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Worship Services

In an effort to provide a rich variety of worship experiences to our parishioners and to meet their special needs, the church conducts two Divine Liturgies on most Sundays of the year.

Divine Liturgy is held in the Cathedral from 10:00 am - 12 noon.

During the school year (September - May)
Sunday School Divine Liturgy is held in the Richmond Room from 10:00 am - 11 am. Followed by Sunday School for children and Theology 101 for adults (See descriptions below.)

The Orthodox Liturgical calendar is filled with many and varied worship services, all of which are conducted in the Cathedral throughout the year. Please consult the monthly bulletin for scheduling of these services and sacraments. Approximately one time per month one combined Divine Liturgy is held. It is important to consult the calendar in the monthly Bulletin to find out which Sundays will have only one service.

During the summer months only one Liturgy is held, since Sunday School is not in session.

Parish Programs and Ministries
Please call the Cathedral Office for further details (510) 531-3400

Following is a brief description (listed alphabetically) of some of the programs and ministries of the Ascension Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Oakland. We look forward to your participation..

Adult Bible Studies
are held on Tuesdays at 9:15 am . These sessions are designed for adults and young marrieds, and meet for a 24 week period beginning in late September through early April. Over a six year period the entire Bible is read, discussed and explained. No previous experience needed.

Altar Boys
A great opportunity is offered to young men to serve God in His church at the various worship services throughout the year. Young men in 9th through 12th grades may serve at the 10:15 am Divine Liturgy, and boys 4th through 12th grades may serve at the 10:15 am Sunday School Divine Liturgy.

Ascension Parent Association
Parents of children in our Greek Folk Dance Program organize fund-raisers to support participation in the annual Diocese Folk Dance Festival (FDF) held on President's weekend in February. They also research and assist in the sewing of authentic Greek Folk costumes.

Athletic Program
Believing that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and desiring that young and old have opportunities to exercise and train their bodies, the parish sponsors:
teenage girls volleyball October - December,
teenage girls basketball January - March,
boys basketball ages 8-14 October - February,
high-school boys and young adult men's basketball November - March,
volleyball and basketball for adults throughout the year.

Campus Ministry
In cooperation with the Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute (PAOI) at UC Berkeley, the parish sponsors a Campus Ministry for college students at PAOI on Tuesday evenings with a 6 pm Divine Liturgy followed by supper and discussion. Students from neighboring colleges and universities are also invited to attend, and special programs are provided for them. PAOI is located at 2309 Hearst Avenue, Berkeley, 510/649-2450.

Liturgical Choir
Our wonderful choir helps lift our hearts to God in all the worship services throughout the year. Truly, the quality of their singing is all we can hope for. They provide us with an exceptional Christmas Concert each year and a Holy Week program that unites the Junior Choir and three Adult Choirs in a true symphony for worship.

Junior Choir
Boys and girls in grades 4 through 12 chant the Salutation Services during the Fridays of Great Lent in March and April, and at special services during Holy Week. In addition, they participate in the annual International Christmas Concert presented by our Liturgical Choir the second Friday before Christmas.

Christmas Concert
The Ascension Liturgical Choir, in cooperation with the Prometheus Symphony, present an annual program of Christmas songs and hymns in the Nave of our church. Hundreds of non-Orthodox join us each year for this inspiring presentation, which prepares the heart to welcome the wondrous season of Christ's Birth.

Counseling
The priests of our parish are always available for the Sacrament of Confession and for personal, marriage, family and grief counseling. Please call them before problems become irreversible. Many have taken advantage of the opportunity for private counseling and have been strengthened.

Festival of Greece
Since 1972, Ascension Cathedral has presented a three day Festival of Greece held on the Church grounds the third weekend of May. It has become one of Oakland's largest festivals, attracting 15-20,000 visitors, and has become a model for Greek Festivals throughout the country. Working at the Festival is a great opportunity to share our culture and get to know fellow parishioners.

Golf Tournament
The Ascension Golf Tournament, held at Sequoia Country Club in the beautiful hills of Oakland, is one of the finest parish tournaments in the country. It is held annually in August, usually on the third Monday from 11:00 am-8:30 pm. It has been a sellout for the past 25 years. Get your reservations early.

Greek Folk Dance Program
The parish currently sponsors eight separate dance groups, each organized according to grade level, experience and dedication. All children have an opportunity of performing at the parish's Festival of Greece, and those who desire may attend the annual Diocese Folk Dance Festival, where they meet hundreds of other young people their age. The groups also volunteer to dance at celebrations, educational programs, and to entertain shut-ins throughout the year. Groups practice on Wednesday afternoons and evenings.

Greek Orthodox Youth of America (GOYA)
Junior Orthodox Youth (JOY) - grades 4, 5, 6
Junior GOYA - Junior High School, grades 7, 8, 9
Senior GOYA - High School, grades 10, 11, 12

Youth Night is held on the second Wednesday of each month, beginning at 5:45 pm with supper, followed by worship, games, discussions, guest speakers and a great deal of fun. Parents are welcome to attend supper with their children. Admission is free to all.
Photos from Yosemite Trip

Historical Committee
A volunteer committee keeps a permanent record of the cultural and religious activities of the Greek Orthodox Christians who founded and strengthened our parish. They present exhibits and programs reminding us of our rich past, but also record present happenings for future generations. They sponsor a Founders Day Program in February and an annual Greek Independence Run in March.

Inquirer’s Class - Orthodoxy 101
Informal instruction is given to those seeking to join the Orthodox Church through adult baptism or Chrismation. Classes are usually held on Monday evenings on a ten week cycle as needed. Orthodox Christians also find these classes to be both informative and edifying.

Marriage Preparation
These classes are held during the year for engaged couples wishing to learn methods for communicating, sharing, planning and problem solving. They meet on a weekly basis or at a one-day retreat, and discuss privately some of the hard questions of life and learn more fully about their attitudes, weaknesses and strengths, and thereby become better equipped for marriage. Marriage Preparation is now a mandatory requirement for anyone wishing to get married in the Diocese of San Francisco.

Modern Greek Instruction
The Greek language is ours - to learn, to enjoy, and to preserve. Classes for children ages 5 through 15 are conducted at our Greek School on Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 4:15 - 5:45 pm in six graded classrooms. Adult language classes are held on Tuesday evenings at 7 pm for beginners and Wednesday evenings at 7 pm for intermediate. Classes begin in September and end in the first week of June.

Orthodox Forum
These are one-hour talks and discussion sessions led by one of our Priests or a guest speaker that are held on a continuing basis throughout the year for adults wishing to grow in the knowledge of their faith and the teachings of our church. The Orthodox Forum is part of our ongoing adult religious education program. Topics are both interesting and varied. Friends are invited.

Philoptochos Society
The ladies of Philoptochos are dedicated to be servants helping friends in need no matter where they live in the world. Every woman 18 years or older is encouraged to join. The four focal points of Philoptochos ministries are the World, supporting national, international and diocesan philanthropies; the Local Community, supporting charitable organizations, feeding and clothing the poor and senior citizens; Parishioners, helping the hurting, the lonely and the needy in the parish; and Cathedral Ministries, offering hospitality and support services for the parish and church worship services. Philoptochos meets once a month from September through May, but works by committee throughout the year serving the poor in a myriad of ways.

Senior Camp
Ascension coordinates a SF Diocese Senior Camp at St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center in the foothills of Kings Canyon National Park the fourth week in September that attracts 80-90 seniors from across the Diocese. Five full days of inspiring activities allows everyone a chance to enjoy an unforgettable experience.
Ascension Seniors also attend the Oakland Adult Summer Camp along the Feather River high in the Sierras the first week in July.

Senior Citizens Center
The parish sponsors a weekly program for seniors on Thursdays from 9 am to 1:15 pm throughout the year. This truly unique and fascinating program attracts over 100 seniors each week. Lunch is served at 12:15, and a variety of activities are shared, including exercise programs, lectures, crafts and so much more. The seniors are one of the most active groups in our parish. They sponsor field trips twice a month and two yearly senior camps: one at Feather River in July, and one at St. Nicholas Ranch in the foothills of King's Canyon in September.

Social Activities
The Cathedral organizes and sponsors activities to promote fellowship among its communicants to help them understand that they are the "Body of Christ" and one family in the Lord.

Godparent Sunday Luncheon,
Resurrection Meal (Mageritsa)
Easter Picnic following Agape services at the Cathedral
Panegyri, celebrating Falling Asleep (Koimisis) of the Theotokos, held the first Sunday after August 15th

Spiritual Renewal Ministries (SRM)
Spiritual life and renewal is an ongoing process that is the work of our parish's Spiritual Renewal Ministries program, which has become a model to parishes throughout the nation. It sponsors leadership training, adult religious education, Bible studies, retreats, and joins with the Diocese SRM in organizing two major one-day conferences during the year that bring world renowned speakers to our area.

Summer Camp
Ascension Summer Camp is one of the finest church camps in the country and provides a ten day program at the YMCA's Camp Jack Hazard high in the Sierra mountains. The program is open to boys and girls, ages 8 through 16, and is staffed by volunteers from the parish. Thanks to a "Godfather" fees are moderate, and families having financial difficulties do receive special consideration. Children are truly enriched by the summer camp, which is one of parishís finest youth programs.

Sunday School
During the regular academic year, a special Divine Liturgy is conducted in the Richmond Room for Sunday School students and their parents from 10:00 to 10:45 am. Following a short refreshment break, students three years old through 12th grade proceed to their classrooms for an hour and fifteen minutes of instruction. Parents are then able to stay for the Theology 101 class. Sunday School instruction begins with the 3 and 4 year-olds, and continues through 12th grade.

A volunteer staff of teachers and assistants present an excellent program for the young people, introducing them to the faith and instilling in them a love of God. Sunday School sponsors an annual Christmas Pageant the Sunday before Christmas at 11:30 am.

Sunday School students are able to participate in a full Divine Liturgy, receive Holy Communion, learn to chant the hymns of the church, understand the meaning of the sacrament, as instruction augments their worship experience. Growing in the knowledge and love of Christ is no mere slogan, but a reality experienced by all.

Theology 101
This class for adults presents the basic teachings of the Orthodox Church to parents following the Sunday School Divine Liturgy. Many times parents did not have the opportunity of attending Sunday School on a regular basis as children, and this class gives them the opportunity as an adult to examine the faith and to grow in understanding and love, which strengthens them in their major responsibility of introducing their children to Christ and His church. Theology 101 is held from 11:15 am to 12:15 pm in the Richmond Room Sunday mornings when Sunday School is in session.

Tour Guides
The Cathedral provides trained guides to welcome the scores of tour groups that visit our church each year and introduce them to the history and theology of the Orthodox Church by explaining the symbolism of both the architecture and liturgical appointments of the Cathedral. It is surprising how many groups of people visit the Cathedral on an annual basis.

Vacation Church School (VCS)
During the first week of August the church offers a summer education program for the youth that is creative and inspiring, using experiential teaching methods that bring the teachings of the Bible alive. A large staff of volunteers and parental support make the program an outstanding success. VCS is open from 9 am to 12:30 pm Monday through Friday for the first week of August.

Young Adult League (YAL)
Young adults ages 18 through 35+ meet every Thursday throughout the year for a Bible study. Please call (510) 531-3400 for meeting location. The evening begins with supper at 6:30 pm, followed by Bible study and discussion at 7:30 pm, and closes with a period of fellowship. This has been an excellent program, especially for college students who have recently graduated and newcomers entering the area. YAL also sponsors the annual parish New Year's Eve Celebration and uses the proceeds to support missionaries from our parish and throughout the Archdiocese, as well as other evangelical programs. They attend both the National YAL Conference and the Diocese YAL Conference, which they have helped to organize in the past. It is a lively, energetic, and dedicated group that always has room for one more.

The Greek Orthodox Faith

Greek Orthodox Christians believe that there is a God, one God, Who created man and the universe. He created everything we see and what we don't see out of nothing. We have a beginning. Matter had a beginning.

We also believe that God is more than a creator. We call Him Father, meaning that while he doesn't need us, and didn't need to create us, He loves us, and is sorrowful that we took the precious gift of free will and chose to separate ourselves from Him. The results of this separation from God, which we call sin, is death. But God did not create us to die. He created us to live forever. But we had to choose life.

Seeing that man could not reach his potential of immortality because of death, God sent His Son into the world to save us from the results of sin which is death. We believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God Who through His crucifixion and resurrection destroyed the power of death and gives man the opportunity once again to choose life.

We believe that Jesus is "the way, the truth and the life." We also believe that Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to those who believe in Him. It is this Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, that guides and protects man. We believe that this Holy Spirit gives life to those who believe in God.

This belief that God is one, yet three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is called the doctrine of the Trinity. Three persons comprise the Trinity that are one in essence. This is a mystery of God, beyond our comprehension, but experienced by us in the reality that we know God outside of us, beyond us and the universe ... the Father. We also know God inside us, talking to us, reminding us of right and wrong, renewing us...the Holy Spirit. But we also know God next to us as a friend, someone to talk to, someone to guide us, someone to hold on to, who sees right through us, but who sees us through, who gives His life for us ... the Son of God.

The Greek Orthodox Church

This faith is lived in a community of believers called the Church. Its members are joined together in faith and baptism to Jesus Christ, and are united together through Him to God and to each other. The head of the Church is Jesus Christ. The guide and pilot of the Church is the Holy Spirit.
It is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus the cornerstone, and is a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. As such it dates back in unbroken succession to Christ and the first Apostles. Today there are 250 million Greek Orthodox Christians throughout the world.

Eastern
The Church is often referred to as Eastern Orthodox, as it has its center of growth in "eastern" Constantinople, in contrast to "western" Rome. Of course the Church today is found in all continents and throughout the world.

Greek
It is also called Greek Orthodox to denote that it dates back to the time of the New Testament when Greek was the universal language. The Apostles preached in Greek to the gentile world, and wrote the books of the New Testament in Greek.

Orthodox
Orthodox is derived from two Greek words: "Orthos" (right or true) and "Doxa" (praise or opinion). This denotes its emphasis to proclaim the unadulterated faith of the Apostles safeguarded in the Church through the presence of the Holy Spirit.

One
The Church is One, because "there is one body and one spirit ... one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all." The Russian Orthodox, Syrian Orthodox, Serbian Orthodox, Albanian Orthodox, etc. are all one Church united by the same faith, worship and rules. Each is governed separately, as the Orthodox Church is a federation of self-governing churches throughout the world. There is no one bishop over the entire Church. Christ is its head. The Holy Spirit is its guide and protection.

Holy
The Church is Holy because its founder, Jesus Christ, is Holy and because the Holy Spirit resides in it. Its individual members are not perfect but they strive to be holy or separate from the sin in the world. Their constant prayer is, "Lord have mercy," Kyrie Eleison, which acknowledges their need for forgiveness. They trust that the Lord will complete that which is wanting or deficient in their lives.

Catholic
Catholic is a Greek word meaning universal. The church is for all people, not only for Greeks or Romans or Jews, but for everyone from all nations. As such, its worship services are performed in the language of the people it serves. In this parish, Greek and English are both used as these are the mother tongues of sizable portions of the congregation. In Japan, the Japanese language is used, in Korea, the Korean, etc.

Apostolic
The Church began with the Apostles on the day of Pentecost. The Lord promised "that the gates of Hell will not prevail against it." Therefore it has an uninterrupted existence throughout the centuries holding the original teachings and doctrines inviolate. The bishops of the Church can trace their order of succession all the way back to the Apostles and Christ in an unbroken line known as Apostolic Succession.

Oral and Written Teachings
The teachings of the Church are embodied in the Life of Christ on earth. He left no written statement, but rather a way of life, a faith, a new covenant, and the Holy Spirit. This Spirit speaks through the written word (Scripture), but also through the lives of Christ's followers, the Church. The Church, the body of believers, the saints, came first. They handed down the teachings of Christ by word of mouth and by their way of life. Later they began saving some of the letters and accounts of their members to hand down. These were compiled and became the New Testament writings. The oral teachings are called Holy Tradition. The written teachings of the first apostles are called the New Testament.

Worship
The Greek Orthodox Church is a liturgical church with its main emphasis placed on being a worshipping community. It uses ancient traditions and symbols. The worship experience appeals to the spirit within one and to all five senses of man, as man is not only soul, but a composite being of body and soul. There are seven main sacraments in the Church: Baptism, Chrismation, Confession, Communion, Priesthood, Marriage and Healing.

Communion
The central act of worship is the Holy Communion Service. In this sacrament, the faithful join to offer thanks to God for the salvation given through His Son Jesus. It is therefore also called the Holy Eucharist, a Greek word which means thanksgiving. Also, when receiving the bread and wine, the faithful receive the very body and blood of Jesus Christ. They become one with Him. They commune with Him. Being one with Jesus means that we become one with God and all of His people.

An Invitation
If you are interested in knowing more about the Orthodox Christian Church and its faith and worship, please call 531-3400 to speak to one of our priests. Inquirers classes and bible studies are available to all.

How Can This Faith and Church Help You?
While the Greek Orthodox Church is not just another self-help system, its faith has obvious practical application. By uniting oneself with the eternal God Who created us and by following His principles in life, strengthened and supported by co-workers in His Church, one can grow into a true heir of the Eternal Kingdom.

Ascension Cathedral - The Structure

The Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension was built in the centuries-old Byzantine traditions while using material, design and engineering of the present day.

Traditionally, Orthodox Churches are symbolic, that is, their physical or earthly features are intended to point to, or direct us to a Heavenly significance. For example, the site of this church, high above Oakland and the San Francisco Bay, signified to the community that planned the church, the Ascension of Christ from the earth 40 days after His Resurrection, therefore its name.

The design of the church incorporates an equal sided cross capped by a dome. This Byzantine style cross is formed by a vertical axis and a horizontal axis cross to form four equal sides. The vertical axis represents the creation of Heaven and Earth, and the horizontal, darkness and light. The East, from which the light rises, symbolizes Christ, the Light of the World.

It was important for the community that conceived and built the Church of the Ascension in 1960 that these ancient symbols be rendered in today's modes, as a statement of its conviction that the eternal truths which are symbolized here have meaning and importance for this modern age. The dome is steel, copper-clad on the outside and gold-anodized aluminum on the inside.

The forms of plywood and paper tubing that shaped the poured concrete walls and columns have been allowed to leave their marks for the hundreds of years that the church is expected to stand, as a witness to the fact that the church entered the very life of the twentieth century.

It is important for the Orthodox Christian to prepare himself spiritually before entering the Church, which symbolizes the Kingdom of God. The design of the physical church, therefore, helps in this respect. The grounds surrounding the church have been designed to remind us of the garden of Gesthemane, where our Lord prayed. The rocks are there and the olive trees with them.

As we pass through the copper-clad doors of the church, we enter the outer Narthex. Historically this room was the place where the unbaptized stood to learn the teachings and beliefs of the Christian Church. It contained many Icons (religious paintings) that were used as visual aids to teach the eternal truths. In our Narthex you see four mosaic panels depicting the historic events of the Annunciation, Nativity, Crucifixion, and Ascension. The four lower panels contain an artists conception of four days in the story of Creation as described in the Old Testament.

In today's church, the Narthex, like the garden helps us to prepare to enter the House of God. We can make an offering, light a candle and meditate, or pray silently.

We then proceed to the inner narthex where we reverence the icons of the Church before entering the Nave. The Greek Orthodox Church at Oakland honors the Ascension of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, hence this mosaic dominates the entrance. Here the light dims abruptly and the ceiling is lowered to emphasize the further removal from the outside world.

Finally, the nave of the church is entered. We have dropped our worldly cares and made a symbolic entry into the Kingdom of God. We are in the company of the Apostles, Evangelists, and Saints who have gone before us, some of whom are depicted on the Icon Screen, and on the dome above us.

At the far end of the church our eyes are attracted to the icon of the Platyrea, the title given to the Virgin Mary who is holding the Christ child. As these figures rise above the altar, our gaze is drawn to the icon of the head of Christ, the Pantocrator centered in the golden dome above us.

The architecture of our church speaks to us theologically as well as aesthetically. The dome that covers the entire church symbolizes God Who governs all. The floor symbolizes the earth. The Virgin Mother of God holding Christ, centrally situated, symbolizes the ladder of Divine descent by which God entered history through the Incarnation. In this way, Christ offers salvation, accomplished through the crucifixion, symbolized by the shape of the cross, within the church. The Resurrection is experienced when one comes forward to receive Christ in Holy Communion.

The Altar, which may be entered only by the clergy in the Orthodox Church, can be seen through the Beautiful Gates set in the center of the icon screen.

All of this symbolism, accented by the gentle roundness of the architecture, represents the entire universe, not reaching upward with spires and steeples, but humbly submitting itself to the ever-present God, receiving His saving Grace.