New Ordination and Tonsure in California

On March 21st o.s./April 3rd n.s., 2009, during the Vigil service of the Feast of the Akathist to the Mother of God, his Grace Vladimir, Bishop of San Francisco and Western America, tonsured novice Sister Elizabeth Williams into Rassaphore rank of monasticism, now as Mother Dosifeya.

 On March 22nd os.s/April 4th n.s., 2009, on the Feast of the Akathist to the Mother of God, his Grace Vladimir, Bishop of San Francisco and Western America, ordained deacon John Kochergin to the priesthood.

In his youth, with the support of his parents protodeacon Alexander and matushka Lena Kochergin, Fr. John was an altar server at All Russian Saints Church in Burlingame, California. He completed the summer course for choir directing at the Jordanville Monastery and held the position of choir director in Santa Rosa and Burlingame, California.

Fr John began to attend the Convent of Our Lady of Vladimir in Moss Beach, California in 2001. When Fr John was ordained in 2002 to the diaconate he was assigned to the Convent and will continue to serve there as the second priest.