WESTERN AMERICAN DIOCESE: November 21, 2015
The Fiftieth-Anniversary Celebrations of the Cathedral of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow”

On Friday, November 6, 2015, the feast day of the Moscow Icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow,” His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America, Secretary of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, celebrated Divine Liturgy at San Francisco’s cathedral dedicated to the icon, and performed all-night vigil the evening before. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the great cathedral, which contains the uncorrupt relics of St John of Shanghai and San Francisco the Miracle-Worker.

His Eminence was joined in the services by His Grace Bishop Theodosius of Seattle, Vicar of the Western American Diocese; His Grace Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, Deputy Secretary of the Synod of Bishops; His Grace Bishop Nikolaj (Soraic), the clergymen of the diocese and visiting clerics from the Russian Orthodox Church and other Local Orthodox Churches.

During the service, several clerics and laypersons were granted ecclesiastical awards for their many years of service to the Church, including the Senior Priest of the cathedral, Protopriest Peter Perekrestov, who was given the right to wear a mitre.

Photos: Alexander Belyarchik