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

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

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