The Latest News in the Diocese

Saints of Fort Ross

As the celebration of the 200th Anniversary of Fort Ross celebration draws near (August 25th), the following has been published on the website of the Western-American Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.

The Saints of Fort Ross

Learning is a two-way street at Project Mexico

by Seraphima Karbo

I recall preparing myself to move to Mexico – not just physically but gearing up mentally as well to begin that chapter of my life. What I did not realize – looking back on it – is that even when I got down here God set me into a long stage of preparation. I started out the year last fall as something of an academic aid to the woman in charge of the Classroom (we call it “el Salón”) – I was a homework helper with a lot of extra time on her hands for afternoon games of hide-and-seek and finger-painting. I was even fitting days helping out at the office in San Diego. In the mornings while the boys were at school I would help the Mexican ladies clean or cook or do laundry; in the afternoons I would help some of the boys with their homework, and then assist with whatever else needed to be done, such as make dinner or get everyone shampooed and showered. I collaborated with other members of the community to expand the Church school program; I was able to focus on some of the boys who had key learning disadvantages – four of them, for instance, had arrived at St. Innocent’s never having been taught to read by their parents or in school.

Then, suddenly in February, after a series of unforeseen events beginning in December, I found myself the person in charge of the elementary school department. I can’t even imagine what a shock that would have been to receive had I been placed in that position back in August; being responsible for the academic success of seventeen grade school boys is a daunting task. Out of sheer necessity, I dropped the model for the daily routine we had previously followed for homework – I was literally incapable of keeping seventeen 7-10-year-old boys quiet and focused in a room at the same time -- and began to work with them in smaller groups of two or three at a time. I found this to be much more effective; the boys not only enjoyed the small-group setting but made a surprisingly fast upward swing in progress and productivity. I began to think about changes that could be made to the academic program that would make it both more productive for the boys and less hectic for me.

A Brief History of Fort Ross

(Note: The celebration of the 200th anniversary of Fort Ross will take place on Saturday, August 25, 2012.)

by Father Konstantin Gavrilkin

In our celebration of the Fort Ross bicentennial, we might overlook the importance of a rather sobering fact: in its 200-year history (1), this Russian military outpost in California performed its original function only for 30 years (1812-1841), was a private property for over 60 years (1841-1903) (2), and has been an historical landmark or a museum for more than 100 years (1903 – current) (3). All three of these periods have been subject to studies from a variety of perspectives (4). It is important to remember that, as an intricate part of both Russian and American history, Fort Ross was a place where Russians interacted with Americans, Spaniards, and Indians, where people of different cultures coexisted, struggled to survive, and cooperated, and already for this reason alone it continues to inspire narratives shaped by diverse interests, agendas, and identities. Out of the three Eastern Orthodox Churches, presented in this collection of essays and related to Fort Ross historically and ecclesiastically, the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) is both the fruits and the continuation of the mission, initiated by the Russian Orthodox Church in the late 18th century in Alaska and later spreading through California to the rest of the United States (5).

St. Eugene Camp

To attend St. Eugene's Camp is to experience what it is like to live in an Orthodox Christian community. We pray together, eat together, work together, learn together and play together, learning what it means to be the many members of the one Body of Christ in our daily lives.

This year from July 1-7 approximately 120 participants from northern, central and southern California (approx. 75 campers and over 40 staff, who are all volunteers) came together at St. Nicholas Ranch in Dunlap CA to
build and renew strong friendships.

Christian education sessions and other activities centered around the theme: "Icons: Windows to Heaven." We learned about what holy icons are, how they are made, how to "read" them, and how they are expressions of our faith as well as tools for living a loving relationship with our Lord and the Saints. We swam every day, went canoeing, and played sports and lawn games. We made pysanki and other interesting crafts. We answered Bible questions and brainteasers. We competed in camp Olympics and lived a week full of random acts of kindness. We participated in skits and sang joyful fun songs around the campfire. The younger and older campers helped each other and challenged each other. Twice every day we gathered to offer worship to the Holy Trinity and even visited the magnificent Life-Giving Spring Monastery adjacent to the camp where we celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Friday morning.

It was a truly blessed week.

The week, however, would not have been possible without the prayerful support of people like yourself. You have made an important impact on the lives of our campers and on our Church.

Thank you!!!

The Campers & Staff of St. Eugene's Orthodox Youth Camp 2012

To see photos from the week "like" our St. Eugene's Camp Facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Eugenes-Orthodox-Youth-Camp/123795080981912

Colorado Springs Eyewitness Account

Archpriest Anthony Karbo shared the following on Thursday evening:
News reports: 346 homes destroyed...though surely hundreds more damaged by smoke, etc. By the grace of God, presently only one person reportedly died, but I only saw a headline to that end and no other information on my end.

Did the Supplicatory canon at the temple the last few nights: "protect us by thy precious veil", and spoke about the history of the Theotokos protecting the faithful over the centuries. Providentially, the winds have been calmer, temperatures slightly lower, even cloud cover most of today...enabling those fighting the fire to make significant progress.

In town today, many persons allowed to return home in some of the outlying evac. areas... though many remain displaced, and of those some will certainly be displaced for weeks and months to come. As with any tragedy, the human spirit, instilled in us virtue of God's divine imprint which remains in humanity, begins to shine...and the community is committed to helping one another and rebuilding lives together. "Worst fire in Colorado history", says the headlines, in terms of homes damaged and costs associated.

Very strange atmosphere, as in one part of town it is the closest thing to Armageddon taking place in our very midst, visible from near any vantage point in town; yet "life goes on...." movies, kids playing at the parks, etc.

Had 12 families displaced...2 from the very worst of the burn areas. NO ONE of the parish lost their homes: even when houses next door and behind them are literally "gone". Still, even their homes may be so severely smoke damaged as to be deemed uninhabitable. Still far too early for those folks to go back to their homes and actually get an assessment. Folks have only this evening been informed of the status of their homes. In addition, two persons reside at a nursing care facility near the fire that had to be completely evacuated, one of which was Mother Seraphima of Holy Protection Monastery.

One of our members is a forest service fire fighter, and is directly engaged in the continued fight....despite all the good news of today, still only "15% contained".

Agia Sophia was one block away from mandatory evacuation on the south side of the fire. Holy Theophany 1/2 mile away from the mandatory evac. zone...neither place ever was directly in danger.... It is interesting to be a "small business owner" via Agia Sophia, as you get the perspective of lost revenue due to the fire on businesses... particularly small, family owned business who are extremely dependent on daily sales, etc. Agia Sophia has had a tough week, for example... as no one wished to travel to that side of town, getting closer to the fire areas.

We will gather in the morning, pray, partake of the Holy Mysteries on the feast of the Holy Apostles, and give thanks to God for His mercy on us, and on this community.

Many thanks to all who offered prayer and support! We thank God for you all!

Prayers Needed for Protection Monastery

The Protection of the Holy Virgin Monastery, Lake George, CO, a monastery of the Diocese of the West, was evacuated yesterday as the Springer Fire threatened the remote area in which the monastery is located. Over 450 acres are now involved in the blaze that is being fought by fire fighters from around the region. Mother Cassiana, the monastery superior, reported the monastery is still untouched by the flames and has requested the prayers of the clergy and faithful of the Orthodox Church in America.

Homily of Archbishop Benjamin on Pentecost

Delivered at Holy Trinity Cathedral, San Francisco on Pentecost Sunday 2012.

We celebrate our parish feast this morning, the Feast of the Trinity, of Pentecost, when the Most-Holy Spirit of God descended upon the disciples of Christ “who were all of one accord and in one place,” as is recorded in the Book of Acts.

This feast is not a purely Christian feast. It is also a feast celebrated by the Jews, Shavuot, which commemorated the giving of the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai and was linked to Passover in that it happened 50 days later. The Hellenistic Jews of the Diaspora gave it the name pentekosti or the fiftieth day. The feast was also connected with the harvest. Farmers brought the first fruits of wheat, barley, figs, grapes, olives, pomegranates, and dates in gold and silver baskets to be offered to the Lord in the Second Temple. It was said in the Jewish commentaries on the Scriptures that when the Lord gave the Law to Israel Mount Sinai it became covered in flowers and greenery. And so, it has been the custom among observant Jews to decorate their synagogues and homes with greenery on Pentecost. Curiously, Christians have also retained this custom of decorating their churches with greenery and flowers on Pentecost.

Bishop Tikhon 25th Anniversary

May 30th marks the 25th anniversary of the consecration of His Grace, Bishop Tikhon, to the Holy Episcopate. We send our heartfelt congratulations to His Grace on this historic day.

Those who are relatively new to the Diocese of the West may not realize that during the 20 year tenure of His Grace, Bishop Tikhon, the number of parishes and monasteries doubled. His call, especially to liturgical renewal and mission, made for a new and creative wind to blow in our diocese. As just one example, the Mission Deanery initiated by His Grace continues to exercise a strong and vibrant influence.

We ask for Vladyka's prayers and we thank him for the genuine peace, order, and pastoral love and care he brought to us over the many years following his consecration at Holy Trinity Cathedral. In Christ, we have inherited many rich blessings from our former Hierarch; blessings we should continue to remember and treasure.

May God grant His Grace Many Years!

(Ed. Note: This post is not as timely as we would like due to unavoidable technical circumstances.)

Marriage in the Orthodox Church

In the light of recent and highly publicized debates in our society regarding marriage, His Eminence, Archbishop Benjamin, wants to remind us that the Orthodox Church has firm, clear and eternal statements on contemporary issues.

The Assembly of Orthodox Bishops of North America has a wonderful statement about marriage on their website, which everyone should read and reflect upon.

Read the statement here.

St. Tikhon’s Visit to Colorado

(Originally published in the Russian Orthodox American Messenger, Vol. IX, No. 151, August 1905. Translation from Russian by Sergei Arhipov.)

June 18th 1905 was memorable for the Russin (a people from the Carpathian Mountains, who maintained their spiritual, historical, and spiritual identity with the Russian people, rather than with the Galician and other (mostly Uniate) western Carpatho-Ukrainians - trans.) Serbian and Greek residents of Pueblo — for on this day, His Eminence, the Most Reverend Archbishop Tikhon arrived in their smoky and bustling little city. At around 1pm, a large and excited crowd of many Orthodox people began to gather at the railroad station to meet the Archbishop. People were glancing at their watches, telling each other that any moment now, the train carrying their beloved guest would soon arrive. The hands on the platform clock showed 1:10, the announced arrival time, but no train was in sight. The people began to crowd in under the roof of the station and looked down the empty tracks for any sign of the errant train. After a while, the people started to get worried. Obviously the train was late and they all wanted to greet him in person; but many of them had to get back to work, else they lose their jobs. There was nothing they could do… By the time the hands showed 2:40 pm, only about one quarter of the original crowd remained at the station waiting there to meet him.

DIOCESE
OF THE
WEST, OCA