DIOCESE OF SAN FRANCISCO AND WESTERN AMERICA; May 24, 2006

The Services of His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus

On Saturday, May 20, the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia prayed at Divine Liturgy performed by Protopriest Paul Volmensky at Holy Ascension Church in Sacramento, the state capital. Afterwards, His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus led a moleben before the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God along with the local clergymen.

The following day, His Eminence Vladyka officiated at Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow" in San Francisco, and all-night vigil on the eve, joined by Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America and Bishop Peter of Cleveland, the Cathedral's clergymen and visiting clergy. That evening, at the service on the eve of the Translation of the Relics of St Nicholas to Bari, His Eminence officiated at all-night vigil at the Church of All Russian Saints in Burlingame, CA. The next day, His Eminence Vladyka served at Divine Liturgy here along with Bishop Peter, Parish Rector Protopriest Stefan Pavlenko, Protopriest Peter Perekrestov and local clergymen. Noteworthy is the fact that this church was at one time the podvorie [local residence] of Blessed Metropolitan Anastassy, who died on this holiday 41 years ago.