From February 5–8, participants from several states within the Western American Diocese gathered at Christ the Savior Orthodox Church in Youngtown, Arizona, for the first Southwest Choral Symposium—several intensive days designed to strengthen the musical life of small parishes and help singers at every level grow in confidence and skill. What began as a group with widely varied backgrounds became, by the end of the weekend, a confident choir offering beautiful, prayerful singing at the divine services. The symposium programming was developed by the Synodal School of Liturgical Music (SSLM), the fourth such event organized under the auspices of SSLM in the United States since 2022, focused specifically on the needs of ROCOR’s English-language parishes. Over the course of the event, people shared experiences, learned from one another, and formed long-lasting connections that enriched the work taking place in the rehearsal room.

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

To the Clergy, Monastics and Laity of the Western American Diocese!
As we enter into the joyous season of Nativity, we must put aside the distractions of this world and remember that Jesus Christ came into the world to reconcile Divinity with creation. When the Heavenly Angelic Hosts revealed themselves in glory to the shepherds in the fields, the angels glorified God by proclaiming, "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace and goodwill towards man!" (Luke 2:14). Heaven itself confesses the reason God became man – the Divine and the celestial wish to reconcile with man. We see God’s extreme humility in this reconciliation taking upon Himself the flesh, which He created, so that man can experience and know the Light of the Divine. However, our inclination towards sin does not allow us to value, or recognize, the Divine humility that occurred 2000 years ago. Therefore, we are mired in the "cares of this world" and repeat one and the same mistakes over and over again.

Most Reverend Brother Archpastors, Venerable Fathers, Monastics, Brothers and Sisters!

Peace be with you from the Abode of the Miracle-Working Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God “of the Sign!”I warmly greet you all with love on the great holidays of the Nativity of Christ, Theophany, and the New Year, sincerely wishing you inner peace, joy, and tranquility, renewal of all your strength, and God's help! May the fruit you have gained from the past Advent, fasting, and this joyful celebration continue until the Great Fast and the Pascha of Christ, when, as during the Holy Days, being in the church becomes so delightful that you do not want to leave it.
For every Christian, the feast of the Nativity of Christ is beloved and joyful. Throughout the world on this day, people remember the Star of Bethlehem and the manger, the shepherds and angels, the Mother of God and Righteous Joseph the Betrothed, while the Orthodox celebrate, confessing the cornerstone of faith—the Incarnation of Christ, the manifestation of God in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16). Out of His greatest love, the Lord descended to be born of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, uniting fallen humanity with God through Himself. "The Word became flesh so that we might be renewed and divinized in Him," says St. Athanasius the Great.

Ukase of the Synod of Bishops
No. 09/12/2025

To Bishop Theodosius of Seattle
To Archpriest Michael Crowley, Cleric of the Eastern American Diocese
To Hieromonk Spyridon (Gusakov), Cleric of the Canadian Diocese
To Hieromonk Peter (Karakozoff), Cleric of the Western American Diocese

During a meeting of the Synod of Bishops held on Tuesday, 26 November/9 December, 2025, it was DETERMINED: on the matter of filling the ranks of the episcopacy:

DECREED: 1) To appoint Bishop Theodosius of Seattle as a Vicar of the Eastern American Diocese with the title “Bishop of Manhattan.” 2) Having deliberated on the results of a survey of the Members of the Council of Bishops, to consider Archpriest Michael Crowley, cleric of the Eastern American Diocese, to be elected as Bishop of Boston; cleric of the Canadian Diocese Hieromonk Spyridon (Gusakov) as Bishop of Toronto; cleric of the Western American Diocese Hieromonk Peter (Karakozoff), Bishop of Seattle. 3) In accordance with the Act of Canonical Communion, to submit a corresponding appeal to the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church. 4) The time and location of the episcopal consecrations of the aforementioned clerics will be left to the discretion of the President of the Synod of Bishops.

For which this ukase is issued.

+ NICHOLAS
Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York
President of the Synod of Bishops

+ KYRILL
Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America
Secretary of the Synod of Bishops