At the invitation of His Eminence Kyrill, Archbishop of San Francisco & Western America, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan took part in the celebrations in honor of the feast day of the Holy Hierarch John, Wonderworker of Shanghai & San Francisco.

This year, the celebrations began on Friday, July 1, and continued on Saturday, July 2. In 1994, at the glorification of the Holy Hierarch John, the Council of the Russian Church Abroad adopted a resolution to hold the celebrations in honor of the saint on the nearest Saturday to the day of his repose – Saturday, July 2, 1966.

The popular celebrations began on Friday evening: the clergy and faithful greeted Archbishop Kyrill, who officiated the All-Night Vigil. The Thursday evening prior, the reliquary holding the full relics of St. John was placed in the center of the church for veneration by the faithful.

On Saturday, July 2, Archbishop Kyrill celebrated Divine Liturgy, co-served by Bishop Theodosius of Seattle and Bishop Nicholas. Singing at the divine service was the choir under the direction of conductor Vladimir Krassovsky.

Upon completion of Liturgy, a procession with an icon containing relics of St. John was held. Bishop Nicholas then read a gramota from the Synod of Bishops, awarding Archbishop Kyrill with the Synodal Order of the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God, 1st Class, in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of his consecration to the episcopacy and dedicated labors in the Western American Diocese.

The cathedral sisterhood organized a festal luncheon for the clergy, worshippers, and guests.

Оn, July 3, the third Sunday after Pentecost, Archbishop Kyrill celebrated Divine Liturgy in Joy of All Who Sorrow Cathedral, co-served by Bishop Nicholas.