DIOCESE OF SAN FRANCISCO AND WESTERN AMERICA: January 11, 2008
The First St Herman's Youth Conference Is Held In the Western American Diocese

The first-ever St Herman's Youth Conference in the Diocese of San Francisco and Western America was held in December, 2007. The event took place in Burton Conference Center on Vashon Island, WA, in the Northwest Deanery of the Diocese.

The St Herman's Youth Conferences began in the 1970's with the aim of bringing together the youth of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. These gatherings were first held at Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY. With time, the number of participants from both coasts as well as Canada grew to some 250.

However, the participation of young people from the West Coast gradually dwindled. As a result, the Chairman of the Youth Committee of the Diocese of Western America, Protopriest Boris Henderson, with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill, decided to organize a West-Coast version of the event.