ARCHANGELSK: June 15, 2015
Bishop Peter of Cleveland and a Delegation from the Russian Church Abroad Participate in Celebrations of the 25 th Anniversary of the Canonization of St John of Kronstadt in the Fatherland

On June 14, 2015, the 2 nd Sunday of Pentecost and feast day of All Russian Saints, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia led the 25 th anniversary celebrations of the canonization in Russia of St John of Kronstadt. The event was held in the town of Sura, Pinezhsk region of Archangelsk oblast, the birthplace of the saint.

The Patriarch officiated at Divine Liturgy in Dormition Church at St John the Theologian Convent, founded in 1899 at the initiative of St John of Kronstadt.

Among other hierarchs and clergymen, His Holiness was joined by His Grace Bishop Peter of Clevelend, Administrator of the Diocese of Chicago and Mid-America; Protopriest Michael Protopopoff, Administrator of the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand; Protopriest Alexander Belya, Dean of the New York Deanery of the Diocese of Eastern America and New York, Rector of St John the Forerunner Church in Brooklyn, NY; Protopriest Sergy Baburin, Rector of St John of Kronstadt Church in Hamburg, Germany (Diocese of Berlin and Germany) and Protopriest Michael Taratuchin, Rector of St John of Kronstadt Church in Utica, NY.

Singing at the service was “Artos” Choir under the direction of Margarite Krasova from St Petersburg.
After the augmented litany, His Holiness prayed for peace in Ukraine.

The celebration in Sura drew representatives of 138 dioceses of Russia, the near and far abroad, including Australia, Brazil, Germany, Italy, Iran, Canada, Norway, Pakiston, the USA and Chile, and bishops and clergymen, members of the so-called “family of St John of Kronstadt” from 22 nations. This network is a series of “sister” churches, parishes and social establishments dedicated to the memory of Righteous John of Kronstadt, bound by common prayer and the desire to help and support each other. It was formed in 2009 to mark the 100 th anniversary of the saint’s death.

Press Service of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia