DIOCESE OF SAN FRANCISCO AND WESTERN AMERICA : March 16, 2006
News from the Western American Diocese
 In February, an ancient altar-table cross of the 16 th century was brought from Holy Trinity Monastery to the Cathedral of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow" in San Francisco . The cross was a gift to the Cathedral from His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus, Abbot of the "Lavra of the Diaspora."
On February 19, 2006, the parishioners of the Church of All Russian Saints in Burlingame , CA , celebrated the 25-th anniversary of the rectorship of Protopriest Stefan Pavlenko. Fr Stefan was born in 1947 in Austria . In 1971 he graduated Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville. In 1972, he was ordained into the deaconate by Archbishop Anthony (Medvedev, +2000) of San Francisco and Western America . In 1973, he was ordained into the priesthood by Bishop Laurus of Manhattan . From 1973-1977, he was the Rector of Holy Trinity Church in Vineland , NJ . From 1977-1981, he was the Rector of Resurrection Church in San Francisco; from 1981 on, he has been the Rector of All Russian Saints Church in Burlingame, CA. While rector of a large parish, Fr Stefan has also been the Chairman of the Board of St John of Kronstadt Nursing Home, providing pastoral care and administrative supervision. In addition, he has organized church conferences in San Francisco and has been an active participant in organizing celebrations connected with the 1000 th anniversary of the Baptism of Russia, the glorification of St John (Maximovich, +1966) of Shanghai and San Francisco , and before that of St Innocent of Moscow and St Nikolai of Japan . He also carries out a multitude of obediences for the Diocese and is the spiritual father of many diocesan clergymen and their families. In 2004, Fr Stefan participated in the first official visit to Russia of His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus. This year, Fr Stefan will be a delegate at the IV All-Diaspora Council, representing the San Francisco Organizing Committee, charged with the local organization of this event.
The Editors extend their heartfelt congratulations to Fr Stefan on his anniversary, and we congratulate his parishioners that they have such a kind pastor, devoted to the Church of Christ!
On Sunday, February 26, Protopriest Konstantine Rabota, Head of the Novosibirsk Mission of the Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, spoke at the San Francisco Cathedral. Fr Konstantin told the parishioners about his diocese's missionary work, youth ministry and struggle with sectarians.
On March 19, a concert will be given by the All Russian Saints Parish Choir at Burlingame Methodist Church . For information , call : (408) 255-4538.
On March 21-22, the Great Lenten Pastoral Retreat and Conference of the Western American Diocese will be held at the San Francisco Cathedral.
On Sunday, April 2, after the later Divine Liturgy at San Francisco Cathedral, a round table will be held on the upcoming IV All-Diaspora Council. Participating will be the Secretary of the Commission of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia on discussions with the Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, Protopriest Alexander Lebedeff, Rector of Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in Los Angeles, CA; Secretary of the San Francisco Organizing Committee, Protopriest Peter Perekrestov, Senior Priest of the San Francisco Cathedral; and the Treasurer of the Western American Diocese, Protopriest Serge Kotar, member of the Organizing Committee.
Compiled from the website of the Diocese of San Francisco and Western America : www.wadiocese.com www.wadiocese.com |
