DIOCESE OF SAN FRANCISCO AND WESTERN AMERICA: November 2, 2006
Ukase From Archbishop Kyrill on the Celebration of the 25 th Anniversary of the Glorification of the New Martyrs by the Russian Church Abroad

To the Reverend Rectors of the Churches of the Western American Diocese:

This year is the 25 th anniversary of the glorification of the host of New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia. Wondrous is God in His Saints!

The jubilee of this historic event will be celebrated in our Diocese on the feast day of the Cathedral of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow," on Monday, October 24/November 6. As we approach the great event of the reconciliation of the two parts of the Russian Orthodox Church, let us all gather in our Cathedral, give thanks to our Chief Pastor, the Lord, His Most-Pure Mother and the Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia, whose blood and podvig serve as a bridge over the bloody abyss of the Red terror of the last century. With love, we call upon all the clergymen and parishioners of our God-preserved Diocese to gather in the Cathedral on Sunday evening for all-night vigil and for Divine Liturgy on Monday morning. After Liturgy, a moleben and procession of the cross will be conducted honoring the Most-Pure Mother of God and Her holy icon "Joy of All Who Sorrow" and the Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia.

Clergy are to bring the customary blue vestments for the Mother of God.

Beseeching the intercession and protection of the Most-Pure Mother of God and that of the holy saints of God, the Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia, we invoke upon everyone Divine blessings.

† Archbishop KYRILL

October 15/28, 2006