For the first time in the history of the Western American Diocese a representative of the Orthodox School in Bethany in Palestine will be visiting the West Coast from May 4th to 22nd, 2019. Mother Maria (Wall), is the Administrator of the school, which is of extreme importance in the region of the Palestinian and Israeli States as a great witness of Orthodoxy. TheOrthodox School in Bethany provides an excellent primary and secondary education in a nurturing environment. Of note, the staff of the school work against great odds and aggression just to keep the doors open in Bethany.

The Orthodox School in Bethany has it roots in a chain of such schools sponsored by the Russian Empire before 1917 that had existed throughout Lebanon and Palestine. The school in Bethany is the only one of its kind today, having been reopened by two Brittish women in the 1930s who had converted to Orthodoxy. During the Communist Era in Russia, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia had been, and now continues to be, a tremendous support for this school.

Mother Maria will be traveling with a companion, Jacqueline Khouriya, who upon completing the Bethany school, went on to receive an undergraduate education in Russia. Jacqueline now herself is a teacher in the school.

A full program of parish visits has been organized throughout the Western American Diocese, starting in Los Angeles, CA, and finishing in Seattle, WA.

It is requested that all the members of the Diocese support the Orthodox School in Bethany. 

PRESENTATION at Holy Ascension Church on Wednesday May 15th at 7:00 pm

Program: Talk with slide show & complimentary appetizers in the church hall.

Address:
Holy Ascension Church
714 –– 13th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

For those desiring to make a donation, checks should be made out to the Western American Diocese, earmarked “Bethany School.” These checks should be sent to the Diocesan Chancellery at the following address:

Western American Diocese
598 -- 15th Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94118