The Western American Diocesan Conference

In accordance with the Regulations of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, a Diocesan Conference of the Western American Diocese was held at the Cathedral of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow" in San Francisco on 23-24 March. Diocesan Conferences are held every three years and all parishes elect a delegate for the conference. Clergy and parish delegates from Alaska to San Diego, from Denver to Portland attended the Conference.

On Sunday, 23 March, at 4:30 p.m., His Grace Bishop Kyrill of Western America and San Francisco, together with Protopriests Stefan Pavlenko and Alexander Lebedeff and Archdeacon Andronik, conducted a commemorative litany for Archbishop Anthony (Medvedev) of blessed memory, followed by a service of supplication before the commemcement of a good deed (see photo).

The Conference led off with a report by the Ruling Bishop on the life of the Western American Diocese over the last three years. Thank God, life in the Diocese is enjoying peace and unity of mind. After Bishop Kyrill's keynote address, the Conference elected a Diocesan Council, heard the financial reports, the report of the Auditing Committee, and the draft of the Statutes of the Western American Diocese. Since there were experience clergymen in attendance, including a deacon who is an attorney, the discussion of the proposed Statutes was held on a very professional level. It was noted that the parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in the USA, unfortunately, cannot ignore the fact that they can be held accountable for every action and for everything that happens on church property. One priest, for example, noted that his parish is being sued by someone who fell on the church property. A great deal of time, energy and money is being devoted to this lawsuit. That makes it importan for the rector and parish officers to know the law well, understand the consequences of their decisions and undertake all possible measures to prevent trouble. The Church calls upon everyone to live in peace, but since we live in a society of laws, one cannot, unfortunately, neglect certain practical, not always pleasant, aspects of parish life.

On Sunday evening and Monday, brief reports were read on each parish of the Diocese, presented by its rector or delegate. As a rule, most parishes are growing, mainly as a result of new immigrants from the Russian Federation. There are parishes which concentrate on missionary and educational work. A happy phenomenon is that a number of parishes hold classes for young people. Two parishes have developed programs of summer studies with children: trips, discussions, crafts and visiting and helping the elderly.
The Diocesan Conference came to a close on Monday at approximately 5 p.m. Such conferences often open the eyes for lay delegates, since they see not only the life of their own parish, but that of the entire Diocese with its many priests, its cooperation of parishes with the Diocesan Administration, the relationship between priests and their ruling bishop and each other, and the relationships between parishes; joys and sorrows are shared, the life of different parishes are viewed--in large parishes and small missionary communities, the life of wealthy parishes and the life of those dying away...

At the end of the Diocesan Conference, the lay delegates left the assembly hall, and the clergy departed for church to begin preparing for confession. On Tuesady, 25 March, a Clergy Conference will take place, and on Wednesday, the liturgy of the pre-sanctified Gifts will be performed at the Cathedral. Glory be to God!