Saint Vladimir’s Seminary Alumnus Very Rev. Andrew Tregubov has been elevated to the dignity of mitered archpriest for his many years of service to the Orthodox Church in America (OCA). His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, archbishop of Washington and metropolitan of All America and Canada, awarded the miter to Fr. Andrew on Sunday, July 29, 2019 during Divine Liturgy at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Claremont, NH, where Fr. Andrew has served as rector for forty years.
“The presentation of the miter is the crowning of your ministry as an Orthodox priest, but it is even more glowing of a tribute in that this is taking place here, in the bosom of the community that you have guided, nurtured, and pastored for your entire priestly ministry,” His Beatitude said to Fr. Andrew upon the awarding of the miter. “When you were handed the pastoral leadership of this community, the future of the parish was uncertain because of difficulties in the past. But your wisdom as a pastor and your insight as a confessor have, with God’s grace, brought this community to its present place of stability.”
Father Andrew’s name was presented for consideration for the right to wear the miter, the highest liturgical award for priests, at the most recent meeting of the Holy Synod of Bishops in the spring of this year.
Born in Moscow, Russia in 1951, Fr. Andrew moved to America in 1975 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1979. He graduated from St. Vladimir’s Seminary in 1995. He is a well-known iconographer, and was recently the subject of ABC affiliate WMUR-TV’s recent feature story, Creating Iconographic Masterworks: Inside Fr. Andrew Tregubov's passion for Christian Art. His wife, Matushka Galina, is a skilled embroiderer. Some of Father and Matushka’s work can be seen on their website, Tregubov-icons.com.
At the Divine Liturgy Sunday, His Beatitude noted the contributions of both Fr. Andrew and Matushka Galina in the field of sacred arts.
“Together with your wife, Matushka Galina, you have taken the talent that was nurtured in your heart, and brought it to visible fruition. Your work as an iconographer and Matushka’s labors as an embroiderer have had an influence on others and have led many to pursue Christ in holy orders or in the liturgical arts.”
The St. Vladimir’s Seminary community prayerfully wishes Fr. Andrew and Matushka Galina many years!
*Information for this article and photo are courtesy of the Office of the Metropolitan.
