In Defense of St. Alexis of Wilkes-Barre and Minneapolis

Tomorrow is the Feast of the Repose of St. Alexis Toth (98th anniversary), who brought tens of thousands of Slavic Eastern Catholics in the United States back to Orthodoxy a century ago. As one might expect, Catholic sources don't treat him too kindly. Even some Orthodox sources attempt to belittle his achievement. But rather than fight fire with fire (not to say flame), here is a very temperate (and brief) biographical article of Fr. Alexis, claiming that he was himself very temperate and moderate in his ministry - a reminder even for those of us today who seek to help others 'who call upon the name of Christ' back to o/Orthodoxy.

And here's his vita icon with captions. (Depicted twice is Holy Resurrection OCA Cathedral in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, which he pastored. Ironically, the twin gold onion domes of the Byzantine Catholic temple up the street still dominate the city skyline!)