WESTERN AMERICAN DIOCESE: 1 July, 2024
“Joy of All Who Sorrow” Cathedral celebrates the 30th anniversary of the glorification of St John, Archbishop of Shanghai and San Francisco the Wonderworker

On Friday, June 28, 2024, all-night vigil was served at the Cathedral of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow" om San Francisco, CA, on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the unveiling of the relics of St John, Archbishop of Shanghai and San Francisco the Wonderworker. Before the service, the miraculous Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God “of the Sign” was welcomed at the temple.

The service was led by His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. Concelebrating with him were His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America; His Eminence Archbishop Peter of Chicago and Mid-America; His Grace Bishop Irenei of London and Western Europe; His Grace Bishop Theodosius of Seattle, His Grace Bishop Luke of Syracuse; His Grace Bishop James of Sonora, and retired Bishop Nicholas and Bishop Alexander, as well as a host of clergy.

The liturgical hymns were sung by the cathedral choir under the direction of Vladimir Krassovsky and the choir of Holy Trinity Seminary under the direction of Deacon Nicholas Kotar.

Following the service, at the trapeza, Metropolitan Nicholas presented the Western American Diocese with an archival document from 1974 – a congratulatory message from the Passion-Bearers Boris and Gleb Orthodox Youth Circle in San Francisco to the ever-memorable First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Metropolitan Philaret (Voznesensky), and presented a jubilee cross with decorations issued for the 100th anniversary of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, to the Senior Priest of the cathedral, Archpriest Peter Perekrestov.

On Saturday, June 29, Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the First Hierarch, co-served by the above-mentioned bishops, who were also joined by His Eminence Archbishop Benjamin of San Francisco and Western America (Orthodox Church in America), as well as representatives of other Local Orthodox Churches.

At the end of Liturgy, a moleben was performed with a procession of the cross around the cathedral, after which Metropolitan Nicholas greeted everyone with the feast and presented the cathedral with an icon of St. Alexander Svirsky. Archbishop Kirill awarded blessed diplomas to the trustees, benefactors and workers of the cathedral.

Interaction between the archpastors, clergy and worshipers continued during the festal luncheon.

Western American Diocese