STS. THEODORE TIRO & THEODORE STRATILATES PARISH SAN FRANCISCO EVOLVES… 

In August of 2006, one of the members left the Parish because he perceived the parish as “not liberal enough”, not “open enough” to the Gay Community.  He along with two others, wanted to unbalance the delicate balance that had been maintained for ten years of existence… a parish of all peoples: Gays, Ethnics, and Converts all worshiping as a family in Christ.  Like so many people these days they he thought that by threatening to take his toys and leave (in this case hefty monthly donations) that they would force the Bishop’s hand.  The Bishop didn’t see it that way and decided to close the Parish.

He had no choice.  The remaining parishioners couldn’t make up the 1/3 loss of income, and there wasn’t enough funds in the bank to make up the difference for more than two months.  The Bishop asked everyone to pray that somehow the Parish could be saved.  In September the Bishop received an offer from the Italo-Greek Archdiocese of the United States and Canada to take over financial administration of the Parish.  The Bishop agreed and terms were set.

There was to be no “pointed” outreach to any specific community.  There was no objection to outreach into the Gay Community so long as it was balance by outreach into other communities.  This wasn’t anything new, but a re-statement of the real mission statement.  In fact, all other day to day functions would remain the same.  The Greco-Byzantine style of services would remain the norm and, until a full time priest could be found, Bishop Elias and Archpriest Constantine would help out, along with a newly ordained priest from the Italo-Greeks from San Diego who was totally untrained but would help service the Parish.

In order to make the change more real, a new name was sought from amongst the Parishioners and St. Peter the Aleut was chosen as Patron of the Parish.  Bishop Elias and Fr. Constantine continue to serve the Parish.  A former good friend of the Parish, Priest Anastasy (Tynan) has recently joined up and will be helping on Sundays, thus eliminating the need for the Priest from San Diego.

While the Parish is no longer a part of I.G.O.C.O.T.U.S,  I would invite you to come and worship with us.  If you are Orthodox either by birth or conversion, you are welcome.  If you are not Orthodox and are seeking a Traditional form of worship come and check out the Family that remains a worshipful Family.

Issued at San Francisco, December 21st, 2006