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Within the boundaries of the Western American Diocese, there are several parishes and missions that worship according to the "Western Rite." See the full list with contact details HERE.
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On Saturday, August 5th, 2023, on the Feast Day of Old Holy Virgin Cathedral in honor of the Icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” at 864 Fulton Street in San Francisco, CA, His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America ordained his longtime assistant Archdeacon Peter (Karakozoff) to the priesthood.
Peter Karakozoff was born in West Sacramento, CA, in 1976. From his youth Peter spent all his spare time in church and around clergy. He was tonsured a Reader at the Holy Myrrh-bearing Women Church in West Sacramento (OCA) as a teenager. And served as the choir conductor at Holy Ascension Church (Western American Diocese, ROCOR) in Sacramento from 1998-2003. It was during these years that Peter earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of California, Davis. In 2003 Reader Peter relocated to San Francisco, CA, and became the cell-attendant for His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill. Among his many responsibilities, Reader Peter was placed in charge of the operations of the Diocesan Chancellery, and assigned as a chanter on kliros during the daily Divine Services at Holy Virgin Cathedral on Geary Boulevard.
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On Wednesday, July 12, 2023, the clergy and parishioners of Saint Peter and Paul Church in Santa Rosa, CA, celebrated their Patronal Feast Day.
His Grace THEODOSY Bishop of Seattle presided. Concelebrating with him were Father Rector, Archpriest Alexander Krassovsky, Archpriest Lawrence Margitich (Saint Seraphim of Sarov Church, Santa Rosa, CA, OCA), Protodeacon Anton Koval (Holy Virgin Cathedral, San Francisco) and Deacon Athanasius Ferguson.
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On May 28, 2023, the 7th Sunday after Pascha - the Sunday of the 318 Holy Fathers of the 1st Ecumenical Council, Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary held commencement exercises at the conclusion of its 75th academic year. The day began with a Hierarchal Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Eminence, Metropolitan NICHOLAS of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. His Grace Bishop Luke, seminary rector, was traveling abroad.
After the noon meal, a Moleben of Thanksgiving was served at 2pm, preceded by a procession led by Metropolitan Nicholas, Dean Nicolas Schidlovsky, Archpriest Peter Perekrestov (commencement speaker), members of the administration, the board of trustees, faculty in residence, and the entire student body. The academic procession moved from the monastery building to the Cathedral. Metropolitan Nicholas and participating clergy offered a Moleben of Thanksgiving for the Seminary's successes, and in supplication for divine blessings on all those who help to perpetuate the institution. The responses during the Molebien were sung by the Holy Trinity Seminary choir, and at the conclusion, We Praise Thee, O Lord (Tebe Boga Xvhalim) composed by D. Bortniansky was sung by a mixed quintet.
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On Sunday, February 19, 2023, His Eminence KIRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America elevated Priest Christopher Horsley to the dignity of Archpriest at Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco, California.
Father Christopher was ordained to the diaconate in 1996 and to the priesthood in 2004. He served as a deacon and assistant priest at Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in Los Angeles, CA, from 1996 to 2015. From 2015 until 2020 Father served at Holy Protection Church in Holywood, CA. On September 18, 2020, Father Christopher opened a mission in Youngtown, AZ, named Christ the Savior Orthodox Church. The mission is very active with two Divine Liturgies served every Sunday.