In accordance with the practice of the Russian Church Abroad, the feast of the Holy Hierarch John of Shanghai & San Francisco – a saint deeply venerated throughout the Orthodox world – is celebrated on the Saturday closest to the anniversary of his repose (July 2). On this day – Saturday, July 4 – Bishop Theodosius of Manhattan, vicar of the Eastern American Diocese, celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

Concelebrating with His Grace were: Archimandrite Gabriel (Pigarev; dean of Holy New Martyrs of Russia Church in Brooklyn, NY), Archpriests Andrei Sommer (cathedral dean), Vasily Zelenyuk (rector of the "Unexpected Joy" Church on Staten Island, NY) and Seraphim Chemodakov, Hieromonk Theognost (Kogan; parish clerics), and visiting clergy.

Numerous parishioners and guests prayed during the service, and many communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

Following the service, Bishop Theodosius addressed the faithful with a sermon on the life of St. John of Shanghai. His Grace had served for many years as a bishop in San Francisco, a city home to many individuals who, as children, had lived in the orphanage established by St. John in Shanghai; they knew the saint well and have shared many stories about him.

"The hierarch made sure that his pupils knew not only the life of their patron saint, but also the saint’s troparion. We very rarely turn to our saints – usually only when we are sick or grieving. As the older residents of the orphanage recounted to me, St. John spoke about the saints during every lesson on the Law of God – lessons that took place daily. Through his own example, the hierarch demonstrated how one ought to lead a spiritual life.

"After his monastic tonsure, St. John gave his body no rest. In our day, if we were to attempt such ascetic feats, it could lead to serious injury or illness. Once, a priest decided to imitate Archbishop John and undertake similar ascetic labors. Upon learning of this, the hierarch invited him over, fed him non-fasting food, and told him not to attempt feats that exceeded his strength.

"When Saint John was appointed to the see of Shanghai, the Primate, Metropolitan Anthony (Khrapovitsky), remarked that he was ‘tearing a piece of his own heart away.’ Throughout his life, the hierarch was a man who aided the sick, the suffering, and those in need. He would visit hospitals and pray not only for the Orthodox, but also for Catholics and Jews.

"It is said that when a young woman wrote to St. Nikolai of Serbia asking if there were any saints in our time, she received this reply: ‘Look at John the Barefoot.’ The hierarch almost always went barefoot, to the point where the Synod had to issue a decree mandating that he wear shoes. The humble elder began to carry the footwear – though not on his feet, for there were no instructions prescribing how it should be worn."

The clergy served a short moleben, after which the clergy and the faithful gathered for a festive meal, where their fraternal fellowship continued.