DECREE № 9/2012 Regarding the Celebration of the 200th Year Jubilee of Fort Ross

[April 5, 2012]

DECREE № 9/2012:
THE CELEBRATION OF THE 200TH YEAR JUBILEE OF FORT ROSS

1. The year 2012 marks the Celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the historical place for Russian Orthodox in California - Fort Ross. In connection with this celebration, our Orthodox Church is organising two pilgrimages to Fort Ross. The first pilgrimage, by already established tradition, will occur on Monday the 28th of May – Memorial Day. The second, main celebration will occur on Saturday the 25th of August, of this year, in collaboration with other Orthodox jurisdictions, the Administration of Fort Ross and the Russian Consulate.

2. On the occasion of this Jubilee Celebration, all clergy of the First Deanery are obliged to concelebrate and to bring their parishoners to both attend and participate in the festivities. Parish Schools and Scout Organisations are called upon to draw the attention of thier respective students and parents for the benefit of thier participation in this event.

Taking into account the spiritual and historical importance of this occasion, it falls upon the Father-Rectors to actively generate interest amongst their parishoners; organise transport for their parishoners; prepare presentations for their parish schools, of a spiritual, ethnic or historical character, where such are possible; request offerings, donations and the like, so that the maximum quantity of our flock, both young and old, will participate in these historical events.

3. The clergy are responsible for bringing with themselves white vestments, both in May and in August, and wearing their ecclesiastical awards to which they are entitled.

4. In connection with the enormous expense involved in arranging and organising the celebrations, responsibility lies with the parishes to conduct collections for the these events upon receipt of this decree until the May Pilgrimage (28 May 2012). Cheques should be made payable to "Western American Diocese," with the memo marked "Fort Ross" and sent to the Diocesan Administration at: 598 15th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94118.

It is the duty of Father-rectors to remind their parishoners and worshippers, from the ambo, that Fort Ross is a historical place and is acknowledged as our living bond with Russian-America and Imperial Russia.

† KYRILL,
Archbishop of San Francisco & Western America

2/15 March 2012
San Francisco, California