DIOCESE OF SAN FRANCISCO AND WESTERN AMERICA: September 4, 2008
A Regular Session of the Synod of Bishops Begins Today

A regular session of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia began today in San Francisco with the celebration of Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow." After a moleben before the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God, the hieararchs headed for the the House of St Tikhon of Zadonsk, where they began their work. Participating in this session, presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion, are:

His Eminence Archbishop Mark of Berlin and Germany;

His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America, Secretary;

His Grace Bishop Michael of Geneva and Western Europe;

His Grace Bishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada;

His Grace Bishop John of Caracas, Administrator of the Parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad in South America

In his opening speech, the Primate of the Russian Church Abroad welcomed the bishops, especially Bishop John, who is participating in the work of the Synod of Bishops for the first time. The President also expressed his thanks to Archbishop Kyrill for his warm welcome.

This session of the Synod of Bishops will conclude on September 6.