Young Priest From Soviet Union Welcomed : Russian Orthodox Cathedral Reopens

SAN FRANCISCO â€”  The small Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Nicholas in the Mission District of San Francisco has been reopened after a year, under the leadership of a new young priest from the Soviet Union.

Father Vladimir Veriga, who comes from a small town near Moscow, was heartily welcomed by his new congregation, which is celebrating the cathedral’s 50th anniversary.

Although limited in his knowledge of English, Veriga, 35, said he is taking lessons. He is also looking forward to the arrival from Russia of his wife, who did not accompany him because she is expecting their second child.

Visiting the cathedral last Sunday was Bishop Clement, vicar of the Patriarch of Moscow and the highest-ranking official of the church in the United States.

Bishop Clement, who is visiting parishes in Berkeley and San Diego as well as in San Francisco, said that in the Soviet Union there “is now an interest in religion by the youth and by the intelligent, educated people.�

The church aligned with the Moscow Patriarchate has about 40 parishes in the United States, mainly in the East, he said, but some of its first missionary outposts were in the West--in Alaska and later in California.

St. Nicholas Cathedral, nestled between a liquor store and the parish house in the Mission District of the city, was closed for a year after the departure of Father Petr Raina until two months ago, when Father Veriga arrived to take his place.

Clement said the Russian Orthodox Church wants to become more involved in ecumenical affairs and that Veriga will be participating in interfaith activities in the Bay Area.