Updates, Resources, and Guidance for Returning to In-Person Worship at the Cathedral
June 2021: Following the guidance received by the State and local health officers and our Metropolis, in light of the June 15, 2021 lifting of restrictions by the State of California, occupancy limits for in-person worship have been suspended. Reservations for in-person worship, therefore, are no longer required. However, mask wearing indoors continues to be required, both for those who are vaccinated and those who are not vaccinated. While 80% of eligible San Franciscans have been vaccinated, there are some who have not been vaccinated. We care for the health and well-being of all our parishioners.
Sunday coffee hour will resume as soon as it is safe to do so and in September we hope to open Sunday School and Greek School to in-person learning, and to reopen other programs and activities. Toward this end, we are reviewing the guidance from the State and City health departments. Announcements concerning these will be made in the near future
We extend a warm invitation to you to return for services as long as you are comfortable doing so. We look forward to seeing you soon!
April 2021: Now that we have officially reopened for in-person worship, we invite those of you that are comfortable doing so, to return to your spiritual home. We are currently allowed limited capacity at 40 congregants, so as to maintain social distancing guidelines. After so much time apart, it has been a joy to see each of you as you return one by one. Please click here to RSVP for upcoming services and also here to view our Reopening Guidelines. We look forward to seeing everyone in-person soon!
March 2021: The Reopening committee has finalized the reopening plans and has presented the final draft to the Parish Council. God willing, we will re-open in limited capacity, about 40 people, on our Feast Day on March 25th! Please find the Reopening Guidelines by clicking here as well as the Informed Consent Form here (a printable version can be downloaded here). Also note a reservation is required as capacity is limited, you may RSVP online by clicking here or call the Cathedral at (415) 864-8000, Monday-Friday 9:00am - 1:00pm.
We need your help to welcome parishioners back to the Cathedral! If you are able to assist, please reach out to Paul Sogotis at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or click here to enter your information in our secure form.
February 2021: The Supreme Court decision to allow in-door, in-person worship means that the Cathedral can re-open at up to 25% capacity (40 people). The reopening committee will be meeting soon, taking into consideration the restrictions to singing and chanting as found in this SFHO Statement.
October 22, 2020: Reopening of the Cathedral for in-person worship is on hold. While we had announced a November 1st date for the resumption of in-person worship our Reopening Task Force and, subsequently, our Parish Council, voted not to do so just yet. Both were guided by the most recent City guidelines, which impose a number of restrictions upon in-person worship. This said, our goal is to open as soon as it is safe to do so. Meanwhile, we invite you to continue to participate in the Sunday services and special weekday services, remotely, through our online streaming channel.
September 30, 2020: Seven months into the pandemic, we are pleased to learn that the City of San Francisco public health director will allow in-person worship to take place with up to 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is less. In the case of the Cathedral, that means roughly 40 people may take part in services when we re-open. However, in order to open, even in this limited way, we need to obtain our certificate of occupancy for the garage so that you may self-park. We expect this will happen sometime in October, once the last pavers are installed at the Valencia Street entry to the courtyard and the garage elevator receives its final inspection. We hope to be able to open on or about November 1. Meanwhile, we invite you to continue to participate in the Sunday services and special weekday services, remotely, through streaming. We are, of course, saddened that we have not been able to open up for in-person worship, all this time. However, the safety of our people is paramount. Let us continue to pray for one another in these challenging times, and let us stay safe.
When we resume in-person worship, we will need to have between seven (7) and ten (10) volunteers on hand each time the church is open to monitor the parking garage, greet and check in, ask health questions, usher, and provide general oversight. Are you able and are you willing to assist? If the answer is yes, please let us know, so that we can compile a master list of our volunteer pool and begin training. Please click here if you are willing and able to volunteer for this important task. We look forward to hearing from you.
See official statement for more information.
June 16, 2020: On Monday, June 15, 2020 San Francisco’s Health Officer directed that “religious gatherings and ceremonies” may take place “outdoors only (up to 12 people), with face coverings and social distancing.” This means that Annunciation Cathedral may not open, as planned, on July 5, with up to 40 congregants, as recently announced. Inasmuch as an outdoor Liturgy for up to 12 people is impractical, especially since self-park, utilizing the garage, is still an issue, for the foreseeable future worshipers are invited to continue to participate in the Sunday services and special weekday services (as for example, August 15), remotely, through streaming. The announcement by the City states: “This Directive goes into effect on June 15, 2020, and remains in effect until suspended, superseded, or amended by the Health Officer...under the authority of California Health and Safety Code Sections 101040, 101085, and 120175.” We are, of course, saddened that we may not open up for in-person worship, for the time being. However, the safety of our people is paramount. Let us continue to pray for one another, looking ahead to the day when we can gather, once again, in our church.
See official statement from SF Mayor's office for more information.
May 27, 2020: The Metropolis of San Francisco has created and distributed a “3-Step Planning Process” to guide its churches along a path to reopening. The Metropolis’ main concern is ensuring that a safe environment is created at each parish for faithful to come and worship. Provided here is the Metropolis plan, detailing 5 different areas of focus which will be divided amongst a site-specific Task Force. Our Task Force Heads by section are:
- Regulatory Compliance: Chris Kyriacou
- Liturgical Practices and Worship: Christo Pappademos
- Health and Safety: Doctor Christina Armatas and Head Nurse Vivian Curd
- Communication: John Lampros and Peter Cazanis
- Leaders, Greeters, and Volunteers: Archon Paul Sogotis
If you would like to join one of these specific Task Force Groups, please email Father Stephen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Christo Pappademos at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
All who may be inclined to volunteer to help carry out this plan are encouraged to do so! This will be an arduous process with many steps to ensure the safety of our parishioners. The more help we have, the better!