On Saturday, May 26, our cathedral community was joined by clergy and faithful from around the Bay Area to celebrate the glorious vigil of Pentecost with His Eminence, Archbishop Benjamin. Following the vigil, we enjoyed a repast together and heard from Fr. Joseph Kwame Ayete Labi about the Church in Ghana and were offered an opportunity to help with theological education there. We were also joined by master Iconographer Dmitry Shkolnik who shared his vision for beautifying the dome of our temple.
On Sunday, May 27, the great and last day of Pentecost, the feast of the Trinity, we celebrated our patronal feast day. His Eminence, Archbishop Benjamin, was assisted by Mitred Archpriest Ian MacKinnon, former Chancellor of our Diocese; Protopresbyter Joseph Kwame Ayete Labi; Archpriest Kirill Sokolov, Cathedral Dean; and Priest Peter Fermeglia. At the Little Entrance, His Eminence bestowed the dignity of wearing the kamilavka upon Protodeacon Brendan Doss. This high honor had been awarded by the Holy Synod of Bishops at its spring session. At the Kneeling Vespers and Molieben, we were joined by Mitred Archpriest Peter Perekrestok of Holy Virgin Cathedral (ROCOR) in San Francisco.
A wonderful festive meal continued the joy and fellowship that had been made manifest in the receiving of the Holy Eucharist that morning. At the meal, the cathedral parish recognized His Eminence, Archbishop Benjamin’s paternal love for us and presence with us as well as his upcoming birthday on June 1.
The cathedral is marking its 150th anniversary this year. In 1868, the first permanent Orthodox priest was assigned to the mission in San Francisco. This marks the anniversary of established Church presence in the Bay Area, California, and the contiguous United States. We will mark this anniversary with praise and thanksgiving in celebrations to be led by His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, on Saturday, October 20. For more information, please contact Fr. Kirill Sokolov, cathedral dean, at frkirill@holy-trinity.org.
A gallery of photographs is below:
