In-person Ministry Pause
As you are aware, the Omicron Variant of COVID-19 continues to spread rapidly. We have already worked as a community to ensure that we are taking reasonable steps in response, including pausing coffee hour fellowship. Learn more…
Come, consider this new and wonderful deluge, greater and more important than the flood of Noah’s day. Then the water of the flood destroyed the human race, but now the water of Baptism has recalled the dead to life by the power of the one who baptized.
In the days of the flood the dove with an olive branch in its beak foreshadowed the fragrance of the good odor of Christ the Lord; now the Holy Spirit, coming in the likeness of a dove reveals the Lord of mercy.
Homily on Theophany by St. Proclus of Constantinople
Dear Ascension Community,
Kronia polla! Blessed feast!
As we celebrate the Feast of Epiphany and begin the new year, we pray that we are able to acquire ‘the Spirit of wisdom, the Spirit of understanding, the Spirit of the fear of God’ which has been imparted to us through God’s appearance upon earth (Idiomelon from the Great Blessing of the Waters on the Feast of Holy Theophany).
As you are aware, the Omicron Variant of COVID-19 continues to spread rapidly. We have already worked as a community to ensure that we are taking reasonable steps in response, including pausing coffee hour fellowship.
Beginning today, January 6th, 2022, we will also pause all other in-person adult and youth ministries. Divine Services will continue to be offered as scheduled, and we continue to require that all those in attendance wear face coverings. As the current surge progresses we will evaluate when we can appropriately and safely return to in-person ministries.
We thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to respond to the current conditions of the pandemic. In the meantime, please keep the health and well-being of one another foremost in your actions and your prayers.
May our Lord and Savior who condescended to be baptized in the Jordan by John continue to blessed, preserve and sanctify all of us.
In Christ,
Fr. Tom & Fr. Nick
Ascension Cathedral Now Open for Indoor Services
Wonderful news! We are excited to announce the re-opening of the Cathedral for indoor liturgy!!
On Friday, February 5, 2021 the U.S. Supreme Court entered an emergency order prohibiting California from enforcing its ban on indoor worship in “purple” tier counties. Instead, the Court found a limit of 25% capacity to be appropriate. This order is effective immediately and applies throughout the State of California. Metropolitan Gerasimos set an encyclical (linked below) informing the parishes of the Metropolis of San Francisco in California as to this announcement. We were so excited to hear this that we opened the Cathedral immediately, this past Sunday, February 7th. Fr. Tom instructed the Parish Council members and ushers to allow those who had made reservations for the outdoor liturgy to come into the Cathedral. All the appropriate guidelines, including social distancing and wearing of masks were followed as we had done earlier in the Summer and Fall of 2020.
Dear Ascension Community,
Wonderful news! We are excited to announce the re-opening of the Cathedral for indoor liturgy!!
On Friday, February 5, 2021 the U.S. Supreme Court entered an emergency order prohibiting California from enforcing its ban on indoor worship in “purple” tier counties. Instead, the Court found a limit of 25% capacity to be appropriate. This order is effective immediately and applies throughout the State of California. Metropolitan Gerasimos set an encyclical (linked below) informing the parishes of the Metropolis of San Francisco in California as to this announcement. We were so excited to hear this that we opened the Cathedral immediately, this past Sunday, February 7th. Fr. Tom instructed the Parish Council members and ushers to allow those who had made reservations for the outdoor liturgy to come into the Cathedral. All the appropriate guidelines, including social distancing and wearing of masks were followed as we had done earlier in the Summer and Fall of 2020.
The Parish Council met Wednesday, February 10th to discuss the re-opening of the Cathedral. At this time the configuration of the seating in the Cathedral will accommodate 140 people following the social distance guidelines. It was decided by the Parish Council that this Sunday, February 14th 100 congregants will be allowed in the Cathedral. Sunday, February 21st and 28th we will increase to 140 people. This will give the Parish Council time to assess the seating arrangements, and to increase the number to as close to the 25% as is safe. We will continue to follow the guidelines as explained below. To ensure everyone's safety, at the very end of the service after announcements, Holy Communion will be distributed. Antidoron will be pre-bagged and available as parishioners are exiting the Cathedral.
We will also continue to do Memorials and other services at the end of the divine liturgy. The Koliva (boiled wheat) will not be shared due to safety issues. However if there is an Artoklasia, it will be placed in bags like the antidoron.
We will continue to comply with the county guidelines practicing social distancing, and wearing face coverings. Also, as per the Metropolitan’s request, attendance is reserved for our Ascension parishioners only at this time. This number does not include clergy, cantor and ushers. In order to attend you must reserve your spot using the link that is emailed weekly.
We are very excited to welcome you back into the Cathedral! We have missed you and are looking forward to seeing you in person. Your physical health and safety as well as your spiritual health is our top priority, all the steps we are taking are in consideration of your well being. If you are not feeling well or have health conditions that make you more vulnerable, we ask you to continue to enjoy services from home via the live streaming.
We ask for your patience during this time and encourage you to take a moment and review the FAQs (attached). If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to reach out.
We will continue to update you as information and guidance becomes available. We appreciate your patience and understanding at this time and look forward to seeing each of you soon!
In Christ’s service and yours,
The Ascension Parish Council
Ascension Cathedral Returns to Outdoor Services Sunday 11/22
Sunday services will be held outdoors on Sunday, November 22nd as per Alameda County Guidelines. Please dress warm as we are now approaching the winter season. We will continue having one service starting inside for the live streaming that starts at 8:30am. If you would like to attend live outdoor services on Sunday, that service starts at 10am and finishes by 11:30am.
Sunday services will be held outdoors on Sunday, November 22nd as per Alameda County Guidelines. Please dress warm as we are now approaching the winter season. We will continue having one service starting inside for the live streaming that starts at 8:30am. If you would like to attend live outdoor services on Sunday, that service starts at 10am and finishes by 11:30am.
Please make sure to reserve a spot each week before attending via the instructions below. To comply with county guidelines we are limiting attendance to 80 parishioners, practicing social distancing, and wearing face coverings.
To attend you must reserve your spot using the following link: Reserve your spot for Sunday
Once you fill out the form, you will receive an email confirmation that you are registered. We are also accepting phone call reservations at 510-531-3400, however we encourage you to use the reservation form. Please make your reservations by 4:00 pm Thursday, November 19th.
Your health and safety as well as your spiritual health is our top priority, all the steps we are taking are in consideration of your well being. If you are not feeling well or have health conditions that make you more vulnerable, we ask you to continue to enjoy services from home via the live streaming.
Please click the link for more information about what to expect on Sunday as well as the list of questions you will be asked when you come.
Ascension Cathedral Reopens for Indoor Services
Great news! We are excited to announce the re-reopening of the Cathedral!!! In accordance with the most recent Alameda County update from last week, we can once again assemble for worship in the Cathedral with a limited capacity. We will continue with our reservation process which is now open for this Sunday, November 1st.
Great news! We are excited to announce the re-reopening of the Cathedral!!! In accordance with the most recent Alameda County update from last week, we can once again assemble for worship in the Cathedral with a limited capacity. We will continue with our reservation process which is now open for this Sunday, November 1st.
Please make sure to reserve a spot each week before attending via the instructions below. To comply with county guidelines we are limiting attendance to 80 parishioners, practicing social distancing, and wearing face coverings.
To attend you must reserve your spot using the following link: Reserve your spot for this Sunday Once you fill out the form, you will receive an email confirmation that you are registered. We are also accepting phone call reservations at 510-531-3400, however we encourage you to use the reservation form. Please make your reservations by 4:00 pm Thursday, October 29th.
Your health and safety as well as your spiritual health is our top priority, all the steps we are taking are in consideration of your well being. If you are not feeling well or have health conditions that make you more vulnerable, we ask you to continue to enjoy services from home via the live streaming.
Please click the link for more information about what to expect on Sunday as well as the list of questions you will be asked when you come.
Reopening for Outdoor Services Sunday, September 13th
Dear Ascension Community,
As you are aware the Cathedral remains closed for services by order of the State of California and Alameda County. However, churches are permitted to offer services outdoors. Starting this Sunday, September 13th, an outdoor Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 10am.
To comply with county guidelines we are limiting attendance to 80 parishioners, practicing social distancing, and wearing face coverings. Also, as per the Metropolitan’s request, attendance is reserved for our Ascension parishioners only. This number does not include clergy, cantor and ushers. To attend you must reserve your spot using the following link: Reserve your spot for Sunday.
Once you fill out the form, you will receive an email confirmation that you are registered. We are also accepting phone call reservations at 510-531-3400, however we encourage you to use the reservation form. Please make your reservations by 4:00 pm Friday, September 11th.
Your health and safety as well as your spiritual health is our top priority, all the steps we are taking are in consideration of your well being. If you are not feeling well or have health conditions that make you more vulnerable, we ask you to continue to enjoy services from home via the live streaming (Matins 8am, Divine Liturgy 9:30am).
We ask for your patience during this time and encourage you to take a moment and review the details of attending in the attachment. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Please read the Ascension Guidelines below for more information about what to expect on Sunday as well as the list of questions you will be asked when you arrive.
Just a reminder - You will need a confirmed reservation to attend Sunday services. The campus is still currently closed at all other times and we are not allowing public access to our grounds or buildings.
We will continue to update you as information and guidance becomes available. We appreciate your patience and understanding at this time and look forward to seeing each of you soon!