WESTERN AMERICAN DIOCESE: 8 November 2024
News from the Western American Diocese

On Wednesday, 6 November, 2024, the feast day of the Icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow,” Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the cathedral dedicated to this day in San Francisco, CA. The service was led by His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America, co-served by His Grace Theodosius Bishop of Seattle, as well as a host of diocesan clergy. The concelebrating priests were led by Archimandrite Roman (Krassovsky), Chief of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem (Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia).

At the minor entrance, the Ruling Bishop conferred liturgical awards: to Archpriest John Stets, cleric of the Church of St Tikhon of Zadonsk, the right to wear an ornamented pectoral cross; to Priest George Fokin, cleric of the Cathedral of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow,” the right to wear the kamilavka; and to Nun Catherine, Abbess of the Convent of the Great Martyr Catherine of Sinai in Sonora, California, the right to wear a gold pectoral cross, issued by the Synod of Bishops.

At the end of Liturgy, a procession of the cross was performed, after which Vladyka Kyrill presented gramotas of blessing to a few cathedral members: Pavel Nikolaevich Lukianov, Tatiana Petrovna Buick, Eugene Buick and Matthew Dutrow. A diploma was also presented to the benefactors of the restoration of the main dome of the cathedral and its beautifiers.

Through the efforts of the sisterhood, a festal luncheon was laid for the clergy and parishioners of the cathedral.

On Thursday, November 7, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, began his Primatial visit to the Western American Diocese.

His Eminence began his visit with a moleben before the relics of St John, Archbishop of Shanghai and San Francisco the Wonderworker, at the cathedral.

On Monday, November 11, the great consecration of the Church of the Chief Apostles Peter and Paul will take place in Santa Rosa, CA. The service will be led by His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas. The greeting of Metropolitan Nicholas will commence at 8 o'clock in the morning.