October 2007

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This month the annual diocesan assembly of the Diocese of the West will be convened at the historic Holy Trinity Cathedral, San Francisco, California (October 2-3).  The highlight of this year’s assembly will be the formal installation of His Grace, Bishop Benjamin as Bishop of San Francisco and the West.  Bishop Benjamin was elected at the special diocesan assembly held last January.  His election was then confirmed by the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America during its March 2007 session.  His Grace’s installation marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of this God-protected Diocese, already so rich in history and so greatly blessed with the spiritual legacy of those who have gone before us.

Saint Ignatius, who served as Bishop of Antioch (“where the disciples were first called Christians” Acts 11:26) and then died a martyr’s death in Rome at the beginning of the second century, is generally credited with the first use of the Greek word katholikos, i.e. catholic, meaning “universal,” to describe the Church.  Among other things, he is also known for his teaching concerning the nature and structure of the Church.  In his letter to the          

Smyrnaeans, he wrote “Where the bishop is, there let the people be; as wherever Jesus Christ is, there the Church is.”

This brief statement, written over nineteen hundred years ago, finds its liturgical expression during the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at which a bishop presides.  In the Slavic practice, until the Little Entrance the bishop stands in the middle of the temple, in the midst of the faithful.  We observe here the shepherd standing before God surrounded by the flock that has been entrusted to his care. Then, during the singing of “Holy God,” the bishop blesses the people with the words, “Look down from heaven, O God, and behold and visit this vine which Thou hast planted with Thy right hand, and establish it.”

The clergy and faithful of Saints Peter and Paul Church extend our heartfelt and loving congratulations to Bishop Benjamin on the joyous occasion of his formal installation as our archpastor.  We assure him of our humble prayers and in return ask for his prayers and blessing.  Through the prayers of our Holy Master, may the Lord bless and visit the vine which He has planted in our parish and grant it continued growth so that it may bear abundant fruit to the glory of God’s Name.

With love in the Lord
Father David