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Enjoy and download photos from the groundbreaking: https://andrewandbethanyphoto.pass.us/st-anna-groundbreaking/

Our gratitude to Andrew and Bethany Burrows for capturing so many of these blessed moments.

ROSEVILLE, CA – On Saturday, September 7th, 2019, His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, His Grace Bishop Neofitos of Nyeri and Mount Kenya, and over 400 clergy and laity from around the world celebrateD the groundbreaking of the Shrine of Saint Anna.

The new home of the Metropolis Shrine, founded in 1998 and dedicated to the Sanctity of Marriage and Family, will be a Byzantine-styled sanctuary that will provide a much-needed worship space for the faithful. When completed, the Shrine will also providing the region a new symbol, a home and example of the enduring power of faith and family in California’s Sierra foothills.

The parishioners of the Shrine come from families of the greater-Roseville area and throughout Placer County.  In addition to maintaining a rich liturgical life and a pastorally relevant ministry for her faithful, the clergy and members of the parish are active with several local nonprofits. The parish and her philanthropic organization, the “Philoptochos” or “Friends of the Poor” financially support numerous local, national and international charities.

In 2005, the Parish received a Holy Relic of Saint Anna, the maternal grandmother of Jesus Christ, from Mount Athos, a peninsula of monasteries in northern Greece. Local media covered week long events. In 2007, the Parish received Holy Relics of Ss. Anna and Joachim from the same monastic community. Pilgrims from throughout the world regularly contact and often visit the parish to seek the intercessions of these Saints, particularly for marriage and children. 

Rev. Dr. Christoper Flesoras, one of the pastors of the parish said, “Being distinguished as a holy shrine is unique in Christendom, especially before the Sanctuary is even constructed!  Yet, our bishop realized the future ministry and importance of this church in Roseville for the faithful both here and abroad. Now, with clergy and laity visiting from as far as Kenya, we break ground for our Sanctuary which, once built, will stand forever.  It is truly a privilege for all of us to be a part of this project.”

With over a dozen clergy, dignitaries from the City of Roseville and Placer County, our architect, the US representative of our mosaicist in Italy, the Dean of Hellenic College and over 400 laity and friends of our Parish, we broke ground. The Blessing of the Water and the shovels turning earth was humbling, while the talks were inspiring. The reception was outstanding and the fellowship, truly Christian and joyful. The day closed with over a hundred faithful in Vespers.