatitude, the Most Blessed Metropolitan 
 Ireney announced the official opening of the First Council of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church in 
 America.  It was in this manner that the official birth of the Orthodox Ohurch in America was 
 announced to the world.

Then the delegates unanimously resolved to erect an appropriate Bell-Tower in stone which would serve as a suitable monument for this historic event within the life of the Church in America, and which would also serve as a memorial to the founders of the Orthodox Church in America.

In 1971, Archbishop Kiprian (Borisevich) elevated the Hieromonk Herman (Swaiko) to the dignity of igumen. He also assigned him to serve as the Igumen (Abbot) of Saint Tikhon's Monastery.

Second All-American Council, 1971

On 19-21 October, 1971, the Second All-American Council of the Orthodox Church in America was convened at Saint Tikhon's Monastery. This assembly was for the purpose of giving formal acceptance to the Statutes of the Church, an important element in the re-organisation and stabilisation of the North American Church.

Archbishop Kiprian with Archpriest Dimitri Ressetar and Priest Daniel Ressetar

On 10 February, 1973, the now Archimandrite Herman (Swaiko) was ordained to the Holy Episcopate in Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. As Bishop of Wilkes-Barre, Bishop Herman (Swaiko) now began to serve as the Vicar-Bishop for Archbishop Kiprian (Borisevich) and for the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania.

First episcopal blessing

Archbishop Kiprian (Borisevich) worked for the steady development and strengthening of both Saint Tikhon's Monastery and Saint Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary. Various international delegations were hosted warmly at the monastery during their visits to The Orthodox Church in America. Archbishop Kiprian consciously strove to be faithful to the vision of the founders of this monastery, the heart (as it were) of the diocese, and of The Orthodox Church in America : Saint Tikhon (Belavin) of Moscow, and Archbishop Arseny (Chahovtsov) (who also founded the seminary in 1938). Vkadyka Kiprian said :

 Today the aims of St. Tikhon's Monastery are the same as those which were established more than 
 sixty years ago by the Foμnder, Pariarch-Confessor, His Beatitude Tikhon.  The Monastery continues 
 to be the "Centre of Orthodoxy" in America, as were the great monasteries of Russia.

Repose, 1980

On Sunday, 14 December, 1980, Archbishop Kiprian (Borisevich) fell asleep in the Lord.

On Wednesday, 17 December, 1980, Archbishop Kiprian's coffin was brought to the Monastery Temple of Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk, where it remained open for the rest of the day. In the evening, the Funeral Service for the Burial of a Hierarch was led by Metropolitan Theodosius (Lazor). He was assisted by other bishops and many clergy.

On Thursday, 18 December, at 10:00 a.m., a Hierarchical Memorial Divine Liturgy was served by Metropolitan Theodosius, other bishops and clergy in the Monastery Temple. Afterwards, a Memorial Litya was served.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy and Litya, the coffin was carried around the exterior of the Monastery Temple as is customary, and then the procession continued on to the cemetery.

The body of Archbishop Kiprian (Borisevich) was interred at Saint Tikhon's Monastery in South Canaan, Pennsylvania.

Surviving Vladyka Kiprian were his daughter, Katherine Perkowetz of Baltimore, and 2 grandsons.

— Bishop of Washington 1961-1964. Preceded by : Bishop Jonah (Stahlberg). Succeeded by : Bishop Theodosius (Lazor).

— Vicar-Bishop of the Diocese of New York 1961-1964.

— Bishop of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania 1964-1970. Preceded by : Archbishop Dimitry (Magan).

— Archbishop of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania 1970-1990. Succeeded by : Bishop Herman (Swaiko).

Reflections

Archbishop Kiprian (Borisevich) was a devoted, Christ-loving bishop whose priority throughout his life was to serve Christ, and to nurture the rational sheep of every spiritual flock that was entrusted to him.

The general paucity of information readily available about the pastoral activities of Archbishop Kiprian (Borisevich) within the diocese and within The Orthodox Church in America is, in fact, in contrast with the multitude of the activities in which he was involved. What is described in this text, and other available texts, is (as is the case with many a bishop) less than “the tip of the iceberg” of the actual labours. These details can be found only in certain archives.

At one time, Archbishop Kiprian (Borisevich) served as an administrator of the Archdiocese of Canada (in addition to his other responsibilities).

Archbishop Kiprian (Borisevich) served the Lord in the Church with his whole being. His teaching and example helped to form a very large number of students (many from Canada and elsewhere included) in the manner of serving as an Orthodox Christian pastor. This good shepherd, therefore, inspired others in following Christ to become good shepherds as well. During the more than 10 years of his archpastoral leadership, there was very substantial growth and strengthening in the Monastery of Saint Tikhon, Saint Tikhon's Seminary, and in the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania.

Much more could be written about Archbishop Kiprian (Borisevich). To do so, however, will require access to various archives in order to make a proper and detailed biography.

Archbishop Varlaam (Borisevich), elder brother of Vladyka Kiprian

The elder brother of Archbishop Kiprian was Archbishop Varlaam (Borisevich).

Archbishop Varlaam (Borisevich) as a bishop in the 1950s

Born in 1899, in Kholm (Chełm), Pavel Pavlovich Borisevich began his studies in the Chełm Seminary. However, with his the family, he was evacuated ultimately to the Moscow Governorate during World War I.

After the war, he went to study at the Volyn Orthodox Theological Seminary in Kremenets.

After graduating, he was married, and then he was ordained to the Holy Diaconate, and later to the Holy Priesthood on 26 September, 1921, in Vladimir-Volynsk.

In March, 1923, he was transferred to the village of Konyukhov Gorokhovsky in the Volyn Diocese (part of Poland after the Treaty of Riga, 18 March, 1921).

From 1924, he served first as an assistant to the district missionary, and then from 1929 as a county missionary in Gorokhovsky, Volyn Province. Although western Volyn was a part of the Diocese of Warsaw, it was necessary that he struggle against sectarianism and that he resist the onslaught of Roman Catholicism. As a consequence of this activity, he was tried by the Polish authorities, and he suffered.

In 1938, Father Pavel Borisevich was appointed dean of the Podberez Deanery in the Volyn Diocese (from September. 1939, in the Soviet Union (USSR) and reunited with the Moscow Patriarchate).

In July, 1941, he was removed from his position as dean by the Autocephalist Bishop Poliikarp (Sikorski), who also prohibited him from serving as a priest. There was a general and strong pressure against those who remained with the Moscow Patriarchate. Father Pavel disobeyed the orders, and the parishioners supported him. Father Pavel was part of the Moscow Patriarchate Exarchate of Ukraine, rather than as a participant in the independent entity.

In July, 1943, the Temple where he served was burnt by a punitive Nazi German expedition.

In 1944, his wife was killed by a German artillery shell.

Later in 1944, Father Pavel was transferred to serve as the rector of the Temple in Lokachev, and the Dean of Lokachev Deanery.

In 1943-1944, the autocephalist bishops fled to the West with the retreat of the Nazi German troops.

On 1 December, 1944, Father Pavel Borisevich was elected to become a bishop. He had originally been designated for the Diocese of Lviv and Stanislav, but the Holy Synod changed this on 18 April, 1945.

On 29 April, 1945, in the Temple of the Holy Cross in Lutsk, Father Pavel was tonsured to be a monk by Archibishop Nikolai (Chufarovsky), and he was given the name Varlaam (after Saint Varlaam, the First Igumen of the Kyiv Caves Monastery).

On 12 May, 1945, Archimandrite Varlaam (Borisevich) was formally elected to the Diocese of Vinnytsia and Bratslav in the Holy Monastery of Saint Michael in Kyiv.

On 13 May, 1945, Archimandrite Varlaam (Borisevich) was ordained to the Holy Episcopate in the Cathedral of Saint Vladimir in Kyiv by Metropolitan Ioann (Sokolov) of Kyiv and Halych, Patriarchal Exarch, and other bishops. As Bishop of Vinnitsa and Bratslav, his constant concern was to provide parishes with clergy. Despite the difficult times, they organised Orthodox courses, which in 1945-1946 accepted 40 persons.

Church life in Western Ukraine was distinguished by a confessional variety, in that across the territory there were Orthodox Christians, Roman Catholics, Uniats, Baptists, Jehovah's Witnesses and other sectarians. Vladyka Varlaam required a great deal of wisdom, tact and perseverance to lead the clergy, amongst whom were many recently-received former uniats. In order to conduct missionary work, it was necessary that as much as possible he find ways to resist the demands of the government on the Russian Orthodox Church. In every way possible it tried to limit the influence of the Moscow Patriarchate on the population (which included the tactic of ensuring that the Church would transfer bishops frequently). Nevertheless, the constant concern of Vladyka Varlaam was to provide the parishes with clergy, and to increase the level of training of clerics. The bishop organised the services during 1945/1946, and with 40 people he took care of providing the proper manner of serving of the Divine Services. In the process, they tried to extract the elements borrowed from Roman Catholic worship. He preached clearly, which was facilitated by his excellent knowledge of the Ukrainian language.

In January, 1946, Vladyka Varlaam was awarded the Medal “For valiant work during the Great Patriotic War”.

On 3 January, 1946, by a ruling of the Holy Synod, Bishop Varlaam (Borisevich) was transferred, and he was assigned to the Volyn and Rivne Diocese. One of Vladyka Varlaam's main concerns during his stay in the Volyn Diocese was to recover the proper singing of Church music in worship. His report to Patriarch Alexei I (Simansky), “Services in Volyn” is of interest.

On 3 June, 1948, by a ruling of the Holy Synod, Bishop Varlaam (Borisevich) was transferred, and he was assigned to the Kamenets-Podilsk and Proskurov Diocese.

On 30 January, 1952, Vladyka Varlaam was transferred, and he was assigned to the Diocese of Izmael and Bolgrad. There, he created 2-week courses for clergy (most of them were without spiritual education), and more than half of the priests of the diocese passed through the courses.

On 6 March, 1954, Vladyka Varlaam was transferred, and he was assigned to serve as the Bishop of Khmelnitsky and Kamenets-Podolsky.

In 1957, Bishop Varlaam (Borisevich) was elevated to the dignity of archbishop.

In 1957, Archbishop Varlaam (Borisevich) was transferred, and assigned to serve in the Mukachevo and Uzhhorod Diocese. While he was serving in this diocese, there began a renewed persecution of the Orthodox Christian Church under Nikita S Khrushchev. This began in 1959. Vladyka Varlaam took the blame for the consequent pressure against and closure of monasteries in the diocese. As a consequence of this, a letter of complaint against him was sent to Patriarch Alexei I (Simansky) I, with a request for his removal. Amongst the signatories was Archimandrite Iov (Kudria).

In 1961, Archbishop Varlaam (Borisevich) was transferred, and he was assigned to serve as the Archbishop of Minsk and Belarus.

In 1962, Archbishop Varlaam (Borisevich) was awarded the right to wear a Cross on the klobuk.

In May, 1963, Vladyka Varlaam (Borisevich) was awarded the Order of Saint Vladimiir.

Vladyka Varlaam served only briefly in the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic (BSSR). At this time, the intense wave of persecution of the Church was progressing relentlessly, and very few were the bishops who could resist the pressure. Within the country, 500 Temples were closed ; classes in the Minsk Theological Seminary ceased ; then the Zhirovichsky Dormition Monastery (the sole monastery in the republic) was closed.

Soon after this, Vladyka Varlaam suffered a stroke.

In 1963, with the blessing of Patriarch Alexis I (Simansky), Archbishop Varlaam (Borisevich) was given retirement.

He was then moved in retirement to live in Kyiv, Ukraine.

On 9 May, 1975, Archbishop Varlaam (Borisevich) fell asleep in the Lord in Kyiv.

Following the Funeral Services for the Burial of a Hierarch, his body was interred in a Kyiv city cemetery.

References

Orthodox America 1794-1976 Development of the Orthodox Church in America. Constance J. Tarasar and John H. Erickson, eds. (Syosett, New York: The Orthodox Church in America, Dept. of History and Archives, 1975).

Perich, John J, “The Center of Orthodoxy in America : the History of Saint Tikhon's Monastery – Orphanage – Seminary” (South Canaan, Pennsylvania : Saint Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary, 1974). [Master's Degree thesis]

Russian Wikipedia biography

Ukrainian Wikipedia biography (in Ukrainian)

Drevo encyclopaedia biography

Academic dictionary biography

Polish Wikipedia biography

Wikipedia biography

Orthodoxwiki biography

Additional information :

Archdiocese of Canada — Orthodox Church in America, “The Orthodox Church in Canada : A Chronology” (Ottawa : Archdiocese of Canada, 1988).

The obituary of Archbishop Kiprian (Borisevich) was published in the “Philadelphia Daily News” on Tuesday, 16 December, 1980, p. 34.

Alexandrov, E A, 'Boris Pavlovic Borisevich in Monasticism Kiprian' in "Russians in North America". (Hamden-San Francisco-St. Petersburg (Russia), 2005).

In Memoriam : The 32nd Anniversary of the Repose of Archbishop Kiprian Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania

OCA News “In Memoriam” on the 32nd anniversary of the repose

Diocese of Eastern Pennsyvlania “In Memoriam : The 32nd Anniversary of the Repose of Archbishop Kiprian Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania”

Repose of Katherine Borisewitsch, daughter of Vladyka Kiprian, 2014

History of the Russian parish in Augsburg, Germany

Findagrave reference for Saint Tikhon's Monastery Cemetery

Findagrave record for Archbishop Kiprian (Borisevich)

Findagrave record for Matushka Galina Borisevich

Establishment of the Annunciation Cathedral in Kaunas, Lithuania

Orthodox Encyclopaedia biography of Archbishop Varlaam (Borisevich)

Russian Wikipedia biography of Archbishop Varlaam (Borisevich)

Orthodox Encyclopaedia biography of Archbishop Varlaam (Borisevich)