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Clergy and lay delegates from throughout the Diocese of the West gathered October 8-9 in Phoenix, Arizona for the annual Diocesan Assembly. Graciously hosted by Igumen Daniel (Brum) and the faithful of Ss. Peter and Paul Church, the two-day assembly discussed many matters of faith and administration, setting a course for 2015 and beyond. His Eminence, Archbishop Benjamin, welcomed His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, and the Treasurer of the Orthodox Church in America, Melanie Ringa, who were invited by His Eminence to join the proceedings and update us on the work of the OCA and the plans for the upcoming All-American Council, to be held in Atlanta, GA, in July of 2015. The highlight of the assembly was the Divine Liturgy concelbrated by both the Metropolitan and the Archbishop on Thursday, to commemorate St. Tikhon of Moscow, the patron saint of His Beatitude.
| http://www.annunciationorthodoxchurch.org/ His Eminence Archbishop Benjamin of San Francisco and the West will open this Pan-Orthodox LSS. |
The Rocky Mountain Orthodox Youth Camp celebrated it's 30th anniversary with the annual gathering of youth from throughout the Rocky Mountain region August 5-8. Over 175 participants came from Albuquerque to Bozeman, MT and every place in between. The camp was founded by Archpriest Joseph Hirsch of blessed memory.
View pictures from the camp here.
On the weekend of August 23-24, 2014, His Eminence, Archbishop Benjamin, along with Andrew Smith, our diocesan administrator, traveled to the Eastern plains of Colorado to celebrate the leavetaking of the Dormition at St. Mary’s Holy Dormition Orthodox Church in Calhan, Colorado.
Pacific Northwest Pan-Orthodox Liturgical singing seminar titled "That You May Hear Us" will take place on October 11, 2014, at the Church of the Annunciation, Milwaukie OR. Chief presenter will be Mark Bailey. His Eminence Archbishop Benjamin of San Francisco and the West will be with us also. Registration deadline is approaching fast-September 22, 2014. Info:www.annunciationorthodoxchurch.org
A Liturgical Arts Festival will be held in Santa Barbara, CA on October 17th-19th of this year. The festival will include many lectures (including talks given by our own Archbishop BENJAMIN and Dr Vladimir Morosan) and will culminate in a liturgical music concert on Sunday ($5 admission for adults).
Please find an event flyer here and a more detailed announcement here.
Dallas, TX
His Eminence, Archbishop BENJAMIN attended the annual meeting of the Assembly of Bishops in Dallas this past week. At the meeting, the hierarchs drafted two documents.
1.) A message to the faithful from the Assembly.
2.) A statement on the current situation in the Middle East.
Both documents, and more information on the Assembly of Bishops, may be found on their website: www.assemblyofbishops.org
As the afternoon shadows lengthened on Thursday, August 14th, the bells of Holy Assumption Monastery in Calistoga, CA, rang out joyously, announcing the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos. His Eminence, Archbishop Benjamin, served the Vigil that evening, which was attended by 40-50 guests. Both Father Joakim Provatakis (St. Symeon, Calistoga, CA - ROCOR) and Father Lawrence Margitich (St. Seraphim, Santa Rosa, CA - OCA) assisted in the altar, while Father Nebojsa Pantic (Ss. Constantine and Helen, Vallejo, CA - GOA) brought many of his parishioners. The lampadas in our tiny church shone brightly and garlands of flowers adorned the epitaphion of the Theotokos as we sang the special hymns of the feast: "The angels, as they looked upon the dormition of the Virgin, were struck with wonder, seeing how the Virgin went up from earth to heaven."
In July, 150 volunteers, five priests and His Eminence, Archbishop Benjamin, traveled to assist Project Mexico with the building of eight houses for families in need. All who traveled agreed it was a most rewarding and fruitful week. Tony Machnee, of the Project Mexico staff produced a short video of the experience, entitled Living in the Tension, which can be viewed here.
It is with great sadness that we report the sudden falling asleep on August 2, 2014, of Subdeacon Dmitri Solodow, of Holy Trinity Cathedral in San Francisco. He was a long-time member of the Diocesan Council of the Diocese of the West and a member of the OCA Metropolitan Council for many years.
A Panikhida will be celebrated at Holy Trinity Cathedral, 1520 Green Street, San Francisco, CA on Thursday, August 7, at 7:00 pm. Funeral services will be celebrated on Friday, August 8, at 11:00 am. His Eminence, Archbishop Benjamin, will preside at both services. For information on visitation hours, please call the Cathedral at 415-673-8565.
May Subdeacon Dmitri's memory be eternal!
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.
