“Seek first the Kingdom of God and all its righteousness and all things shall be added unto you.” - Matthew 6:33.

As we celebrate a decade since the establishment of this humble mission parish in Bakersfield, California we are left in awe at God’s love and mercy and with immeasurable excitement at the prospects this mission parish holds for the future. In ten years, we have see the parish steadily grow from a community of core proponents and advocates hopeful of establishing a church for their children and posterity to a diverse and pluralistic community representative of the unique tapestry of Bakersfield. Calling Virgin Mary home, the faithful of our beautiful parish including Arabs, Americans, and Hispanics strive to serve the needs of the Orthodox Christian faithful of this beautiful community and to embody and engender the Universality of The Church.

Virgin Mary continues to demonstrate and live the ethos that God endeavors to baptize all nations and gather all of creation into His loving abode. As we celebrate ten years, we look forward with great anticipation and excitement heeding the words of Saint Paul: “Eyes have not seen, nor have ears heard, nor has it entered the heart of man the things God has in store for those that love Him.” - 1 Corinthians 2:9