Protopresbyter Konstantin Tivetsky: 1925-2012

[June 15, 2012] On March 2, 2012, Protopresbyter Konstantin Tivestsky, the most senior clergyman of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia and priest of the Western American Diocese, passed away in Los Angeles at the age of 87.

The funeral service for the newly-departed Protopresbyter Konstantin was held at the Holy Transfiguration Cathedral on March 6 (see the funeral and burial photo gallery). His Grace Bishop Theodosy of Seattle presided together with a host of clergy from the Southern, San Francisco and the Northern deaneries of the Western American Diocese, as well as representatives of the Orthodox Church in America. The cathedral was filled to capacity with parishioners, Fr. Konstantin’s spiritual children and Greater Los Angeles Orthodox faithful. Despite the loss being so grievous, the funeral was joyful and peaceful in spirit. Protopresbyter Konstantin was buried at the Hollywood Cemetery, far away from his earthly fatherland.

Konstantin’s mother, Nina Valper, the wife of Priest Konstantin Valper, became a widow early in life and was left with two young daughters. Not knowing how to proceed in life, she went for advice to the famous Odessa elder, the now-glorified Righteous Jonah (Atamansky). At that time a young man, Vasily Tivetsky, was visiting Fr. Jonah to receive a blessing to enter a monastery. After hearing out Nina Valper, Father Jonah pointed to Vasily Tivetsky and blessed her to marry him with the words: "You will have a son, the priest Konstantin." On January 27, 1925, Vasily and Nina Tivetsky had a son, whom they named Konstantin.

Konstantin was brought up in a pious and devout manner, taking part in the fullness of the Orthodox Church’s liturgical life. He had a beautiful voice and an excellent ear, and at the age of 18 was already serving as a chanter of the Dormition Church in the village of Slobodzea. In 1945, he began his studies at the Odessa Theological Seminary, at the same time serving as reader at the Holy Trinity Church in the village of Krivaya Balka.

In October 1948, Konstantin entered into marriage with Ludmila Chernikova, and in December of the same year was ordained deacon at the Rostov-on-Don Cathedral by Bishop Sergei (Larin) of Rostov and Novocherkassk. A few days later, on December 6, he was made a priest. At that time Bishop Sergei’s secretary was Igumen Pimen (Izvekov), the future Patriarch of Moscow. Father Pimen had great affection for the Tivetsky family and later as Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, would visited them, and with loving care offer them support and guidance.

In 1952, Father Konstantin graduated from the Moscow Theological Academy with a Master’s of Theology degree. At the Academy he was in the same class with the future Metropolitans Pitirim (Nechayev) and Anthony (Melnikov), and knew Hieromonk Ioann (Krestyankin), who was a correspondent student at the Academy at that time. During his years of study at the Academy, Father Konstantin served both in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra and Moscow's Novodevichy Convent.

Upon completion of his studies at the Academy, Fr. Konstantin served in many parishes: the church of St. Nicholas in Khamovniki (Moscow), the Transfiguration Church in Lebedani (Ryazan Diocese), the Boris and Gleb Cathedral in Ryazan, Moscow's Epiphany Patriarchal Cathedral, Holy Trinity Cathedral in Alexandrov (Vladimir Diocese), and from 1960 – the church of All Saints at Sokol in Moscow.

In 1976, Patriarch Pimen of Moscow and All Russia bestowed upon Archpriest Konstanin Tivetsky the Order of St. Vladimir II degree and in 1978 awarded him the mitre.

In the late 70's Father Konstantin’s youngest son married an American girl who was then working at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. From that moment on, the Tivetsky family’s life changed drastically. Their existence in the Soviet Union became quite unbearable, and in 1980 the family decided to emigrate to the United States. This was not an easy decision and brought both Father Konstantin and his parishioners much anguish. The parishioners of All Saints Church had grown attached to Fr. Konstantin in the course of his 20 years of service there. They loved and respected him. One of his spiritual sons remembers: "Father Konstantin was the personification of Holy Russia... His service to the Church was real, and we made an effort to specifically be at the services when he presided; his sermons were honest and full of love for others and the Fatherland, Holy Russia." Moscow’s many artists, actors and musicians knew Fr. Konstantin. For example, he personally performed the funeral service of the composer Dmitri Shostakovich. When Fr. Konstantin was leaving for the United States, all the parishioners wept. He comforted them and gave them gifts. The same spiritual son recalls: "He blessed me, kissed me and said: ‘Listen to the voice of your conscience and live in accordance with it. Do not live by the standards of today, but by the heart. Always remain Russian and Orthodox – you will be in my prayers’.”

Fr. Konstantin and Matushka Ludmilla came to America with 90 dollars in their pockets and the first years of their life in a new country was very difficult for them. Initially, Fr. Konstantin served in the Orthodox Church in America. In 1983, he joined the Western American Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. He was assigned to the St. Nicholas Cathedral in Seattle, built as a memorial to the martyred Royal family, and served there from 1983-1997. Upon retirement, he moved closer to his sons, to Los Angeles.

Los Angeles has a population of about 500,00 Russian-speakers. For Fr. Konstantin, a new period of service to the Church began here. Numerous Russians in search of the meaning in life, comfort, words of edification and guidance rushed to the Russian churches in Hollywood: the Transfiguration Cathedral on Fountain Street and the Protection of the Mother of God Church on Argyle Street. Here they were met by a loving pastor in Fr. Konstantin (Fr. Konstantin served his first six years in Los Angeles at the Protection Church and then transferred to the Transfiguration Cathedral). He was attached to these parishes, but had neither the formal responsibilities of a rector , nor any administrative duties, and thus was able to give these people of his heart completely and selflessly. He would listen to all who came; he cried with them, comforted them, served them without fail, prayed for the dead, gave advice, married them, guided and taught them and blessed them. At the same time, he never missed a single opportunity to conduct services in the church, to celebrate the Divine Liturgy.

In 2008, the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia resolved to elevate Fr. Konstantin, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of his priesthood, to the rank of protopresbyter. For 30 years he served Christ and His Church in his homeland Russia, and for 30 years in the Russian Diaspora.

At the memorial wake the rector of Holy Transfiguration Cathedral, Archpriest Alexander Lebedev, shared two instances from Fr. Konstantin’s ministry in Los Angeles which illustrated his zeal and love for church services:

A few years ago, Fr. Konstantin was rushing to the cathedral for the vigil of the prophet Elijah. He was crossing a wide street at an inappropriate spot and was struck by a big truck. The distressed truck driver stopped the truck, ran out and rushed to help Fr. Konstantin get up. It was very difficult for Fr. Konstantin to get on his feet, even with the truck driver’s aid. When the driver offered to take him to the hospital, Fr. Konstantin shook his head and replied in his broken English: “No hospital, – to church, to church.” The driver had no option, but to take him to church. Father Konstantin took part in the festal Vigil and concelebrated at the Liturgy the next morning. After the Liturgy Fr. Alexander asked him about his health. Batiushka smiled, lifted his robes and showed Fr. Alexander his side. It was all black and blue from swelling and bruise marks!

The second instance is as follows: Fr. Konstantin used to come to church early, at 6:00 AM, and would bring with him a bag filled with commemoration books and slips for the Prothesis (Proskomedia). One day in 2009, he came to the cathedral (Fr. Konstantin was about 80 years old at the time), but the gate was locked. The church was surrounded by a chain-link fence at least 6-7 feet high. The elder waited briefly and then simply climbed this tall fence in order get into the church as soon as possible to start the Proskomedia!

May the Lord give rest to the soul of His newly-departed zealous servant , the Protopresbyter Konstantin.

Archpriest Peter PEREKRESTOV