Russian Orthodox
Holy Virgin Cathedral
The Lord has witnesses in every time and in every place. In a city like San Francisco you might never expect to hear any news about a saint that might lived there. A normal person like you and me made his right choice preferred to serve our Lord faithfully. This person also lived in the twentieth century.
Our Lord is a loving Father, He loves all mankind and Cares for all races. Hoping for every one to be saved. I was first introduced to this Russian Saint through St. Antonios monthly magazine. It was on March 98 issue during Lent. Being Coptic we hear a lot of stories about our saints and martyrs. But I never heard about any person outside the Coptic circle; until this Russian Saint. St. John Maximovich "this site is sometimes down" 1896-1966.
St. John was born before communist and his youth dedicated to the Lord, though he studied to be a judge, but he preferred to pursue a religious career. He served in many countries, and cities. His last city which the Lord made him an eye witness for his generation was San Francisco
As we were is St. Antonios Church, they were planning to visit this Russian church a week after. No one was able to give me a specific direction to reach this church. Every thing is so sketchy." It is on GEARY Blvd " pronounced Gary." Just go to downtown and you find it !!!!!!!!!!"
On Monday afternoon after finishing downtown (SFO) we wanted to walk around. We rested in a park and guess what it was in front of a Catholic Church /School. I went and asked for direction to an Orthodox Russian Church. A person guided me to other person "Yes it is on Geary Blvd" "But it is a drivable distance ." " Keep driving till you cross 23rd St." "There you will find those distinguished onion shaped domes". And there we go. Directions were correct . We reached this church full of hopes and ..what. It is closed on Monday.....no way we have to visit it today.. Did we not come here for nothing?. This is not other early reservation. My son and I walked around every door, that may be opened or a person to ask him to allow us to visit this place. My son saw a bell rang twice, and here it is, church doors are opened a monk welcomes us. Monday is day of rest , but this monk did not save any effort to open the gates to; welcome us.
The church is a piece of art, every part is decorated. There is no seating as you see in picture. Russian mass may take 2-3 hours and every one stand all the time.
The monk welcomed us and, he was among those who witnessed opening Saint John cascade. The Saint is white in color and his body after 20 years Did Not See Corruption. Only his skin got darkened due to oxidization. No camera is allowed inside church. And also no picture for the glass box where they keep the Saints' body.
Russian church is a traditional they have a kind of wrapping skirt in case of inappropriate dressing. We were given these 2 picture as souvenir, a calendar, and also some oil for blessing.
This is so refreshing to find something like this in (SFO), I hope that whenever you have a chance to be in (SFO), remember (6210 Geary Blvd) ( St. John Maximovich) (Russian Church)
Capacity
1,200- height inside 70' 9"- main cross 11' 0" - Cupglass covered with 22 gold and
glass mosaics. Auditorium seats
280 Sunday School-Elevator to two balconies - two stained glass
windows 24' x 9'. Front of church has six mosaic icons 20'x5'
Architect Oleg N. Ivanitsky.
For more information please check these links:
http://www.stjohndc.org/who/whojnmx.htm
http://ra.nilenet.com/~russmonk/stjhnmax.htm
http://russianorthodox.org/stjhnmax.html
http://members.tripod.com/shtyetz_john/life-of-st-john.html
http://lonestar.texas.net/~kak/index.htm
That is it folks, and we slow down to take a breath. Tomorrow is the final day ....Back to normal ...back to Dallas.