WESTERN AMERICAN DIOCESE: 6 July 2026
The feast day of St John of Shanghai and San Francisco is celebrated in the city’s Cathedral of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow”

July 2 is the anniversary of the repose of St John (Maximovich) of Shanghai and San Francisco the Miracle-worker. By decision of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in 1994, upon the uncovering of the relics of the great hierarch of the Russian diaspora, his memory is marked on the closest Saturday to this date. The Cathedral of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” in San Francisco, CA, hosted the celebrations on July 3-4, 2026, headed by His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.

On Friday, 3 July, all-night vigil was performed with the blessing of bread and the magnification sung at the crypt containing the uncorrupt relics of St John.

Concelebrating with His Eminence were His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America, His Grace Bishop Basil of San Francisco and the West, His Grace Bishop Spyridon of Chicago and Mid-America, His Grace Bishop James of Sonora, and His Grace Bishop Peter of Seattle.

The presbyters were led by Archpriest Stefan Pavlenko, who concelebrated with numerous clergy of the Western American Diocese and representatives of other Local Orthodox Churches.

The divine service was beautified by the prayerful singing of the Cathedral Choir under the direction of Vladimir Krassovsky.

Following the Divine Liturgy, a solemn procession took place around the cathedral.

After the procession, Metropolitan Nicholas presented Elena Valeryevna Olkhovskaya with the Synodal Ladies’ Order of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God “of the Sign,” in recognition of her many years of devoted service to the Church and in connection with the 60th anniversary of the blessed repose of St John, Archbishop of Shanghai and San Francisco, the Wonderworker.

The festive day concluded with a fraternal meal lovingly prepared by the Cathedral Sisterhood.