The Latest News in the Diocese
Bishop’s Travelogue Continued
Day Four – Sunday, August 28, 2011
His Beatitude, Metropolitan KRISTOF, and the members of the OCA delegation celebrated the Feast of the Dormition on the porch of the Church dedicated to the Dormition which is located in a cemetery within the city limits of Prague. There were about 1,000 people present, mostly Czech and Russian, but it was a very pan-Orthodox gathering with Greeks, Macedonians, Serbs and others as well. At least in the urban centers, the local autocephalous Church, which embraces the Czech Republic and Slovakia, ministers to a multi-national flock. It is also noteworthy that this same cemetery is the final resting place for a number of American soldiers who perished in Czechoslovakia during WWII. Their sacrifice is remembered and appreciated to this day. Several members of a local Cossack organization were honored with medals at the conclusion of the liturgy. The Cossacks not only form an honor guard for the metropolitan, but also provide a level of security and order at large celebrations.
Oldest Temple in the West
Wilkeson, Washington is a coal-mining town founded in the late 1870’s that lies in the western foothills of Mount Rainier. The earliest known Orthodox Christian activity in Wilkeson is linked to visits by the noted Orthodox evangelist, Archimandrite Sebastian Dabovich. Father Sebastian was born and raised in San Francisco, the son of pious Serbian parents. He was the first Orthodox priest born in the United States as well as the first one ordained in this country.
Bishop’s Travelogue – Day 3
Day 3 - August 27, 2011
His Grace, Bishop BENJAMIN, and Archpriest Eric Tosi met with His Beatitude, Metropolitan KRISTOF of the Czech Lands and Slovakia and His Grace, Archbishop JURAJ of Michalovce and Košice. The hierarchs discussed the challenges and ambiguities both Orthodox Churches face in the modern world. The hour-long discussion touched upon issues in financing, education, immigration and shifts both sister churches are experiencing in the movement of Orthodox populations between rural and urban settings. It was apparent to all the hierarchs and senior clergy present that relations between the two Churches are important and necessary. At the close of their meeting, Bishop BENJAMIN presented His Beatitude, Metropolitan KRISTOF with the gift of an iPad 2 on behalf of the Orthodox Church in America.
Memory Eternal! Archbishop Dmitri of Dallas
His Eminence, the Most Reverend Dmitri, 87, retired Archbishop of Dallas and the Diocese of the South, fell asleep in the Lord at his home in Dallas, TX at 2:00 a.m. Sunday morning, August 28, 2011. His Grace, Bishop Benjamin received news of His Eminence's falling asleep during his visit to the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia.
His Eminence began his episcopal ministry in 1969 as Bishop of Berkeley, CA, auxiliary to His Eminence, Archbishop John (Shahovskoy) of San Francisco.
He served several dioceses of the Orthodox Church in America and was the first bishop of Dallas and the South. Funeral services will be celebrated at Dallas’ Saint Seraphim Cathedral.
A full biography can be read at http://www.oca.org
May Archbishop Dmitri's memory be eternal!
Bishop’s Travelogue – Day 2
Day Two - August 26, 2011
The delegation from the Orthodox Church in America was honored to have lunch with His Beatitude, Metropolitan KRISTOF, who took time from his busy schedule to greet them warmly.
Following their meeting with the Czech Primate, Bishop BENJAMIN, Archpriest Eric Tosi and Barry Migyanko were taken to two parish churches that are located in towns where people from all over Europe come to "take the waters." The towns of Marianske Lazne and Karlovy Vary are possessed of beautiful 19th century churches which were built by Russian nobility who came to rest and enjoy the mineral waters.
Bishop’s Travelogue Day 1
Day One - August 25, 2011
The first part of the official delegation of the Orthodox Church in America to the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia arrived in Prague this afternoon. Bishop BENJAMIN, Archpriest Eric George Tosi, Secretary of the Orthodox Church in America, and Mr. Barry Migyanko, the Administrative Assistant of the Diocese of the West were greeted by His Eminence Archbishop George (Juraj) of Michalovce and Kosice and three priests.
Rocky Mountain Youth Camp
The last time I was at a youth summer camp I was fifteen. As the time drew near to depart for the Rocky Mountain Orthodox Youth Camp I honestly was second guessing my initial resolve to go. I am fresh out of seminary, newly assigned (still very much getting my 'sea legs' regarding parish life), why did I decide to trek off on a youth camp for almost four days? But committed as I was, I left with a small group of youth from our Church.
LA Iconographer Helps Restore Church in Russia
A parishioner of Holy Virgin Mary Cathedral in Los Angeles named Marina Smetanina has been engaged to write icons for Saint Seraphim Church near Moscow. The church is located in the village of Uvarovka in the western part of the Moscow region, not far from the site of the famous Battle of Borodino against Napoleon in 1812. Until several years ago the poor village did not have a single Orthodox church. Once begun, construction of the temple encountered many difficulties. Twice work was begun on it, and twice thieves and vandals burned the wooden structure down. With God's help, however, Uvarovka’s persistent villagers then decided to build in stone. Although construction is still ongoing, the temple has now become secure and divine services are already in their third year.
Four Corners Orthodox Mission Links Needed
We continue to labor for the establishment of a mission in Durango, CO. We are planning two to three years out to have a priest placed there, and presently have some interested persons from the seminaries.
We have tried ads in the paper, flyers around town... and have discovered what you already know, that the internet is the single most utilized tool in finding an Orthodox church to attend!
Please post a link to the "Four Corners Orthodox Mission" on your respective parish websites, if at all possible. This action "optimizes" search engine capabilities of Google, Yahoo, etc. that folks may discover the presence of our mission in Durango, CO.
Thank you for so considering this action on behalf of the faithful of Southwest Colorado. It has been a slow, but steady process.
LINK to the mission's website.
Calendar of Events Available
A very useful and valuable resource is now available for the faithful of the Diocese. Orthodox Calendar of Events in all states are now searchable in Google Calendars. Click your state to see upcoming events:
Arizona
California
Colorado
Hawai'i
Nevada
Oregon
Washington
Wyoming
We do not have listings for any other state in our diocese.