On Sunday, November 6, the feast of Moscow’s Icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow," His Eminence Kyrill, Archbishop of San Francisco & Western America, secretary of the ROCOR Synod of Bishops, celebrated Divine Liturgy at Joy of All Who Sorrow Diocesan Cathedral in San Francisco, CA, having served the All-Night Vigil the evening before, at which the Rite of Nomination of Archimandrite Irenei (Steenberg) for consecration to the episcopacy had been performed.

His Eminence was joined in the services by His Eminence Peter, Archbishop of Chicago & Mid-America; His Grace Theodosius, Bishop of Seattle, first vicar of the Western American Diocese; His Grace Nicholas, Bishop of Manhattan, deputy secretary of the Synod of Bishops; His Grace John, Bishop of Naro-Fominsk, Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA; as well as clergymen of the Western American Diocese and visiting clerics.

At the Divine Liturgy, Archimandrite Irenei’s consecration as Bishop of Sacramento took place; he will now be the second vicar of the Western American Diocese. After the Eucharistic Canon, the newly-consecrated bishop performed a diaconal ordination.

The cathedral choir sang beautifully under the direction of Vladimir Krassovsky.

Upon completion of the Liturgy, Bishop John led a moleben to the Mother of God, followed by a procession around the majestic diocesan cathedral.

After the dismissal, Archbishop Kyrill offered words of guidance to Bishop Irenei, and bestowed upon him the episcopal staff. According to tradition, the newly consecrated hierarch then blessed worshippers for the first time as a bishop.

During the festal reception organized by the cathedral sisterhood, the hierarchs, clergy, and laity expressed heartfelt congratulations to Bishop Irenei on his "personal Pentecost," wishing him divine aid in his archpastoral service, and congratulating the clergymen, officials, and worshippers of the Cathedral of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow" and wishing the intercession of the Most Blessed Virgin Theotokos on their behalf, and blessed successes in parish life.