WESTERN AMERICAN DIOCESE: November 7, 2023
Feast-day celebrations of the Cathedral of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow" of the Western American Diocese (photo-report)

On Monday, November 6, 2023, the feast day of the Moscow Icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow" and the patronal feast day of the Cathedral in San Francisco, Divine Liturgy was celebrated. The service was led by His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America, co-served by His Grace Theodosius, Bishop of Seattle, His Grace Bishop Nicholas (Soraic), His Grace Bishop James of Sonora, and a host of clergy of the Western American Diocese.

At the minor entrance, the ruling bishop honored Priest Matthew Garrett and Priest Ilya Drake with liturgical awards. At the end of the service, a procession of the cross was performed, after which Archbishop Kyrill presented the Order of St John, Archbishop of Shanghai, San Francisco the Wonderworker, II degree, to Bishop Theodosius on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of his episcopal consecration, as well as the Order of the same Third Degree to Protodeacon Paul Bilibin on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of his ordination to the diaconate.

In keeping with the established good tradition, the sisterhood served a festal luncheon for the clergy and parishioners of the cathedral.

Western American Diocese