- 1520 GREEN ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123
- 415-567-WEST(9378)
- webmaster@dowoca.org
The Administration of the Diocese, led by the Bishop and assisted by the Chancellor, is responsible for handling the work of the Diocese including: the support of the parishes and instutions of the Diocese, the furthering of mission work, implementation of the decisions of the Diocesan Assembly, allocating diocesan funds and oversight of investments for the general benefit of the Diocese, providing for the establishment and maintenance of institutions or organizations of philanthropy and education within the Diocese, and day-to-day operations.
The Diocese of the West
1520 Green Street
San Francisco, CA 94123
Office: (415) 567-WEST (9378)
chancery@dowoca.org
View Minutes & Reports:
Departments help organize the ministries that support the work of the Bishop and the Diocese. A chairperson coordinates the work of each department. The diocesan chancellor is ex officio a member of each department.
The Thriving Parishes Project of the Diocese of the West aims to boost developing missions, renew urban parishes, and empower already strong congregations to be even more accessible to everyone in their surrounding communities. This project encompasses a group of programs that will work directly with parishes to help them assess and adapt their ministries to their rapidly changing contexts. The core of the Thriving Parishes Project will entail deep renewal and creative work by the parishes and missions selected to take part. This work will, with God’s help, grow the impact of our 62 parishes in the neighborhoods they serve and, in a natural way, further strengthen the Diocese so that it can support even more local congregations and plant new ones. The whole Diocese will also benefit from more intentional efforts to raise up priestly vocations, new deacons, trained choir leaders, and effective youth ministers.
Archpriest Kirill Sokolov, Chancellor
Andrew Smith, Program Director
Brittany Yeager, Project Manager
A committee appointed by the Diocesan Bishop helps oversee and support the TPP: Archpriest Kirill Sokolov, Archpriest Stephen Soot, Archpriest Matthew Tate, Matushka Theodora Blom.
Priest Peter Runyon, Missions Director
Archpriest Matthew Tate
Peter Schwalbenberg
District Deans, ex officio
The Education Department of The Diocese of the West (TDOW) exists to assist the diocesan Bishop in the promotion of Traditional Orthodox education materials within the diocese. This Department will serve as a clearinghouse of such available information, which may be found useful for Church schools and other Orthodox educational programs and classes.
The Education Department Director will collect and post useful, approved materials on this website. Edifying educational articles will also be posted.
See also: Education Department of the OCA, Orthodox Christian Education Commission
The Treasurer handles all the finances of the diocese. Financial Reports available here.
Contact the Diocesan Treasurer: treasurer@dowoca.org | Cell: (541) 690-6013
Deacon Vyacheslav (Scott) Adams
Tiffany Gantus
Archpriest Damian Kuolt
Ms. Dorothy Nowik, Chair
Archpriest Matthew Tate
Archpriest John Dresko
Ms. Maha Adranly
Archpriest Kirill Sokolov, ex officio
The Department of Liturgical Music was created to provide musical scores of the many hymns sung by our churches to the church choirs. Due to the relocation of the Chairman, this projects has been put on temporary hold. The desire and plan is to make available on this website the scores already prepared and any new scores.
The Youth Department of The Diocese of the West exists to encourage and promote Orthodox youth ministry within TDOW on three levels: diocese, deanery, and local parish. This vision is in keeping with the direction of the national church to promote youth ministry in the specific areas of Worship, Education, Fellowship, and Service among our Orthodox youth on an annual basis. The Department exists to serve the youth, youth leaders, and clergy in the development of Orthodox youth ministry.
The successful fulfillment of the vision of the Youth Department will depend on the presence of a local youth coordinator in every parish. These youth coordinators will work together on both a local and deanery level to promote youth ministry in their parishes and deanery with the blessing and guidance of their parish priests.
The Youth Department Director (and his Assistant), aligned with this national and diocesan vision, will conduct deanery-based training seminars to encourage and equip local youth leaders in the knowledge and skills of youth ministry, and will also encourage (and facilitate if necessary) deanery based retreats to bring our young people together to grow in their life in Christ. An annual diocesan youth retreat will also be offered.
See also: Youth Department of the OCA
The Committee on Diaconal Vocations considers applications for Diaconal Vocations candidates, provides a recommended program of education and formation for those seeking ordination, and evaluates candidates completing such programs.
The committee also advises members of the Holy Synod of Bishops on a variety of matters related to the acceptance of non-Orthodox clergy seeking to convert to Orthodox Christianity.
An explanation of the diaconal vocations program is available here, and an application form is available here.
The Legal Department of The Diocese of the West acts in two main areas:
1) Diocesan bylaws
2) Parish holdings within the Diocese
and serves as a general resource for addressing the legal ramifications of decisions made by the Diocese.
The Diocese of the West is the geographical district of the Orthodox Church in America consisting of the Western United States. The diocese has active parishes in Montana, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, California and Hawaii. San Francisco is home to the diocese’s cathedral, Holy Trinity, as well as the Chancery offices. The diocese is led by His Grace Vasily, Bishop of San Francisco and the West.
