The Tenth Anniversary of Archbishop Anthony's (Medvedev) Repose To be Marked in Parishes of the Western American Diocese

[September 1, 2010] The 10th anniversary of Archbishop Anthony (Medvedev) of Western America and San Francisco's repose will fall on Thursday, September 23. Vladika Anthony, St. John Maximovitch's successor as the ruling archpastor of the Western American Diocese, headed the Diocese over the course of 32 years – not one Orthodox bishop in the USA held a kathedra for such a long period of time. Archbishop Anthony will be remembered as the main catalyst for the glorification of the great saint of the XX century, St, John of Shanghai and San Francisco and also as one of the Russian Church Abroad's most prolific hymnographers. He compiled numerous liturgical texts, among them the services to the New Martyrs of Russia and St. John. Vladyka Anthony is buried at Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, in a grave behind the cathedral, next to Metropolitan Philaret. On the day of the 10th anniversary of Archbishop Anthony’s repose a Panikhida for him will be served at the Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco at 7:00 pm. In other churches of the Western American Diocese the parish rectors will announce the time of the Panikhidas.

Serbian Chamber Choir Concert in San Francisco

[August 29, 2010] On Sunday, September 5 at 7:00 pm the "Istochnik" Choir will present a concert of Serbian, Russian and Byzantine liturgical music at the Holy Virgin Russian Orthodox Cathedral in San Francisco (6210 Geary Boulevard). "Istochnik" is the resident chamber choir of the
Nativity of the Theotokos Serbian Church in Orange County­. Admissiion is free, but donations greatfully accepted.

Archpriest Alexander Lebedeff Receives the Order of St. Innocent

[August 25, 2010] The celebration of the feastday of the Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in Los Angeles was headed by His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill, Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America and His Grace Bishop Maxim of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Following the Divine Liturgy and procession Archbishop Kyrill, on behalf of His Holiness Kyrill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, bestowed the Second Order of St. Innocent upon the Rector of the parish, Archpriest Alexander Lebedeff. The Protodeacon read the text of the "Gramata":

«In light of his zealous missionary work, 40 years of service as a priest and 60th birthday, the Rector of the Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in Los Angeles (ROCOR), Archpriest Alexander Lebedeff, is awarded Second Order of St. Innocent, Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomensk."

A festal meal then took place in the parish refectory at which a greeting to Fr. Alexander from His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, was read.

A New Book by Bishop Alexander (Mileant) Released in Moscow

[August 18, 2010] The Moscow publisher "Lepta Kniga" has released a new book by Bishop Alexander (Mileant): "The Mystery of Faith." The book contains various materials including Vladika Alexander's "Apologetical Notes," the cycle "Our Lord Jesus Christ, Savior of the World," "Thoughts on the Kingdom of Heaven, or Regarding the Church," Angels, Blessed Messengers of God," "Faith – the Key to God's Treasury" and others. The book has 400 pages.

Bishop Alexander was a longtime rector of the Protection of the Holy Virgin Church in Los Angeles (Western American Diocese of the Russian Church Abroad), a well-known theologian who was active in the field of missionary work. His "Missionary leaflets" have been translated into many languages and duirng the Soviet period were extremely popular in Russia. The fifth anniversary of Vladika Alexander's repose will fall on September 12 this year.

SAN FRANCISCO: Special Service of Intercession to Take Place Before the Hawaii Myrrhstreaming Icon

[August 10, 2010] The Iveron Myrrhstreaming Icon of the Mother of God from Hawaii will be at the Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco, California (6210 Geary Boulevard), on Sunday, August 15. The greeting of the Myrrh-Streaming Hawaiian-Iveron Icon is scheduled for 3:00 pm followed by a Service of Intercession with special petitions for the drought & fires in Russia. A collection will be taken for the homeless and needy victims of the forest fires. The Myrrhstreaming Icon will be in San Francisco for just a few hours before returning to Hawaii.

Archbishop Kyrill's Appeal Concerning the Drought and Forest Fires in Russia

[August 8, 2010] Dear Fathers, Brothers and Sisters of the Western American Diocese!

A terrible misfortune has come upon the Russian Land. Many parts of Russia are in a state of disaster due to an unbelievable heat wave, drought and uncontrollable fires. As a result of the drought, smoke in the air and fires many people have died, hundreds left without homes and thousands without any income to live upon. We cannot be simple bystanders and observers in these circumstances. We must not only pray to God for rain in the Russian Land, for all the people who have lost everything in the fires and for those who are fighting the fires and providing emergency help around the clock, but must open our hearts and provide concrete financial help to the suffering ones. I call upon all the parishes in our Western American Diocese throughout all of August to collect money for the homeless and needy victims of the forest fires. The collected sums should be forwarded to the diocesan treasurer no later than September 10, 2010.

“Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we have hoped in Thee” (Psalm 32, 22).

+KYRILL, Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America

Pacific Northwest Deanery Hosts Children's Summer Camp

[August 2, 2010] The first St. John’s Camp, organized by the St. Nicholas Cathedral in Seattle, took place at Dosewallips State Park in Brinnon, Washington state. Not only did children from Seattle participate in the camp, but a group of children from an Orthodox school in Vladivostok, Russia as well as children from Oregon and California took part in it. Everything was set-up before the arrival of the children: tents, kitchen and refectory as well as a schedule of activities for each day. ...more

24th Annual Monastery Pilgrimage on Vashon Island

[August 1, 2010] The 24th annual All-Merciful Monastery Pilgrimage on Vashon Island (Washington state) will begin with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy for the Feast of Saint Olav of Norway, on Wednesday, August 11th (10 am). There will be fellowship and shared meals in the trapeza, and talks around a camp fire, along with the usual daily services throughout the remainder of the week.

On Saturday, August 14, the Patronal Feast of the Monastery of Christ the All-Merciful Saviour will take place, starting at 10 am, followed by a festal meal. Bishop Theodosy of Seattle is expected to clebrate the Liturgy.

For additional information visit the monastery website.

The Myrrh-Streaming “Softening of Evil Hearts” Icon of the Theotokos in San Francisco

[July 29, 2010] On Friday, July 30, the Myrrh-Streaming “Softening of Evil Hearts” Icon of the Theotokos from Russia will be passing through San Francisco. With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America a Moleben with Akathist before the icon are scheduled for Friday, July 30 (following the evening service, around 7:30 pm) at the Holy Virgin Cathedral "Joy of All Who Sorrow" in San Francisco (6210 Geary Boulevard). The holy icon will be in San Francisco only this one evening.

An Active Member of the Diocese and St. Seraphim Parish in Monterey Reposes in the Lord

[July 28, 2010] On Sunday, July 25, Seraphim Gan, an active and longtime member of the Western American Diocese, reposed in the Lord. He was the son of the well-respected liturgist of the Russian Church Abroad, Archpriest Rostislav Gan. S. Gan received his education at the Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville and at Syracuse University. He taught Russian for many years at the latter and then at the Monterey Defense Language Institute. He played an active role in the life of the both the Western American Diocese (as a member of the Diocesan Council) and the St. Seraphim of Sarov parish in Monterey. Seraphim Gan leaves behind his wife, Helen, his daughter Presbytera Larissa Belikow, sons Archpriest Seraphim and Protodeacon Vadim and four grandchildren. The funeral service for S. Gan was celebrated by Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America at the St. Seraphim Church in Monterey. Other celebrants included Archpriests George Larin (Nyack, NY), Stefan pavlenko (Burlingame), Peter Perekrestov (San Francisco), George Kurtow (Monterey) Sepaphim Gan (Sea Cliff, NY) and Protodeacon Nicholas Triantafillidis. A large choir of local and guest singers sang the service under the direction of Protodeacon Vadim Gan.