Front Page Stories (Page 5)
Pascha 2020 Photographs
In this year when we are called to stay at home, the clergy and a small number of singers led by His Eminence, Archbishop Benjamin of San Francisco and the West, served and live-streamed the divine services of the bright and saving Pascha – Easter – the Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Parishioners from near and far faithfully prayed with us in their homes. We are happy to present a small photo album of pictures from our…
The Paschal Message of His Eminence, Archbishop Benjamin 2020
To the Reverend Clergy, Monastics, and Faithful of the Diocese of the West: Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen! In the Divine Liturgy, at the apex of the Anaphora, the Gifts are raised on high by the deacon as the following prayer is said, ending with the exclamation: Remembering this saving commandment and all those things which have come to pass for us: the Cross, the Tomb, the Resurrection on the third day, the Ascension into heaven, the Sitting…
The Blessing of Foods on Pascha
This year we are unable to gather at the cathedral to have our Paschal food blessed. Below is a brief order of blessing that can be done at home before the home meal on Pascha day. Sing the following three times: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life. After having finished singing, the head of the family reads the following prayer for the blessing of meat: O Lord…
Photos of Baptismal Joy
Today, we welcomed yet another wee one into the Church. Many years to the newly illumined, her sponsors, and her family!
Nativity Message of Archbishop Benjamin
NATIVITY OF OUR LORD 2019 To the Reverend Clergy and Faithful of the Diocese of the West Dearly beloved: Christ is Born! Glorify Him! There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots… The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow…
Archpastoral Message of Metropolitan Tikhon
Archpastoral Message ofHis Beatitude Metropolitan TikhonNativity of Our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ2019 To the Honorable Clergy, Venerable Monastics, and Pious Faithful of the Orthodox Church in America, My Beloved Brethren and Blessed Children in the Lord, Christ is born! Glorify Him! As we celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ in the flesh, and His baptism in the River Jordan, we call to mind the important roles that his mother, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, and his Forerunner, John the…
2019 Advent Retreat
Please join us for our Annual Advent Retreat: Saturday, December 7, 2019 Meant to be Mediators! Mutual Prayer at the center of our lives Dr. Edith M. Humphrey William F. Orr Professor of New Testament Pittsburgh Theological Seminary If every Christian has a direct relationship with the Father, through Jesus Christ, then why are the prayers of the saints so important? Why do we pray for each other? Shouldn’t we simply go “straight to the top?” We are excited to…
Annual Parish Picnic at Fort Mason
On Sunday, September 22, we gathered at Fort Mason overlooking the San Francisco Bay for our annual parish picnic! Our thanks to Johann and all those who organized and volunteered to make this a great experience for all. Photographs courtesy of Matushka Sophia Sokolov and David Lee. Click on the thumbnail below to expand the slideshow.
Annual Pilgrimage to Fort Ross 2019
His Eminence, Archbishop Benjamin led the clergy and faithful of the Diocese of the West in the annual (since 1925) pilgrimage to Fort Ross on the 4th of July. It was a joy to be with brothers and sisters in Christ united in thanksgiving on a beautiful day. Fort Ross is now a state historic park and is the site of the first Orthodox house of prayer south of Alaska. (Photographs courtesy of Matushka Sophia Sokolov)
Church School Easter Egg Hunt Photographs
On the Second Sunday of Pascha, younger Church School students discussed Pascha and then continued in the joy of the feast with an Easter Egg Hunt in the cathedral garden.
Pascha 2019 Photographs
In the early moments of Sunday, April 28, 2019, the cathedral clergy and faithful celebrated the bright and saving day of the Lord’s Resurrection – Pascha – Easter. Christ is risen! Photographs courtesy Matushka Sophia Sokolov.
Looking Ahead to Holy Week & Pascha
Looking Ahead to Holy Week & Pascha April 20 – April 28, 2019 On Lazarus Saturday (April 20), we enter into the special and sacred time of Holy Week and Pascha. Each and every one of us is called to truly “lay aside all earthly cares,” i.e., all activities and concerns that distract from the great mystery which is happening for us and to us. It must be an experience that transcends the fulfilling of an annual religious obligation or…