ROCOR Faithful Honor St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO — Hundreds of faithful gathered at the Cathedral of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow" on July 3–4 to honor the feast of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the beloved hierarch's repose. The annual celebration is observed on the Saturday closest to July 2, in accordance with a 1994 decision of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) following the uncovering of the saint's incorrupt relics.

The festivities were led by Metr. Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. Joining him were Abp. Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America, Bp. Basil of San Francisco and the West, Bp. Spyridon of Chicago and Mid-America, Bp. James of Sonora, and Bp. Peter of Seattle, together with numerous clergy from the Western American Diocese and representatives of other Orthodox jurisdictions. The cathedral choir, directed by Vladimir Krassovsky, provided the liturgical music throughout the services.

The celebration began with an all-night vigil on July 3, during which the blessing of bread was offered and the magnification was sung at the crypt housing St. John's relics. Following the Divine Liturgy the next day, the clergy and faithful participated in a solemn procession around the cathedral. During the festivities, Metr. Nicholas presented Elena Valeryevna Olkhovskaya with the Synodal Ladies' Order of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign" in recognition of her decades of dedicated service to the Church and the 60th anniversary of St. John's blessed repose. The commemoration concluded with a festive meal prepared by the cathedral sisterhood.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Abp. Daniel and Bp. Spyridon led the Tikhvin feast celebration in Chicago.