NEW YORK: 3 July 2023
The feast day of St John of Shanghai and San Francisco is celebrated at the Synodal Cathedral of Our Lady “of the Sign”

In accordance with a decision by the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia made in 1994, the memory of St John of Shanghai and San Francisco the Miracle-worker is celebrated on the first Saturday after the anniversary of his repose. This year the date was 1 July, 2023, and His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York celebrated Divine Liturgy at the Synodal Cathedral of Our Lady “of the Sign” in New York City. Participating in the service were also Archpriest Andrei Sommer, Cathedral Dean, Archpriest Mark Burachek, Archpriest Serafim Gan, Synod Chancellor, Archpriest Vasily Zeleniuk, Protodeacon Nicolas Mokhoff, Protodeacon Sergei Arlievsky, Hierodeacon Panteleimon (Jigalin) and Deacon Nicholas Ilyin.

His Eminence wore a set of vestments once belonging to St John and later his successor on the cathedra of San Francisco and Western America, Archbishop Anthony (Medvedev), who had been consecrated to the episcopacy by Archbishop Anthony (Khrapovitsky) of blessed memory, the first Primate of the Russian Church Abroad.

Vadim Gan led the Synodal choir.

Afterwards, a prayer service was held before an icon of St John, during which the First Hierarch addressed the congregants, noting that St John served during the difficult time of war, amid the suffering and scattering of Russian emigres, and enduring personal hardships. Yet he was always a Christian first and foremost, tending to his flock. In these troublesome days of conflict, tempatations and divisions, we must likewise emulate St John and remain a single Church, in solidarity and familial unity.

Fr Andrei then congratulated Vladyka Nicholas on the recent anniversary of his consecration, wishing him many years of service and good health. The First Hierarch then shared a trapeza luncheon with his clergymen and worshipers.