Archbishop Kyrill   

 

Archbishop Kyrill was born Boris Mikhailovich Dmitrieff on 24 November 1954, in San Francisco to Russian Orthodox parents. Fluent in Russian since his youth, he loved to serve as an altar boy, and went on to read during divine services. In 1972 at the age of 17, Archbishop Anthony (Medvedev, +2000) of San Francisco and Western America ordained him as a Reader, and later that year, after graduating high school, he enrolled at the University of San Francisco, which he graduated on an accelerated schedule with a Bachelor's Degree in Theology in 1976. Boris then decided to continue his education at St. Vladimir's Academy, where he received a Master's Degree in Theology in 1979.

In 1981, he was tonsured a monk (in Jerusalem) and ordained as a hierodeacon by Metropolitan Philaret (Voznesensky, +1985), and a month later was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Anthony (Medvedev, +2000). That year he was appointed to the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem and began to teach Russian and English at Bethany School.

In 1982, for health reasons, he was transferred to the Diocese of San Francisco and Western America. In 1987, he was appointed Director of Sts. Cyril and Methodius School at the Cathedral of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” in San Francisco, and elevated to the rank of Abbot. In 1988, he was awarded the palitsa.

On 7 June 1992, he was consecrated Bishop of Seattle, Vicar Bishop of the Diocese of San Francisco and Western America. In 2000, upon the repose of Archbishop Anthony, he was appointed Ruling Bishop of that diocese.

In 2003, he was a member of the first official delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia visiting Russia to meet with His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II. Later that year, Bishop Kyrill was elevated to the rank of Archbishop. In 2008, he was awarded the diamond cross by the Council of Bishops.  In 2009, he was decorated with the Order of St. Innocent, 2nd Degree, and in 2012 was decorated with the Order of St. Sergius, 2nd Degree. In 2014 he received the Patriarchal commemorative panagia in honour of his 60th anniversary. All three honours were bestowed by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. In 2010 he was decorated by the Head of the Royal House - Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna with the Order of St. Anne, 2nd Degree; in 2013 with the Order of St. Anne, 1st Degree; in 2014 with the Order of St. Vladimir, 2nd Degree; in 2024 with the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky.

 

 

Priest Anthony Ryder

Priest Anthony Ryder began his journey in Orthodoxy at St. Juliana of Lazarevo Russian Orthodox Church in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1994. He served as a Deacon at St. Juliana for eighteen years until his ordination to the priesthood on the Feast of the Meeting of the Lord, February 2/15, 2026.

Priest Anthony said of himself: “I was initially drawn to Orthodoxy because of its whole-life engagement. The delusion of this earthly existence is overwhelming, but the experience of Orthodoxy brings one to Reality in truth, which is the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself. As Christ said, ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.’ This is so easy to forget. However, to stand before God’s Holy Altar is the authentic medicine and cure for the soul’s forgetfulness.”

Priest David Starr

Rev. David Starr, Rector Emeritus; PhD. Boston University, 1972; Tutor Emeritus St. John’s College  (1972-2022) 

Deacon Dmitry Gorelov

Deacon Dmitry Gorelov has been an Orthodox Christian from the cradle, as he said of himself, "I was baptized by my grandmother when I was a few months old in St. Archangel Michael Cathedral in Sochi City, Russia, and brought to Church and Holy Communion by my other grandma." Married in 1995 to Matushka Photinia, the couple resettled in Lansing Michigan where, by the grace of God, they started the St. Seraphim of Sarov Mission. Deacon Dmitry was tonsured a Reader in 2004, a Subdeacon in 2008 and a Deacon in 2020 at St. Juliana of Lazarevo Orthodox Church where he has been serving to the present time.