Bp. Vasily Launches Nativity of Christ Mission in Utah

SAN FRANCISCO — The Diocese of the West has formally established the Nativity of Christ Mission, a new Orthodox Christian community that will begin holding divine services in or near Ogden, Utah, in September. Bp. Vasily signed the decree on the feast of the Holy Enlightener and Equal-of-the-Apostles Great Prince Vladimir after the Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Cathedral in San Francisco.

The new mission marks the culmination of a diocesan initiative launched in October 2025, when the Diocesan Council unanimously endorsed plans to explore planting a parish in the Greater Salt Lake City area. A task force led by district dean Archpriest Andreas Blom and missions director Fr. Peter Runyon guided the effort. Bp. Vasily described the undertaking as an expression of the Diocese’s missionary identity, saying Orthodox communities must be prepared to welcome those searching for the faith and proclaim the Gospel throughout the region.

To ensure the mission begins on a strong foundation, the Diocesan Council committed funding for a full-time priest, a professional choir director, and other startup expenses. Fr. Paul Hamner, formerly rector of St. Paul Church in Las Vegas, and his wife, Matushka Sarah, accepted the Bishop’s invitation to lead the new community after a period of prayer and discernment.

Preparations intensified in May when Fr. Andreas, Fr. Peter, Fr. Paul, and diocesan chancellor Archpriest Kirill Sokolov traveled to Utah to meet with Orthodox clergy and local faith leaders. The visit concluded with a Moleben asking God’s blessing on the new mission. At the announcement of the mission’s establishment, Fr. Kirill connected the effort to the missionary legacy of St. Vladimir, linking the evangelization of ancient Kiev with the Church’s continuing work in the American West.

Previously, the UOJ reported that a Romanian Orthodox mission dedicated to St. Sofian opened in Quebec.