The Story of Orthodoxy at Fort Ross
Then and Now | one day conference

St. Seraphim of Sarov Cathedral

Friday, October 3rd, 2025

90 Mountain View Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95407

Beloved for its beauty as a California State Park, Fort Ross holds profound significance for the Orthodox faithful of California, the United States, and around the world. The Holy Trinity-Saint Nicholas Chapel stands as a monument to the beginnings of Orthodox worship south of Alaska, and five saints have sanctified the land of the Fort with their presence and prayers. Since 1925, the Orthodox of the northern region of California have journeyed to Fort Ross not simply to enjoy the majestic scenery, but to ask for the prayers of the saints, to pray for the departed faithful buried at the fort cemetery, and to honor the legacy of our ancestors in the faith. The conference The Story of Orthodox at Fort Ross – Then and Now aims to deepen our understanding and appreciation of the role that Fort Ross has played in the life of the Church, and thereby enrich our life in Christ. Please join us as we explore stories of pilgrimage, saints, and so much more.

Maria Sakovich (MPH, MA)

Maria is a public historian and independent scholar who researches, writes, and lectures on immigration, family, and community history. For many years she has been documenting the history of the refuge-emigrants from Russia who arrived in San Francisco in the 1920s and 1930s. Their experiences have been included in several of her articles which have appeared in anthologies and journals as well as online. The history of two California State Parks, Fort Ross and Angel Island, specifically the Immigration Station, have featured prominently in her work including many efforts in regards to Fort Ross. She has recently embarked on writing a biographical portrait of her grandfather, Archpriest Vladimir Sakovich who began the pilgrimages to Fort Ross in 1925, and his refugee-emigrant parishioners. She is a member of the Institute for Historical Study.

“Celebrating the Fourth of July: Orthodox Services Return to the Chapel at Fort Ross”

Orthodoxy returned to the former Russian settlement, Fort Ross, on the American Independence Day holiday, Fourth of July 1925.  Three factors combined to create the resumption of services in the chapel: an invitation from the American fraternal organization Native Sons of the Golden West, newly arrived refugee-emigrants from the former Russian Empire after the Bolshevik revolution, and the inspiration of the rector of Holy Trinity Cathedral in San Francisco, Archpriest Vladimir Sakovich, to meld a moment in time of Russia’s and California’s past with the present and future for his struggling-to-adjust parishioners. Over the past 100 years, this singular event has evolved into an annual celebration. Maria Sakovich, historian and granddaughter of Fr. Vladimir, will speak about the early years of this evolution.

Please check with us often as we update the webpage with the speakers and their stories.

Register below. Cost is $40 person. This includes the all-day conference and lunch.