On June 15, 2025, Los Angeles hosted the Centennial Celebration of the founding of the first Russian Orthodox parish in Southern California — the Holy Virgin Mary Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Orthodox Church in America.

The parish officially began its history in 1923. Due to several factors — including the COVID pandemic and construction — the celebration was postponed until 2025.

The parish has a rich history shaped by its parishioners, who contributed to the daily life of Los Angeles and the broader United States across many fields: architecture, engineering, construction, film, art, music, politics, education, and the armed forces.

Congratulatory messages were received by the rector, Father Nazari, and the parish from:

• His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America,
• Archbishop Benjamin of the Diocese of the West,
• Mayor of Los Angeles Karen Bass, who sent greetings on behalf of herself and the residents of Los Angeles,
• California State Senator Maria Elena Durazo,
• Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis.

Ivan Podvalov, representative of the Congress of Russian Americans in Los Angeles, was among several community members recognized with a Certificate of Appreciation from Archbishop Benjamin of San Francisco and the West, for his contribution to the celebration.

The festivities gathered nearly 500 guests and parishioners, and included a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy followed by a banquet, during which official greetings were read, including a message from the President of the Congress of Russian Americans.

The Congress of Russian Americans also contributed to the centennial by supporting the creation of a 30-minute documentary film dedicated to the parish’s 100-year history.