On Tuesday August 2, 2016, His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America presided over the Divine Liturgy at Saint Elias Church of Diamond Springs, CA, marking the patronal feast day with the clerics, parishioners and guests of the community. 

Concelebrating with His Eminence were Bishop-elect of Sacramento Archimandrite Irenei (Steenberg), Archpriest James Steele, Archpriest Paul Volmensky, newly-ordained Priest Philip Plowman, Hierdeacon Peter (Karakozoff) and Deacon Edward Anderson. 

Guest choir master from Sacramento, Catherine Volmensky, was requested to conduct an all-women’s choir. The Divine Service was well attended considering it was a weekday; filled with both parishioners and guests from other towns. After Divine Liturgy the parish provided a sumptuous and plenteous meal.

With the recent ordination of a second priest for the community of Saint Elias, Priest Philip Plowman, both he and the parish Rector, Archpriest James Steele, will begin to assist Saint Silouan’s Monastery in Sonora, CA, providing Divine Services on the first and third weekends of the month starting in September. The regular schedule of Divine Services at Saint Elias Church in Diamond Springs, CA, will continue uninterrupted.

The latest guidelines for pilgrims to Saint Silouan’s Monastery can be found here.