For the first time in the history of the Western American Diocese a representative of the Orthodox School in Bethany in Palestine will be visiting the West Coast from May 4th to 22nd, 2019. Mother Maria (Wall), is the Administrator of the school, which is of extreme importance in the region of the Palestinian and Israeli States as a great witness of Orthodoxy. TheOrthodox School in Bethany provides an excellent primary and secondary education in a nurturing environment. Of note, the staff of the school work against great odds and aggression just to keep the doors open in Bethany.

The Orthodox School in Bethany has it roots in a chain of such schools sponsored by the Russian Empire before 1917 that had existed throughout Lebanon and Palestine. The school in Bethany is the only one of its kind today, having been reopened by two Brittish women in the 1930s who had converted to Orthodoxy. During the Communist Era in Russia, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia had been, and now continues to be, a tremendous support for this school.

Mother Maria will be traveling with a companion, Jacqueline Khouriya, who upon completing the Bethany school, went on to receive an undergraduate education in Russia. Jacqueline now herself is a teacher in the school.

A full program of parish visits has been organized throughout the Western American Diocese, starting in Los Angeles, CA, and finishing in Seattle, WA.

It is requested that all the members of the Diocese support the Orthodox School in Bethany. Below is found the schedule of presentations by Mother Maria.

Schedule of Presentations:

Sunday May 5th at 9:30 AM
Protection of the Holy Virgin Church
2041 Argyle Avenue, Hollywood, CA 90068

Sunday May 5th at 11:45 AM
Holy Transfiguration Cathedral
5432 Fernwood Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Sunday May 5th at 6:00 PM
All Saints Russian Orthodox Church
5100 Smoke Ranch Road, Las Vegas, NV 89108 

Tuesday May 7th at 7:00 PM
Saint Barabara's Church
23 Spectrum Point Drive, Ste 203, Lake Forest, CA 92630

Wednesday May 8th at 7:00 PM
St. John of Kronstadt Church
5131 Rex Avenue, San Diego, CA 92105

Thursday May 9th at 7:00 PM 
St. Seraphim of Sarov Church
Seaside, CA

Friday May 10th at 7:00 PM
Church of All Russian Saints
744 El Camino Real, Burlingame, CA 94010

Saturday May 11th after All-night Vigil, which starts at 5:00 PM
Protection of the Holy Virgin Church
3475 Ross Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303

Sunday May 12th after the late Liturgy
Holy Virgin Cathedral
6210 Geary Boulevard; San Francisco, CA 94121

Monday May 13th at 7:00 PM
Holy Apostles Peter and Paul Church
850 St. Olga Ct., Santa Rosa, CA 95407 

Tuesday May 14th at 7:00 PM
Holy Royal Martyrs of Russia
1020 Pyramid Way, Sparks, NV 89431

Wednesday May 15th at 7:00 PM
Holy Ascension Church
714 - 13th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

Sunday May 19th after Divine Liturgy
St. Martin the Merciful Church
925 NW Camellia Drive, Corvallis, OR 97339

Sunday May 19th at 3:00 PM
New Russian Martyrs Church
13820 South Union Hall Road; Mulino, OR 97042

Tuesday May 21 after Divine Liturgy
Saint Nicholas Cathedral
1714 13th Avenue; Seattle WA 98122 

For those desiring to make a donation, checks should be made out to the Western American Diocese, earmarked “Bethany School.” These checks should be sent to the Diocesan Chancellery at the following address:

Western American Diocese
598 -- 15th Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94118