We, in the Los Angeles area, are suffering the greatest devastation in our history, with thousands of homes destroyed and countless people "unhomed." We ask for your prayers to the Lord and to the Most Holy Mother of God in this time of sorrow...

His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America calls upon the clergy and faithful of the Diocese to take note of a Statement issued by our First Hierarch Metropolitan Nicholas concerning the Church's relation to personal opinion or political affiliation. 

Many of us are aware of the devastating fires that have struck the Los Angeles area and Southern California this week. Tens of thousands of acres burned; cities and neighborhoods leveled; lives lost and miles of decimation.  It is in these moments that Orthodox Christians need to demonstrate the spiritual fortitude given to them, by the Grace of God, to help all those in need.

First, I call upon the flock of the Western American Diocese to pray for an end to the suffering caused by the horrible infernos.  “It is vital to continue in prayer for as long as we can, so that His invincible strength may penetrate and enable us to resist every destructive influence” - St. Sophrony of Essex. 

St. Andrew’s parish celebrated its Feast Day on 12/29, after inclement weather prevented His Grace Bishop Theodosy from traveling to Carson City, NV, two weeks ago.

During the celebration, two men were tonsured as Orthodox Readers, strengthening the growing parish.

On Tuesday, December 17, the feast of Holy Great Martyr Barbara and the 50th birthday of His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, the First Hierarch’s father, Alexander N. Olhovsky, reposed in the Lord.

His Eminence learned of the repose of his father while at Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY, as he was preparing to celebrate Divine Liturgy. By God’s grace, the First Hierarch was the first to commemorate his late father during the Proskomedia.

Memory Eternal and the Kingdom of Heaven to the servant of God Alexander, and Many Years to Metropolitan Nicholas!

On December 4/17, the Russian Orthodox parish of Holy Greatmartyr Barbara in Orange County celebrated its patronal feast day. Founded in 2006 on the slopes of Southern California’s former “Orange Empire”, the mission is the only Russian Orthodox parish between Los Angeles and San Diego. It was organized by a parishioner from L.A. Natalia Hayes and her American husband had set up a chapel in their own home and named it in honor of their daughter Varvara’s patron saint.