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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).
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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!
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