Diocese of the West Assembly Convened at Site of 20th All American Council

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July 20th, 2022
Hilton Inner Harbor Hotel
Baltimore, MD

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The Diocese of the West held its annual assembly on July 20th at the site of the 20th All American Council in Baltimore, MD. As at any assembly, minutes from the previous assembly were officially accepted, reports were heard from the diocesan treasurer and the other departments of the diocese, the 2023 budget was accepted, and elections for the Diocesan Council, the Metropolitan Council, and audit positions were held. This year, Archpriest Andrew Cuneo and Priest Edward Henderson were elected to clergy positions on the council, while Ms. Dorothy Nowik and Mka. Theodora Blom were elected to lay positions. Archpriest Matthew Tate was elected to the Metropolitan Council as clergy representative. Priest Andre Paez, Mr. Mike Wagner, and Ms. Maha Adranly were elected as auditors.

In addition to the normal business of the diocese, some important announcements were made. The Diocese of the Midwest elected, and the Holy Synod approved, His Grace, Bishop Daniel as the Bishop of Chicago and the Diocese of the Midwest at its assembly on Monday, July 18th. His Grace made an appearance at the assembly to say goodbye and gave a heartfelt address in which he enumerated the many ways in which the Diocese of the West has truly become his home, though he has been called to work in a different corner of the vineyard of Christ, and thanked the assembly for the love it has shown in its dedication to Christ’s Holy Church. His Eminence, Archbishop Benjamin then thanked His Grace for his eloquence, dedication, and many talents which he has shared so freely in laboring in the diocese, and then presented him with a panagia and cross set. Bishop Daniel will be sorely missed but, as Archbishop Benjamin said, “Our loss is the Diocese of the Midwest’s gain.” Axios!

Appointments were also made to two vacant positions. The recent retirement of Archpriest John Dresko, formerly of St. Paul Church in Las Vegas, NV left a void in the position of dean of the Desert Deanery. His Eminence appointed Archpriest Michael Anderson of St. John of Damascus Church in Poway, CA as the new dean. Axios!

Since Bishop Daniel also served in the capacity of Diocesan Chancellor, Archbishop Benjamin appointed Archpriest Kirill Sokolov of Holy Trinity Cathedral in San Francisco, CA to this position. Fr. Kirill stepped into his role straightaway and served as chairperson of the assembly. Axios!

By God’s grace, the work of the Diocese of the West continues in good order, all to His glory!

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