ܥܕܬܐ ܕܡܪܝ ܐܦܪܝܡ ܣܘܪܝܝܐ
St. Ephraim Cathedral

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A brief historical review on St. Ephraim Cathedral
the mother church in the Western Archdiocese

St. Ephraim Church was founded in Hollywood, California in 1962, by a few Syrian Orthodox families lead by the late Rev. Father Fadel Fedail.  The community acquired the Church building on Hoover St. in 1967, and it has been growing ever since.  In the mid seventies the membership had grown to about 60 families.  In the late seventies and early eighties, and as a result of relatively large scale immigration from the Middle East, membership grew to several hundred families.

After passing away of the Very Rev. Fr. Fadel Fedail in 1982, Rev. Fr. Nimeh Farah served the community until the end of 1985.  In January 1986, the Rev. Fr. Dr. Joseph Tarzi assumed ministry of the church. The real expansion and prosperity of the Church did not begin until after August 1989, when the church moved to a new location: 900 N. Glenoaks Blvd, in Burbank. 

In November, 1995, the Holy Synod headed by our beloved Patriarch His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I, Iwas, decided to divide the Archdiocese of the United States and Canada into (3) three Archdioceses, one of which is that of the Western United States.  His Holiness further appointed His Eminence Archbishop Mor Clemis Eugene Kaplan to be the Patriarchal Vicar for the newly created Archdiocese.  H. E. started his duties in April, 1996.

Through the personal efforts of His Eminence Archbishop Mor Clemis Eugene Kaplan the Church in the Western Archdiocese entered into a new era of spiritual growth and activities. St. Ephraim church has chosen to be Cathedral, and under the auspices of His Eminence a strong Boy and Girl Scout movement has been established in the Archdiocese the center of which is St. Ephraim Cathedral.

Through the help of God and the leadership of H. E. Mor Clemis Eugene Kaplan, and prayers of His Holiness, St. Ephraim Cathedral will grow further and prosper making its way up into this new century of 21^st.

With the new facility of the church, and through the hard work of the priests and Parish Council's members of the Cathedral, and zealous parishioners, many cherished dreams of the faithful have been fulfilled. As today, at St. Ephraim Cathedral some active organizations have been formed, there is a Youth Organization directed towards faith, discipline, Christian love and virtues is guided by Rev. Fr. John Saif, and a fine Choir performing delightfully during worship trained by Rev. Fr. Louis Yacob, and a lively Sunday School implanting faith and fear of God in the hearts of our young ones directed by Mrs. Patricia Allaf, and active Ladies Society “Ladies Auxiliary” which proved to be an invaluable asset to the Church.  Bible study and Syriac Classes are held by the priests to interpret and understand the word of God and teach the holy language of the Lord.

A full time staffed Church office is available, and equipped with modern office equipment to efficiently carry out office operations.  In 1995 work began on establishing a day care center in the church premise to be the nucleus of a future elementary school. The Center was officially opened in the Fall of 1996, and soon became a thriving School. 

All these dreams have come true with the help of God and with the hard work of the clergy and encouragement and support of our beloved faithful and with blessing of His Eminence.

Congratulations to our community for the important accomplishments.  May God bless our people.  May their work be for the glorification of God and the prosperity of our Holy Syriac Orthodox Church.