On Monday November 6 and Tuesday November 7, 2017, there will be a diocesan-wide observance of the Centennial of the Bolshevik Revolution (October 25/November 7, 1917) also known as the Day of Irreconciliation; the celebration of the 10^th Anniversary of the signing of the “Act of Canonical Communion” between the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia and the Moscow Patriarchate (4/17 May, 2007) and the 25^th Anniversary of the consecration to the episcopacy of His Eminence KYRILL Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America (May 25/June 7, 1992).

On 1/14 of August, 2017, His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill published Decree 11-E/2017 in which he announced the observance of the Day of Irreconciliation, on this Centennial of the start of the bloody and tragic Bolshevik Revolution which ushered in an era of atheism in the Russian land in the 20^th Century. This unfortunate anniversary will be observed at Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco, CA, by serving a panykhida for all of those who suffered at the hands of the godless authorities in that epoch and will be followed by a lecture reflecting on the history behind the events, which will be open to the general public that evening. The keynote speaker is Archpriest Nicholas Karipoff of Melbourne, Australia.

Archbishop Kyrill’s Decree also announced the celebration of the 10^th Anniversary of the signing of the “Act of Canonical Communion,” which will be combined with the Feast Day of the Diocesan Cathedral in honor of the Icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow,” and the annual Fall clergy retreat (November 5-8).

Included during those days will be the celebration of Archbishop Kyrill’s 25^th Anniversary of his consecration to the episcopacy. The auxiliary bishops of the Western American Diocese, His Grace THEODOSY Bishop of Seattle and His Grace IRENEI Bishop of Sacramento, issued an appeal to the parishes of the diocese to support a gift for Archbishop Kyrill. On the Feast of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” in the presence of the clergy and faithful a present will be given to His Eminence on behalf of the entire Western American Diocese: a complete set of bishop’s vestments and a bishop’s staff with a commemorative inscription.

As proclaimed in His Eminence’s Decree the clergy and faithful are called upon to join together in an all-diocesan event that will mark these three commemorations with prayer, reflection and thanksgiving; for whomever it is possible to request time off from work or studies so as to participate.

Decree 11-E/2017 may be read here (scroll down for English).

The appeal from the auxiliary bishops may be read here (scroll down for English). Donations for Archbishop Kyirll’s commemorative gift may be made directly to the Diocese at the following address:

Western American Diocese
598 -- 15th Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94118
Earmarked “Archbishop Kyrill’s gift”

Sunday, November 5:
6:00 pm: Joy of All Who Sorrow Feast Day Vigil (no common meal)

Monday, November 6: Feast Day of our Diocesan Cathedral
9:30 am: Greeting of the Bishop, solemn Festal Liturgy, procession and festal meal

Tuesday, November 7: "Day of Irreconciliaiton (100th Anniversary)"
6:00 pm: Panykhida for the victims of the godless Communist regime at Holy Virgin Cathedral followed by a keynote talk (in large HVC fellowship hall – open to the general public) by Archpriest Nicholas Karipoff (Melbourne, Australia)