During these recent days I was able with the help of God to visit our nation's capital and in the company of fellow clergy and laity from some of our sister Orthodox churches (Antiochian, Serbian, and OCA) to speak with representatives of our government regarding the question of religious freedom in Ukraine. Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna, Congressman Darrell Issa, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers, and former Congressman Mark Walker, Trump nominee for Ambassador At-Large for International Religious Freedom, received our inter-Orthodox delegation. Part of the delegation was able to meet with Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi. It is a pity that our visits coincided with a media article that so misrepresented all our Churches, attempting to cast Orthodoxy in a negative light; but we were grateful that the actual reception we had by our political leaders in Washington was warm, filled with a desire for understanding and an awareness of our shared wish to work together for peace. The freedom to pray and to act in accordance with God's commandments is something we highly prize as citizens of the world's pre-eminent democracy and it is a gift that we believe the whole world should share. My own parents and grandparents fled the oppression of the Soviet Union and ultimately immigrated to the United States, where I was born. I treasure the gift of liberty that we enjoy as Americans.

On Friday October 17, 2025, one of the founders and pillars of the Holy Royal Martyrs of Russia Orthodox Church of Sparks, NV, Lydia Vladimirovna Sourova, reposed in the Lord.

The handmaid-of-God Lydia was born in the Soviet Union (Russia) in a family of artists and performers. When describing her character, one could say that her God-given sensitive and artistic soul was augmented by a good education in literature. As a very young child in the late 1940s, Lydia, providentially survived an earthquake that killed tens of thousands in the city where her parents were working at the time. Today it is clear that her natural attributes and the circumstances of her life, prepared Lydia for the great mission of founding a parish in the Reno/Sparks, NV, area. Many of her friends at the parish would mention that Lydia Vladimirovna was preserved from the earthquake to be sent by God for this great task. She herself had often pondered how it was that so many perished in one night, yet rescuers pulled her as a young, frail child from the rubble. The brush with death made her ponder the meaning of life and became the impetus behind her drive to create something for the glory of God.

Dear friends, family, and compassionate supporters,

We are reaching out on behalf of Matushka Natatie Kotar, who is now facing a difficult transition in her life.

Matushka Natalie has spent her life serving alongside Father Alexei, her late husband, offering compassion, love, prayers, and hospitality to the ROCOR community and many others. And while she has received support from the Seattle parish and from the diocese, additional help is greatly needed at this time. 

Due to changes beyond her control, these funds are meant to assist in basic living needs, moving, and renovation as she navigates this next chapter in her life. These changes require financial support since she stopped working shortly before Father Alexei became ill. 

Every donation, no matter the size, will make a real difference.

If you are unable to give financially, your prayers and sharing of this fundraiser are deeply appreciated.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Lend your support HERE.

On October 3rd, 2025, the Western American Diocese (ROCOR) and the Diocese of the West (OCA) jointly organized a one-day conference dedicated to the Centennial Anniversary of Pilgrimage to Fort Ross (1925-2025).

Over 130 participants gathered enthusiastically to learn much about the history of Fort Ross, its settlement and cemetery and about the many pilgrimages that have taken place over the past century and how and why they started.

The conference received excellent reviews based on both its content and organization. Many of those who could not attend the event inquired about the possibility of viewing recordings of the presentations.

The Western American Diocese and the Diocese of the West have made the seven lecturers presented that day available to the public. See the list below:

“This is the day which the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad therein.”

On Saturday, October 4th, 2025, God blessed Fort Ross State Historic Park and its environs with beautiful, calm, and still sunny weather as the Diocese of the West (OCA) and the Western American Diocese (ROCOR) celebrated the Centennial Anniversary of Pilgrimage to Fort Ross.

The annual pilgrimage to Fort Ross was initiated by the Very Reverend Archpriest Vladimir Sakovich, of Holy Trinity Cathedral (OCA) in San Francisco, who led members of the Russian Orthodox community of Northern California in the Divine Liturgy there on Independence Day, July 4th, 1925. Since that time, annual pilgrimages have been organized by the Diocese of the West, whose members continue the visit on the 4th of July, and by members of the Western American Diocese who go on Memorial Day.

On Saturday, October 4th, organizers and volunteers arrived early to prepare the grounds for this historic event. Tents had been erected the day before. But all of the items needed for the Divine Liturgy were arranged: a specially constructed large holy table with vestment covers, holy vessels, and all the effects of a sacristy, icons, liturgical bells, and a sound system to broadcast the litanies and exclamations across the interior of the fort. Meanwhile, to the West on the bluffs outside the fort, more volunteers were setting up tents, tables, and chairs in preparation for the catered festive luncheon that was to follow the Divine Services.

SANTA ROSA, California

On October 3, 2025, after the one-day conference dedicated to the Centennial Anniversary of Pilgrimage to Fort Ross held at Saint Seraphim of Sarov Cathedral in Santa Rosa, CA, many of the clergy and faithful to the 5-10 minute drive to Saints Peter and Paul Church on Stoney Point Road.

From 4:30 pm, vespers and matins were performed in honor of the Apodosis of the Feast of the Elevation of the Honorable Cross of the Lord and Saint Innocent, Metropolitan of Moscow. His Beatitude Metropolitan TIKHON, Archbishop of Washington and Metropolitan of All of America and Canada, Metropolitan MAXIMILLAN of Irkutsk and Angar (MP), His Eminence DANIEL, Archbishop of Chicago and the Midwest (OCA), His Grace VASILY of San Francisco and the West (OCA), and His Grace JAMES, Bishop of Sonora (ROCOR) were present in prayer with many clergy and people who had participated in the conference.

After the Divine Service, the Father Rector of the parish, Archpriest Alexander Krassovsky and the Sisterhood prepared dinner for the hierarchs and their guests.