Centennial Anniversary and Great Consecration of the Church of the Holy Myrrhbearing Women in West Sacramento

On May 4, 2025, the Third Sunday after Pascha, His Eminence Archbishop Benjamin of San Francisco and the West led the joyous celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the parish dedicated to the Holy Myrrhbearing Women in West Sacramento, California. On this occasion, His Eminence also presided at the rite of the Great Consecration of the newly constructed church building and celebrated the Divine Liturgy therein. The evening before, the Archbishop served the festal Vigil.

Concelebrating with Archbishop Benjamin and the rector of the parish, Archpriest Matthew Ismailov, were:

• Archimandrite Vasily (Permiakov) of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (New York)
• Archpriest Kirill Sokolov, Diocesan Chancellor (Holy Trinity Cathedral, San Francisco)
• Archpriest Lawrence Margitich, District Dean (St. Seraphim Cathedral, Santa Rosa)
• Archpriest Ian MacKinnon (Holy Cross Church, Sacramento)
• Archpriest Thomas Renfree (Holy Cross Church, Sacramento)
• Priest Timothy Winegar (Holy Cross Church, Sacramento)
• Protodeacon Kirill Dotsenko (Holy Virgin Mary Cathedral, Los Angeles)

Following the reading of the Holy Gospel, Archimandrite Vasily read a congratulatory message on behalf of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, Archbishop of Washington and Primate of the Orthodox Church in America.

At the conclusion of the Liturgy, Archbishop Benjamin expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the rector, clergy, and faithful for the shared joy of prayerful celebration. He presented high awards from the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America: a Gramota “For Exceptional Service to the Holy Church” to Archpriest Matthew Ismailov, and a commemorative certificate to the parish on the occasion of its 100th anniversary. The Archbishop also recognized the dedication of the church’s benefactor, Mr. Constantine Baranoff, by awarding him a Hierarchal Gramota.

In his remarks, Archpriest Matthew warmly thanked the Archbishop, the concelebrating clergy, builders, benefactors, parishioners, and all who came to pray on this festive day. Knowing that His Eminence is soon retiring, Father Matthew warmly thanked Vladyka for many years of his service to the Church, and for all of his support of the parish of the Holy Myrrhbearers, wishing him good health.  Fr. Matthew presented His Eminence a gift of icons of Christ the Savior, the Mother of God and St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. All participants in the service received commemorative icons of the Holy Myrrhbearing Women.

The celebration concluded with a festive meal prepared by the parish Sisterhood and faithful. During the banquet, selections of popular and classical works for violin and piano were beautifully performed by members of the church choir. The atmosphere was filled with warmth, spiritual joy, and the grace of God.

With the Great Consecration of this Holy Church, may it stand firm until the end of the age. Many years to the parish of the Holy Myrrhbearing Women!

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