Bsp. Vasily Announces Mission Reorganization and New Church Plant in Idaho

His Grace Bsp. Vasily. Photo: dowoca.org

SAN FRANCISCO — In a letter dated Oct. 23, 2025, His Grace Bsp. Vasily of San Francisco and the West announced a major reorganization of the Diocese of the West’s missionary structure, integrating all diocesan missions into their respective geographic deaneries to strengthen local collaboration and support. Previously, they had all been part of a Missionary District.

Following a diocesan retreat with clergy and leadership, Bsp. Vasily said the move reflects a shared desire for missions to connect deeply with their geographic neighbors while allowing established parishes to play a greater role in planting and sustaining new communities.

The diocese will also reinvigorate its Missions Board, appointing Archpriest Matthew Tate and Peter Schwalbenberg to provide specialized support for growing parishes alongside the diocesan deans.

As part of the renewed missionary focus, a new mission dedicated to the Meeting of Our Lord has been established in Kuna (Greater Boise), Idaho, under the pastoral care of Archpriest Jerome Cwiklinski. In addition, a task force will explore founding a mission in the Greater Salt Lake City area, led by Archpriest Andreas Blom and Priest Peter Runyon.

"It is central and essential to our character that we are a missionary diocese. Our parishes are growing. Our neighbors are seeking, knocking at the door, and asking for bread (cf. Matthew 7:7-9) – the bread of life, the true teaching that is found in the Orthodox Church," Bsp. Vasily said, extending his gratitude to clergy and faithful “for their resolve in this holy work.”

Previously, UOJ reported that His Eminence Abp. Daniel of Chicago and the Midwest made an archpastoral visit to seminarians studying at St. Tikhon’s and St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminaries.

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