Two Diocesan Clergymen Receive High Church Awards

[January 31,2012] On the second day of the feast of Nativity, His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America, in accordance with the Resolution of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, awarded Archpriest Stefan Pavlenko, Rector of All Saints of Russia Church in Burlingame, California, with the mitre. This year Fr. Stefan is marking his 40th year of service as a clergyman of the Russian Orthodox Church.

On January 17, 2012 Archbishop Kyrill, in accordance with the Resolution of the Synod of Bishops, raised the Abbott of Holy Trinity Monastery in Mexico City, Igumen Nectariy, to the rank of Archimandrite.

World's First New Russian Martyr Parish to Celebrate 30th Anniversary

[January 28, 2012] On February 5, 2012, the Holy New Martyrs Church in Mulino, Oregon (13820 S. Union Hall Rd., Mulino, Oregon 97042), will be celebrating its 30th anniversary. This parish is the first in the world to be consecrated in the memory of the New Russian Martyrs. His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia will officiate at the services. The Miraculous Kursk Root Icon of the Theotokos will also be present.

The greeting of the Kursk Icon will be on Saturday, February 4 at 5:00 pm. followed by the Vigil at 5:30 pm. On Sunday, February 5 the greeting of the metropolitan and Divine Liturgy are at 9:30 am. On Monday, February 6 at 8:30 pm an Akathist to the Mother of God will be chanted before the Kursk Icon.

The Feast of Theophany in Sacramento

[January 20, 2012] The Western American Diocese site photo gallery has been updated. See the photos of the feast of Theophany at Sacramento's Holy Ascension Church. Photos by Irene Hanlon.

New Orthodox Institute for Orthodox Studies Formed in the Western American Diocese

[January 17, 2012] With the blessing of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia and His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America, the Saints Cyril & Athanasius Institute for Orthodox Studies is being established in the Bay Area. It aims to become a new centre for the higher-level study of Orthodox theology, history, thought and practice throughout western North America. The Institute will concentrate its activities around provision of a Licentiate Certificate in Orthodox Christian Studies, offered as a blend of in-class and distance learning instruction, the latter provided through a professionally-designed web site that provides access to video lectures, live chat with lecturers and fellow students, audio interaction, on-line assignment submission and marking, and more.

Next month (February 17-18) the Institute's first regional symposium will take place in San Francisco: "Living Symbol: Exploring the Inner Meaning of the Divine Liturgy" and will feature principal speakers Archimandrite Meletios (Webber), Archimandrite Irenei (Steenberg) and Archpriest Josiah Trenham. For more information on the Institute and to register for the symposium, please visit the Institute's web page.

Diocesan Priest and Russian Historian Co-Author New Book on the History of the Orthodox Church in Hawaii

[January 12, 2012] "Hawaii Samizdat" Publishers have released a new book: "Two Hundred Years on the Road – A History of the Orthodox Church in Hawaii." The co-authors of the new publication are the Rector of the Holy Theotokos of Iveron Russian Orthodox Church in Honolulu, Professor-Emeritus of the University of Hawaii, Priest Anatole Lyovin and Professor Amir Khisamutdinov of the Vladivostok State University.

Monastic Deanery Created in Western American Diocese

[January 10, 2012] By an episcopal Decree of His Eminence Kyrill, Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America, a Monastic Deanery has been created in the Western American Diocese. All officially recognized monastic communities of the diocese and monastics living outside these communities with the archbishop's blessing, will make up the Monastic Deanery. Archimandrite Irenei (Steenberg) has been appointed as Dean of Monastic Life for the diocese.

Nativity Epistle of the Ruling Archbishop of the Western American Diocese

Christ is born! Glorify Him!

Brethren, we come once more to the Feast of the Nativity of our Saviour. Once again we stand at the cave, and behold the Incarnation of the Son of God. Like familiar friends we join Him beneath the star, veiling our eyes at His glory. We see the great made small, and the One Who is good beyond our evil, come among us.

But on this day we are made more than “familiar friends.” On this day the Son of God takes our flesh, and makes it His. We are drawn into His life. We are made His family. We are sons and daughters of His Father, Whom we now call “Our Father,” as this Lord has taught us. We are His. ...more

San Francisco Deanery Pilgrimage to Southern California

[January 4, 2012] With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill a pilgrimage to Southern California from February 19-22, 2012 is announced. The group will be led by Archpriest Peter Perekrestov. Trip participants will see “Orthodox Hollywood” – the 3 Russian parishes, the grand St. Sophia Greek Cathedral (built by the president of Fox Studios); the group will venerate the relics of St. Vibian, Blessed Augustine and his mother, Blessed Monica and get a glimpse of “The Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels of the Porciuncula River” – this is the full name of the city of Los Angeles. ...more

Diocesan Council Holds Fall Meeting

[January 2, 2012] On December 22, 2011 the Diocesan Council (clergy and laity) met at the Diocesan Administration for its winter session. The meeting began with a prayer and Archbishop Kyrill's report. The Archbishop welcomed the three new members of the Diocesan Council: Archpriest Paul Volmensky, Dimitry Bobroff and David Svoboda. He then reported in detail his first archpastoral visit to Mexico City: the celebration of the 5th anniversary of Holy Trinity Skete. The Archbishop informed the Council that the Synod of Bishops has resolved to appoint him “Administrator of Parishes of the Russian Church Abroad in Mexico” and elevated Holy Trinity Skete in Mexico City to the rank of monastery. The monastery and communites in Mexico will now comprise a new deanery of the Western American Diocese. Abbott Nektariy is assigned dean. Archbishop Kyrill plans to visit Mexico City in mid-January. Archbishop Kyrill also discussed plans for the Fort Ross 200th anniversary celebration. An Ukaze is forthcoming. ...more

AROUND THE DIOCESE: December 2011

[December 31, 2011] At the winter session of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia it was resolved to appoint His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America “Administrator of Parishes of the Russian Church Abroad in Mexico,” and elevated Holy Trinity Skete in Mexico City to the rank of monastery. The monastery and communites in Mexico will now comprise a new deanery of the Western American Diocese. Abbott Nektariy is assigned dean.

• The new Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America, Archpriest John Jillions, visited Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco on December 13.

• On December 19, 2011, at the Divine Liturgy on the feastday of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Seattle, Archbishop Kyrill ordained Deacon Matthew Harrington to the priesthood and Subdeacon Silouan Thompson to the diaconate. Both clergymen are assigned to the St. Silouan Church in Walla Walla, Washington.

• In accordance with his petition, Archpriest Yaroslav Belikow was released from the Western American Diocese to the Dio­cese of Eastern America, effective December 20, 2012.

• On December 30 His Beatitude Metropolitan Jonah, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, paid a visit to the Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco. His Beatitude venerated the relics of St. John, Wonderworker of Shanghai and San Francisco and prayed at the evening service.

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