Russia’s First Lady Visits the West Coast’s Main Russian Cathedral

[June 23, 2010] On June 3, the memory of St. John of Tobolsk (Maximovitch), San Francisco’s Holy Virgin Russian Orthodox Cathedral “Joy of All Who Sorrow” (Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia) was visited by Svetlana Medvedev, the wife of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who is in California for the first time on an official visit.

The “Joy of All Who Sorrow” Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco is the spiritual center of the West Coast’s Russian Orthodox community and is the only Orthodox parish church in North America that has a daily cycle of services. The great saint of the XX century, Archbishop John (Maximovitch), – now canonized – was the rector of this parish from 1963-1966 and his uncorrupt relics lie in the cathedral proper. It is here that the IV All-Diaspora Council of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia convened and the historical decision made to end the division in the Local Russian Church.

The First Lady was met at the doors of the cathedral by His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America, clergy, members of the church board and parishioners. At the Service of Intercession to St. John the Wonderworker before the saint’s relics, prayers were said for the Russian land, (President) Dmitry, Svetlana and the hierarchs and faithful of the Russian Orthodox Church. Following the service and the intonement of “Many years,” Archbishop Kyrill blessed Mrs. Medvedev with an icon of St. John and introduced her to the cathedral clergy, warden, choir director and head sister of the cathedral. In turn, the First Lady presented the parish with an icon of Saints Peter and Fevronia, the patron saints of a new holiday in Russia – the Day of Love, Family and Faithfulness.

The cathedral dean, Archpriest Peter Perekrestov, then proceeded to give Mrs. Medvedev a brief overview of the parish’s history and its meaning for Orthodoxy in America. Father Peter told the First Lady about the cathedral’s two schools and then showed her St. John of Kronstadt’s belt (S. Medvedeva was born in Kronstadt), personal items, including a Bible belonging to Russia’s Last Imperial Family, a medallion with blood of one of the Royal Martyrs and a XVII century Gospel.

In conclusion, the First Lady spoke briefly to some of the clergy and parishioners and extended her gratitude and recognition to all those who preserved the Orthodox faith and Russian culture in the difficult conditions of exile. Mrs. Medvedev wished the cathedral parishioners to continue their labors with love, friendship and mutual support.

Photo gallery of the First Lady's visit. PHOTOS BY Loic Nicolas

Western American Diocese Press Service