“The angel cried unto her that is full of grace:

O Pure Virgin, rejoice, and again, I say rejoice; for Thy Son hath risen from the grave on the third day…” Paschal Matins – 9th Irmos

To the Reverend Clergy, Monastics and Laity of the Western American Diocese

CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN!

The day of Christ’s Resurrection, Pascha, is a time of joyousness, light and new life – I am come that they might have life, and that they may have it more abundantly (John 10:10).  A life in Christ is a life centered not on something transient and fashionable, but it is a life focused on the stability of eternity in God.  It is a life of happiness and joy free of the passions and temporal cares that clog our life.  When pondering on Christ’s Glorious Resurrection, an Orthodox Christian, sees death not as the end, but sees death as a defeated paradigm conquered by the love of God for His creation.

Many of us are aware of the devastating fires that have struck the Los Angeles area and Southern California this week. Tens of thousands of acres burned; cities and neighborhoods leveled; lives lost and miles of decimation.  It is in these moments that Orthodox Christians need to demonstrate the spiritual fortitude given to them, by the Grace of God, to help all those in need.

First, I call upon the flock of the Western American Diocese to pray for an end to the suffering caused by the horrible infernos.  “It is vital to continue in prayer for as long as we can, so that His invincible strength may penetrate and enable us to resist every destructive influence” - St. Sophrony of Essex. 

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill toward men. (Luke 2:14)

CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM!

Your Graces, Reverend-Fathers and beloved in Christ!

With the saints, give rest, O Christ, to the soul of Thy servant!

Archbishop Peter of Chicago and Mid-America, member of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Church Abroad, has reposed in the Lord.

We express our condolences to all his relatives and to all who knew the bishop during his life.

A memorial service will be held at the Cathedral of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow" in San Francisco today, November 8, at 7:30.

Archbishop Peter was born in this city and was tonsured a reader by Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco.

We call upon all clergy and laity to pray for the repose of the newly departed Archbishop Peter!

May the Lord number his soul with the righteous, where there is no sickness, no sorrow, no sighing, but Life everlasting!

+ Archbishop Kirill
+ Bishop Theodosy
+ Bishop James

His Eminence Kirill, Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America, expresses condolences in connection with the loss of life as a result of the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk near Moscow. The clergy of the diocese offers their prayers for the repose of those innocently killed, as well as for the recovery of people who were wounded.

On Sunday, July 16, 2023, His Eminence KIRILL, the Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America, resumed the active ministry of His Diocese after a successful operation on June 22 and a three-week rest period for subsequent recovery.

His Eminence Kyrill Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America was informed by his doctor today that the former’s operation was a huge success.

It is requested that the clergy and faithful of the Western American Diocese, please, continue their prayers for His Eminence’s full and speedy recovery.

His Eminence Kyrill Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America advises the clergy and faithful of the following:

"Your Eminences, Your Graces, Reverend Fathers, and Friends,

This coming Thursday 22 June I will be undergoing an operation (at 11 am).
I have stones on my left kidney that are 2.5 cm in size.
I will be out of commission for about 2 -3 weeks but reachable via e-mail.

I ask for your prayers.

+Archbishop Kyrill"

Paschal Message from Patriarch KIRILL of Moscow and All Russia to Archpastors, Pastors, Deacons, Monastics and All Faithful Children
of the Russian Orthodox Church

Beloved in the Lord archpastors, all-honourable presbyters and deacons, God-loving monks and nuns, dear brothers and sisters,

I address all of you, Orthodox Christians living in many countries of the world, who are now in churches or praying in your homes, to extend greetings to you on the great feast of Holy Pascha with my heart full of spiritual joy, and to proclaim victoriously in accord with the ancient tradition:

CHRIST IS RISEN!

 Reverend Fathers, Venerable Monastics, and Pious Faithful of the Western American Diocese:

Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!

With a sense of Paschal joy and special spiritual closeness, despite the distance separating us, I greet you, Eminent Brother Archpastors, honorable fathers, dear brothers and sisters scattered throughout the world, on this great and light-bearing day of the Pascha of Christ!

CHRIST IS RISEN!

Christ Is Risen!

Today, 16 May at 11 am PST, our First Hierarch Metropolitan Hilarion reposed in the Lord after a prolonged illness. He was 74 years old.
Tomorrow, 17 May at 7 pm a Panikhida at Holy Virgin Cathedral will be served.

MEMORY ETERNAL!

+ Archbishop Kyrill

On March 16, 2022, His Holiness Kirill Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia published Address No. 01/1215 in which he calls upon the entire flock, clergy and laity, to raise up prayers of repentance.

His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America turns to the clergy and children of the diocese entrusted to him with the following words.

Dear in Christ Reverend Fathers and faithful of Holy Mother Church!

In the letter, His Holiness Patriarch Kyrill speaks of the sorrowful situation...

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