Affiliation Russian Orthodox Status Active Completed 1965 Phone +1 415-221-3255 | Ecclesiastical or organizational status Cathedral Architect(s) Oleg N. Ivanitsky Opened 1965 Groundbreaking 1961 | |
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Location 6210 Geary BlvdSan Francisco Founder John of Shanghai and San Francisco Similar Cathedral of Saint Mary of th, Saint Ignatius Church, Saints Peter and Paul Chu, St Dominic Church in San Fran, Museo ItaloAmericano | ||
Inside holy virgin cathedral rocor with relics of st john of san francisco
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.
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The holy virgin cathedral choir sf march 2015
History
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.