SAN FRANCISCO: August 11, 2010
Pilgrims From Russia Visit the Uncorrupted Relics of St John the Miracle-Worker

On Tuesday, August 10, 2010, after arriving in San Francisco, CA, from Kodiak, Alaska, the participants in the pilgrimage to the holy places of Alaska and Orthodox America, organized by the Moscow Representation of the Orthodox Church in America, visited the Cathedral of the Icon of the Most Holy Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow,” where they were met by His Grace, Bishop Theodosius of Seattle and Vicar Bishop of the Diocese of Western America of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.

After a warm welcome by the hierarch, who conveyed the greetings of His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, the pilgrims prayed at a moleben led by Archbishop Justinian of Naro-Fominsk and Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA together with Archimandrite Zacchaeus, Representative of the Orthodox Church in America to the Moscow Patriarchate and the pilgrims in the priestly rank, to the Holy Hierarch John of Shanghai and San Francisco before his incorrupt relics.

At the conclusion of the moleben, Archbishop Justinian preached a sermon on the significance of the life of St John of Shanghai and San Francisco for the modern Orthodox Christian. Following sincere prayers offered before the holy relics of the great wonderworker of modern times, the Holy Hierarch John, the pilgrims were given a tour of the Cathedral complex and then were treated to tea and other refreshments with Bishop Theodosius in the parish dining hall.

From “Joy of All Who Sorrow” Cathedral, the pilgrims were led by Bishop Theodosius to the Orphanage where St John of Shanghai and San Francisco reposed.

Holy Hierarch John, pray to God for us!

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