OCA Primate Leads West Coast Celebration

Holy Virgin Mary Cathedral here was the site of a two-day celebration February 7-8, 1998, as the parishioners welcomed His Beatitude, Metropolitan THEODOSIUS for the 75th anniversary of the Cathedral parish.

Joining the Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, who lead hierarchs, clergy and faithful at Vigil Saturday and the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy Sunday morning, were His Grace, Bishop TIKHON of San Francisco and the Diocese of the West of the Orthodox Church in America, His Eminence, Archbishop DMITRI of Dallas and the Diocese of the South, and His Grace, Bishop JOVAN, Serbian Orthodox Bishop of Western America. Participating from the Chancery of the Orthodox Church in America were Protopresbyter Robert Kondratick, Archpriest Gregory Havrilak, and Protodeacon Eric Wheeler. Hieromonk Vincent (Peterson) from the Cathedral parish coordinated the weekend’s events.

The Cathedral just completed construction of new inconastasis, which was blessed by Metropolitan THEODOSIUS prior to the Liturgy. Hundreds of faithful participated in the procession around the church, and at the festive banquet which followed.

Archbishop DMITRI of Dallas delivered the main address.

Founded in 1922, Holy Virgin Mary Cathedral ministers to a growing Russian community in the west Los Angeles area, and to other Orthodox faithful who make their home in this region of southern California.