June 4, 2024
Photo: synod.com The website of the ROCOR reported that on May 27, Memorial Day in the United States, Divine Liturgy was celebrated at Fort Ross National Historic Site. The festal service was led by His Grace Bishop Theodosius of Seattle, First Vicar of the Western American Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. His Grace was co-served by the clergy of the Western American Diocese.
At the end of Divine Liturgy, a multitude of pilgrims and clergy marched in procession to the burial place of the Russian settlers from the early 19th century, where a memorial litiya was served. After the service, the pilgrims went to the Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God on the Russian River, where a festive luncheon was offered to everyone.
Fort Ross, located on the Sonoma County Coast of Northern California, is a historical site dear to Russian immigrants, and fascinating to all visitors. There you can imagine the way of life of 19th Russians—and not only Russians. Wikipedia cites that “It was the hub of the southernmost Russian settlements in North America from 1812 to 1841. Notably, it was the first multi-ethnic community in northern California, with a combination of Native Californians, Native Alaskans, Russians, Finns, and Swedes. It has been the subject of archaeological investigation and is a California Historical Landmark, a National Historic Landmark, and on the National Register of Historic Places. It is part of California's Fort Ross State Historic Park.”
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