Holy Virgin Cathedral

Holy Virgin Cathedral
Location of Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco
Basic information
Location	6210 Geary Blvd San Francisco
Geographic coordinates
Affiliation	Russian Orthodox
Region	United States
State	California
District	Richmond
Ecclesiastical or organizational status	Cathedral
Status	Active
Architect(s)	Oleg N. Ivanitsky
Founder	John of Shanghai and San Francisco
Direction of façade	South
Groundbreaking	1961
Completed	1965
Specifications

The Holy Virgin Cathedral, also known as Joy of all who Sorrow, is a Russian Orthodox cathedral in the Richmond District of San Francisco. It is the largest of the six cathedrals of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia. which has over 400 parishes worldwide.

History

Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco founded the Holy Virgin Cathedral in 1961.

Russian settlement in California began at Fort Ross in 1812. The original San Francisco parish of the Russian Orthodox Church outside Russia was founded in 1927. An earlier Holy Virgin Cathedral was located on Fulton Street in San Francisco. The current cathedral at 6210 Geary Boulevard in the Richmond District was founded by Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco, born Mikhail Maximovitch. The neighborhood is known for its Russian restaurants and shops, and the "most visible Russian presence is the magnificent Holy Virgin Cathedral".

Groundbreaking took place in June 1961, construction was completed in 1965, and the cathedral was consecrated in January 1977. Saint John, who died in 1966, is buried within the cathedral.

Architecture

The cathedral was designed by Oleg N. Ivanitsky, and features five onion domes covered in 24 carat gold leaf. The "incredible beauty" of the interior, which is "lined by icons, religious paintings, and mosaics, and lit by a voluminous chandelier" can be seen only by those who attend religious services.

The building is a San Francisco Designated Landmark.

Clergy and programs

The Rector of the cathedral is Kyrill (Dmitrieff), Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America. The archbishop is a San Francisco native and a graduate of the University of San Francisco. The Cathedral operates a K–12 school, The Saint John of San Francisco Orthodox Academy, as well as a bookstore and housing for senior citizens.

External links

• Holy Virgin Cathedral, San Francisco
• The Saint John of San Francisco Orthodox Academy