His Grace Theodosy Bishop of Seattle, Archpriest Alex Kotar and all the clergy, the members of the Church Parish Council, and parishioners of Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox in Seattle, WA, are adorning the chapel that has been constructed in the room where our beloved Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco reposed in the Lord on July 2nd, 1966. See the flyer below. The parish is collecting $45,000 for a large stained glass window in the High Place behind the Holy Table and iconography on the walls and ceiling. Please support this worthy project!

With the blessing of His Beatitude Sawa, Metropolitan of Warsaw and All Poland (Polish Orthodox Church), Metropolitan John of Dubna (Archbishop of Western European parishes of the Russian tradition), Archbishop Kirill of San Francisco and Western America (Russian Orthodox Church Abroad), Archbishop Jakub of Byelostok (Polish Orthodox Church), and Bishop Andrew of Austria and Switzerland (Serbian Orthodox Church) the travel reliquary and liturgical belt of our father among the saints, John, Archbishop of Shanghai and San Francisco, and the new movie about him, were brought from California to Western Europe.

From November 9-17 this year St. John not only spiritually, but also bodily, in his relics, visited Poland, Switzerland and France.

On November 17th, Holy Virgin Cathedral hosted an educational seminar, organized by Priest George Kaplanov, entitled: Rivers of Living Water: A Christian Perspective on Environmental Challenges. 

His Eminence Kyrill Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America and a group of participants interested in this vital theme were in attendance. The key-note speakers were Priest Elijah Wu (Drake) and Frederick W. Krueger.

Frederick W. Krueger, the executive director for the Orthodox Fellowship of the Transfiguration (OFT), gave a talk entitled, The Earth is the Lord’s: The Christian Teaching on Taking Good Care of God’s Creation.

This year, the Russian Orthodox Parish of St. John of Kronstadt (+1908) in San Diego (ROCOR) celebrates its 55th anniversary, as well as the 60th anniversary of the canonization and the 195th anniversary of the birth of its spiritual patron and the second most revered Russian Saint. The parish was founded in 1967 in the home of priest Michael Lightfoot, and the church was consecrated in 1969, just 5 years after the Canonization of this Saint by the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad.

Surprisingly, this is one of the first churches in honor of the great shepherd of Kronstadt worldwide since his glorification was allowed in Russia only in 1990, after the fall of the Soviet Union. In 2009, the church was expanded and took on its current appearance.

On Saturday, November 9, an event of historic significance took place in Yosemite National Park as the first recorded Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the iconic chapel within the valley.

With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill, Priest Yuri Fokin, a cleric of Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco, presided over the Divine Service assisted by Deacon Seraphim Torruella of Holy Ascension Church in Sacramento. They were joined by approximately 30 faithful from various Orthodox jurisdictions across the region. The Divine Liturgy chanted in English, created a rare and profound moment, introducing perhaps many visiting tourists from around the world who happened to enter the chapel to the beauty and sanctity of Orthodox worship in such an awe-inspiring natural setting.

On November 5, 2024, the eve of the patronal feast of the Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco, CA, an all-night vigil was served. The service was presided over by His Eminence Kirill, Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America. Concelebrating with him His Grace Theodosy, Bishop of Seattle, and His Grace James, Bishop of Sonora, as well as a host of clergy of the Diocese.

The hymns of vigil were performed by the cathedral choir under the direction of Vladimir Krasovsky and by clergy of the Diocese who sang on kliros.

On November 6, 2024, on the day of the memory of the icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow" and the patronal feast of Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco, a solemn liturgy was served. The service was led by His Eminence Kirill, Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America, and concelebrated by His Grace Theodosy, Bishop of Seattle, and a host of clergy of the Diocese.

With the saints, give rest, O Christ, to the soul of Thy servant!

Archbishop Peter of Chicago and Mid-America, member of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Church Abroad, has reposed in the Lord.

We express our condolences to all his relatives and to all who knew the bishop during his life.

A memorial service will be held at the Cathedral of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow" in San Francisco today, November 8, at 7:30.

Archbishop Peter was born in this city and was tonsured a reader by Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco.

We call upon all clergy and laity to pray for the repose of the newly departed Archbishop Peter!

May the Lord number his soul with the righteous, where there is no sickness, no sorrow, no sighing, but Life everlasting!

+ Archbishop Kirill
+ Bishop Theodosy
+ Bishop James

The Fall Pastoral Retreat of the clergy of the Western American Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia was held on October 21-23 at St. George the Great Martyr Church in Salt Lake City (Utah).

The working sessions of the meeting were presided over by the second Vicar of the Western American Diocese, His Grace Bishop James of Sonora. The retreat keynote speaker this year was Archpriest Seraphim Holland, clergyman of the Chicago Diocese, Rector of St. Nicholas Church in McKinney, Texas. His topics were: “Orthodox Identity,” and ”Prison Ministry.”

From October 2 to 6, 2024, at the Holy Transfiguration Cathedral (ROCOR) in Los Angeles, the 31st annual Church Musicians’ Conference of the Russian Orthodox Church was held very successfully and with great excitement. Musicians’ Conferences in America, held since 1987, were established to provide church choir members with the opportunity to meet and communicate with each other, sharing experiences and strengthening their knowledge of both the practical and theoretical aspects of liturgical singing and choir work.

Guests numbering over 65 singers and choir directors from different regions of the United States and Canada were accommodated at the Sheraton Hotel near the LAX airport, where the first three days of meetings were held. The convention was opened with a prayer service and a greeting from Archpriest Andre Papkov, chairman of the Church Music Commission at the Synod of Bishops and founder/director of the Synodal School of Liturgical Music of the Russian Church Abroad. This year's honorary guests and speakers were:

The XVIII Annual Saint Herman's West Youth Conference will be held this year at St. Sava’s Camp in Jackson, CA. Arrival is December 26 (arrival airport/train station is Sacramento) with departure on December 30. The conference will include an edifying lecture, discussions with clergy, liturgical workshops, a hierarchal liturgy, and social interaction in the beautiful outdoors.

A highlight of the conference will be a tour of St. Sava's Serbian Orthodox Church where the honorable relics of Saint Sebastian of San Francisco and Jackson repose.

Registration is $250 before December 1. After December 1, if there are spaces left, there is a $25 late registration fee.

More Information & Registration HERE.

St Herman’s West 2024 Schedule will come later.

On Monday, August 6/19, 2024, His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America presided over the patronal feast day of Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in Los Angeles, CA, as well as two ordinations.

After the Great Entrance, Deacon Joseph MacPherson was ordained priest.  After the consecration of the Holy Gifts, Subdeacon Patrick Gill was ordained deacon. Both men are assigned to All Saints of North America Orthodox Church in Phoenix, AZ, the parish that they have served for many years.

After the communion of the faithful, His Eminence led a throng of the faithful in procession around the cathedral at which time he performed the Rite of Blessing the First Fruits.

A festal meal followed in the church hall, bursting with parishioners.

Many years to the Father Rector, Protopresbyster Alexander Lebedeff, Archpriest Janis Terauds, and all of the clergy and faithful of Holy Transfiguration Cathedral, and the newly ordained Priest Joseph MacPherson, and Deacon Patrick Gill!

With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill, Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America, the 31st Annual Orthodox Church Musicians’ Conference will be hosted in Los Angeles at the Holy Transfiguration Cathedral from October 2-6, 2024. The theme of the conference: "The Future of Church Singing: Paths to Performance." Lectures, master classes, and rehearsals will be held in the Cathedral.

Among the guests are Archpriest John Drobot and Protodeacon Alexander Kedrov (Paris). The conference will close with a Divine Liturgy presided by a hierarch.

You can get detailed information and register here.

"Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Romans 12:19)

Today we heard that legislation was adopted in Ukraine to prohibit the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Alas, this is not the first form of persecution, and as we know from history, not the last as predicted in the Apocalypse.

This lawlessness can only be characterized by the words of the Holy Scripture: “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way” (2 Thessalonians 2:7).

What could we expect from those who adopt such laws, who think that the Church of Christ is a political society, adhering to nationalistic viewpoints or other social tendencies?

With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill, Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America, the 31st Annual Orthodox Church Musicians’ Conference will be hosted in Los Angeles at the Holy Transfiguration Cathedral from October 2-6, 2024. The theme of the conference: "The Future of Church Singing: Paths to Performance." Lectures, master classes, and rehearsals will be held in the Cathedral.

Among the guests are Archpriest John Drobot and Protodeacon Alexander Kedrov (Paris). The conference will close with a Divine Liturgy presided by a hierarch.

You can get detailed information and register here.

TO ALL OF OUR MOST REVEREND CLERGY, PARISHIONERS AND FRIENDS,

            By the Mercy of God and with the blessing of His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America, the long-awaited Great Consecration of Sts. Peter & Paul Russian Orthodox Church in Santa Rosa, CA is scheduled to take place on Monday, November 11, 2024.

            His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas, First-Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad will be presiding, with His Eminence, Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America concelebrating, together with other bishops and clergy.

Most Reverend Brother-Archpastors, Reverend Fathers,

Dear in the Lord Brothers and Sisters!

I cordially greet you all with the ongoing Dormition Fast, when we are once again called to temperance and the active doing of good deeds, that we might worthily prepare ourselves for the upcoming Pascha of the Theotokos!

Attached to this appeal by my unworthiness to the Fullness of the Russian Church Abroad is a video about the history and significance of the Synodal Residence in New York City, which is the House of the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God “of the Sign,” the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora. Please familiarize yourselves with this short film, prepared by the Diocese of Germany, about the building that houses our spiritual and administrative center, and provide us with all possible assistance in the major renovation of the Synodal Residence.

Since the arrival in the United States of Metropolitan Anastassy (Gribanovsky) - second First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad - in 1950, and then of the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God, Russian Orthodox émigrés took care to acquire a more spacious church and worthy premises for the Metropolitan’s residence and the chancery of the Synod of Bishops. This search was resolved many years ago in 1957, when the Synod of Bishops received a very generous gift in the form of a large house on the corner of 93rd Street and Park Avenue in New York City. The house was purchased with a donation from Serge Yakovlevich Semenenko, first vice-chairman and director of First National Bank in Boston, as well as a director at many other corporations. Serge Semenenko hailed from a pious Russian family that lived in Odessa before the revolution. His parents, Iakov and Maria, were well known to Metropolitan Anastassy, who visited them many times both in Odessa and Constantinople. They were generous donors toward the needs of the Church. It was in their memory that Serge Semenenko, whom Metropolitan Anastassy had known since he was 11 years old, made his donation.

Schedule of Cathedral Services
 
All services surrounding the Feast Day of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco are to be held at Holy Virgin Cathedral - Joy of All Who Sorrow in San Francisco.  Please visit sfsobor.com for visitor information and updates.

THURSDAY JUNE 27
5:00 pm Daily Vespers & Matins
6:45 pm Translation of Reliquary to the center of the cathedral
7:00 pm AKATHIST to St. John before his relics
 
FRIDAY JUNE 28TH
5:00 pm Confessions
6:00 pm Vigil - ST. JOHN
 

SATURDAY,  JUNE 29TH
6:30 am Early Liturgy
9:00 am Hierarchal Liturgy -  His Eminence Metropolitan NICHOLAS First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia presiding.

Educational Seminar

SUNDAY, MAY 26, 1:00 PM,

The Large Hall of the HOLY VIRGIN CATHEDRAL (6210 Geary Boulevard, SF) will host an Educational seminar on aspects of Psychology from a Christian worldview.

The following reports will be given to the audience:

✜ Modern Psychology and the Orthodox Approach to the Healing of the Soul: Some Reflections, by His Grace, James (CORAZZA), Bishop of Sonora, second vicar of the Western American Diocese.

✜ Bridging Christianity and Psychological Science, by Priest George KAPLANOV Psy.S., Psychology; B.Th., Theological Studies.

✜ Orthodox Perspective on Addiction and Recovery (via ZOOM), by Deacon Stefan STOYANOV M.Sc., Mental Health Counseling; B.Th., Theological Studies.

✜ Question-and-answer sessions will follow the presentations.

Come if your interest is piqued!

Lunch will be provided!

Email the following address to register: email@worldview.education

Voluntary donation $15

Your contribution can be made using Zelle on the name Georgiy Kaplanov (415) 205-4424 or PayPal at https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/Wor1dview.

With the blessing of His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America, all are welcome to join members of the Western American Diocese for the traditional pilgrimage to Fort Ross on Memorial Day, May 27th, 2024.

The Holy Trinity/Saint Nicholas Chapel at Fort Ross is the first Russian Orthodox Church in the contiguous United States. Fort Ross is "holy land" – where two saints have labored: St Innocent of Alaska/Moscow and the Holy Martyr Peter the Aleut. Two other saints, St Tikhon and St John of Shanghai, have prayed here and sanctified the lands, the chapel, and the cemetery.

After the liturgy a procession to the cemetery with a "Litya for the Departed." 

“The angel cried unto her that is full of grace:
O Pure Virgin, rejoice, and again, I say rejoice;
for Thy Son hath risen from the grave on the third day…”
Paschal Matins – 9th Irmos

CHRIST IS RISEN!

Christ’s Resurrection is an indescribable joy!  On Pascha we feel the weight of this temporal life, for a brief moment, and then purged from our souls and replaced with the love of Christ for us.  Let us reminisce of how on the Day of Resurrection we do not feel any negativity towards each other, but only brotherly love, compassion and care towards each other - former adversaries become comrades; competitors turn into friends; strangers become acquaintances.  Our Lord and Saviour’s Glorious Victory over death means not only that death no longer has dominion over us, but also we begin to personally experience the love that radiates from God towards all Creation.  It is only through this bond of love of God towards us that we can explain how Christ’s suffering and crucifixion can be turned into something beautiful and uplifting.

            The Mother of God exemplifies this manifested beauty Christ’s Resurrection has to offer to man...

Most Reverend Brother Archpastors, Beloved in the Lord Fathers, Brothers, and Sisters:

With joy and thankfulness in my heart, I greet you on this salvific night of Pascha, when our Lord Jesus Christ rose on the third day, pouring out His unfailing love and mercy on the whole world.

CHRIST IS RISEN!

This radiant and joyous Paschal greeting has the wonderworking power to call forth in the human heart joy, forgiveness of all, and love. "This… day which the Lord hath made" (Psalm 118:24) – Christ’s Pascha – gives wings of faith to those of little faith and strengthens those who despair of life. Truly, in a world frequently faced with crises and uncertainty, Pascha shines like a beacon of hope. Thus, in these difficult times, when mankind is seized by various misfortunes, let us hold fast to the Risen Christ and find in Him consolation amidst sorrows, strength in our ongoing struggle with sin, and surety of eternal life!

Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco is sponsoring the XII Annual Lenten Retreat on Sunday, April 21, 2024.

The Aroma of Holiness: VLADIKA JOHN

Register HERE.

His Eminence Kirill, Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America, expresses condolences in connection with the loss of life as a result of the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk near Moscow. The clergy of the diocese offers their prayers for the repose of those innocently killed, as well as for the recovery of people who were wounded.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill toward men. (Luke 2:14)

Your Graces, Reverend Fathers, Brothers and Sisters!

It is with the Incarnation of the Word that man can realize God’s infinite and boundless love for His creation.  Out of love for us did the Son of God humble Himself to become man, in order to heal the relationship between God and man.  Before the humble birth of Christ, in the Bethlehem cave, St. Gregory the Dialogist writes in his Dialogues, “With sin we were so distant from God that the angels, God’s citizens, eliminated us from their company.”  The rift created by the Fall between God and man was so great that it reverberated to every aspect of Creation and tore asunder the bond of love that tied the Heavens to the earth.  “It was not until the King of the Heavens took upon our flesh’, St. Gregory further writes, ‘that the Angels restored peace with us (humanity)… and once again considered us their companions.”  It is for that reason that the angelic choir appeared to the shepherds singing, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace and goodwill toward men” (Luke 2:14)...

Eminent Brother-Archpastors, Reverend Fathers, Beloved in the Lord, Brothers and Sisters:

It is with feelings of humble gratitude, love and joy in the Lord that I greet everyone on this great and most joyous celebration of the Nativity of Christ—the arrival on earth of the incarnate Son of God born to the Most-Blessed Virgin Mary. May the saving grace of God, appearing now in a humble Bethlehem cave and shining upon the waters of the Jordan River, be poured forth upon us all, visiting our homes, parishes and monasteries with unearthly light and peace!

We pray also that the Holy Land, which quenched the Savior’s thirst with its waters and fed with its bread Him Who is for us even Himself our food and drink, be sated with the peace heralded by the angelic choir over the city of Bethlehem! May the Lord strengthen the clergymen and monastics of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem, who are enduring difficult times as they preserve and protect our holy sites. Their courageous podvig, in the words of St John the Wonderworker, who was glorified 30 years ago, “evokes a feeling of tenderness and is worthy of reverence,” and it is our holy duty to send them our support in these sacred days.

Christmas Message
from Patriarch KIRILL of Moscow and All Rus’
to the Archpastors, Pastors, Deacons, Monastics
and All Faithful Children of the Russian Orthodox Church
Beloved in the Lord archpastors, all-honourable presbyters and deacons,
God-loving monks and nuns, dear brothers and sisters,

The unutterable love of God has gathered us today so that in the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph 4:3) we may celebrate one of the most solemn and at the same time mysterious feasts of the Church – the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. Glorifying our Saviour’s coming into the world, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of you, my beloved, on the joyful event, which opened a new era in the relationship between God and humanity.

On Saturday October 21, 2023, His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America will preside over the Divine Liturgy at the Kazan Church on the Russian River.

Schedule:
Hours at 8:40 AM
Divine Liturgy at 9:00 AM

On October 15th, 2023 His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America will perform the Divine Liturgy at Protection of the Holy Virgin Church in Palo Alto, CA. Greeting the His Eminence will be at 9:30 AM

Address: 3475 Ross Road; Palo Alto, CA 94303

Announcing the XVII Annual Saint Herman's West Youth Conference which will be held at All Saints Russian Orthodox Church in Las Vegas, Nevada from December 26-29, 2023. Registration HERE.

St. Herman’s West 2023 will be held this year at All Saints Orthodox Church in Las Vegas, NV. Arrival is December 26 with a departure on December 29. The conference will include an edifying lecture, discussions with clergy, liturgical workshops, a hierarchal liturgy, and social interaction in the beautiful outdoors of Las Vegas. Forget the reputation and casinos — we’ll be far away from all of that! Come out for a break from winter weather and an injection of new life into your Orthodox life! Registration for parishioners of the ROCOR Western American Diocese is open now. Register Here. Registration fees are $250 for the first member of each family, and $225 for each additional member. After your registration is processed, you will receive an invoice to pay online.

Recruiting counselors! Adults ages 23-28 are welcome to apply to be counselors for the St. Herman’s conference. Applications are made by email to wadyouth3@gmail.com. Counselors attend at a discounted rate and serve to keep various parts of the conference flowing smoothly. Counselors should have a deep interest in the youth of our church, and be ready to help encourage participant interaction. Counselors will cook the final meal and do daily room checks. To apply, send an email with a paragraph describing your interest, and contact information for one or two references, one of which should be your parish priest/confessor.

Schedule (tentative version of 9/20)

Tuesday, Dec. 26:

5:00 pm Dinner

6:00 pm Film

7:15 pm: Evening prayers

7:30 pm: Vans back to hotel

8:00 pm: Free time with organized games

10:00 pm: Lights out

Wednesday, Dec. 27

8:00 Morning prayers

8:30 Vans leave for Red Rock Canyon

9:00-11:00 Red Rock Canyon

11:30 Lunch at hotel

1:00 Vans leave for church

1:30 Talk #1

3:00 Workshops

4:30 Table discussions #1

5:00 Dinner

6:00 Vigil

8:30 Vans back to hotel

10:00 pm: Lights out

Thursday, Dec. 28

8:00 Vans to church

8:30 Liturgy

11:00 Lunch

12:00 Stretching/ethnic dancing

1:30 Talk #2

3:00 Table Discussions #2

5:00 Dinner

6:00 Vans back to hotel (organized opportunities for games, etc.)

11:00 pm: Lights out

Friday, Dec 29

Departure Day. Hotel latest checkout is 11:00 am.

Archimandrite Nektary, Abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery in Mexico City, Mexico, and his brotherhood, and parishioners celebrated the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord on August 6/19 and also continued the celebration during the Afterfeast.

There were many communicants of the Sacred Mysteries of Christ. At the end of Liturgy the “Rite of the Blessing of the First Fruits was performed.

On Saturday August 6/19, 2023, His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America presided over the patronal feast day of Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in Los Angeles, CA.

During the Small Entrance, a member of the cathedral’s clergy was, Priest Janis Terauds, was elevated to the dignity of Archpriest.

Today our brotherhood celebrates the Patronal Feast of our monastery.

Thirty-seven years ago the beloved and ever-memorable Archimandrite Dimitri (Egoroff) of Santa Rosa, CA tonsured Father Paul and me as Orthodox monks (we'd both converted as monks from Eastern Rite Catholicism). Guided and inspired by Father Dimitri's kind and prayerful spirit, and the wisdom and holiness gained through his many years of monastic struggle, our brotherhood was planted on the firm ground of the Russian monastic tradition.

Discover the excellence of education at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church School. Rooted in timeless values and a commitment to academic brilliance, we provide a holistic learning experience for your child.

Our experienced educators foster intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and a deep appreciation for cultural heritage.

The classes will start on September 9th, 2023 right after the Moleben.

Please join us at 8 am in the main Parish Hall.

Contact us at (415) 752-5122, russianschool.sf@gmail.com or visit the website to schedule a tour and learn more about our admissions process.

VIRTUAL FUNDRAISER 2023
Saturday, October 21, 2023
11:00 AM  12:30 PM
St. John Benevolent Fund

More information HERE. 

With the blessing of His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas, the Synodal Liturgical Music Commission of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, and St. Xenia’s Russian Orthodox Church in Ottawa, Ontario will present the 30th Annual Russian Orthodox Church Musicians' Conference, Ottawa, Canada, October 4-8, 2023:

The Orthodox Liturgical Aesthetic: Creating Beautiful Services

Featured Faculty: Nicholas Cowall, from Melbourne, Australia, is an experienced church musician, music educator, conductor, vocal coach, and vocalist (see link in website).

The purpose of these conferences is to bring together choir members and conductors to explore the wealth and beauty of Russian Orthodox church music. Participants will gain practical and theoretical knowledge and experience through lectures, workshops and rehearsals which culminate in festive hierarchal services. Metropolitan Nicholas will officiate with Archbishop Gabriel concelebrating. Further, participants will have the opportunity to exchange ideas, get to know like-minded people and expand their liturgical repertoire.

The All-Night Vigil and the Divine Liturgy will be held at St. Xenia’s Russian Orthodox Church, located at 2 Colchester Square, Ottawa.

For more information see the conference website https://rocmconference.net or write to info@rocmconference.net

First Primatial Visit of the Newly-­Elected

METROPOLITAN NICHOLAS
to the Western­ American Diocese

Within the boundaries of the Western American Diocese, there are several parishes and missions that worship according to the "Western Rite." See the full list with contact details HERE.

On Saturday, August 5th, 2023, on the Feast Day of Old Holy Virgin Cathedral in honor of the Icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” at 864 Fulton Street in San Francisco, CA, His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America ordained his longtime assistant Archdeacon Peter (Karakozoff) to the priesthood.

Peter Karakozoff was born in West Sacramento, CA, in 1976. From his youth Peter spent all his spare time in church and around clergy. He was tonsured a Reader at the Holy Myrrh-bearing Women Church in West Sacramento (OCA) as a teenager. And served as the choir conductor at Holy Ascension Church (Western American Diocese, ROCOR) in Sacramento from 1998-2003. It was during these years that Peter earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of California, Davis. In 2003 Reader Peter relocated to San Francisco, CA, and became the cell-attendant for His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill. Among his many responsibilities, Reader Peter was placed in charge of the operations of the Diocesan Chancellery, and assigned as a chanter on kliros during the daily Divine Services at Holy Virgin Cathedral on Geary Boulevard.

On Wednesday, July 12, 2023, the clergy and parishioners of Saint Peter and Paul Church in Santa Rosa, CA, celebrated their Patronal Feast Day.

His Grace THEODOSY Bishop of Seattle presided. Concelebrating with him were Father Rector, Archpriest Alexander Krassovsky, Archpriest Lawrence Margitich (Saint Seraphim of Sarov Church, Santa Rosa, CA, OCA), Protodeacon Anton Koval (Holy Virgin Cathedral, San Francisco) and Deacon Athanasius Ferguson.

On May 28, 2023,  the 7th Sunday after Pascha -  the Sunday of the 318 Holy Fathers of the 1st Ecumenical Council, Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary held commencement exercises at the conclusion of its 75th academic year. The day began with a Hierarchal Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Eminence, Metropolitan NICHOLAS of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. His Grace Bishop Luke, seminary rector, was traveling abroad.

After the noon meal, a Moleben of Thanksgiving was served at 2pm, preceded by a procession led by Metropolitan Nicholas, Dean Nicolas Schidlovsky, Archpriest Peter Perekrestov (commencement speaker), members of the administration, the board of trustees,  faculty in residence, and the entire student body. The academic procession moved from the monastery building to the Cathedral. Metropolitan Nicholas and participating clergy offered a Moleben of Thanksgiving for the Seminary's successes, and in supplication for divine blessings on all those who help to perpetuate the institution. The responses during the Molebien were sung by the Holy Trinity Seminary choir, and at the conclusion, We Praise Thee, O Lord (Tebe Boga Xvhalim) composed by D. Bortniansky was sung by a mixed quintet.

On Sunday, February 19, 2023, His Eminence KIRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America elevated Priest Christopher Horsley to the dignity of Archpriest at Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco, California.

Father Christopher was ordained to the diaconate in 1996 and to the priesthood in 2004. He served as a deacon and assistant priest at Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in Los Angeles, CA, from 1996 to 2015. From 2015 until 2020 Father served at Holy Protection Church in Holywood, CA. On September 18, 2020, Father Christopher opened a mission in Youngtown, AZ, named Christ the Savior Orthodox Church. The mission is very active with two Divine Liturgies served every Sunday.

Protodeacon Anton Koval has been assigned to Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco, CA. He has come to the Western American Diocese from the Ukraine with his wife, Oksana, and daughter, Tatiana as refugees. Infant Mark was born here in mid-July.

First, Father Anton sent his family out of the Ukraine to safety. Then he himself braved hostile fire, and minefields, along the war's front to escape.

Please visit SFSobor.com/donate/Charity to help this new clergy family with housing and various items.

Source: Starosta’s Blog, Holy Virgin Cathedral

On Wednesday, August 2, 2023, His Eminence Kyrill Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America paid a pastoral visit to the Saint Elias Church in Diamond Springs, CA, on the parish Feast Day.

Concelebrating with His Eminence were the Father Rector, Archpriest James Steele, Archpriest Paul Volmensky (Holy Ascension Church, Sacramento, CA), Priest Philip Plowman (St. Elias Church), Priest Elijah Drake-Wu (All Saints of America Church of Lodi, California), and Deacon Steven Kennedy.

In his sermon, Archbishop Kyrill spoke of the Patron Saint of the community, the Holy Prophet of God Elias quoting from the General Epistle of Saint James: “Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months” (5:17) “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins” (19-20).

On Tuesday, August 1, 2023, the clergy and faithful of Saint Seraphim of Sarov Church in Seaside, CA, celebrated their Patronal Feast Day. Joining them were His Grace JAMES Bishop of Sonora, who presided over the festivities, and several pilgrims from local parishes.

See the photo album of the Divine Liturgy and cross procession.

On July 22, 2023, His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America presided over the patronal feast of the Kazan Church in Guerneville, CA.

Concelebrating with His Eminence were His Grace THEODOSY Bishop of Seattle, Archpriest Paul Volmensky (Holy Ascension Church, Sacramento, CA), Archpriest Mikhail Vladimirov (Kazan Church, San Francisco, CA), and Priest Andrew Gliga (St. Herman of Alaska Church, Sunnyvale, CA), Deacons Nicholas Sharkov and Paul Kozachenko.

The church was filled to overflowing. After the cross procession, an al fresco meal was prepared and shared by several parish communities of the Diocese.

On Sunday, July 16, 2023, His Eminence KIRILL, the Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America, resumed the active ministry of His Diocese after a successful operation on June 22 and a three-week rest period for subsequent recovery.

On Sunday, July 16, His Grace THEODOSY Bishop of Seattle presided over the celebration of the Patronal Feast of the Church of the Holy Royal Martyrs of Russia in Sparks, Nevada.

Concelebrating with His Grace were the rector of the church, Archpriest Andrei Kudryavtsev, Preist Aurelius Zmeu (Holy Resurrection Church, North Highlands, California, Romanian OCA), and Priest John Logero (Church of St. Andrew the First-Called, Western American Diocese, Carson City).

On Saturday July 1st, 2023, faithful of all jurisdictions of the Orthodox Church in North America, and even from abroad, gathered to celebrate the memory of a great Saint of our time, Holy Hierarch John of Shanghai and San Francisco the Wonderworker. The annual commemoration took place at Holy Virgin Cathedral where the honorable and wonderworking relics of Saint John repose.

His Grace THEODOSY Bishop of Seattle, the first auxiliary bishop of the Western American Diocese, presided over the celebration. His Grace JAMES Bishop of Sonora, the second auxiliary bishop, and a multitude of priests and deacons concelebrated with him.

Nikita Buick, Church Warden of Holy Virgin Cathedral, reported several informative details...

Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in Los Angeles, CA, will mark its Patronal Feast Day on Saturday, August 19th, 2023. His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America is presiding.

Schedule:
Friday August 18th at 6:30 pm –– All-night Vigl
Saturday August 19th at 9:30 am –– Greeting of the Bishop, Hierarchical Liturgy, cross procession, "Blessing of the First Fruits" and festal dinner in the church hall

Address:
5432 Fernwood Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90027

The Schedule of Divine Services for Saint Elias Church in Diamond Springs, CA, is as follows:

Tuesday, August 1 at 6:00 pm –– All-night Vigil
Wednesday, August 2 at 9:30 am –– Greeting of the Bishop, Diving Liturgy, cross procession, festal dinner

The annual feast at the Old Cathedral of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow" will be celebrated on Saturday, August 5th, 2023. His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America presiding.

Schedule:
Friday August 4th at 5:00 pm –– All-night Vigil
Saturday August 5th at 9:30 am –– Greeting of the Bishop & Divine Liturgy

Address:
864 Fulton Street
San Francisco, CA 94117

On Saturday, July 22, 2023, the Kazan Church in Guerneville, CA, will celebrate its Parish Feast Day. His Grace THEODOSY presiding.

Schedule:
8:40 am Hours
9:00 am Liturgy
Procession and festal meal to follow.

Address:
17370 Neeley Road
Guerneville, CA 95446

On Sunday, June 18, 2023, His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America paid a pastoral visit to All Saints of Russia Orthodox Church in Denver, CO.

During the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence ordained Oleg Varavko to the diaconate. See the photo gallery below.

The first Arizona Icon Writing Workshop, sponsored by All Saints Of North America and Christ the Savior Churches is complete. Running from June 12-17, 2023, the week-long Iconology Workshop was led by Tatiania and Dimitry Berestova of the Prosopon School of Iconology, and featured 12 students, lay and clergy, including two advanced students who have studied under the Prosopon School previously.

On Saturday, May 27, 2023, His Grace THEODOSY Bishop of Seattle ordained to the diaconate monk Nicodemus, a member of the Monastery of the All-Merciful Saviour, on Vashon Island, Washington.

Then on Sunday, May 28, His Eminence KIRILL, Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America, ordained Hierodeacon Nicodemus to the priesthood. Both ordinations took place at Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco, CA.

Hieromonk Nicodemus is assigned to serve at All-Merciful Saviour Monastery. Axios!

His Grace JAMES Bishop of Sonora is slated to preside over the Patronal Feast Day of Saint Seraphim of Sarov Church in Seaside, CA

Schedule of Divine Services:
Monday, July 31 at 6:00 pm –– All-night Vigil
Tuesday, August 1 at 9:00 am –– Greeting of the Bishop, Divine Liturgy, Cross Precession, and festal meal

On May 29, 2023, members of the Western American Diocese, both clergy and laity, undertook the annual pilgrimage to Fort Ross. Today it is a wonderful park under the auspices of the State of California, yet two hundred years ago, life there was in full swing with several hundred people from soldiers, to artisans, to farmers, to indigenous people both from Alaska and locals (Kashaya-Pomo Indians). The park also preserves an Orthodox cemetery. In the 1990s, archaeologists carried out excavations and identified the graves of the departed who labored at the fort in bygone years.

Now for about a hundred years (circa 1922 or 1923), Russian Orthodox Christians have been coming to Fort Ross annually, remembering their roots and praying at this holy place consecrated by the presence of Saints such as Holy Hierarch Innocent of Moscow, Holy Martyr Peter the Aleut, Hieromartyr Tikhon Patriarch of Moscow and Holy Hierarch John of Shanghai and San Francisco the Wonderworker.

His Eminence Kyrill Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America was informed by his doctor today that the former’s operation was a huge success.

It is requested that the clergy and faithful of the Western American Diocese, please, continue their prayers for His Eminence’s full and speedy recovery.

His Eminence Kyrill Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America advises the clergy and faithful of the following:

"Your Eminences, Your Graces, Reverend Fathers, and Friends,

This coming Thursday 22 June I will be undergoing an operation (at 11 am).
I have stones on my left kidney that are 2.5 cm in size.
I will be out of commission for about 2 -3 weeks but reachable via e-mail.

I ask for your prayers.

+Archbishop Kyrill"

On Saturday, June 24, 2023, His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America will serve Divine Liturgy at the Kazan Church in Guerneville, CA

Schedule:
8:40 am Hours
9:00 am Divine Liturgy
Potluck in the churchyard (lenten)

Archpriest Peter Perekrestov, Dean of Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco and Secretary of the Diocesan Council of the Western American Diocese made a spring pilgrimage to Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY. He participated in the celebrations of the great feast of Mid-Pentecost, May 10th of this year. Below is a photo report of the Feast.

On the occasion of its 90th Anniversary the youth of Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Seattle, Washington, created the following film.

On Tuesday, 16 May 2023, the feast day of St Theodosius of the Kievan Caves, and the anniversary of the repose of Metropolitan Hilarion (Kapral), His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, having prayed at the monastic midnight office at Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY, officiated at early Divine Liturgy in the monastery’s Cathedral. A special commemoration was made for Metropolitan Hilarion during the service.

After a memorial trapeza luncheon held at noon, His Eminence performed a pannikhida service at the grave of the sixth Primate of the Russian Church Abroad at the monastic cemetery.

The celebration of the holy memory of Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco the Wonderworker falls on Saturday July 2nd, 2022. This year the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia celebrates the 30th anniversary of the opening of his honorable relics.

Schedule:

Thursday, June 29th at 7:00 PM -- Translation of the honorable relics and Akathist Hymn to Saint John
Friday, June 30th at 6:00 PM -- The Greeting of His Eminence Kyrill Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America and All-night Vigil
Saturday, July 1st at 9:00 AM -- The Greeting of the Bishop and Divine Liturgy

With the blessing of His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America, all are welcome to join members of the Western American Diocese for the traditional pilgrimage to Fort Ross on Memorial Day, May 29th, 2023.

The Holy Trinity/Saint Nicholas Chapel at Fort Ross is the first Russian Orthodox Church in the contiguous United States. Fort Ross is holy land – where two saints have labored: St Innocent of Alaska/Moscow and the Holy Martyr Peter the Aleut. Two other saints, St Tikhon and St John of Shanghai, have prayed here and sanctified the lands, the chapel, and the cemetery.

After the liturgy a procession to the cemetery with a "Litya for the Departed." 

On behalf of our Rector, Dean, faculty, and students, I am excited to announce the details for Holy Trinity Seminary's 75th Anniversary Celebration, which is set to take place this coming September 15-17, 2023

For more information, including the schedule of events (also printed below) and to purchase tickets for the Anniversary Concert on Friday evening and the Benefit Banquet on Sunday afternoon, visit the dedicated page on our website HERE.

EVENT SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, SEPT 15
8:00-10:00 pm – Anniversary Concert: Bells, Choirs, and Resounding Virtuosity
Location: Christ Episcopal Church in Cooperstown, NY (5 min. away from Otesaga Hotel).
Advance ticket purchase is required. See the website link above.
SATURDAY, SEPT 16
9:00 am-3:00 pm – Public Program: The Orthodox Christian Seminary in the 21st Century: Pathways, Questions, and Historical Dilemmas
Location: Holy Trinity Seminary Nicholas Alexandrov Building - The Protopresbyter Valery Lukianov Hall
7:00 pm – All-Night Vigil in the cathedral.
SUNDAY, SEPT 17
9:00 am – Entrance of His Eminence, Metropolitan NICHOLAS, First Hierarch of ROCOR followed by Hierarchal Divine Liturgy.
3:00 pm – Otesaga Hotel - Cooperstown, NY / Benefit Banquet
Advance purchase of tickets or tables required. 

With questions or for additional information, contact our 75th Anniversary coordinator John Keller by email at 75th@hts.edu or call him at 315-409-1445.

We hope to see you here for this wonderful milestone in the life of the Seminary!

In Christ,

Deacon Michael Pavuk
Director of Development
Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary

Paschal Message from Patriarch KIRILL of Moscow and All Russia to Archpastors, Pastors, Deacons, Monastics and All Faithful Children
of the Russian Orthodox Church

Beloved in the Lord archpastors, all-honourable presbyters and deacons, God-loving monks and nuns, dear brothers and sisters,

I address all of you, Orthodox Christians living in many countries of the world, who are now in churches or praying in your homes, to extend greetings to you on the great feast of Holy Pascha with my heart full of spiritual joy, and to proclaim victoriously in accord with the ancient tradition:

CHRIST IS RISEN!

 Reverend Fathers, Venerable Monastics, and Pious Faithful of the Western American Diocese:

Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!

With a sense of Paschal joy and special spiritual closeness, despite the distance separating us, I greet you, Eminent Brother Archpastors, honorable fathers, dear brothers and sisters scattered throughout the world, on this great and light-bearing day of the Pascha of Christ!

CHRIST IS RISEN!

On the Feast of the Annunciation, George Fokin was ordained to the diaconate, and shortly thereafter on the Feast of the Entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem, he was ordained to the holy priesthood.

Priest George is attached to the Holy Virgin Cathedral. 

With the blessing of His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America and under the Protection of the Wonderworking Myrrh-streaming “Iveron-Hawaiian” Icon of the Mother of God the clergy of the Western American Diocese held a pastors’ retreat at Saint Paisius Monastery in Safford, Arizona, from March 13-15, 2023.

The registrants of bishops, priests, and deacons numbered a record 43 indicating that the retreat had been met with great enthusiasm by the clergy of our Diocese — in part because such a gathering had not been held since the fall of 2019, and partially due to the fact that the venue was being held at Saint Paisius Monastery situated in the high Sonoran Desert at the base of Mount Graham. Of course, the presence of our Lady the Most Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary through Her miraculous myrrh-streaming “Iveron-Hawaiian” Icon was seen as an immeasurable consolation as well...

A leaflet on the Lenten Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian was prepared by Andre Kusubov, a parishioner of the Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco..

At the beginning of Great Lent, the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry of Kiev & All Ukraine, called upon and blessed the faithful to fulfill a special rule of prayer for peace. The rule is as follows: throughout the fast read the 45th and 90th Psalms, do 12 full prostrations, and read the Lord’s Prayer daily, for peace in the Ukrainian Land. With the blessing of Archbishop Kyrill we are posting the text of this “Rule for Peace” for the members of the Western American Diocese and website visitors.

Pastors' Retreat, Great Lent 2023

With the blessing of His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America
and Under the Protection of the Wonderworking Myrrh-streaming
“Iveron-Hawaiian” Icon of the Mother of God

Dates: March 13-15, 2023
Location: Saint Paisius Monastery, Safford, AZ

Lenten Retreat with His Grace Irenei Bishop of Great Britain & Western Europe
Event Date: March 17-19, 2023
Event Location: 4700 Canyon Crest Drive, Riverside, CA 92507

The event is free but donations are welcome! Please register so we can ensure plenty of seating for all attendees.

Lecture 1- "The Lamb Slain Before the Foundation of the World Moving Beyond Creationism and Evolution."
Lecture 2 - "The Order of Salvation: The Creation of the Cosmos as the Beginning of the Church in Genesis."
Lecture 3 - "The Creation of Man: The Pinnacle of Creation"
Lecture 4 and Q&A - "Creation and Its Consequences: The Sanctity of Life and Ecology"

to the Archpastors, Pastors, Deacons,
Monastics and All the Faithful Children
of the Russian Orthodox Church

Beloved in the Lord archpastors, all-honourable
presbyters and deacons, God-loving monks
and nuns, dear brothers and sisters,

Today, as the Heavenly and earthly Church in conciliar unity glorifies God Incarnate, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all of you on the great and radiant feast of the Nativity of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

The XVI Annual Saint Herman’s West Youth Conference was held from December 26-30, 2022. Being supported by several diocesan clergymen and many youth counselors, the conference hosted just under 50 youth of the Western American Diocese at Christ the Savior Orthodox Church in Youngtown, Arizona.

The conference met its aims by providing educational and social opportunities for our diocesan youth. Lectures, panel discussions, workshops, and exposure to a broader range of clergy and peers heighten an Orthodox formation in our youth and provide them with a much-needed authentic, spiritual context, as their young and fresh minds are forming opinions, coming to conclusions, and establishing convictions about the path they will take in life.

With the blessing of His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America, diocesan clergy gathered around His Grace JAMES Bishop of Sonora, who presided over the conference.

Two holy icons graced the occasion:

Eminent Fellow Archpastors, Honorable Fathers, Beloved Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

Greetings with the Nativity of Christ!

In these days of great joy, the thoughts of the archpastors, pastors, monastics, parishioners, and faithful of the churches and monasteries of our dioceses, scattered like God’s wheat over the vast earth, meet in the meek Bethlehem cave, in the semi-darkness in which was lit the unquenchable Light of the world — our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God! Spiritually gathering with all of you in the modest cave near Bethlehem, and kneeling down before the poor manger of the Divine Infant and His Most Pure Mother, I join my prayers to yours and implore God the Word incarnate to grant His Church grace-filled mercies and blessed success in Her ministry, and to all Orthodox peoples speedy deliverance from fratricidal war, restoration of justice and peace, that peace of which the angelic choir sang over the city of David on that holy night of the Nativity!

As the Biblical book, “The Wisdom of Sirach” narrates:

The Deputy Abbot of St. Silouan's Monastery, monk Ignatius, peacefully reposed in the Lord on Saturday, December 18/31, 2022, at 10:30 am, surrounded by diocesan clergy and close friends of the monastery. 

The funeral will take place at Saint Susanna's Orthodox Church (OCA, Priest Peter Runyan, Rector) in Sonora, CA, on Wednesday, January 4th, 2023. The abbot of the monastery, Bishop James of Sonora, will be presiding. 

FUNERAL SCHEDULE:
Tuesday, January 3rd, 2023: Panykhida at 6:00 pm
Wednesday, January 4th, 2023: Divine Liturgy at 8:00 am, Funeral at 10:00 am

Address:
10825 Robinwood Ln, Sonora, CA 95370 
 Phone: (209) 352-6791

Burial at Saint Silouan's Monastery
Meal to follow at Union Hill Inn, 21645 Parrotts Ferry Rd, Sonora, CA 95370

On Monday December 19th, 2022, on its Patronal Feast Day of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, the northernmost parish of the Western American Diocese, Saint Nicholas Cathedral, celebrated its 90th anniversary. The parish members which built the seven-domed cathedral in the Capital Hill area of Seattle, Washington, received the blessing for its founding in 1932 from Archbishop Tikhon, who was at that time the ruling bishop of the San Francisco and Western American Diocese.  The founding fathers of the parish, many of whom were former officers in the Royal Imperial Navy of the Russian Empire, had a profound reverence for the last Tsar, the Holy Passion-bearer Tsar-Martyr Nicholas II, and they chose to dedicate the parish to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker – the Patron Saint of the Tsar-Martyr.  The cathedral is one of the first churches in history to be designated as a memorial to Tsar Nicholas and his family.

The festal services were exceptional due to the presence of the ruling hierarch of the Diocese, His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America, and his auxiliary bishop of the Northern Deanery, His Grace Bishop THEODOSY of Seattle, who were accompanied by...

On Sunday, November 6, the Holy Virgin "Joy of All Who Sorrow" Cathedral in San Francisco will be marking its parish feast day. The feast day Vigil is on Saturday, November 5 at 5:00 pm, and there will be ONE Liturgy on Sunday, November 6 at 9:00 am. Following the Liturgy, the Cathedral Sisterhood invites the faithful for a feast day meal. Please join us for this joyous celebration.

A monthly Liturgy is scheduled at the Kazan Church in Guerneville, CA, on Saturday, November 12th, 2022, at 9:00 am.

Archbishop Kyrill is presiding. An outdoor meal will follow.

Schedule:
Hours at 8:40 AM
Divine Liturgy at 9:00 AM

Address:
Our Lady of Kazan Orthodox Church
17370 Neeley Rd,
Guerneville, CA 95446

St. Herman's West 2022 will be held this year at Christ the Savior Orthodox Church in Youngtown (near Phoenix), AZ. Arrival is December 26 with departure on December 30. The conference will include a work project -- building a walkway for processions at the church, panel discussions, lectures by Fr. George Kaplanov, liturgical workshops, a hierarchal liturgy, and social interaction in beautiful areas of Phoenix and Old Town Scottsdale. Come out for a break from winter weather and an injection of new life into your Orthodox life! Registration for parishioners of the ROCOR Western American Diocese opens October 1 via the link HERE.

On Tuesday, 13 September, 2022, the members of the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, led by His Eminence Metropolitan Mark of Berlin and Germany, celebrated Divine Liturgy at the Synodal Cathedral of Our Lady “of the Sign” in New York City. At the end of divine services, the archpastors performed a moleben for the opening of the Council, invoking the Holy Spirit to help in their work.

Attending the Council of Bishops were Metropolitan Mark; His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of Western America and New York; His Eminence Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada; His Eminence Archbishop Peter of Chicago and Mid-America; His Grace Bishop John of Caracas and South America; His Grace Bishop Irenei of London and Western Europe; His Grace Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan; His Grace Bishop Theodosius of Seattle; His Grace Bishop Luke of Syracuse; His Grace Bishop Alexander of Vevey and His Grace Bishop Job of Stuttgart. His Grace Bishop George of Canberra participated electronically.

To the Pastors, Monastics and the Pious Children of the Church Abroad

Beloved brethren and sisters!

We, the Hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, having assembled together in Sacred Council on the eve of the Ecclesiastical New Year in the Synodal Residence in the God-protected city of New York, in the presence of our Hodegetria and guide, the wonderworking Kursk-root icon of the Mother of God, greet you with the words of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, which He spoke unto His disciples after His Resurrection: ‘Be of good cheer: I have overcome the world!’ (John 16.33).

We are of good cheer, because we are witnesses to the Lord’s great mercy unto His children and the continuity of His headship of the Church. Having seen fit to call unto Himself our pious and humble First Hierarch, the blessedly-reposed and much-beloved Metropolitan Hilarion, He has not left us bereft of order and care. We began our Council with the election of Metropolitan Hilarion’s successor, the seventh Primate of the Russian Church Abroad, following the order of election approved and sanctified by St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco. By the Will of God, His Grace Nicholas, Bishop of Manhattan, was elected to bear this yoke of service - he who for many years has borne the obedience lain upon him by our Synod of accompanying the miraculous Kursk-root icon in its travels throughout the Russian Orthodox Diaspora, and over the last one and a half decades, all across Russia.

On Tuesday, 13 September, 2022, the member hierarchs of the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Mark of Berlin and Germany, celebrated Divine Liturgy at the Synodal Cathedral of Our Lady “of the Sign” in New York City. Afterwards, the bishops performed a moleben for the opening of a Council of Bishops, invoking the aid of the Holy Spirit for their work.

After a luncheon in the main hall of the Synodal residence, the Council began. Vladyka Mark delivered the keynote address, after which His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America was elected Vice President, and elected as Council Secretaries were His Grace Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, His Grace Bishop Theodosius of Seattle and His Grace Bishop Job of Stuttgart. Appointed as members of the election Counting Committee were His Grace Bishop Irenei of London and Western Europe and His Grace Bishop Luke of Syracuse.

The hierarchs then proceeded to the Synodal Cathedral for the election of a new First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia...

Please, register to join us for a ZOOM fundraising event on Sat Oct 1, 2022  from 11 am to 1 pm (PDT).

On Tuesday, 13 September, 2022, the election of the new Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia by its Council of Bishops took place. In accordance with the Act of Canonical Communion, signed on 17 May, 2007, the Council will send the Act of the election, drafted by the counting committee to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia with a request to bless the electee to assume the duties of the First Hierarch entrusted to him by his brethren archpastors, and for confirmation of the election by the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church.

The rite of enthronement of His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, newly-elected First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, will take place on Sunday, 18 September.

The schedule of divine services associated with the enthronement is as follows:

The Iveron-Hawaiian Myrrh-streaming Icon is scheduled to visit Holy Virgin Cathedral on September 3rd and 4th, 2022.

Schedule:
Saturday September 3rd from 5:00 PM through All-night Vigil.
Sunday, September 4th from 7:30 AM until 1:00 PM

Address:
Holy Virgin Cathedral
6210 Geary Boulevard
San Francisco, CA 94121

A monthly Liturgy is scheduled at the Kazan Church in Guerneville, CA, on Saturday August 13th, 2022, at 9:00 am.

Archbishop Kyrill is presiding. An outdoor meal will follow.

The miraculous myrrh-streaming Iveron-Hawaiian Icon of the Mother of God visited parishes in the San Francisco Bay Area from the 9th to the 12th of July, 2022.

On Saturday, July 9th, the holy Icon, in the company of its guardian Deacon Nectarios Yangson, visited the Saint John of Kronstadt Health Care Center in Castro Valley at 3:00 pm. They were met by Archpriest Stefan Pavlenko who led them to all the rooms of patients who are Orthodox and they were anointed. Soon after that, the holy Icon visited the Old Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco, CA. His Grace Bishop James of Sonora greeted at the icon at 5:00 pm and the All-night Vigil to the Resurrection of Christ was celebrated.

On Sunday, July 10th the myrrh-streaming Icon visited the Holy Resurrection Church (Romanian Episcopate, OCA) in Hayward, CA, for the Divine Liturgy. The Rector of the church, Father Octavian Mahler, presided over the Divine Liturgy. Later that day the Iveron-Hawaiian Icon traveled to Sacramento, CA, and was present at an Unction service held at the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel Church (Romanian Episcopate, OCA) on Raley Boulevard, CA. The parish offered hospitality to the clergy and parishioners in the parish hall after the Divine Service.

On the Feast of the Holy, Glorious All-praised and Foremost Apostles Peter and Paul, Monday, July 11, and on Tuesday, July 12,...

On July 2, 2022, the funeral service for Archpriest Alexei Poliakov took place at the Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in Los Angeles, CA. The parishioners of two parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia – where Fr. Alexei served on a permanent basis in the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Savior since 1999, and also in the Church of the Protection of the Mother of God on a temporary basis for a year –– merged into a single prayer and love for their good shepherd, whose sudden departure was echoed by deep sorrow in the hearts of the parishioners of both parishes.

On Sunday, July 3, 2022, Father Deacon Sebastian Craffey was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America at the Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco, CA. Father Sebastian will be assigned to Holy Archangels Orthodox Church in Phoenix, AZ, which is under the rectorship of Priest John McCuen. Father Sebastian was ordained to the diaconate at Holy Virgin Cathedral on November 6th, 2021, and has served at Holy Archangels in Phoenix since that time, and joins a growing number of clergy serving the Orthodox churches in Arizona.

On Friday, June 24, on the day of the celebration Icon of the Mother of God "It is Truly Meet,” at the age of 63, Archpriest Alexei Poliakov, a cleric of the Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in Los Angeles, CA, reposed in the Lord. Father Alexei reposed unexpectedly in the presence of his beloved family,  Matushka Marina, and their children.

Father Alexei Petrovich Polyakov was born on February 5, 1959, in a priest's family. His father, Archpriest Peter Poliakov, served for more than 50 years in the Moscow Diocese and served as a Rector of several consecutive parishes in both the rural and suburban regions around Moscow.

On Sunday, July 31, 2022, His Eminence Kyrill Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America will celebrate the Patronal Feast of Saint Elias Church in Placerville, CA.

Schedule for Sunday, July 31:
Greeting of the Bishop at 9:30 am
A festal meal in the church hall.

Address:
St. Elias Orthodox Mission
4253 Fowler Lane
Diamond Springs, CA 95619

The Parish Feast Day of the Kazan Church in Guerneville, CA, is to be celebrated on Saturday, July 23, 2022. 

Schedule:
Friday, July 22: Great Vespers, Litya and the Blessing of the Five Loaves
Saturday, July 23 at 9:00 am: Divine Liturgy. His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America presiding. Festal meal to follow.

On July 2, 2022, the great feast of Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco the Wonderworker, His Grace Nicholai Bishop of Manhattan and Deputy Secretary of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, on behalf of the Synod of Bishops, awarded His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America with the Order of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, First Degree. This highest award of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia was bestowed upon His Eminence for his thirty years of service in the office of the Episcopacy (June 7th, 1992) and for his forty years in the office of the priesthood.

On Saturday, July 2, 2022, a multitude of clergy and laity gathered together at Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco, CA, to celebrate the memory of our Father among the Saints John Archbishop of Shanghai and San Francisco the Wonderworker.

“Love never fails” (I Cor. 13:8), nor does Saint John the Wonderworker who incarnated love, who converted the self-love of our fallen nature into Divine love for God and man. Following in the footsteps of all the Saints, he crucified his “flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof” (Gal. 5:24), denying himself, taking up his cross, and following Christ. The great number of people who joyously came to the Feast Day to venerate Saint John’s honorable relics in the cathedral and glorify his holy memory are filled with grace, as the Saints never die. What they give in Christ to their neighbors while alive on earth, they continue to share in abundance from beyond the grave. All who were present sensed this, experience Saint John’s love, and are not left bereft of consolation. How many problems are resolved, and how many sorrows are forgotten through the intercessions of Saint John and his love for all people.

This year, after two difficult years of abiding by quarantine restrictions,...

We are pleased to announce the Wonderworking and Myrrh-streaming Iveron Icon of Hawaii will be brought to the San Francisco Bay Area in July 2022. She is being escorted by her guardian, Father Nectarios from Hawaii.
The current schedule is provided below:
July 9, 2022, Saturday
Old Holy Virgin Cathedral
864 Fulton Street
San Francisco, CA 94117
4:50pm, Arrival of the Wonderworking Iveron Icon
5:00pm, All-Night Vigil
July 10, 2022, Sunday
Holy Resurrection Church
26050 Kay Avenue
Hayward, CA 94545
9:00am, Matins
9:45am, Arrival of the Wonderworking Iveron Icon
10:00am, Divine Liturgy
12:30pm, Akathist to the Mother of God
1:00pm, Reception in honor of the Mother of God
Orthodox Hawaiian Iveron Icon Association (OHIIA)
PO Box 251
Aiea, HI 96701
Website

On Thursday, 30 June 2022, a remote meeting of the Synod of Bishops of the Russia Orthodox Church Outside of Russia was held, presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Mark of Berlin and Germany. Participating in the meeting were His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America, Secretary of the Synod of Bishops; His Eminence Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada; His Eminence Archbishop Peter of Chicago and Mid-America; His Grace Bishop Irenei of London and Western Europe and His Grace Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, Deputy Secretary of the Synod of Bishops.

The bishops heard a report by Bishop Irenei, Secretary of the Synodal Inter-Orthodox Relations Department, on recent developments; Archimandrite Roman (Krassovsky), Chief of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem on affairs in the Holy Land.

Dear in the Lord Matushka Marina Alexandrovna!

Accept our deep condolences for the sudden repose of your spouse, Father Alexei. As the Holy Fathers say, with the repose of those close to us, we together with them, bury a part of our soul. For the widow and children, it is a tremendous loss. In such sorrowful moments, we are always looking for consolation in the words of the Holy Scriptures: “I am the Resurrection and the Life; He who believes in Me, if he dies, will live” (John 11:25). And in another place: “Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. For He is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him” (Luke 36-38).

On Friday July 1, 2022, clergy and faithful honored the memory of Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco the Wonderworker at Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco, CA, by participating the vigil before his honorable and miraculous relics.

His Eminence Kyrill Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America was formally greeted at 6:00 pm before the start of the vigil. Concelebrating with him were His Grace Theodosy Bishop of Seattle and His Grace Nicholai Bishop of Manhattan along with many priests and deacons.

On Thursday, June 30th, 2022, on the eve of St. John’s Day, the annual Akathist to Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco the Wonderworker was sung before his honorable and miraculous relics in the Diocesan Cathedral dedicated to the Icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow.”

Immediately following the daily vespers and matins Services Saint John’s relics were translated from his shrine to the center of the cathedral. This year Archpriest Peter Perekrestov, the Dean of the Cathedral, Hieromonk Sofronie of the Dervent Monastery in Romania, and Priest George Kaplanov served the Akathist.

On June 29th, 2022, His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America received at Holy Virgin Cathedral His Eminence JOSEPH Metropolitan of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America along with a group of pilgrims, both clergy and laity, that came to honor the memory of the Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco the Wonderworker, venerate his honorable relics and ask for his intercessions.

Vespers was held by a guest archpriest and two choirs chanted, one consisting of clergy on kliros and another of the laity from the body of the church.

At the end of vespers, Archbishop Kyrill welcomed Metropolitan Joseph to the cathedral...

On Friday, June 24th, 2022, the monastic communities and parishes of the Western American Diocese served a panykhida for newly-departed Metropolitan Hilarion who governed the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia from 2008-2022. Memory Eternal to our beloved Frist-Hierarch.

On Sunday June 26th, 2022, on the Day of Commemoration of All the Saints that have shown forth in the Russian Land, All Russian Saints Church, it’s clergy and faithful, in Burlingame, CA, celebrated their Patronal Feast Day.

The Divine Liturgy was presided over by His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America. Substituting for the Father Rector, Archpriest Stefan Pavlenko, was Archpriest Peter Perekrestov, Dean of Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco, CA. Also, concelebrating were Archdeacon Peter (Karakozoff) and Deacon Alexei Baranoff.

The Funeral for newly-departed Archpriest Alexei Poliakov will take place at Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in Los Angeles, CA, on the day of the celebration of the memory of Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco the Wonderworker, which is also the 9th Day from the repose of Father Alexei. 

Schedule
Friday, July 1 –– Panykhida at 6:00 pm
Saturday, July 2 –– Funeral at 10:00 am, pominki in the church hall of the cathedral will follow
Burial to take place in Russia

Address:
Holy Transfiguration Cathedral
5432 Fernwood Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90027

В субботу 2-го июля в день Празднования Иоанна Шанхайского - в 10 утра будет Отпевание (это будет как раз 9-ый день).
После отпевания - Поминки в большом зале при Соборе.
Хоронить батюшку будут в России.

In preparation for the impending celebration of their patronal feast day, a group of four motivated parishioners of Saint Seraphim of Sarov Church in Seaside, CA, generously donated a week of their time, showing devotion and love for Saint Seraphim of Sarov the Wonderworker by replacing the floor in the Holy Altar. In addition to this, the brand new flooring material used was considerably discounted.

A Long-time cleric of the Holy Transfiguration Cathedral on Los Angeles, Archpriest Alexei Poliakov, reposed in the Lord in the early hours of the morning yesterday the 11/24 of June, 2022.

Yesterday evening a panykhida was performed in Father Alexei’s name...

On Memorial Day, May 30th, 2022, clergy and faithful of the Western American Diocese took the annual trek to Fort Ross Historic Park to participate in the Divine Liturgy, procession to the cemetery and a litya for those departed who are buried at Fort Ross, who lived, labored and reposed at there about 200 years ago.

His Grace Theodosy Bishop of Seattle presided over the festivities. Concelebrating with him were Archpriests Peter Perekrestov, George Kurtow, Paul Volmensky, Alexander Krassovsky, Priest George Kaplanov and Deacons Nicholas Stoltz, Paul Kozachenko and Alex Baranoff. The choir was conducted by Konstantine Pavlov and its members consisted of the pilgrims of the diocese.

His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill greeted...

The celebration of the holy memory of Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco the Wonderworker falls on Saturday July 2nd, 2022.

Schedule:

Thursday, June 30th at 7:00 PM -- Translation of the honorable relics and Akathist Hymn to Saint John

Friday, July 1st at 6:00 PM -- The Greeting of His Eminence Kyrill Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America and All-night Vigil

Saturday, July 2nd at 9:00 AM -- The Greeting of the Bishop and Divine Liturgy

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia congratulated His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia on the 30th anniversary of his episcopal consecration:

To His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill
of San Francisco and Western America

Your Eminence:

I send heartfelt greetings on this important day, the 30th anniversary of your episcopal consecration...

On Saturday, June 25th His Eminence Kyrill Archbishop of San Francisco will preside over the Divine Liturgy at the Kazan Church in Guerneville, CA.

Schedule:
Hours at 8:40 am
Liturgy at 9:00 am

Address:
17370 Neeley Road
Guerneville, CA 95446

On May 22, the 5th Sunday of Holy Pascha, the commemoration of the meeting of the Lord with the Samaritan Woman, and then the Holy Church honors the memory of the Holy Hierarch and Wonderworker Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, the burial of the newly departed First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York, was held at Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.

The evening prior, the coffin containing the Metropolitan’s body was brought to Holy Trinity Monastery, where on May 22 Metropolitan Mark of Berlin & Germany celebrated Divine Liturgy. Concelebrated with His Eminence were: Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada, Archbishop Peter of Chicago & Mid-America, Archbishop Irenee of Ottawa (OCA), Bishop Irenei of London & Western Europe, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, Bishop Luke of Syracuse, Bishop Gedeon of Makarovka (vicar of the Kiev Metropolitanate UOC), and Bishop Jerome (Shaw), as well as a multitude of clergy from various dioceses of the Russian Church Abroad...

On Monday, 23 May, 2022, a meeting of the Synod of Bishops of the Russia Orthodox Church Outside of Russia was held, presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Mark of Berlin and Germany. Participating in the meeting were His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America, Secretary of the Synod of Bishops; His Eminence Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada; His Eminence Archbishop Peter of Chicago and Mid-America; His Grace Bishop Irenei of London and Western Europe and His Grace Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, Deputy Secretary of the Synod of Bishops.

A series of decisions were taken during the meeting:

On Saturday, May 21, the feast of the Holy Apostle & Evangelist John the Theologian, the monastic funeral of the newly reposed First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad ‒ His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York ‒ was held in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

Metropolitan Mark of Berlin & Germany officiated the service, co-served by members of the Synod of Bishops: Archbishops Kyrill of San Francisco & Western America, Gabriel of Montreal & Canada, and Peter of Chicago & Mid-America; and Bishops Nicholas of Manhattan and Irenei of London & Western Europe. Also taking part in the funeral rite were hierarchs of other Local Churches: Metropolitan Joseph of New York (Antiochian Archdiocese of North America; funeral only), Archbishop Michel of New York & New Jersey (Orthodox Church in America; Liturgy only), and Bishop Gedeon of Makarovka (vicar of the Kievan Metropolitanate, with the blessing of Metropolitan Onufry), as well as a multitude of clergy of the Russian Church Abroad and guests.

On Tuesday, 4/17 May, 2022, the 15th anniversary of the restoration of the fullness of Church unity within the Russian Orthodox Church, and the eve of the anniversary of the enthronement of His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, a session of the Synod of Bishops of ROCOR was held, presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Mark of Berlin and Germany.

The members of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Church Abroad announced with great sorrow that on 3/16 May, the feast day of St Theodosius, Abbot of the Kiev Caves, Metropolitan Hilarion reposed in the Lord.

In connection with this, it was DECREED:

Christ Is Risen!

Today, 16 May at 11 am PST, our First Hierarch Metropolitan Hilarion reposed in the Lord after a prolonged illness. He was 74 years old.
Tomorrow, 17 May at 7 pm a Panikhida at Holy Virgin Cathedral will be served.

MEMORY ETERNAL!

+ Archbishop Kyrill

Today, May 16, 2022, the feast day of St Theodosius of the Kievan Caves, at two o’clock New York time, following a lengthy illness, His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, reposed in the Lord, in a NYC hospital.

His Grace Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, Vicar of the Eastern American Diocese, performed the “Canon of Supplication at the Parting of the Soul.” His Grace was joined by Archpriest Serafim Gan and Hierodeacon Panteleimon (Jigalin). A pannikhida will be performed at the Synodal Cathedral of Our Lady “of the Sign” in New York at 7:30 pm tonight.

Further information will be provided shortly.

May God grant the Kingdom of Heaven to our Master and Father, the Eminent Metropolitan Hilarion!

SOURCE

With the blessing of His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America, all are welcome join members of the Western American Diocese for the traditional pilgrimage to Fort Ross on Memorial Day, May 30th, 2022.

The Holy Trinity/Saint Nicholas Chapel at Fort Ross is the first Russian Orthodox Church in the contiguous United States. Fort Ross is holy land – where two saints have labored: St Innocent of Alaska/Moscow and the Holy Martyr Peter the Aleut. Two other saints, St Tikhon and St John of Shanghai, have prayed here and sanctified the lands, the chapel, and the cemetery.

After the liturgy a procession to the cemetery with a ‘Litya for the Departed’.  The names of the people buried there will be read and a brief story about the people and history of the fort and cemetery will be shared.

After the Divine Services, everyone is invited to Lady of Kazan Church in Guerneville with a greeting of His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill. This is a potluck luncheon.

On the Feast of the Entry of the Lord into the Temple, Sunday 3/16, 2022, His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America made a pastoral visit to the New Russian Martyrs Church in Mulino, Oregon.

During the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence ordained Deacon Boris Levashev to the dignity of the priesthood. Father Boris has already been a parishioner of the parish for 10 years, and has been preparing for the priesthood...

PASCHAL EPISTLE

of His Eminence HILARION
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York,
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

Eminent Brother Archpastors, Honorable Fathers, Dear Brothers and Sisters:

CHRIST IS RISEN!

With a sense of jubilation in the Lord, the Victor over evil, hell and death, I greet you all on this luminous night of the Matins and Liturgy of the Pascha of Christ, this “feast of faith” which the great Chrysostom exhorts us to relish! Congratulations with the Bright Resurrection of Christ!

The Reverend Father Deacon George Kalousek reposed in the Lord on the great feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, March 25/April 7, 2022. 

George Kalousek was born on July 11, 1937, in Shanghai China where as a child he attended the Shanghai British School.  At the age of 12, he moved to Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, where he later earned his medical degree at the University of Brasil. 

In 1962 he came to the United States to complete his medical training at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago.

On the major feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, March 25/April 7, 2022, His Eminence Kyrill, Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America made a pastoral visit to All Russian Saints Church of Burlingame, CA. Presiding over the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence was assisted by Archpriest Stefan Pavlenko (Rector), the Archpriests Andrei Sommer and Alex Kotar, Archdeacon Peter (Karakozoff) and several acolytes. 

On the Fourth Sunday of Great Lent, March 21/April 3, 2022, His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America made a pastoral visit to Holy Ascension Russian Orthodox Church of Sacramento, CA. 

The Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco is holding a fundraiser where all proceeds will benefit UKRAINIAN REFUGEE HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS.We are pleased to announce Babushka’s Take ’N Bake Pascha Bazaar

We humbly ask that you share this information with your community/parish by email, bulletin and print outs to be posted/handed out.

Babushka’s Take ’N Bake Pascha Bazaar will feature items that may be purchased for your Pascha celebration including Cocktail Piroshki and Kotletki, Pirog, Beef Stroganoff, Pelmeni, Russian Pate, and other items. Since it is Palm Sunday, we will also be selling HOT Salmon Pirog by the slice.  

On Pick Up Day, Sunday, April 17 (from 9 am to 1 pm) local vendors will be selling Pascha-related gifts, kulich, and pascha and we will have a KULICH decorating workshop for the children.

All orders may be placed TODAY (including reserving limited spaces for the Kulich Workshop) at our website.  

Thank you for your community support!

Katya Able
HVC Fundraising Committee

On the Third Sunday of Great Lent, the Sunday of the Precious Cross, March 14/27, 2022, Archpriest George Kurtow, Rector of Saint Seraphim of Sarov Church in Seaside, CA, was elevated to the dignity of mitered archpriest in recognition of 41 years of service to Mother Church as a presbyter...

Dear in the Lord Fathers, Brothers and Sisters:

During these terrifying days when streams of blood merge with the flow of deceit and wickedness, we Christians cannot allow ourselves to submit to the spirit of war. The spirit of war is demanding. It requires us to divide into parties. It forces us to hate.

We Christians must understand: the wrath with which war burns is the wrath of hell. The enemy of God drinks in not so much human blood as human bitterness and division. The devil wants nothing more than to separate man from his neighbor, from the Church and from Christ...

With the start of Great Lent, the divine services with the reading of the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete were held in the Church of the Iveron Icon in Kailua, Hawaii (Western American Diocese). From Monday the 7th, until Thursday the 10th of March, the divine services were served in English and Slavonic by the parish Rector Priest Athanasius Kone and Archpriest Anatole V. Lyovin (Pastor Emeritus).

Rumors surfaced this week of the discontinuance of commemoration of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia in some parishes of the Russian Church Abroad, allegedly blessed by the Synod of Bishops. This report absolutely does not correspond to reality: the Synod of Bishops did not convene to discuss this matter and has made no such decision. In accordance with the Act of Canonical Communion signed by His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II and His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus in 2007, the name of the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church is commemorated in all parishes and monasteries of the Russian Church Abroad. These parishes and monasteries minister to a multitude of Orthodox Christian believers from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, Kazakhstan and other countries...

On the Feast of the Laudations of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Fifth Saturday of Great Lent, His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America will preside over Divine Liturgy at the Kazan Church in Guerneville, CA.

Schedule:
Saturday, April 9th, 2022
8:40 AM -- Hours
9:00 AM -- Divine Liturgy

Address:
17370 Neeley Road
Guerneville, CA 95446

On March 16, 2022, His Holiness Kirill Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia published Address No. 01/1215 in which he calls upon the entire flock, clergy and laity, to raise up prayers of repentance.

His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America turns to the clergy and children of the diocese entrusted to him with the following words.

Dear in Christ Reverend Fathers and faithful of Holy Mother Church!

In the letter, His Holiness Patriarch Kyrill speaks of the sorrowful situation...

On the First Sunday of Great Lent, March 13, 2022, the Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy, His Eminence KYRILL, Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America, presided over the Divine Liturgy and the “Rite of Orthodoxy” at the Diocesan Cathedral in honor of the Icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” in San Francisco.

Concelebrating with His Eminence were Their Graces THEODOSY, Bishop of Seattle and JAMES, Bishop of Sonora,...

His Eminence Kyrill, Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America is scheduled to visit Holy Archangels Church in Phoenix, AZ, on Sunday, March 20, 2022. The Greeting of the Bishop is scheduled for 9:30 am.

His Eminence Kyrill, Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America is scheduled to visit Christ the Savior Church in Youngtown, AZ, on Saturday, March 19, 2022. The Greeting of the Bishop is scheduled for 9:30 am.

Address:
11234 W. Alabama Ave.
Youngtown, AZ 85363

Website: https://christthesavioraz.org/

We are planning a Great Lenten concert on Sunday, April 3, will be a special fundraiser on behalf of the Bethany School.  As in previous years, our April 3 concert will have a Lenten motif.  Our program will feature a combination of "resurrected" works that we have not sung for some time, as well as prayers that will be sung in our upcoming Great Lent (Великий пост) and Passion Week (Страстная Неделя) services.  We invite you to join us for our musical Lenten retreat on April 3-rd and generously support the Bethany Orthodox School.    Save the date!

Rector, Archpriest Stefan Pavlenko

With the blessing of His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America, the Western American Diocese is organizing collections to benefit the refugees and the other innocents suffering from the present military conflict in Ukraine. We urge our faithful to be zealous in their support of those suffering. Their need is great, as is our opportunity to help them. 

Today the eyes of many of us are affixed to varying sources of information, and our hearts, numb and in bitter distress, behold the events presently unfolding in the God-preserved land of Ukraine. Seeing everything that is taking place, we instinctively call to mind the words of our Saviour, “of wars and rumors of wars,” and His warning: “see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet” (Matthew 24:6). These words of the Son of God before His suffering on the Cross have resounded in our churches for many years, but it seemed to us that they were describing events from the distant past or some future beyond our reach. Today, however, we see that they are bearing their witness to each of us.

In these sorrowful days, it is impossible to disregard a mother’s tears, the wives and children that have lost their homes, or our family and friends who are caught up in this fratricidal war...

Dear Fathers,This is the prayer to use in connection with the situation in the Ukraine (...)

We are all in this together. We need to support each other and our flock...

Dear in the Lord Brothers and Sisters:

As we approach Great Lent, this salvific time of profound prayer and self-correction, and in connection with the events in the Ukrainian land, I turn to all with a heartfelt plea: to refrain from excessive watching television, following newspapers and the internet, to close our hearts to the passions ignited by mass media, while doubling our fervent prayers for peace throughout the world, for overcoming enmity and discord, for help for the suffering, for the repose of those who have departed into the eternal life and the consolation of their friends and relatives, so that we all first and foremost remain humane and Orthodox Christians in these difficult times...

His Eminence Kyrill Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America marked his Names Day on Sunday February 27, 2022, having been tonsured into monasticism in honor of Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Kyrill Teacher of the Slavs (celebrated February 14/27), at the Protection of the Holy Virgin Church in Hollywood, CA. Archbishop Kyrill was tonsured a monk at the Judgement Gates in the Holy City of Jerusalem in 1981.

His Eminence spent his Names Day presiding over the Divine Liturgy, ...

Homily Given at the Funeral of Fr. Ioan Comanescu
By the Right Rev. Bishop James of Sonora
At the Holy Virgin Cathedral  -  San Francisco, California
January 22, 2022

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

“My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.” (Ps. 119: 139). These words of the Prophet and King David in Psalm 119 capture the essence of...

On the 40th Day from the Repose of Archpriest Ioan Comanescu a biography written by one of his children is published here:

On the 40th Day from the Repose of Archpriest Ioan Comanescu a biography written by one of his children is published here:

His Eminence KIRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America has published Decree No. 4/2022E throughout the Diocese for the end to conflict in Ukraine. The original may be found here.

In addition to the “Prayer for Ukraine,” which is inserted by the Priests of the Diocese into the appointed place in the Divine Liturgy, we urge all the faithful to pray for peace amongst those in conflict. The following are prayers blessed for this purpose.

His Eminence KIRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America has published Decree No. 4/2022E throughout the Diocese for the end to conflict in Ukraine. The original may be found here.

In addition to the “Prayer for Ukraine,” which is inserted by the Priests of the Diocese into the appointed place in the Divine Liturgy, we urge all the faithful to pray for peace amongst those in conflict. The following are prayers blessed for this purpose.

At approximately 3:00 am on the Great Feast of Theophany, a longtime member of the Western American Diocese and cleric, Archpriest Ioan Comanescu, reposed in the Lord.

Father Ioan is survived by his widow, Matushka Efthemia, and their four sons.

He was ordained to the deaconate for the Western American Diocese at Holy Virgin Cathedral in 2001...

Christmas Message by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia to the archpastors, pastors, deacons, monastics and all the faithful children of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Beloved in the Lord archpastors, all-honourable presbyters and deacons, God-loving monks and nuns, dear brothers and sisters, 

I extend my cordial greetings to all of you on the great Feast of the Nativity of Christ.

On this radiant night the whole creation rejoices,...

Nativity Epistle of His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America may be read HERE. 

With profound gladness I greet my fellow archpastors, honourable fathers, monastics, parishioners and the worshipers of our churches, scattered throughout the world, with the Nativity of Christ, the Baptism of the Lord and the New Year! May the Lord send us all the joy of the coming of the Son of God into the world. Both the struggle of our faith, and its fruits in our days, must be grounded in this joy: the joy that comes from hearing the angelic doxology and the triumph of the Incarnation of God the Word!

This past year was difficult and sorrowful for many of us, but it was also filled with divers blessings and gifts for which we must offer up our gratitude to our Benefactor. We have reached this festal season because Divine Providence did not abandon us. If we have been able to carry forth to this time the duties lain upon us, it is solely because the Lord Himself has granted us health, power, nourishment and clothing, and has poured out upon us His help, and the gift of patience for the unfolding of our life’s path. In addition to this, how many blessed gifts have been communicated to us in the holy sacraments, in the fast, and in the prayer and mystical life of the Church!

Christmastide always evokes feelings of love and gratitude in the believing heart. Let us also raise up in these days our own gratitude to God, let us bring our love to Him and to our neighbours, and let us convey our own Nativity gift to the temple, in which we are honoured with the wondrous, personal encounter with Christ and saving communion with Him. Let us open our hearts, dear fathers, brothers and sisters; let us receive the Son of God Who has come to earth; and let us worship Him together with the magi, rejoicing in His love and mercy towards us. Amen.

With love in the New-Born Christ,

+HILARION
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York
First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad

The Nativity of Christ, 2021/2022

Source

On December 7, 2021 in the city of Kiev, the mother of Russian cities, a new church was consecrated in the Holy Dormition Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, The church is dedicated to the Venerable Monk Agapite of Pechersk, who is considered the first doctor of Kievan Rus.

Not arbitrarily does the Orthodox Church pray for deliverance from deadly pandemics (epidemics) and fatal ulcers in each Divine Liturgy, calling on the holy healers, including the Venerable Agapite. Through his prayers the sick were healed.  He also gave them herbs to take that he cooked as food for himself and because of the herbs they began to call him doctor. He treated the brethren of the monastery, ordinary laymen and even Prince Vladimir Monomakh himself expecting nothing in return. The venerable one was an image of humility, of unshakable  faith, and he turned many to Christ. And now we, too, have the audacity to ask that through the prayers of the Venerable Agapite, “the Lord heal us in body and spirit and help us live our lives so that we will be the children of eternal salvation” (in the words of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphrius).

In preparation for the 70th anniversary of the Church of All Russian Saints founding next year, the Burlingame CA parish successfully completed the renovation of church cupolas. The painting and gilding of five church cupolas were performed in less than 2 months. This was an expensive project encompassing scaffolding, painting the four blue cupolas, the cost of the double-weight 24k gold leaf, and the laborious work of applying 36,000 sheets of gold leaf to the cupolas and to the 132 stars on the blue cupolas.

The XV Annual Saint Herman’s West Youth Conference of the Western American Diocese was held at St. George Russian Orthodox Church in West Jordan, Utah, from December 27 to 31, 2021.

The Chairman of the Youth Department of the Western American Diocese, Archpriest Michael van Opstall, along with a committee of youth counselors and the parishioners (particularly the Sisterhood) of Saint George Orthodox Church, of which Father Michael is the Rector, organized the first in-person youth conference of the Diocese since the Covid quarantine restrictions of March 2020.

Over 50 youth participated in the conference representing a broad area of our Diocese. His Grace JAMES Bishop of Sonora presided over...

On Sunday, December 19, 2021, the Parish Choir of the Church of All Russian Saints in Burlingame presented a concert of Masterpieces of the Moscow School. Our program featured some of the most famous and beloved works by some of the most famous composers who were teachers and students at the Synodal School in Moscow in the early 1900s.  Although not originally planned, the conclusion of our concert included a brief service of the blessing of newly re-gilded crosses on the four lesser domes (cupola) of our church. 

We are excited to announce that "A Christmas Bazaar by Babushka’s Take ’N Bake" is LIVE and taking orders at www.HolyVirginCathedral.com

Order pick-ups will take place on Sunday, December 19 from 9am to 3pm at 6210 Geary Blvd, San Francisco

It’s always better to be prepared to handle unexpected situations rather than being caught off guard.  We should all have daily supplies of needed amounts of food and medication to cover us for extended periods of time in case it becomes impossible to go to stores or pharmacies. This is not to recommend hoarding, but to be conscious of our surroundings and developing trends.

We have all suffered the effects of COVID restrictions and related complications, so I won't go into details since we are all sadly aware of them.  Along with material concerns, we also have spiritual and religious responsibilities to ourselves, our immediate families, our loved ones, and neighbors. 

During the long period of time when our church and other parish communities were closed down or severely restricted, many people got used to watching LIVESTREAM SERVICES. 

Holy Virgin Cathedral, named in honor of the Holy Icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow," will celebrate its annual Feast Day. His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America presiding.

Schedule of Divine Services

Friday, November 5th:
Eve of Cathedral Feast Day
Vigil at 6:00 pm

Saturday, November 6th:
Greeting of the Bishop and Divine Liturgy from 9:00 am

Address: 
Holy Virgin Cathedral
6210 Geary Blvd
San Francisco CA 94121

On Saturday September 18th  the miraculous myrrh-streaming Icon of the Mother of God “Softener of Stony Hearts” arrived from Moscow, Russia, with its guardian, Sergei Fomin, for the purpose of making a brief visit to the Western American Diocese. Upon arrival the wonderworking image was...

Please go to HVCParking.com to place your order ASAP

Pick-ups will be on both Saturday, October 16, and Sunday, October 17 from 9 am to 1 pm at 6210 Geary Blvd. SF on the outside playground (handicap access will be made available).

Proceeds benefit the Parking, Senior Housing, Playground Project.  Learn more at HVCParking.com about this exciting community expansion project.

PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE WORD:

We encourage you to print out the attached flyer and post it at your work, your school, in your neighborhood.  This is a SAN FRANCISCO BAY event — we want to share Russian Cuisine with EVERYONE!  The food that is being prepared is delicious and authentic!

Please also post this flyer electronically on your Social Media and email it to friends!!  We are eager to make this a SELL OUT event!

Available to volunteer?  Please email ablekatya@mac.com

The greeting of the miraculous Icon, which is coming from Moscow, will be at 5:00pm on Saturday, September 18th, at the Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco. This Icon began myrrh streaming in 1999.  The Icon was present when Patriarch Kyrill of Russia was selected in 2009.  There are several churches built to honor this Icon in Russia. Use this link to find more information about this icon.

JUBILEE EPISTLE of His Eminence HILARION, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, on the Occasion of the 800th Anniversary of the Birth of the Holy Right-Believing Great Prince Alexander Nevsky and the Centennial of the I All-Diaspora Council

Greeting my beloved in the Lord brother-archpastors, reverend fathers, and our dear brothers and sisters with love and a feeling of rejoicing in the Mother of God, I sincerely congratulate all of the archpastors, clergy, and laity with both the approaching celebrations of the 800th anniversary of the birth of the Great Prince Alexander Nevsky and the centennial of the I All-Diaspora Council!

His Eminence Archbishop KYRILL is scheduled to preside over the Divine Liturgy at the Kazan Church on Saturday, September 25, 2021, at 9:00 am. Trapeza will follow out in the church yard.

Address:
17370 Neeley Road,
Guerneville, CA 95446

Saturday, October 9, 2021
12:00 pm -- 2:00 pm
Please Register for the Zoom Event

His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America will preside over the Divine Liturgy at the Kazan Church in Guerneville, CA, this Saturday August 21, 2021, at 9:00 AM. 

All are welcome!

Location:
Kazan Icon of the Mother of God Church
17370 Neeley Road
Guerneville, CA 95446

With the blessing of His Eminence KYRILL, Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America, the Wonderworking and Myrrh-streaming “Hawaiian” Iveron Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos will be escorted from the Hawaiian Islands to the Bay Area for the Dormition Fast.
This will be the first time in over a year and half that the Wonderworking Iveron Icon has left Hawaii. We humbly thank His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill and the Holy Icon’s Guardian, Father Nectarios, for this opportunity to once again venerate this great and sacred relic of the Holy Orthodox Church!

During these trying times, we need her more than ever! O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
During the Dormition Fast, the Wonderworking “Hawaiian” Iveron Icon will also be brought to the East Coast and the South. A schedule will be forthcoming.

The Holy Icon‘s visitation schedule to the Bay Area is below:
Sunday, August 15, 2021
Holy Virgin Cathedral “Joy of All Who Sorrow”
6210 Geary Blvd
San Francisco, CA
7:30am - Arrival of the Holy Icon and First Divine Liturgy
9:45am - Second Divine Liturgy
The Holy Icon will remain in the Cathedral for veneration until 2:00pm

Monday, August 16, 2021
Holy Resurrection Church
26050 Kay Avenue
Hayward, CA
6:00pm - Akathist service to the Holy Theotokos

Tuesday, August 17, 2021
Holy Cross Church
1401 S. White Road
San Jose, CA
6:00pm - Paraklesis / Akathist service to the Holy Theotokos

Wednesday, August 18, 2021
Church of All Russian Saints
744 El Camino Real
Burlingame, CA
6:00pm - All-Night Vigil

Thursday, August 19, 2021
Old Holy Virgin Cathedral
864 Fulton Street
San Francisco, CA
9:00am, Hierarchical Divine Liturgy

Christ the Savior Church
490 12th Avenue
San Francisco, CA
6:00pm, Moleben / Akathist to the Holy Theotokos

On the 21st of July, the Orthodox Church celebrates the appearance of the Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the city of Kazan (1579). The Kazan Icon of the Mother of God is the most famous and especially revered icon of the Virgin in Russia. The shrine is truly the guardian of Russia: the Blessed Holy Mother of God has repeatedly saved the country from catastrophe by prayers before Her Kazan image.

In anticipation of impending Feast Day of the “Kazan” of the Mother of God on July 21 of this year, His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America arranged for the gilding of the cupola that crowns the Kazan Church along the Russian River in Guerneville, CA.

Artisan Valeriy Kagounkin of Sacramento, CA, labored for several days...

This talk was given at the Symposium entitled “St. John and His Legacy” held from June 30 to July 1, 2016, which was dedicated to Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco the Wonderworker. It was organized by the Saints Athanasius and Cyril of Alexandria Institute of San Francisco on the eve of the day of memory Holy Hierarch John in the 50th year from the latter's repose.

Although he did not know Saint John personally during his lifetime, Father Victor relates his close relationship with the Saint from his youth up to this day. SEE VIDEO...

The clergy and faithful of Church of All Russian Saints in Burlingame, CA, will be celebrating their Patronal Feast Day this Sunday July 4th, 2021.

Included in the festivities will be the blessing of new church bells, which the parish has recently acquired from Yekaterinburg, Russia. The consecration will be considered part the local parish’s celebration of the Centennial of the Formation of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (1920) and in conjunction with the approaching 70th Anniversary of the founding of All Russian Saints Church. The faithul are welcome to the festivities.

Schedule:
Saturday July 3rd
All-night Vigil

Sunday July 4th
8:30 AM – Blessing of the Waters
9:00 AM – Hours
9:30 AM – Greeting of His Eminence Kyrill Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America, Divine Liturgy & Procession with the “Order of Blessing of Bells.” (Unfortunately, there will not a festal meal for the general public).

His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America welcomes clergy, parishioners and pilgrims to Holy Virgin Cathedral for the Feast of our beloved Holy Hierarch John of Shanghai and San Francisco the Wonderworker being held on July 2nd  and 3rd, 2021.

This year the number of clergy permitted to serve in the Holy Altar during the Divine Services of the Feast will be limited to a select few.

 NOTE: Only those clergy who have received a personal summons will be permitted to concelebrate...

On Monday June 28th, 2012, at the parish of Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco Orthodox Church in Kennewick, WA, clergy and faithful reach a milestone in their parish life with the crowning of their holy temple with at beautiful gold dome.

A CONVERSATION WITH THE DEAN OF JORDANVILLE’S SEMINARY 

Nicolas G. Schidlovsky speaks with the HTS Alumni Association

Professor Schidlovsky, you have held the Dean’s position at HTOS for well over a year now. This has obviously been a lot of hard work, and we now feel that it is a great time for many of us who are not regularly on campus to get to know you better. It seems that under your guidance the Seminary is energetically moving ahead with interesting projects. May we ask you a few questions?  Please start by telling us about your family background, education, and professional experience...

On Saturday July 24th, 2021, His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America will preside over the Divine Liturgy at the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God Church. 

Schedule:
Hours at 8:40 AM
Divine Liturgy at 9:00 AM

Address:
Kazan Icon of the Mother of God Church
17370 Neeley Road,
Guerneville, CA 95446

Dear Parishioners, Friends and Pilgrims, greetings on the upcoming 55th repose anniversary (+1966) of St. John of Shanghai & San Francisco, and the 125th anniversary of his birth (1896). Let us offer thanksgiving to God that our cathedral is now fully open to the public for services and most limitations lifted. The schedule of St. John's feastday celebration at Holy Virgin Cathedral is as follows:

THURSDAY, July 1
5:00 pm – Daily Vespers & Matins.
7:00 pm – Transfer of St. John reliquary to the center of the cathedral and Akathist to St. John before his relics.

FRIDAY, July 2
8:00 am – Daily Divine Liturgy.
5:00 pm – Confessions.
6:00 pm – Vigil to St. John.

SATURDAY, July 3
7:30 am – Early Liturgy (Hours at 7:00 am, "Blessed is the Kingdom" at 7:30 am).
9:30 am – Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, Moleben and Procession (unfortunately, no common meal will be offered this year).

Paschal Message of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia to the Archpastors, Pastors, Deacons, Monastics and All the Faithful Children of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Your Graces the archpastors, reverend pastors and deacons, all-honourable monks and nuns, dear brothers and sisters: 

On this chosen and holy day, full of Paschal joy and glorious light, the life-affirming glad tidings are being passed on from mouth to mouth, from heart to heart: 

CHRIST IS RISEN! 

PASCHAL ADDRESS
of His Eminence
Hilarion
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York
First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad

CHRIST IS RISEN!

Reverend Fathers, Venerable Monastics, and Pious Faithful
of the Western American Diocese ROCOR:
Precious Children of the Church, my beloved flock:

CHRIST IS RISEN!

On Monday, March 15, 2021, the first day of Great Lent, Archpriest Viktor Tseshkovsky, cleric of the Western American Diocese and Rector of Protection of the Holy Virgin Russian Orthodox Church in Hollywood, CA, died at the age of 62.

Two of the three churches of the Russian tradition in Los Angeles are located in Hollywood. Of them, Protection of the Holy Virgin Church is closest to Hollywood's landmarks. Fr Viktor was from the Kamenko-Dneprovsk region of the USSR, and during the decade between 1982-1992 he served as Rector of St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Melitopol.

Fr Viktor was drawn to the Church from an early age, loving the church temple and divine services. All five sons of his parents became priests, and his sister is married to a priest. They all served in the Crimean and Dnepropetrovsk Dioceses....

Dear brothers and sisters!
 
During Great Lent the commemoration of the dead should, and must, be done daily in our personal prayers, at the liturgy on the weekends, and especially – on Soul Saturdays.  The Church’s main method of commemorating the dead is done through prayer at the proskomedia (preparatory part of the Liturgy). The priest, while in the altar, extracts a piece from the prosphora as the names, submitted on slips of paper by the faithful, are read. The commemoration slips are read at Liturgy as well. However, during the  Great Fast the entire structure of life within the Church changes, including the Divine Services – full liturgies on weekdays are not performed, and therefore the prayers for the dead are offered less often.

In order to compensate for the absence of daily church commemorations for the departed, ...

As we approach Great Lent, at the request of several clergy our Diocese and with the blessing of His Eminence Kyrill Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America, the following DVD Tutorial on serving the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is being made broadly available through our Diocesan media.

This presentation by Archpriest Alexis Kotar of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Seattle, Washington, was originally given at the 2006 Lenten pastoral retreat of the Western American Diocese (ROCOR). It is presented here, enhanced with additional footage of the service, for the instruction and edification of clergy and those wishing to learn about the structure of the Divine Service.

Fr. Alexis begins with the historical roots and development of this unique Lenten Service. His lecture helps us understand why we...

During the week of January 25th, 2021, Saint Silouan's Monastery in Sonora, CA, enjoyed snowfall. The welcome precipitation to be soaked into the parched land of California was recorded by a monastery laborer, Geoff Brim.

Your Graces, brother-archpastors, reverend fathers, beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord!

GREETINGS ON THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST!

By God’s ineffable goodness, we enter once more into the joyous days of the great feasts of Christ’s Nativity and Theophany. I sincerely greet you all with this world-saving joy! The feat of faith and its fruit in life must be this joy: from the triumph of the Theophany - God’s manifestation and incarnation - and the sound of the Heavenly doxology and otherworldly peace being sung over Bethlehem.

Everything that transpired in that simple cave in Bethlehem and in the holy River Jordan, both especially revered by the entire Christian world, bore the deep hallmarks of modesty and humility. In His Nativity, the Creator of the universe, Who holds all things in His right hand,...

Christmas Message

by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia

to the Archpastors, Pastors, Deacons, Monastics

 and All the Faithful Children of the Russian Orthodox Church

Beloved in the Lord archpastors, all-honourable presbyters and deacons, God-loving monks and nuns, dear brothers and sisters,

From the depths of my heart I congratulate you all on the radiant feast of the Nativity of Christ.

Today the Church in heaven and on earth is triumphant as she rejoices at the coming into the world of our Lord and Saviour and lifts up praises and thanksgiving to God for His mercy and love for the human race. It is with spiritual trembling that we listen to the words of the hymn: “Christ is born; glorify Him! Christ comes from heaven; go out to meet Him” (Hirmos for the Canon of the Nativity of Christ). With reverence and hope we set our gaze upon the cave of Bethlehem where the Divine Infant lies wrapped in swaddling clothes in a lowly manger.

NATIVITY EPISTLE
of the Ruling Archbishop
of the Western American Diocese ROCOR

Reverend Fathers, Vernerable Monastics, Pious Faithful,

Text may be read here.

The 14th Annual Saint Herman's West Youth Conference
will be held remotely over Zoom
in the evenings
of December 28-30, 2020.

Participation is free.
However, registration is necessary. Registar here.
________

Submit anonymous questions for the clergy panel here.
_______________

Submit  anonymous questions for the youth counselor panel here. 

Your Graces Brother-Archpastors, Honorable Fathers,
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in the Lord!

I sincerely greet you with the 725th Anniversary of the appearance of the miraculous Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God of the “Sign,” and with the Centennial of the founding of the Higher Church Administration Abroad, which later was transformed into the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Church Abroad. We are not marking the events that destroyed all the foundations of Pre-Revolutionary Russia, and which hit extremely hard on our dear Mother – the Local Russian Orthodox Church – having pushed Her, together with the whole country, onto a path of great suffering, repression, martyrdom and confession. Rather, we raise up gratitude to God, Who has preserved us under the shelter of our precious Orthodox Faith, in the traditions of the glorious Russian Church. We bow down before the memory of those ascetics,...

Dear Friends of the St John Memorial Fund,

Please join us on October 18 for a virtual fundraising event in lieu of our annual luncheon!
 
The event will feature a presentation from the Mother Maria,  the Administrator of the Orthodox School in Bethany (Holy Land), beginning with a greeting from His Eminence, Bishop Theodosy of Seattle. In keeping with the tradition of our annual luncheon a live drawing for prizes will conclude the event. Prizes include the hand painted icon of Saint John shown on the left (8 x 11.5 inches, $500 value). 
Event information: Sunday, October 18, 2020 at 1:00 -2:30 pm (PDT)

Zoom Meeting ID: 881 9711 4332

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/ 88197114332

Join by Phone: 408-6380968 (enter zoom meeting ID followed by #)

For more information or to make a donation online please visit our website here.

Your donation is tax deductible and goes entirely toward the cause you choose. Your name will be included in the prize drawing.

Follow up on Facebook

Sincerely,
the Board of Trustees

It is with regret that I inform you that the Feast Day of the St. Silouan Monastery on September 23/24 will not be open to pilgrims this year. Due to the prevalence at the Monastery of thick smoke from the forest fires—which are predicted to continue through September and beyond; the risk of forest fires emerging near the property; the high outdoor temperatures and the possibility of rolling power outages, and the challenges posed by complying with the restrictions associated with the virus situation, it is clear that this is not the time for the Monastery to host a festal celebration.  Accordingly, the doors to the Monastery will be closed to pilgrims. We hope that the circumstances for the celebration next year of the Feast of St. Silouan at the Monastery will allow for our festive gathering. You may send your list of commemorations for the living and the departed to the following address: St. Silouan Monastery, 21285 Old Sonora Columbia Road, Sonora, CA 95370-8807.

+ Bishop James of Sonora

Oregon Governor Kate Brown has invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act as wildfires continue to spread throughout the state.

There are at least 35 active fires, with more than 368,029 acres burning in the state, according to the Oregon Office of Emergency Management.

Parishes in the Northern Deanery of the Western American Diocese in Oregon are at risk of succumbing to the fires...

It is with pain of heart that I am following the events unfolding in California, which is engulfed in flames, making this the second worst fire season in the history of the state. And I hasten to express my profoundest sympathy to everyone. I prayerfully empathize with His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill, the auxiliary bishops His Grace Bishop Theodosy and His Grace Bishop James, the clergy, monastics and flock of the Western American Diocese, the citizens of California, all who have suffered from the flames and the tens of thousands of firefighters battling them.

Glory to God, the fire did not touch the Church of Our Lady of Kazan on the Russian River...

Beginning Saturday, August 8, the weekly Saturday livestreamed Moleben (service of Intercession) to St. John, Wonderworker of Shanghai & San Francisco will now begin at 4:30 pm, 15 minutes later than previously. Please make a note of this.

Link to Holy Virgin Cathedral live-stream here. 

On Saturday, August 1, 2020 longtime cathedral Archpriest Fr. Serge Kotar retired from service at Holy Virgin Cathedral and left the Western American Diocese. Fr. Serge is moving out East and will be living with his son’s family, not far from the Holy Trinity Monastery (Jordanville, NY).

The Monastery of the All-Merciful Savior is located in Washington State, which was one of the first epicenters of the coronavirus epidemic, then of the mass protests that have swept throughout most of the country. The head of this monastery, Abbot Tryphon (Parsons), a licensed psychologist before his tonsure, has for many years replaced his clients and patients with spiritual children.  

He not only discussed how to rid ourselves of the pandemic and what consequences we might face. The priest, who in his youth was a radical socialist, shared his thoughts on how faith can help overcome tribulations, and also compared today’s events in the USA with the pre-Revolutionary situation in Russia in 1917.

It is most difficult today for the elderly and youth

- Fr Tryphon, why did you, an American, choose Russian Orthodox Christianity?

- It came from the heart. I love Russian culture, Russian music, the Liturgical music of the Russian Church, her traditions. When I began to seek my path to Orthodox Christianity, it was natural for me to join the Russian Church.

- You live in the State of Washington, which became one of the epicenters of the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. What do you think of this situation?

Right reverend brother-archpastors, reverend fathers,
beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord!

Pushkin’s chronicler Pimen, passing on his life’s work to his student, said:
"…To thee I hand my task. In hours exempt
From the soul’s exercise, do thou record,
Not subtly reasoning, all things whereto
Thou shalt in life be witness; war and peace,
The sway of kings, the holy miracles
Of saints, all prophecies and heavenly signs; -
For me ‘tis time to rest and quench my lamp…"

"Here is that which is most dear to the Russian people: the holy miracles of saints, prophecies, and heavenly signs. And truly, no celebration in Russia ever saw the coming together of such multitudes in Russia as the opening of new holy relics," said Metropolitan Anthony (Khrapovitsky), who 100 years ago led the Russian Church Abroad, in one of his sermons.

As we know, the stages of the glorification of a saint in Christ’s Church take place gradually. We, the archpastors, pastors, and flock, examine ourselves against the dispositions of our forebears in the Faith, and in this way the canonization of God’s saints matures and takes shape...

In response to the growing desire of many families to continue educating their children at home during the current health crisis St. John of San Francisco Orthodox Academy, a K-12 Orthodox day school with instruction in English, is happy to announce that a distance learning program has been created for the 2020-2021 academic year...

OPEN LETTER
to the Honourable Gavin Newsom, Governor of California
from His Eminence Kyrill Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America 
in light of the decree issued by the Governor of California 
that forbids choral singing in churches.

Your Excellency,

I hereby express my protest against the recent prohibition of liturgical singing in houses of worship, which is an infringement of the rights and religious freedoms of the clergy and faithful of the Western American Diocese of the Russian Diaspora, the other Local Orthodox Churches, performing their ministry in this state, as well as other religious bodies.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, greetings on the upcoming feast of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco, the Wonderworker! Unfortunately, at this time all the services are still closed to the public, but we will celebrate them, pray, honor St. John and livestream the services for our parishioners and all those who love our Holy Virgin Cathedral and Vladika John. Here is the link to our livestream page, where you will find the upcoming livestream service times and the link to our channel. The St. John days schedule is as follows:

Thursday, July 2: AKATHIST before the relics of St. John at 6:00 pm.
Friday, July 3: VIGIL service to St. John at 6:00 pm.
Saturday, July 4: St. John feastday Divine LITURGY at 9:00 am.

On July 1st, 2016, Archpriest Sergei Kotar, a cleric of Holy Virgin Cathedral and founder of Saint John of San Francisco Orthodox Academy, shares his recollections of Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco the Wonderworker and many of the latter's miracles wrought in the school.

This presentation was one of many given at the Symposium sponsored by the Saints Athanasius and Cyril Institute for Orthodox Studies, which was entitled “Saint John and His Legacy”, and was dedicated to the 50th Anniversary of his repose (1966-2016).

In other words, saying precisely when our lives will return to normal is very difficult. Like, on the other hand, answering the question will that life essentially be normal, i.e. as before. But we might, and I believe we should, take a different approach. That is to say we should try to understand the effect this ordeal has had on our thinking and what we have learned from it. Or otherwise on what should we have reflected and what should we have learned. Or still alternatively what insight can we obtain from it, how can our minds become enriched, disregarding the tragedy and incredible complexity of what has occurred.

I will attempt to share what I have come to understand.

1. It seems to me that it is worth placing first the obvious necessity of being prepared for anything in life. We often feel...

The annual Feast of Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco the Wonderworker scheduled for Saturday July 4, 2020, will be celebrated at Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco where the Saint’s honorable and miraculous relics repose.

However, based on the current information available, the Divine Services will not be open to the public in compliance with the Public Health Directive of the San Francisco City and County Department of Public Health dated June 13, 2020.

In general, Holy Virgin Cathedral has been closed to the public, even for private worship, as of Great Lent of this year...

The COVID-19 epidemic is gaining force and spares nothing in its path. In Kiev, some of the brothers of the Kiev Caves Lavra fell sick, as did the vicar archbishop of Obukhov, Jonah [who is now recovered.—OC]. We talked with Archbishop Theodosy (Snigirev), a vicar of Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine, about the situation in Kiev, the future of the Orthodox Church, and its liturgical heritage.

I would like to share my thoughts in connection with the discussion that has unfolded around the decoration of the mosaics of the main Church of the Armed Forces of Russia, recently built in Moscow.

Since ancient times, temples and entire monasteries dedicated to various historical events have always been erected on Russian soil. Such churches and monasteries include the following: the Church of the Protection on the Nerl, the Sretensky Monastery, the Kazan Cathedral on Red Square, the Cathedral of Saint Vladimir in Sevastopol, which is called the "Admiral's Cathedral" of the Russian fleet, where Admirals Lazarev, Kornilov, Nakhimov and Istomin are buried. The names of all naval officers who fell during the defense of Sevastopol are engraved on marble slabs in the upper church of this temple. The churches listed above include the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, built in 1883 in honor of the victory over Napoleon in the Patriotic War of 1812, and the St. Nicholas Cathedral, dedicated to the Russian fleet and all reposed sailors, built from 1903-1913 in Kronstadt. Even now those temples that belonged to a particular military regiment in tsarist times have also been preserved.

As a rule, in addition to icon painting, these temples were also decorated with memorable statues depicting certain historical events, and military paraphernalia, and, of course, with the awards that fallen soldiers received during the war. The naves of such temples usually had marble slabs on which the names of the fallen defenders of the fatherland were engraved. Most of these churches and monasteries were built, as a rule, on donations of ordinary Orthodox people. And this was done primarily so that everyone, making his contribution, would feel this temple, erected with his help, would be a house of prayer: “My house will be called a house of prayer” (Matthew 21:13).

All Orthodox Christians, regardless of their country of residence, ...

Today, May 25, 2020, the Governor of the State of California, Gavin Newsome, has declared that churches and all houses of worship are now open.

The monasteries and parishes of the Western American Diocese within the State of California may enter into this new phase of reduced social distancing. However, all are required to observe the guidelines found in...

It is with a heavy heart that we acknowledge the cancellation of our the annual diocesan pilgrimage to Fort Ross on Memorial Day. It is always a joyous day with the concelebration of the Divine Liturgy led by our hieararchs and surrounded by many the faithful. The procession to the cemetery across the canyon is refreshing as prayers are raised up for the departed and the graves are blessed.

On Friday May 22, 2020, the opening of churches within the United States, after  their closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was announced by President Donald Trump; the opening of houses of worship beginning this weekend.

The President’s statement is welcome as the faithful look forward to the possibility of returning to the usual rhythm of Church life through attendance at the Divine Services and participating in other parish activities.

However, for now the practices for the ministry of the faithful that have been worked out successfully and maintained...

Below are listed several thoughts and quotes from the Holy Scriptures:

“Christianity is not a religion of a church-made-by-hands (like the Jews have). We are able to serve all Sacraments outside of a church building. During the first four centuries Christians existed without material temples. We read: “For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people” (II Cor. 6:16).  And again: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies“ (I Cor. 6:19-20).

On April 9th, 2020, Deacon Alexander Gousev, a cleric and founder of Holy Royal Martyrs of Russia Church in Sparks, NV, reposed in the Lord.

Alexander Gousev (Sasha) was born in the former Soviet Union on May 10th, 1962. He came to Holy Ascension Church in Sacramento, CA, in 1989. Sasha lived for some time in San Francisco and eventually settled in Reno, NV.

Full Suite of Texts for Holy Week: Readers Services for Every Day of Passion Week, For Those Homebound During the Period of Covid-19 Pandemic Restrictions

Reverend Fathers, Venerable Monastics, and Pious Faithful
of the Western American Diocese ROCOR:
Precious Children of the Church, my beloved flock:

CHRIST IS RISEN!

Reverend Fathers, Venerable Monastics, and Pious Faithful
of the Western American Diocese ROCOR:
Precious Children of the Church, my beloved flock:

CHRIST IS RISEN!

The voice of the Angel who proclaimed “He is risen!” has never been more longed-for than today, nor has our joy been deeper in hearing it.

Paschal Message of
Patriarch KIRILL of Moscow and All Russia
to the Archpastors, Pastors, Deacons, Monastics
and All the Faithful Children of the Russian Orthodox Church

Your Graces the archpastors, venerable fathers,
all-honourable monks and nuns, dear brothers and sisters:

CHRIST IS RISEN!

By the grace of the All-Generous God, we have been vouchsafed to come to the radiant Paschal night and once again rejoice in the glorious Resurrection of Christ. From the depths of my heart I greet all of you, my beloved, with this great holiday and “feast of feasts.”

During these holy days of Great Lent and Passion Week throughout the world, churches have been closed. By Divine allowance, government officials of many nations have, from fear of the spread of COVID-19, announced general quarantines, including in the Holy Land. Christians have limited access to holy sites, deprived of spiritual support, common prayer and the partaking of the Holy Gifts of Christ in their churches.

His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia issues a  Personal Directive as the President of the Synod of Bishops concerning the Proposed Visit fo the "Kursk-Root" Icon.

His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion issues an Encyclical about the Coronavirus and the State mandated quarantine.

"Where can I go from Thy Spirit, and where can I escape from Thy presence? If I go up into heaven, Thou art there; if I go down into hades, Thou art present there. If I take up my wings toward the dawn, and make mine abode in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there shall Thy hand guide me, and Thy right hand shall hold me." (Psalm 138: 7-10).

These divinely inspired words of the Psalmist David should be particularly in our thoughts during these days, when the entire world is literally quaking, and from every direction comes news of all kinds of distress, shocks and calamities.

Dear in the Lord fathers, brothers, and sisters!

I sincerely greet you with the very warmest well-wishes for the blessings of God, good health, spiritual calm, and the patience so needed in this trying time! I especially greet the doctors, nurses, and all who work in the hospitals, sincerely wishing them increased strength and Heavenly aid! I wish for those who are sick - and for their friends and relatives - comfort in the hope of God’s will, which always directs man toward the good. Our prayers are with all of you.

His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Franciso and Western America has issued Decree 6E/2020 in which he provides a directive for liturgical practices to be followed at all parishes, monsteries and missions of the Diocese in regions where new government quarantine restrictions relating to the coronavirus have made it impossible / illegal to serve public services for a time. 

Instructional Notice Concering Reception of Post-Communion and other Pracitices during the Spread of the Coronavirus:

On Friday March 6, 2020, His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill gave instruction to all of the clery of the Western American Diocese that zapivka (wine after communion) be served to the communicants from individual disposable cups until the Coronavirus ends. There is to be placed a paper bag for cup disposal next to the zapivka table.

On December 12/25, the St Herman of Alaska Church in Sunnyvale, CA celebrated their parish feast day. This was an especially joyful event for the members of the parish as both our ruling hierarch, His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America and our new diocesan vicar, His Grace JAMES Bishop of Sonora presided together at the Divine Services.

The parish’s joy was multiplied as long time parishioner...

The XIII Annual Saint Herman’s West Youth Conference was held at Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in Los Angeles, CA, from December 26th to 30th, 2019.

Under the grace-filled protection of Most Holy Theotokos through Her miraculous myrrh-streaming “Hawaiian-Iveron” Icon and in the spiritual care of His Grace James Bishop of Sonora and diocesan clergy, approximately 50 youth and counselors, gathered together from the far reaches of the Western American Diocese – Colorado, Idaho, Hawaii, Oregon, Utah, and Washington -- being joined by more centrally located participants from the San Francisco Bay area, Sacramento and Los Angeles itself. Among the attendees participants even came from Vancouver, BC and Russia.

On November 20, 2019, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia celebrated Divine Liturgy at Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow. This day also marked His Holiness' 73rd birthday.

This year is also the 50th anniversary of the monastic tonsure of Patriarch Kirill. On April 3, 1969, Metropolitan Nikodim (Rotov) tonsured Vladimir Gundyaev, then a seminary student, and was given the name Kirill. On April 7, he was ordained a hierodeacon, and on June 1, a hieromonk.

Among the many hierarchs and clergymen also serving on this day were His Eminence Archbishop Mark of Berlin and Germany and Vicar Bishop Theodosius of Seattle of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.

On November 17, 2019, the parish choir of the Church of All Russian Saints in Burlingame presented a concert of Sacred works by contemporary composers.  The concert was dedicated to the memory of...

On November 21st, 2019, His Holiness KIRILL Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia congratulated His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Fransciso and Western America with his 65th Birthday. Below is a translation of the Patriarch's letter.

Your Grace, Bishop James!

This day, through the laying on of hands, you have received the Grace of the Holy Episcopacy. You have been summoned to the highest office of Holy Mother Church...

On November 5th, 2019, the eve of the Patronal Feast of Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco (Western American Diocese), the Rite of Nomination was performed for Archimandrite James, Bishop-elect of Sonora. 

Bishop James' Nomination Speech is below.

On November 6, 2019, Bishops, clergy and faithful of various Orthodox jurisdictions gathered in San Francisco, California, to celebrate the Patronal Feast of the Diocesan Cathedral of the Western American Diocese in honor of the Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Joy of All Who Sorrow.”

The solemnity of the Feast was especially auspicious as on this day a new auxiliary bishop of Western American Diocese was consecrated – His Grace Bishop James (Corazza) of Sonora.

In June of this year the parish of St Seraphim began a building project to raise the roof of its church.  This project was expected to take 8-10 weeks. However, after removing the old roof, we found that the walls needed to be replaced as well. This situation resulted in the reconstruction of nearly the entire building.  Finally 5 months later, as we near the completion of our construction, we were able to bless the cross and raise it to the top of the new roof...

What is Holy Rus’? Is it some historical/geographical concept that belongs to past eras or an ideal we are expected to strive for? Does Holy Rus’ exist today? We asked some Russian priests these questions, and what meaning the concept of Holy Rus’ has for them personally.

On Monday November 4th, 2019, the Rector and community of the Church of the Mother of God of Kazan in San Francisco celebrated their Patronal Feast. It was marked by many preparations as the parish was also observing the 70th Anniversary from its foundation.

Presiding at the Divine Liturgy was Archimandrite James Bishop-elect of Sonora. Concelebrating with him were...

On Friday and Saturday, October 25 & 26, 2019, St. Martin the Merciful Church in Corvallis, Oregon celebrated its parish feast day.  His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America presided.

Over the last month, that parishioners of Saints Peter and Paul Church in Santa Rosa, CA, have been working on the installation of a new, carved iconostasis. Preparation of the new iconostasis, designed by Robert Latsko, a contracted architect of CJK Sacred Space in Novato, CA, was completed by the artisans of the George Loykakis studio in Crete. The initial design idea was taken from the Church of Christ the Savior “On-the-Blood” located in St Petersburg and then, under the direction of the rector, Archpriest Alexander Krassovsky, was adapted to the church building in Santa Rosa.

The first liturgy celebrated in the “new” altar was presided over by the Chief of the Russian Ecclesiastic Mission in Jerusalem, Archimandrite Roman (Krassovsky) who, together with Fr Alexander, carried out the main cross of the new iconostasis into the middle of the church, where it was blessed and given to the people present to reverence, prior to having it installed on the highest point of the iconostasis.

Theme: "Conforming the Will of Man to the Will of God." Lectures, panal discussions, community service, tacos, beach volleyball, and more...

Registration: $299.00 by mail, $310.00 online.

Registration details at: wadyouth.wordpress.com

COMMENTARY OF THE SECRETARIAT OF THE SYNODAL BIBLICAL-THEOLOGICAL COMMISSION
on the invalidity of episcopal ordinations of Ukrainian schismatics and non-canonicity of the ‘Orthodox Church of Ukraine’

The unilateral actions of the Patriarchate of Constantinople in Ukraine, which concluded with the signing of the so-called ‘tomos of autocephaly’ in January 2019 in defiance of the will of the episcopate, clergy, monastics and laity of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, have provoked a bitter debate among churches...

The Fall Pastoral Retreat of the clergy of the Western American Diocese is to be held at the Saint Paisius Monastery in Safford, Arizona from October 21-23.

This  is the first time that a pastoral retreat of the Diocese will be held at the monastery and this gives the clergy an opportunity to become acquainted with this holy place.

The program will include worship at the Divine Services (at times with the chanting led by the nuns of the monastery), liturgical practice, lectures and a round-table discussion. The retreat will conclude on the Feast Day of the Holy Fathers of Optina (October 23) with the solomn performance of the "Rite of Consecration of the Temple" of the monastery. His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill will be presiding. 

The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, during a meeting on August 30, 2019, at Danilov Monastery in Moscow, deliberated on the confirmation of a decision of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia on the candidacy of Archimandrite James (Corazza) for Bishop of Sonora, Second Vicar of the Western American Diocese.

On August 28, 2019, the Feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America received in His Cathedral dedicated to the Icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” five bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church, who are presently visiting the Diocese of Western America in conjunction with the celebration of the 800th Anniversary of the Autocephaly of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

Concelebrating the Divine Liturgy with Archbishop Kyrill were the follow guests: His Grace TEODOSIJE Bishop of Kosovo and Metohija, His Grace MAXIM Bishop of Western America, His Grace SERGIJE Bishop of Bihac and Petrovac, His Grace DIMITRIJE Bishop of Herzegovina, and His Grace DAVID Bishop of Stobi (Archdiocese of Ohrid). Bishop Theodosy of Seattle, auxiliary bishop of the Western American Diocese, concelebrated as well, along with clergy of the Serbian Orthodox Church and our diocesan clergy.

On Saturday 13 July, 2019, the “Iveron-Hawaiian” Myrrh-streaming Icon of the Mother of God shall be greeted at Holy Virgin Cathedral at 5:55 pm.

The icon will be present during Vigil, and at both Liturgies on Sunday 14 July.

On Sunday 14 July, the custodian of the Icon, Sub-deacon Nectarios, will be ordained to the Diaconate at the late Liturgy.

On June 27-29, 2019, the Archbishop Anthony (Medvedev) Memorial Library at the headquarters of the Western American Diocese hosted a regular session of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, which coincided with the 25th-anniversary celebrations of the canonization of St John of Shanghai and San Francisco the Miracle-worker. The building was once an orphanage dedicated to St Tikhon of Zadonsk, which houses a chapel to the saint, as well as the humble residence of St John (Maximovich), the great archpastor of the Russian diaspora. Here, St John would bring the Bloodless Sacrifice “on behalf of all and for all.”

A regular meeting of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, which has coincided with the day of celebration of the memory of Holy Hierarch John of Shanghai and San Francisco the Wonderworker and the 25th Anniversary of his canonization, is being convened within the borders of the Western American Diocese.

Most of the senior bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia have arrived San Francisco to discuss and...

On June 27th, 2019, the faithful gathered in the Cathedral of the Mother of God “Joy of all Who Sorrow,” to prayerfully celebrate the Akathist to St. John of Shanghai and San Fransisco the Wonderworker. The congregation was lead in singing the Kontakia of the Akathist by His Grace Bishop Irenei of London and Western Europe and His Grace Bishop Nicholai of Manhattan; their voices were complemented by the other clergy present. Members of the congregation held copies of the service, following the example of the clergy in hymning the memory of St. John. 

Everyone present felt the blessing of being able to stand in the cathedral built through the prayers, determination and inspiration of St. John, and to perform the akathist to his memory...

Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the
Canonization for St. John Shanghai and San Francisco
(Holy Virgin Cathedral)

Schedule of Divine Services

Thursday Evening, June 27
AKATHIST before the honorable relics of Saint John at 7:30 pm

Friday Evening, June 28
Confessions at 5:00 pm
Vigil 6:00 pm

Saturday Morning, June 29
Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco
Greeting of Metropolitan Hilarion 8:45 am
Liturgy at 9:00 am

Luncheon-Banquet Following the Saturday Service
Reservations Mandatory
Lenten Buffet and Wine will be included
Tickets: $60.00 per person
To Purchase Tickets:
Sold out!
For questions, please email StJohnSFSobor@gmail.com

Russian Center of San Francisco
2460 Sutter Street
San Francisco CA 94115

Doors Open 1:00pmHoly Virgin Cathedral wishes to thank Russian Center for Donating the Hall!

The Diocesan Youth Workweek at Saint Silouan’s Monastery in Sonora starts in less than two weeks: June 12-22, 2019.

There are still some places left. Register here NOW!

Below is a link to a film that depicts last year’s workweek. As you watch please, note, this year will be a little different. The girls will not be staying at the lake as in the past, which was a ½ hour drive one way. This time the girls will stay up that hill in the large private residence  5 minutes from the monastery. The boys will be staying at the monastery in tents.

The Administrator of the Orthodox School of Bethany Nun Maria will be speaking at Holy Ascension Church on Wednesday, May 15, at 7:00 pm. Come, see, hear and support this school. Further details about the Bethany School here. 

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. The Orthodox School in Bethany provides an excellent primary and secondary education in a nurturing environment.

Reverend Fathers, Venerable Monastics, and Pious Faithful
of the Western American Diocese ROCOR:
Precious Children of the Church, my beloved flock:

CHRIST IS RISEN!

Today we bear witness to the Resurrection of Christ and cry out from the depths of our hearts with joy. There is no other response that is possible for man, beholding the defeat of death, except joy, and we will never cease to experience it so long as we are faithful in following Him.

On Sunday, March 24, 2019, the Parish Choir of the Church of All Russian Saints in Burlingame, California, presented its annual “Lenten” choral recital, featuring works heard at Great Lent and Passion Week services. The concert was dedicated to the memory of long-time choirmaster Vladimir Pavlovich Roudenko, who peacefully departed this world on February 8, 2019, after a 7-decade career of conducting youth and adult choirs on three continents.

We, the clergy of the Western American Diocese, committed in humble service to the Gospel of Christ and obedient to the life of His Church, having gathered for three days in the presence of the myrrh-streaming “Hawaiian” Iveron icon of the Theotokos for our Lenten pastoral conference, humbly address ourselves to our faithful flock and all pious Orthodox Christians. Standing, as we have during these days, before the wonderworking icon amidst throngs of faithful from every land — from America, Russia, Ukraine, Greece, Romania, Serbia, Syria and many other places — who came to venerate the Holy Virgin and pray with us in spiritual unity,...

On the First Sunday of Great Lent, March 17, 2019, His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America celebrated the Sunday of Orthodoxy at Holy Trinity Cathedral of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) in San Francisco, California.

The Primate of the OCA the Most Blessed Tikhon Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All America and Canada presided over the Vespers Service for the Sunday of Orthodoxy.

St. John of San Francisco Orthodox Academy celebrates 25 years of providing Orthodox education in a loving environment with a 25th Anniversary Gala to be held on Friday, February 22nd at St. John the Baptist Serbian Orthodox Church (910 Baker Street, San Francisco).

The theme of the annual fund-raising Gala this year is "Around the World" in celebration of the diversity of cultures of the student body of the school.

Reverend Fathers, Venerable Monastics, and Pious Faithful

Christ is born! Glorify Him!

Eminent Brother Archpastors, honorable Fathers, 
beloved Brothers, Sisters and Children in Christ:

I offer my words of greeting, which are inspired by Christian love, on this great feast of the Nativity of Christ! With a warm heart I wish you all that profound and inalienable peace, which was heralded by the angels above the town of Bethlehem on the holy night when "the Word was made flesh" (John 1:14).

Youth from throughout the Diocese gathered in Placerville, CA, from December 23-28, 2018.

Excursions included trips to Sutter’s Mill where the 1849 Gold Rush began and a decent into Black Chasm Cavern...

Parish schools throughout the Western American Diocese will be organizing their annual Christmas programs for children. Below is a parish list:

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you”(John 14:27).

Having gathered in an expanded session of the Synod of Bishops as we approach the feast day of the Synodal Cathedral of Our Lady “of the Sign” in New York City, we, the bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, warmly greet the clergymen and God-loving flock with the all-diaspora celebration of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign", the “Protectress” of the Russian diaspora.

We are approaching the centennial of the founding of the Russian Church Abroad, which continues to minister to its flock, scattered like Divine kernels of wheat throughout the world. Over the course of that time, the work of its Councils, the sessions of its Synod of Bishops, important ecclesiastical-social gatherings and various Church celebrations have all taken place under the auspices of the Kursk-Root Icon. This miracle-working image has accompanied Russian refugees fleeing cruel persecutors who dared to desecrate or destroy the holy sites of our Fatherland, murder archpastors, pastors and a multitude of believers, including the Royal Passion-bearers. The hundredth anniversary of the martyrdom of the latter was prayerfully marked in all the dioceses of our Church this year.

On Sunday, November 25th, 2018 His Grace Bishop Irenei arrived at the Monastery of St. Paisius with the sounding of the bells for an extended visit in anticipation of its patronal feast day. On the days preceding the feast, His Grace spoke at length in the monastic trapeza to the sisterhood, in company with clergy and guests. 

On the day when the Church commemorates the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God (October 22/November 4, 2018), the parish choir of the Church of All Russian Saints presented a concert of works glorifying the Queen of Heaven, dedicated to the memory of reposed benefactor Nikolai Vasilyevich Misersky, in Burlingame, California.

An Appeal through the Russian American Community Services (RACS).
 
The deadliest fire in California's history affects thousands. We have been asked to assist the Chico, CA Sts. Cyril and Methodius parish to help reconstruct the lives of area families who suffered in this tragedy. 

100% of funds received will benefit victims.

Please contribute.
 RACS
300 Anza Street
San Francisco, CA  94118

On Tuesday November 6, 2018, the clergy and faithful gathered together with His Eminence KYRRIL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America in the Diocesan Cathedral to celebrate the Feast of the Icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow.”

The Patronal Feast was concelebrated by His Eminence Peter of Chicago and Mid-America, His Grace Theodosy Bishop of Seattle, the cathedral clergy, and other priests from the Western American Diocese and the Orthodox Church in America (OCA). 

On November 10 and 11, 2018, the miraculous Iveron-Hawaiian Myrrh-streaming Icon of the Mother God visited parishes of Central California.

On November 13, 2018, Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Seattle, Washington, will be sponsoring an all-Diocesan a lecture and banquet to mark the Centennial of the Martyrdom of the Holy Royal Martyrs of Russia. The cathedral is a memorail church dedicated to the memory of His Imperial Highness Emperor Tsar Nicholas and His August Family. 

This event, open to all the members of the Western American Diocese, is being combined with fall retreat of our clergy.

Schedule:
Monday November 12 at 6:00 PM: Greeting of His Grace THEODOSY Bishop of Seattle, All-night Vigil serverd by the clergy of our Diocese.
Tuesday November 13 at 9:00 AM: Divine Liturgy
Tuesday November 13 at 6:00 PM: Litya for the Departed, lecture "The Holy Royal Martyrs" by Russell Marten, performance by graduates and choir, Banquet.

For tickets call Tatiana Bilibin at (425) 478-7997 or Natalie Kotar at (206) 499-2886.

Locations:
Divine Services:
St. Nicholas Cathedral
1714 13th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98122

Lecture & Banquet
Women's University Club
1105 6th Ave.,
Seattle, WA

His Eminence Kyrill Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America issued a Memorandum in which he outlines the duties of His Grace Bishop Irenei of Richmond and Western Europe.

An Evening Lecture
Historical Significance of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

With the blessing of His Eminence Kyrill Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America an evening lecture (bi-lingual) will be presented by His Eminence Archbishop Peter of Chicago and Mid America.

The year 2020 marks 100 years since the founding of ROCOR. In order to prepare for this important anniverary, the Synod of Bishops has established a Centenary Committee headed by Archbishop Peter.

Schedule:
7:00 PM Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and wine, cocktails, refresments.
7:30 PM Presentation by Archbishop Peter
Q & A to follow, and an opportunity to meet Archbishop Peter

Location:
Russian Scout House
6231 Geary Blvd
San Francisco, CA

On October 19, 2018, The Most Blessed Tikhon, Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All America and Canada made a private pilgrimage to our Diocesan Cathedral dedicated to the Icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” in San Francisco to venerate the honorable relics of Holy Father John Archbishop of Shanghai and San Francisco the Wonderworker. Metropolitan Tikhon was accompanied by The Most Reverend Benjamin Archbishop of San Francisco and the West, his auxiliary The Right Reverend Daniel Bishop of Santa Rosa and His Eminence Abel Archbishop of Lyublinsk and Kholm (Polish Autocephalous Church).

The Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia communicates to the plenitude of her clergy and faithful, and to her fellow Orthodox Christians throughout the world, her profound sorrow at the uncanonical undertakings perpetrated by the Church of Constantinople over the past days; in particular with regard to its Message of 11th October 2018. Simultaneously we express our complete support of the position taken by the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Moscow, following its meeting of 15th October 2018 and announced in its statement of the same date.

The illicit actions of the Church of Constantinople are able to suffer no canonical defence and constitute a grave and dangerous injustice against the traditions of Orthodoxy, as well as a shocking disregard for the spiritual welfare of the sheep of Christ (cf. John 10.3, 11). Having expressed its intention to establish stravropegia of its Church in the Ukraine, Constantinople thus solidifies its intrusion into another Local Church’s canonical territory, an anti-canonical violation of the highest order which the Synod of Constantinople has no power or right to undertake. We make explicit that under no circumstances will we consider such institutions to have any legal substance, nor will we acknowledge any legitimacy whatsoever to those who, deeming themselves shepherds, submit to these non-Church establishments.

In commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of the Translation of the honorable relics of Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco the Wonderworker, (September 28/October 11, 1993), the Media Department of the Western American Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia has published a lecture by Sergei Kalfov of Seattle, WA, which he presented during the Symposium entitled “St. John and His Legacy.”

This Symposium was sponsored by the Saints Cyril and Athanasius Institute for Orthodox Studies, which was dedicated to the 50th Anniversary of the Repose of Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco the Wonderworker, held from June 30 through July 1, 2016.

Holy Trinity Publishing at Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY, has published two new books to mark the centennial of the martyrdom of the Holy Royal Family of Russia.

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

With the blessing of His Eminence Kyrill Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America, the community of the Royal Martyrs of Russia in Reno/Sparks, NV, is organizing a pilgrimage to Alaska for 7 days from the 28th of July to the 4th of August, 2019, which will include visits to Orthodox churches in Juno, Sitka and also Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Seattle, WA. It is from here that we will depart for Alaska on a ship of the cruise company “Holland America Line.”

On Sunday October 14, 2018, His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America is scheduled to preside over the patronal feast of Protection of the Holy Virgin Church in Los Angeles, CA. Starting at 10:00 am: Greeting, Liturgy, cross procession and festal meal.

The myrrh-streaming Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "Softener of Stony Hearts" will be present at Liturgy.

Address:
Protection of the Holy Virgin Church
2041 Argyle Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90068

St. Herman's West youth conference will be held at St. Elias parish in Diamond Springs, CA near Placerville Dec. 23-Dec. 28 this year! Registration and more details of the schedule are coming soon.

We'll have Fr. Peter Perekrestov from San Francisco, CA and Fr. Moses Berry from Springfield, MO as speakers. We'll partake in local mining culture and pan for gold and gemstones. We'll get answers to our deepest questions in panel discussions. And we'll make friendships that last a lifetime. And it that isn't enough, we'll travel to the nearby Serbian church of St. Sava to venerate the relics of a saint close to us in place and time -- St. Sebastian of Jackson and San Francisco.

Arrival airport is Sacramento (SMF). Details and registration to follow here.

With the blessing of His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America the Fall clergy conference of the Western American Diocese will be held at Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Seattle, WA, from the 12 to the 14 of November, 2018. 

The clergy conference is being combined with the Diocesan-wide observance of the Centennial of the Martyrdom of Holy Royal Martyr Nicholas II of Russia and His August Family, which is being held in Seattle on Tuesday November 13. The key-note speaker will be Professor Russel Martin. Details to come. 

With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill the annual Mare Island Memorial service for Russian sailors is scheduled for SATURDAY, November 10th, 2018, at 11:00 am.

On September 24, 2018, His Grace THEODOSY Bishop of Seattle presided over the patronal feast day of Saint Silouan the Athonite Monastery in Sonora, CA. 

Concelebrating with His Grace were...

In September of this year, the Mexican Doctoral Council granted the Right Rev. Schema-Archimandrite Dr. Nektariy (Hajji-Petropoulos) an Honoris Causa Doctorate in Social Sciences and Humanities.  He was elected along with another nine people, who were selected due to "outstanding professional service" within the whole country. Among other chosen were deputies, senators, State Ministers...

Standing before God in prayerful solidarity with our long-suffering brethren of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, headed by His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry of Kiev and All Ukraine, who, being revered and respected throughout the whole of the Orthodox world, is primate of the only recognised canonical Orthodox Church of Christ in Ukraine, we, the members of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, which carries out its ministry in the lands of North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other nations of the West, ministering to numerous emigres from the lands of historic Russia and their descendants, express our profound indignation at the blatant violation...

Saint Silouan's Monastery of the Western American Diocese will celebrate its patronal feast day on September 24th, 2018.

His Grace Theodosy Bishop of Seattle is presiding.

Schedule of Divine Services:
Sunday September 23: vigil at 6:00 PM
Monday September 24: Greeting of the Bishop at 9:00 AM, Liturgy, procession and festal meal.

This year’s conference will focus on the very foundation of Orthodox church singing – the Obikhod, or Common Chant Tradition. We will explore its rich diversity of liturgical expression and how this tradition facilitates prayerful and understandable singing/chanting in the Divine Services. 

As last year, we will continue to focus on the liturgical artistry of the clergy – reader, priest, and especially the deacon – and the necessary techniques to achieve prayerful singing/chanting of the highest quality in harmony with the singers.

Throughout the three-day  program, an exciting blend of historical, theoretical, and practical considerations will prepare Orthodox singers, both in the choir loft and in the altar, to sing praises to our Lord reverently.

This year’s conference brings together choir members, conductors and clergy of all levels of experience to explore the wealth and beauty of the Divine Services of the Orthodox Church.

Join us in October!

More information and registration here.

On August 2, 2018, His Grace IRENEI Bishop of Sacramento presided over the Altar Feast of Saint Elias Church in Diamond Springs, CA. 

The friendly mission parish conducts its Divine Services in English, though its membership consists of many ethnicities who share a bond of love for God and His Church. 

For the first time in many years there was a cross procession led by Bishop Irenei, who at that time blessed the parking lot as it was soon to undergo a substatial upgrade, improving its use, safety and logevity. The choir for the day was conducted by Alexandra Volmensky who was joined by several members of her choir at Holy Ascension Church in Sacramento. The Sisterhood of St. Elias Church prepered sumptious, festal meal in the church hall. 

This summer the Lord vouchsafed my daughter and me to spend a striking week at Saint Silouan’s Monastery in Sonora, CA. This wonderful place is difficult to put into words: scenic mountains, forest, a wide stream with clear, cool water, horses ambling on the hills. The monastery is in the process of being built and this is a remarkable particularity. It is a great fortune to see with your own eyes and by the participation of your own hands how, to the beauty of God’s creation, beauty created by man is added...

On Sunday July 22, 2018, we continued our solemnities. That day we greeted our Rector, His Grace Bishop Theodosy. Vladyka flew directly from Yekaterinburg where he had participated from July 16 to 17 in the traditional All-night Vigil and procession that begins at the Memorial Church on the Blood and finishes at Monastery of the Holy Royal Martyrs in the grove of Ganina Yama (Ganina Pit). The march rout of the cross procession is around 20 km. It takes about 5 hours. Vladyka told us that before the cross procession a church choir performed the Hymn of the Russian Empire “God Save the Tsar” in honor of the Holy Royal Family.

Our solemnities began on July 22 at 8:45 am with the...

On July 21, 2018, His Eminece Kyrill, Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America presided over the Altar Feast at the Kazan Church on the Russian River. Concelebrating with him were priests and deacons of our Dicoese as well as of the Moscow Patriarcate.

The choir sing the Divine Liturgy prayerfully and beautifully under the direction of Matushka Ioanna Sharkov. The warm, sunny weather permited the clergy and faith to enjoy a delicous and abundant meal out of doors in the church yard.

Toward the end of the festal meal Archbishop Kyrill present the parish with two new icons to adorn the church yard.

On July 17th, 2018, the community of the Holy Royal Martyrs of Russia in Reno/Sparks, Nevada, celebrated its Patronal Feast Day marking 100 years to the day of the Martyrdom of Holy Martyr Tsar Nicholas and His August Family, and dedicated servants (+July 4/17, 1918).

Priest Andrei Kudryavtzev, Father Deacon Alexander Gousev and the parishioners marked the day with...

To My Eminent Brother Archpastors, Honorable Fathers, Dear Brothers and Sisters:

The 20th century was a difficult time for Orthodox Christians on the territory of the Russian Empire, which became the USSR after the Great War, the October Revolution and Civil War. But the more the Church endured persecution, the brighter the lanterns of faith and piety shone in the Russian land. From the Tsar and the members of the Royal Family close to him in spirit, from archpastors and simple monastics, priests, deacons to laypersons came forth a powerful spiritual army of the Church Militant. By 1918, the Russian Church showed two sorts of podvig—that of martyrdom and that of confession. Thank God, today we see how the blood of many millions of the host of Martyrs and Confessors who turned the Russian land red became the seeds of salvation for the spiritual rebirth of our people, in the Fatherland and in the diaspora.

The Western American Diocese marked the annual memory of Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco on June 30, 2018. Below is a photogallery of the celebration.

The Youth Department of the Western American Diocese is sponsoring the 2018 Summer Workweek at Saint Silouan's Monastery in Sonora, CA, from July 22nd to July 28th of this year.

The event starts with Divine Liturgy in Sparks, NV, marking the 100th Annivesary of the Martyrdom of the Royal Family of Russia on Sunday July 22, 2018. After the festal dinner the youth travel to Saint Siloun's Monastery.

Projects include the repair of the bank by the bridge, building a staircase for a monastic cell, rebuilding the roof on a car port and more.

The daily schedule includes prayer, spiritual talks, swimming and an evening campfire.

Special activities include a day trip to Yosemite Valley (Thursday July 26th) and the Feast of St. Vladimr Enlightener of Russia (Saturday, July 28th).

Ages: 15 to 25.
Cost: $125.00/person
Register here.
Questions: email here.

On the Day of the Holy Spirit, May 15/28, 2018, clergy and laity of the Western American Diocese gathered around their three hierarchs at Fort Ross for the annual pilgrimage.

His Eminence Kyrill Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America presided over the Divine Liturgy. Concelebrating with him where the two auxiliary Bishops...

In May of this year the clergy of the Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Seattle, WA, performed an "instructive" Divine Liturgy during which young children were taught about the Eucharist at this Divine Service.

On May 17, 2018, the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord, Holy Ascension Russian Orthodox Church of Sacramento celebrated its Patronal Feast Day.

His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America presided over the Divine Liturgy and festivities. Concelebrating with him were Archpriest Paul Volmensky (Rector), Archpriest James Steele (St. Elias Church of Diamond Springs, CA), Archdeacon Peter (Karakozoff), and deacons Nicholai Lenkoff and Nicholas Stoltz.

The Annual Feast of Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco the Wonderworker will be held on June 30th, 2018, at the Diocesan Cathedral of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow." His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill is presiding.

Schedule:
Friday June 29th at 6:00 pm: All-night Vigil
Saturday June 30th at 9:30 am: Greeting of the Bishop, Divine Liturgy, procession and Festal Meal

The annual pilgrimage to Fort Ross, CA, will take place on the Day of the Holy Spirit, Monday May 28th, 2018. 

Schedule:
9:30 am Liturgy in the chapel
Procession to the cemetery and Litya for the Dead
Lunch at the Kazan Church on the Russian River
Address: 17370 Neeley Road; Guerneville, CA 95446

On Sunday, May 6, 2018, The 5th Sunday of Pascha and the feast day of St George the Victory-Bearer and Great Martyr, His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America celebrated Divine Liturgy at the Synodal Cathedral of Our Lady “of the Sign” in New York City, along with the Senior Priest of the cathedral, Protopriest Andrei Sommer.

The Head of the Russian Imperial House, Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna and her son, Tsesarevich and Grand Duke Georgy Mikhailovich, who was celebrating his namesday, prayed at the service.

On Saturday the 5th of May, 2018, the 8th Annual Children’s Cossack Games were held at Holy Ascension Russian Orthodox Church of Sacramento under the direction of Stanislav Holokov a Semirechniy Cossack, Ataman of the Cossacks’ National Union and Dean of the Western American Cossack Cadet School in honor of the “Don” Icon of the Mother of God.

On Pascha night, April 8th, 2018, His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America resumed his duties as Ruling Bishop after a brief leave of absence for health reasons, which had been blessed by Metropolitan Hilarion First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.

This year on April 29th marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Emperor Alexander II of Russia. Emperor Alexander II is remembered mainly for his progressive reform in the abolishment of serfdom in 1861 that served as a prototype to President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.

On Pascha night, divine services were celebrated at the Cathedral of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow" in San Francisco, CA, the home of the uncorrupt relics of St John of Shanghai and San Francisco the Miracle-worker. Leading the services was His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, who returned from a brief leave of absence. His Eminence was joined by the cathedral's clergymen, as the Cathedral Choir and SS Cyrill and Methodius High School Choir sang antiphonally.

I express my heartfelt greetings to you my brother archpastors, dear in the Lord fathers, brothers and sisters, on this holy, brightest and all-joyous day of the Resurrection of Christ, and in the name of the Three-day Risen God, the Lover of Mankind, extend to you the embrace of Paschal rejoicing and fraternal love! Bowing down to Christ, the Giver of Life, together with the entire Church, I fervently pray for His mercy, that He grant us the unearthly, desired peace that He gave His disciples, and blesses our prayerful and fraternal communion in His name.

On Sunday March 25, Holy Virgin Cathedral, which is dedicated to the honor of the Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Joy of All Who Sorrow,” hosted the Western American Diocese’s Tenth Annual Great-Lenten Retreat: “Bringing the Church to the World.”  This year’s speakers were Bishop Irenei of Sacramento and Hieromonk Alexii (Altschul).  From the beginning connections were found between this retreat and those held previously. Fr. Alexii had been baptized into the Orthodox Faith by last year’s speaker Fr. Moses Berry, while Bishop Irenei had been the speaker of the first ever Great-Lenten retreat back in 2007 (before his monastic tonsure and episcopal consecration) as Oxford University Fellow Dr. Matthew Steenburg.

Dear Fathers, Brothers and Sisters,

With incredible pain we have received the news about the tragic events in the Kemerov Diocese which swept away the lives of a multitude of children. Now, moved by the Christian sense of sympathy and brotherly love, we are praying for the repose of those who have been lost and for the health of those lying in hospitals. And, we call for all possible assistance to all affected families through the Benevolent Memorial Fund of St. Archbishop John (Maximovich).

This great archpastor of the Russian Diaspora always hastened to the aid of the suffering, those in tribulation and those weighed down by the cross of life. He hastened with concrete help, with kind words of love, consolation, hope and prayer.

Let us follow, even if in small measure,...

On Sunday, March 18, 2018, the Parish Choir of the Church of All Russian Saints in Burlingame, California, presented its annual “Lenten” choral recital, featuring works heard at Great Lent and Passion Week services. The concert was dedicated to the memory of Metropolitan Laurus, who reposed ten years ago on March 16, 2008.  Before the first selection, all who were present chanted “Eternal Memory” for +Metropolitan Laurus, Prince Vladimir Galitzine (+ 22-FEB-2018) and Dmitri Hvorostovsky (+ 22-NOV-2017).  Several concert selections are familiar sacred works performed by Hvorostovsky.

On behalf of the Diocesan Council of the Western American Diocese an Appeal for the collection of funds for the renovation of Saint Tikhon's House in San Francico, CA, was read to the diocesan clergy at their Great-Lenten Retreat held from March 12 to 14, 2018. 

SCHEDULE OF ICON'S VISITS

Saturday, March 24, 2018

Holy Virgin Russian Orthodox Cathedral
"Joy of All Who Sorrow"
6210 Geary Blvd
San Francisco, CA  94121
7:50 am Arrival of the Holy Icon 
8:00 am Divine Liturgy
* Holy Icon will remain at the Cathedral until 3:00 pm

Saint Seraphim Russian Orthodox Church 
Canyon Del Rey Blvd
Seaside, CA  93955
6:00 pm Arrival of the Holy Icon and All night Vigil 

Sunday, March 25, 2018

Saint Seraphim Russian Orthodox Church 
Canyon Del Rey Blvd
Seaside, CA  93955
9:40 am Arrival of the Holy Icon 
10:00 am Divine Liturgy 
* Holy Icon will remain at the church until 4:00 pm

Saint John's Greek Orthodox Church 
Lincoln and 9th Street
Carmel by the Sea, CA 
6:00 pm Arrival of the Holy Icon and Paraklesis Service
7:00 pm Lenten Sunday Vespers
8:30 pm Great Compline
* Holy Icon will remain in the church until 7:30 am

Published below is the schedule of hierarchical services performed in our Diocese from the 4th Sunday of Great Lent through Pascha. Please, note the good news that His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill is scheduled to preside over the Divine Services at Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco on Pascha night and Great Vespers that day.

As part of the program of the Lenten Pastoral Retreat of the clergy of the Western American Diocese which had been held from March 12 to 14, 2018, our bishops, priests and deacons gathered in Old Holy Virgin Cathedral to perform a panykhida for ever-memorable Metropolitan Laurus who reposed on the Sunday of Orthodoxy 10 years ago (+ 3/16, 2008).

Archpriest Alex Kotar, Dean of the Northern Deanery of the Western American Diocese and Archdeacon Peter (Karakozoff) performed the panykhida. His Grace Bishop Theodosy, His Grace Bishop Irenei and the participanting clergy of the conference chanted and prayed.

Memory Eternal to our beloved and ever-memorable Metropolitan Laurus, a true Teacher of the Faith and father to so many!

With the blessing of Metropolitan Hilarion First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, our Ruling Bishop, His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America has been granted a leave of absence for the purpose of addressing his health.

The Orthodox holy object, myrrh-streaming icon of the Theotokos “Appeasing of Malicious Hearts”, otherwise named “Shot with Seven Arrows” has visited Los Angeles. The icon has arrived from Moscow and stayed in California for two weeks. On February 1, the icon was delivered to the St. John of Kronstadt Retirement Home. Russian Orthodox residents of the Home met the icon with joy and love. It was the first relic of such caliber that had visited their Home chapel.

1st / 14th January 2018: Significant progress is being made on a long-term frescoing project at the Monastery of St. Paisius in Safford, Arizona, a women’s monastery in the Western American Diocese that is operated with the blessing of both our Diocesan Bishop, His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill, as well as the Head of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Western America, His Grace Bishop Maxim.

Construction of the central temple of the Monastery, known in monastic terminology as the catholicon, was completed some years ago, and the enormous basilica-style edifice dedicated to the Dormition of the Theotokos (feastday 15th / 28th August) rises high above the desert landscape and is visible for miles in all directions. 

As the parishes of the Western American Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia celebrate the feast of the Sunday of Orthodoxy, in the Diocesan Cathedral in honor of the Icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” His Grace Theodosy Bishop of Seattle and His Grace Irenei Bishop of Sacramento along with the clergy and faithful gathered around our Ruling Bishop His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America to perform the “Rite of Orthodoxy” with the solemn pronouncement of the Anathemas.

The Great Schema Archimandrite Averky (the former Archimandrite AnastassyZagarsky) passed away today, in Russia, at the age of 102. Father Anastassy served many parishes in San Francisco, including the Kazan church, Old Cathedral, St. Tikhon's and St. Sergius. Upon retirement, he was attached to the new Holy Virgin Cathedral for a few years and later moved to a monastery in Tula.

I was invited to attend as a young adult volunteer the Eleventh Annual Saint Herman's West Youth Conference, held in Seattle, Washington, December 26-28, 2017.  It was hosted by the St. Nicholas Cathedral Parish.  I was joined by seventeen other volunteers whose backgrounds ranged from being cradle Orthodox to recent converts.  Our ages spanned from the early twenties to the mid-thirties.  The common denominator for all of us was not only to grow our own spiritual lives, but to help grow the spiritual lives of the Orthodox youth. 

Beloved in the Lord Brethren Archpastors, Honorable Fathers, 
Brothers and Sisters, God-Beloved Flock of the Russian Church Abroad:

It is with a feeling of the greatest joy that I express my heartfelt greetings on the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ and the approaching feast day of the Baptism of the Lord!

As expressed in one of our church prayers celebrating this holy event, when God deemed it good to appear on Earth, the entire world hastened to bring him gifts: “The Angels offer a hymn; the heavens, a star; the Wise Men, gifts; the shepherds, their wonder; the earth, its cave; the wilderness, a manger.”

The Media Department of the Western American Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia has published two lectures from the XXVI Annual Russian Orthodox Church Musicians Conference held at the Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in Los Angeles, CA, from the 4 to the 8 of October, 2017. 

Beloved in the Lord All-Venerable Fathers, God-Loving Monks and Nuns, 
Dear Brothers and Sisters:

The Holy Council of Bishops, which took place in Moscow from the 29th of November to the 2nd of December 2017 in the city of Moscow in the Cathedral Church of Christ the Savior, greets all of you with the words of the apostolic salutation: “Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 15:5-6).

In the early hours of the morning of Sunday November 13/26, on the day of commemoration of our Father among the Saints John Chrysostom Archbishop of Constantinople, after an enduring and trying illness the long-standing cleric of the Diocesan Cathedral in honor of Her Icon “Joy of All Who Sorrow,” Schema-Archdeacon Ambrose (Taratuchin) reposed in the Lord.

 Father Ambrose, of aristocratic lineage, was born Alexei Michailovich Taratuchin in England on March 22, 1961...

On Sunday October 29, 2017, the choir of the Church of All Russian Saints in Burlingame, CA, performed a concert of sacred music which was dedicated to the memory of the reposed choir member Konstantin Senchukov.

The program included such hymns as Ave Maria (Optina Hermitage chant), Polyeleos at matins (Kastalsky), It is truly meet (Tchaikovsky), and more.

Proceeds from the concert went towards support of the parish stewardship program.

The Media Department of the Western American Diocese produced a video about the youth workweek organized at Saint Silouan's Monastery in Sonora, California, from July 2nd to 8th, 2017.

This was a pilot program, with the intention of making the workweek an annual event.

On the 8^th of November, 2017, the Autumn Pastoral Conference of the clergy of the Western American Diocese came to its conclusion.

The Eminent Bishops, priests and deacons of the Diocese have issued a Resolution in which are addressed the centennial of the Bolshevik Revolution with its tragic effects, and the joyous celebrations of the 10^th Anniversary of the signing of the “Act of Canonical Communion” between the two parts of the Russian Church and the 25th Anniversary of Archbishop Kyrill’s consecration to the episcopacy.

On Monday November 6, 2017, His Eminence Kyrill Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America presided over Divine Liturgy on the Feast of the Diocesan Cathedral on honor of the Icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” in San Francisco as the clergy and faithful of the Western American Diocese gathered to mark the diocesan-wide celebration of the 10^th Anniversary of the restoration of Canonical Communion between the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia and the Moscow Patriarchate, and the 25^th Anniversary of Archbishop Kyrill’s consecration to the episcopacy.

On Sunday November 5, 2017, His Eminence Kyrill Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America presided over the All-night Vigil for the Feast of the Diocesan Cathedral on honor of the Icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow.”...