News from St. Sergius Parish Regarding the Feast of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco

It has become a well-loved tradition at St. Sergius Parish to celebrate the feast of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco (July 2) with a Hierarchical service, followed by a celebratory banquet for parish members and guests. This year, for scheduling reasons, the feast took place on Sunday, July 6. Bishop Andronik made a pastoral visit and served the All-Night Vigil, as well as the Divine Liturgy the following morning, joined by Rector Fr. Gregory Kotlaroff and Parish Deacon Fr. Gregory Axelrod. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the clergy celebrated a Slava service with the blessing of the Kоlach and Kolivo, as many Orthodox Serbs particularly revere St. John and attend this festal service, remembering the saint’s early monastic days in Serbia.

After the service, as has become tradition, everyone was invited to an outdoor luncheon to share a meal and recount episodes from St. John’s life, as well as the numerous miracles that have occurred and continue to occur through his intercessions. This year’s theme revolved around St. John’s contribution to the building of the Church, namely his role in selecting the third First-Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad—at the time only a vicar bishop of Brisbane and the youngest bishop at the Council of Bishops—St. Filaret. The program consisted of performances by several choral ensembles, including children from St. Sergius Parish, members of the choir at Holy Trinity in Astoria, and a women’s ensemble.

St. John, pray to God for us!